Embryo metabolism : what does it really mean?

Sturmey, Roger; Lewis, Niamh

Abstract

The study of early embryo metabolism has fascinated researchers in the field for nearly a century. Herein, we give a brief account of the general features of embryo metabolism and some consideration of the research performed to reach such conclusions. It is becoming increasingly obvious that metabolism informs many fate decisions and outcomes beyond ATP generation, such as DNA methylation, Reactive Oxygen Species generation and cell signaling. We discuss the reasons for studying metabolism in the face of our current knowledge of the effect that the culture environment on the developing embryo and the downstream effects that can cause. The study of in vitro embryo metabolism can also give us insight into developmental perturbations in vivo. The strengths and limitations of the methods we use to study metabolism are reviewed with reference to species-specific fundamental biology and plasticity and we discuss what the future holds for metabolic studies and the unanswered questions that remain.

Citation

Sturmey, R., & Lewis, N. (2015). Embryo metabolism : what does it really mean?. Animal reproduction / Colegio Brasileiro de Reproducao Animal, 12(3), 521-528

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 23, 2015
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Deposit Date: Aug 18, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 18, 2016
• Journal: Animal reproduction
• Print ISSN: 1806-9614
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 521-528
• Keywords: ATP generation, Method evaluation, Preimplantation development
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/442245
• Publisher URL: https://www.animal-reproduction.org/article/5b5a6033f7783717068b4616
• Additional Information: This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article published in Animal reproduction, 2015, v.12 issue 3.
• Contract Date: Aug 18, 2016