A proteomic analysis of mammalian preimplantation embryonic development

<jats:p>Genetic studies on the mammalian preimplantation embryo are providing a wealth of information regarding gene expression. However, changes in the transcriptome do not always reflect cellular function or the complexity and diversity of the mammalian proteome with post-translational modifications or protein–protein interactions. To elucidate embryonic cellular function, a detailed understanding at the protein level is necessary. The aim of this study was to generate protein profiles of mammalian embryos throughout development, and to investigate the effects of oxygen concentration on the embryonic proteome. A protocol was developed to analyse small groups of embryos (<jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 5) by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. F1 mice zygotes were cultured in G1/G2 sequential media with recombinant albumin (2.5 mg/ml) in 6% CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> and O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> concentrations of either 5% or 20%. <jats:italic>In vivo</jats:italic>-developed embryos were flushed from the reproductive tract (day 4). Protein profiles were generated for all embryonic samples and statistical analysis revealed 32 potential proteins/biomarkers with significant changes (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.05). Embryos generated under 5% O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> more closely resembled <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic>-developed embryos. Under 20% O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> conditions, embryos showed down-regulation of 10 proteins/biomarkers (masses between 4 to 20 kDa) (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.05) confirming the pathological effects of oxygen during embryonic development. These data demonstrate for the first time the complexity of the mammalian preimplantation proteome. The unique protein profiles of <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic>-developed embryos and a panel of selected biomarkers represent optimal cellular function, against which comparisons can be made to facilitate improvements in mammalian assisted reproduction techniques procedures.</jats:p>