Optimal single-embryo mass spectrometry fingerprinting

Author(s)

Tata, Alessandra ^[1] ; Sudano, Mateus J. ^[2] ; Santos, Vanessa G. ^[1] ; Landim-Alvarenga, Fernanda D. C. ^[2] ; Ferreira, Christina R. ^[1] ; Eberlin, Marcos N. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Campinas UNICAMP, ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Lab, UNICAMP, BR-13084971 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci FMVZ, Dept Anim Reprod & Vet Radiol, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Mass Spectrometry; v. 48, n. 7, p. 844-849, JUL 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 25

Abstract

In pre-implantation embryos, lipids play key roles in determining viability, cryopreservation and implantation properties, but often their analysis is analytically challenging because of the few picograms of analytes present in each of them. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) allows obtaining individual phospholipid profiles of these microscopic organisms. This technique is sensitive enough to enable analysis of individual intact embryos and monitoring the changes in membrane lipid composition in the early stages of development serving as screening method for studies of biology and biotechnologies of reproduction. This article introduces an improved, more comprehensive MALDI-MS lipid fingerprinting approach that considerably increases the lipid information obtained from a single embryo. Using bovine embryos as a biological model, we have also tested optimal sample storage and handling conditions before the MALDI-MS analysis. Improved information at the molecular level is provided by the use of a binary matrix that enables phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, phosphatidylserines, phosphatidylinositols and phosphoethanolamines to be detected via MALDI(+/-)-MS in both the positive and negative ion modes. An optimal MALDI-MS protocol for lipidomic monitoring of a single intact embryo is therefore reported with potential applications in human and animal reproduction, cell development and stem cell research. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/06191-7 - MALDI-TOF and ESI-MS fingerprinting for bacteria identification in culture media and semen as a tool for sanitary excelence in bovine embryo in vitro production
• Grantee: Alessandra Tata
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/02333-4 - Global gene expression pattern of Bos taurus indicus and Bos taurus taurus in vitro and in vivo produced embryos
• Grantee: Mateus José Sudano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate