Abstract
The pellucid zone (PZ) is a protective embryonic cells barrier against chemical, physical or biological substances. This put, usual transfection methods are not efficient for mammal oocytes and embryos as they are exclusively for somatic cells. Carbon nanotubes have emerged as a new method for gene delivery, and they can be an alternative for embryos transfection, however its ability to cross the PZ and mediated gene transfer is unknown. Our data confirm that multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) can cross the PZ and delivery of pDNA into in vitro-fertilized bovine embryos. The degeneration rate and the expression of genes associated to cell viability were not affected in embryos exposed to MWNTs. Those embryos, however, had lower cell number and higher apoptotic cell index, but this did not impair the embryonic development. This study shows the potential utility of the MWNT for the development of new method for delivery of DNA into bovine embryos.
Highlights
Pre-implantation embryo stage, the CNT should cross pellucid zone (PZ) without impairment of embryo viability
The multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were produced by floating catalytic chemical vapor deposition[24] and the purity of the MWNT sample we used was 81% (Supplementary Fig. 2)
Our results demonstrated that the MWNT were able to pass through the PZ
Summary
Pre-implantation embryo stage, the CNT should cross PZ without impairment of embryo viability. Other issue is the question of achieving large-scale transfection of embryos. There are no reports of delivery of DNA into mammalian embryos without their individual handling. The bovine embryo is a well-known animal model, which has been extensively studied. The increasing interest in the bovine embryo as a model in biological research is related to its similarity with a human embryo[22], simplicity, a large number of oocyte can be obtained from a slaughterhouse and at low cost. The aim of the present study was to determine whether multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) can pass through the PZ; delivery plasmid DNA into in vitro-produced bovine embryos; and its effects on mammalian pre-implantation embryonic development
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
