The effect of short time exposure to 4°C temperature on the expression profiles of mono-carboxylic transporter genes 1, 2, 3, and 4 in 4-cell mouse embryos

One way of embryo preservation is cryopreservation, but this process may damage and lead to the loss of the embryos, and bring about chromosomal abnormality. This has led researchers to seek techniques for short term preservation of embryos in 0-10 ºC temperatures. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of short time exposure to 4°C temperature on the expression profiles of mono-carboxylic transporter genes 1,2, 3, and 4(MCT1-4) in 4-cell mouse embryos.

In this fundamental study, forty 4-cell mouse embryos from NMRI strain were randomly divided into two groups. The first group consisted of fresh 4-cell embryos, and the second group included 4-cell mouse embryos that were exposed to 4°C temperature for 24 hours. After RT-PCR, the samples were electro-phoresised for expressing the MTC1-4 genes.

The expression of MCT 1-3 was observed in the first group, but the obtained results did not indicate their expression in the second group.

Preservation of 4-cell embryos in 4°C for 24 hours inhibits the expression of MCT 1-3 genes. Keeping embryos in 4°C temperature is not a proper way for their short time preservation.