Cell Surface Antigens of Preimplantation Mouse Embryos Detected by an Antiserum to an Embryonal Carcinoma Cell Line

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Abstract
Studies of surface antigens expressed by preimplantation mouse embryos were carried out using a rabbit antiserum (A-N1) to a clonal mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line. Cell surface antigens detected by A-N1 are expressed on all preimplantation stage embryos and the female germ line but not on the male germ line. Expression of antigens appears to increase on the inner cell mass and trophoblast of the late blastocyst. The antigens do not participate in complement-mediated cytotoxicity. When embryos are cultured in the presence of antiserum, their in vitro development is inhibited, suggesting that the antigens detected by A-N1 may play a role in early mouse development.
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