Research on the protein expression of amino acid transport channel of mice placenta from assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of assisted reproductive technology (ART) on the protein expression of amino acid transport channel in placenta. Methods We chose the placenta tissue of mice by in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 18.5 d (IVF group) and by natural pregnancy in 18.5 d (control group) to compare the birth weight, placental relative weight and ratio of the fetal/placental weight. We then detected the mRNA and protein expressions of placental amino acid transporter (Snat1, Snat2, Snat4, Lat1 and Lat2) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Results 1) There were no statistical differences in new birth weight between IVF group [(1 609.14±128.23) mg] and control group [(1 640.20±148.13) mg] (P>0.05). Compared with control group [(126.20±21.50) mg, (13.38±2.73)%], the placenta relative weight of mice was significantly higher in IVF group [(192.86±28.87) mg, P=0.000] and ratio of the fetal/placental weight was significantly lower in IVF group [(8.52±1.54)%] (P=0.000). 2) Compared with control group, the mRNA and protein expression of A system amino acid transporter Snat1, Snat2 and Snat4 in placenta were significantly down-regulated in IVF group (mRNA: P=0.000, P=0.008, P=0.005; protein: P=0.008, P=0.006, P=0.000). 3) There were no statistical differences of the mRNA and protein expression of L system amino acid transporter Lat1 between these two groups (P>0.05), but the mRNA and protein expression of amino acid transporter Lat2 in placenta was significantly down-regulated in IVF group (P=0.011, P=0.000). Conclusion ART leads to the expressions of amino acid transporter Snat1, Snat2, Snat4 and Lat2 significantly down-regulated in placenta, which suggests that ART may affect the function of placenta amino acid transporter during the late pregnancy. Key words: Assisted reproductive technology (ART); Placenta; Amino acid transporter