Objective: To study the effect of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) on early stage of embryo implantation.
Methods: Mouse blastocysts were cultured in vitro in medium containing various concentrations of TGF-alpha. Blastocyst implantation capacity was evaluated by calculating the percentage of embryos with attachment or outgrowth. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion of blastocysts was observed using gelatin zymography.
Results: There was no significant difference in the percentage of attachment between control and TGF-alpha treated groups, but the percentage of outgrowth of TGF-alpha treated groups was significantly higher than that of the control group after 24 h culturing. Gelatin zymography showed that blastocysts cultured in TGF-alpha treated groups started secreting MMPs earlier than those in the control group.
Conclusion: TGF-alpha is involved in regulating the mouse embryo implantation process by promoting blastocyst outgrowth and secreting matrix matalloproteinases.