Establishing reference genes for use in real-time quantitative PCR analysis of early equine embryos

Paris, Damien B.B.P., Kuijk, Ewart W., Roelen, Bernard A.J., and Stout, Tom A.E. (2011) Establishing reference genes for use in real-time quantitative PCR analysis of early equine embryos. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 23 (2). pp. 353-363.

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View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RD10039
 
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Abstract

Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is invaluable for investigating changes in gene expression during early development, since it can be performed on the limited quantities of mRNA contained in individual embryos. However, the reliability of this method depends on the use of validated stably expressed reference genes for accurate data normalisation. The aim of the present study was to identify and validate a set of reference genes suitable for studying gene expression during equine embryo development. The stable expression of four carefully selected reference genes and one developmentally regulated gene was examined by qPCR in equine in vivo embryos from morula to expanded blastocyst stage. SRP14, RPL4 and PGK1 were identified by geNorm analysis as stably expressed reference genes suitable for data normalisation. RPL13A expression was less stable and changed significantly during the period of development examined, rendering it unsuitable as a reference gene. As anticipated, CDX2 expression increased significantly during embryo development, supporting its possible role in trophectoderm specification in the horse. In summary, it was demonstrated that evidence-based selection of potential reference genes can reduce the number needed to validate stable expression in an experimental system; this is particularly useful when dealing with tissues that yield small amounts of mRNA. SRP14, RPL4 and PGK1 are stable reference genes suitable for normalising expression for genes of interest during in vivo morula to expanded blastocyst development of horse embryos.

Item ID: 18462
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1448-5990
Keywords: blastocyst, CDX2, horse, housekeeping/control genes,morula, PGK1, qPCR, RPL13A, RPL4,SRP14
Date Deposited: 26 Oct 2011 22:41
FoR Codes: 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0702 Animal Production > 070206 Animal Reproduction @ 30%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology > 060803 Animal Developmental and Reproductive Biology @ 30%
10 TECHNOLOGY > 1001 Agricultural Biotechnology > 100199 Agricultural Biotechnology not elsewhere classified @ 40%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970107 Expanding Knowledge in the Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences @ 50%
83 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8303 Livestock Raising > 830306 Horses @ 25%
92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920114 Reproductive System and Disorders @ 25%
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