Influence of oxygen tension on histone remodeling in bovine embryos produced in vitro

• Grant number: 11/16863-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: November 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Joaquim Mansano Garcia
• Grantee: Roberta Cordeiro Gaspar
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In vitro production of bovine embryos (IVP) is a reproductive biotechnology of major economic importance in animal production, allowing for greater usage of genetically superior animals. However, despite many advances in the technique, the rate of embryo development in vitro is still significantly inferior to that seen in vivo, indicating possible culture effects. As a consequence, sub-optimal culture conditions can interfere with embryo development as well as pregnancy establishment. Therefore, it is vital to understand the process of proper embryo development and the ideal conditions for embryo culture, in order to improve IVP. The current project proposes to evaluate the influence of oxygen tension in the epigenetic regulation of embryos produced in vitro. Epigenetic is the regulation of gene expression without changes to the DNA sequence, and one of the most studied epigenetic processes is histone remodeling, which is in fact vital for embryo development. This project aims to 1) evaluate clivage and blastocyst rates following IVP under different oxygen tension conditions; 2) analyze, in these embryos, the process of histone remodeling, as well as the expression of the enzymes involved in this process. The project focuses on better understanding the role of oxygen tension in epigenetic regulation of in vitro embryo development in the bovine.Keywords: IVP, oxygen tension, epigenetics, histones, bovine

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

GASPAR, Roberta Cordeiro. Efeito das condições de cultivo no remodelamento das histonas de embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro. 2013. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Jaboticabal Jaboticabal.