Expression of messenger RNA encoding LIF receptor beta in buffalo preimplantation embryos produced in vitro

Abstract

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleotrophic cytokine from interleukin–6 family and plays an essential role during embryonic development and implantation. LIF exerts its biological effects via binding to a specific receptor system; LIF receptor beta (LIFRß) and glycoprotein 130 (gp130). While LIFRß serves as the specific binding unit for the LIF, the gp130 subunit is similarly used by other cytokines. The temporal expression pattern of genes for several growth factors and their receptors have been examined in pre-implantation buffalo embryos using RT- PCR. This study investigated the expression of buffalo LIFRß in immature, in vitro matured oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. A pool of immature oocytes, matured oocytes, 2–4 cells, 8–16 cells, morulae and blastocyst were collected and used for total RNA isolation. The transcripts encoding LIFRb were detected by employing RT-PCR. LIFRß mRNA were present during the pre-implantation stages of development from immature oocytes to the hatched blastocyst. The presence of functional LIFRb in the preimplantation embryos indicated the important role of cytokine LIF in embryo development.