Heat-shock-induced cathepsin B activity during IVF and culture compromises the developmental competence of bovine embryos

Heat stress can cause significant reproductive dysfunction in mammals and previous studies report that expression and activity of cathepsin B (CTSB), a lysosomal cysteine protease, is negatively correlated with the developmental competence of bovine oocytes and embryos. However, the relationship between heat shock (HS) and CTSB remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of HS during IVF and early embryonic stages of IVC on CTSB activity and developmental competence in bovine embryos.

Source: Theriogenology - April 6, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Ken-ichi Yamanaka, Hafiza Khatun, Junki Egashira, Ahmed Zaky Balboula, Hideki Tatemoto, Miki Sakatani, Naoki Takenouchi, Yasuhiko Wada, Masashi Takahashi Source Type: research