Effect of fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) in the differentiation of primitive endoderm in bovine embryos

• Grant number: 19/22798-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Demarchi Goissis
• Grantee: Matheus Pasini Martins
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/09576-3 - Studies on cell differentiation mechanisms during early bovine embryo development, AP.JP

Abstract

Brazil occupies a prominent position in global production of in vitro bovine embryos. In 2017, the country has established itself as a major exporter of technologies and animal genetics. However, there are still challenges to be overcome in this area.Part of embryo developmental failures may be associated with perturbations in the process of cell differentiation. Prior to embryonic implantation, a first cellular differentiation occurs, leading to segregation of the trophectoderm (TE) and the inner cell mass (ICM). Subsequently, ICM cells undergo a second differentiation, forming the epiblast (EPI) and the primitive endoderm (PE). This separation is influenced by the FGF4 signaling pathway, which is not yet fully elucidated.Thus, the present project aims to evaluate the influence of fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) on the differentiation of primitive endoderm in bovine embryos.Oocytes will be harvested from ovaries from commercial slaughterhouses and then selected to undergo in vitro maturation, fertilization, and culture. On days 5-7, 5-9 and 7-9 after fertilization, embryos will be cultured in medium containing FGF4 andand PPE in bovine embryos. then fixed in 3.8% formaldehyde. The presence of EPI or PE markers NANOG, GATA6 and SOX17 will then be evaluated by immunofluorescence. Thus, the objective of this study is to better understand the role of FGF signaling in the differentiation of PE.