Effects of Angiostatin on in vitro Embryonic Rat Development

Abstract

The progression of angiogenesis is controlled by a delicate balance between the positive and negative regulators. Angiostatin has potent antiangiogenic effect on endothelial cells, influencing their proliferation, differentiation and other functions. In this study, in vitro effects of angiostatin on total embryonic growth were investigated in rat embryos. The rat embryos were explanted on day 9.5 and cultured in whole rat serum (WRS) (for control) and adding 0.5, 2.5 and 5 μg/ml angiostatin (for experimentals) in WRS. After 48 hours culture period, the embryos from each group were harvested and analysed morphologically. The results showed that the embryonic growth and development during organogenesis decreased in the presence of angiostatin when compared to embryos grown in WRS. Mean morphological scores for the embryos grown in WRS and in the presence of 0.5, 2.5 and 5 μg/ml angiostatin were 59.8±2.02, 34.8±8.52, 22.4±6.41 and 17.8±6.19, yolk sac diameters were 6.0±0.2, 4.8±0.55, 4.5±057 and 4.2±0.39 mm, crown-rump lengths were 5.4±0.23, 4.4±0.42, 4.1±0.87 and 3.7±0.51 mm and mean protein contents of embryos were 140.76±12.21, 112.66±8.67, 89.85±10.89 and 53.77±8.15 μg/ml respectively. Median value of the somite numbers was 24 (24-25) in control group and it was diminished 14 (1214), 12 (11-17) and 13 (8-17) respectively in experimental groups. As a result the angiostatin could cause developmental retardation of embryo because of its antiangiogenic effect.