Glucose Transporter 1 Gene Expression in Developmentally Regulated in Vitro derived Ovine Preimplantation Embryos

Precise control of gene expression during the preimplantation phase of development is important. The present study examined the expression pattern of GLUT 1 gene transcripts at various preimplantation developmental stages of in vitro produced ovine embryos. Ovine oocytes were retrieved by slicing method and matured, fertilized and cultured in SOF medium. IVP embryos were collected at 2 cell, 4-8 cell, 8-16 cell and morula stages at specific time points for gene expression analysis. GLUT 1 gene expression was detected in immature and matured oocytes, 2 cell, 4-8 cell, 8-16 cell, and morula stages of ovine embryos. Using real time PCR GLUT 1 gene transcripts were analyzed in different stages of ovine embryos and differences in the mRNA expression pattern was observed at 4-8, 8-16 cell and morula stages. The expression of GLUT 1 increased from 8-16 cell stage because of maternal zygotic transition and utilization of glucose as a main source of energy. It is concluded that GLUT 1 gene expression is critical during ovine embryonic genome activation.