Influence of rat placental lactogen-I on the development of whole rat embryos in culture
in Journal of EndocrinologySearch for other papers by G Seyoum in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by MC Robertson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by TV Persaud in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by JA Paterson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by RP Shiu in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Rat placental lactogen-I (rPL-I), the first prolactin-like hormone expressed in the placenta during pregnancy in the rat, is known to influence maternal functions. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of rPL-I on the growth and development of cultured whole rat embryos. Rat embryos, with or without ectoplacental cone (EPC) attached, were explanted at day 9 of gestation. After 48 h of culture, the embryos, enclosed by the yolk sacs, were assessed by the presence of visible heart contractions ('heart beats'), crown-rump length (CRL) and yolk sac diameter (YSD). When intact embryos with EPC were cultured, the concentrations of rPL-I and rPL-II (products of EPC) in the medium were 850+/-841 and 92+/-181 ng/ml respectively (means+/-s.e.m.). In embryo cultures with the EPC removed, rPL-I levels decreased to</=10 ng/ml, and only 70% of the embryos were viable, with visible heart beats. In the viable embryos, both CRL and embryonic DNA synthesis were reduced compared with controls, and the addition of rPL-I (1 microg/ml) did not prevent this reduction. YSD and yolk sac DNA synthesis were also reduced compared with control embryos, and the addition of rPL-I significantly prevented this decrease by 45%. In embryos cultured without EPC in the presence of neutralizing rabbit anti-rat prolactin serum (anti-rPRL), embryonic and yolk sac DNA synthesis were reduced by 35% compared with embryos exposed to normal rabbit serum. Addition of rPL-I significantly increased (P<0.05) embryonic and yolk sac growth. Thus the effects of rPL-I on embryo growth could only be seen in the absence of prolactin. The addition of human prolactin in the presence of anti-rPRL also resulted in significant increases (P<0.05) in embryonic DNA synthesis and CRL. These results suggest that rPL-I may substitute for prolactin to influence the growth of the rat embryo.
Journal of Endocrinology is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 200 | 41 | 7 |
| PDF Downloads | 56 | 17 | 2 |
Online ISSN: 1479-6805
Print ISSN: 0022-0795
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519