Abstract:

To observe the biological effect of p38 MAPK inhibitors on early   development and implantation in mouse embryos. Methods① Embryo culture in vitro：  early mouse embryos were  randomly divided into groups and cultured with 0.2, 2, and 20?μmol SB203580. ② Intrauterus injection in vivo: SB203580 of different concentrations was injected into the uterus on day 4 of pregnancy. The implantation number was calculated and the histological changes were examined on day 8 of pregnancy. Results① In the inhibitortreated groups, embryos did not develop to the blastocyst and were halted at the 8 to 16cell stage. The treated embryos remained viable as the developmental blockage was rescued by removing embryos from the drug treatment and placing them in a drugfree medium until they progressed to the blastocyst stage. ② The average number of embryos implanted in the p38MAPK inhibitor treated uterus was significantly lower than that in the control uterus (P＜0.01). Microscopic observation demonstrated that the embryo was degenerated and even necrosed in some parts. In the decidual cells there was obvious adipose degeneration, while many blood cells were invaded in the embryos and the deciduas. Conclusion ① p38MAPK activity may be required to support  embryo development through the murine preimplantation interval. ②  p38MAPK inhibitors can inhibit the blastocyst implantation and the development of embryos and decidual cells in vivo.

Key words: p38 MAPK inhibitor;  Blastocyst;  Implantation; Embryo culture