Scientists from the University of Warwick and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, are the first to directly measure a specific region of DNA in human embryos. The length of this region could be a quality marker for embryonic development.
Researchers at the University of Warwick's Warwick Medical School and University Hospital, Coventry, have measured telomeres, regions of repetitive DNA at the ends of a chromosome which protect it from deterioration. Telomeres shorten each time a cell divides and when telomere length becomes critically short, the cells die.
The research, published in Molecular Human Reproduction Journal, suggests that telomere length is shortest in the early stages of an embryo's development, at around two days, and then lengthens just before implantation in the womb at five days. This lengthening may be essential for normal development, because short telomeres may not be enough to survive the many rounds of cell division that take place as embryos grow.
Lead authors Professor Geraldine Hartshorne, from the University of Warwick's Warwick Medical School, and Sarah Turner, from University Hospital , Coventry, said this discovery could have implications for IVF treatment.
Professor Hartshorne said: "It has already been shown that artificially shortened telomeres cause problems in animal embryos. Human embryos are highly variable, and many of them cannot develop normally. We think that telomere length might one day be used to help diagnose which are the most viable embryos. We also know that telomeres shorten with oxidative stress, so telomere length might also provide a measure of the stressfulness of the culture systems that we use in IVF and their impact on embryos."
The research project used oocytes and embryos donated by patients undergoing IVF treatment. Only material that could not be used for the patients' own treatment was accessed for research.
Sarah Turner
'/>"/>
| Contact: Peter Dunn p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk 44-247-652-4668 University of Warwick Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Unprecedented global measurement network achieves full coverage of oceans
2. Measurement Specialties, Inc. Announces Impact of German Business Tax Reform 2008 Resulting in Lower Combined German Tax Rate - Impacts 2Q08 Reported Financial Results
3. Worldwide atmospheric measurements will determine the role of atmospheric fine particles
4. LDL particle measurement by NMR recognized by ADA, ACC
5. Scientists demonstrate the sharpest measurement of ice crystals in clouds
6. Successful series of measurements in Arctic sea ice
7. UI researchers help to improve carbon measurements in global climate studies
8. Carbon accounting from atmospheric measurements -- the aircraft perspective
9. Innerscope Research Adds to Its Advisory Board Two Pioneers in the Measurement and Application of Emotional Engagement
10. NIST issues human milk and blood serum SRMs for contaminant measurements
11. Innerscope Research Adds to Its Advisory Board Two Pioneers in the Measurement and Application of Emotional Engagement
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |