Proteomic profile of vitrified in vitro-produced bovine embryos (Bos taurus indicus)

Cryo Letters. 2022 Jul-Aug;43(4):206-221.

Abstract

Background: The proteomic profile of cryopreserved in vitro produced bovine embryos is little known but can provide insights on the successful application of cryo procedures in support of animal breeding.

Objective: To identify embryonic proteins and biomarkers related to improved cryotolerance of vitrified in vitro produced bovine embryos.

Materials and methods: Proteins were isolated from embryo pools (n = 25 embryos per replicate) and analyzed using the nanoLC - MS/MS system. Further, the UniProtKB database (Uniprot -http://www.uniprot.org/) was used for protein identification. Proteins were classified based on their molecular mass, isoelectric point, and enzymatic activity. Post-translational modification predictions and functional gene ontology analysis were performed as well. Finally, a protein-protein interaction network was created to shed light on the embryo interactome.

Results: Based on the MS/MS approach, 66 proteins were identified from vitrified Bos taurus embryos. The retrieved proteins were presumably annotated, which allowed a description of the qualitative and functional aspects of the embryo proteome after the vitrification process.

Conclusion: These findings allowed us to conclude that in vitro-produced vitrified embryos expressed proteins that underlie biological processes related to reproduction, stress and lipid metabolic process, which are essential to maintain embryo viability. doi.org/10.54680/fr22410110512.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst
  • Cattle
  • Cryopreservation* / methods
  • Cryopreservation* / veterinary
  • Embryo Culture Techniques / methods
  • Embryo Culture Techniques / veterinary
  • Fertilization in Vitro* / veterinary
  • Proteomics
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Vitrification