Title: | Lack of protein kinase C-delta (PKCdelta) disrupts fertilization and embryonic development |
Author(s): | Ma W; Baumann C; Viveiros MM; |
Address: | "Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1098-2795 (Electronic) 1040-452X (Linking) |
Abstract: | "This study tested the function of protein kinase C delta (PKCdelta) during fertilization and embryonic development using gene-knockout (Prkcd(-/-)) mice. Fertility analysis revealed that Prkcd(-/-) mating pairs produce significantly fewer pups per litter than wild-type pairs (P < 0.05), and exhibit a high incidence of embryonic loss post-implantation. Both Prkcd(-/-) male as well as Prkcd(-/-) female mice mated to Prkcd(+/+) controls also showed reduced litter sizes, with a selective loss of Prkcd-null pups. Further analysis of the females demonstrated comparable in vitro fertilization outcomes between control and Prkcd(-/-) oocytes fertilized with wild-type sperm. Pregnant Prkcd(-/-) females, however, exhibited a reduced number of total implantations, suggesting a possible disruption in early embryo quality and/or implantation. In turn, male gamete analysis revealed that Prkcd(-/-) sperm demonstrated a decreased capacity to penetrate the zona pellucida (P < 0.05), necessary for successful fertilization. Moreover, we identified phosphorylated PKCdelta as a component of the sperm acrosome, indicating a potential role for this kinase in acrosome exocytosis. Therefore, loss of PKCdelta disrupts key reproductive functions in both males and females that limit fertility" |
Keywords: | "Acrosome/enzymology Animals Embryo Implantation *Embryonic Development Female Fertility *Fertilization Fertilization in Vitro Male Mice Mice, Knockout Pregnancy Protein Kinase C-delta/deficiency/genetics/*physiology;" |
Notes: | "MedlineMa, Wei Baumann, Claudia Viveiros, Maria M eng HD071330/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural 2015/07/24 Mol Reprod Dev. 2015 Oct; 82(10):797-808. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22528. Epub 2015 Aug 14" |