The effect of BMP4 on mouse embryonic stem cell proliferation and differentiation into primordial germ cells

Artificial gamete production from stem cells is a novel strategy for treatment of infertility. Among various stem cell sources, embryonic stem cells (ESC) can be considered as an appropriate source for in vitro formation of germ cells. In this study we evaluated the effect of BMP4 on proliferation and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into primordial germ cells (PGCs). Embryonic stem cells (ESC) were cultured in ES medium. At first, embryoid bodies (EBs) were formed by hanging drop method, and then were differentiated into primordial germ cells at different concentrations of BMP4 (10, 50 and 100 ng/ml). The viability and proliferation rate of treated cells with BMP4 were evaluated by MTT assay. The EBs were cultured in induction medium. Expression of Oct4، Stella and Mvh genes were evaluated by real time PCR. In the group treated with BMP4 for 7 days, maximum cell viability was detected at the concentration of 10ng/ml. But the groups treated with100ng/ml of BMP4 showed minimum cell viability. Maximum expression of Stella and Mvh genes were detected at the concentration of 10ng/ml of BMP4 in the treated group. The results showed that BMP4 can promote proliferation and differentiation of ES in vitro. Also different concentrations of BMP4 showed different effects on in vitro differentiation of ES into germ cells.