Steroidogenesis and prostaglandin synthesis by cultured bovine blastocysts

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Abstract
Bovine blastocysts were collected at Days 13, 15 and 16 and placed in TCM-199 supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum. Some blastocysts were immediately frozen while the others were cultured for 48 h and then frozen. Samples (tissue + medium, 5-12/group) were thawed, homogenized and analyzed by radioimmunoassays. Measurable amounts of progesterone were found in all blastocysts but values were higher (P < 0.01) after culture. Testosterone was not found in the cultured or uncultured blastocysts at Day 13, but was detectable on Days 15 and 16 and in greater amounts (P < 0.05) in the cultured blastocysts. PG[prostaglandin]F and PGE-2 were increased (P < 0.05) in the cultured blastocysts on all 3 days. Estradiol was measurable in some but not all blastocysts. PG synthetase and enzymes capable of synthesizing progesterone, testosterone and possibly, estradiol may be present in these early bovine blastocysts.
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