SERIAL ANALYSIS OF GENE EXPRESSION (SAGE) DURING PROCINE EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT

Authors: Blomberg, Le Ann; Zuelke, Kurt

Submitted to: The International Embryo Technology Society
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2003
Publication Date: 10/1/2003
Citation: Blomberg, L., Zuelke, K.A. 2004. Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) during porcine embryo development. Reproduction Fertility and Development 16:87-92.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The introduction of functional genomics to delve into the molecular mechanisms involved in pre-implantation development of porcine embryos is powerful in a species where genome information is sparse. High rates of embryonic mortality (~30%), evident with either natural mating or artificial insemination, emphasize the need to improve the efficiency of reproduction in the pig. The poor success rate of live offspring from in vitro manipulated pig embryos has also hampered efforts to generate transgenic animals with traits beneficial for commercial application. The utilization of several molecular tools has demonstrated stage-specific gene expression in in vivo-derived embryos and altered gene expression in in vitro-derived embryos. However, the methods employed to date examine relatively few genes simultaneously thus provide an incomplete glimpse of the physiological role of these genes during embryogenesis. Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), a recent technology, enables simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analyses of global gene expression without prior knowledge of the transcriptome. The comprehensive aspect of SAGE should enable systems-wide transcriptional elucidation and assembly of metabolic pathways required for successful pre-implantation development. The ultimate goal is to apply this newly acquired molecular understanding of embryo physiology to decrease embryonic loss and improve in vitro manipulation and cryopreservation technologies.