Proteomic analyses in fast and slow-cleaving bovine embryos – a search for potential markers of healthy pre-implantation embryos

Selection of embryos with potentially successful development is paramount to ensuring their viability and growth. While morphological assessment has been the mainstay of embryo selection, the identification of proteins that are expressed in the more reproductively successful fast-cleaving embryos as opposed to slow-cleaving ones may serve to reduce visual assessment of subjectivity in bovine. Through the use of proteomic mass spectrometric techniques, we found that 2387 proteins were commonly identified in both fast and slow-cleaving embryos, while 464 proteins were differentially identified. Slow-cleaving embryos showed a higher percentage of identified proteins involved in apoptotic processes, DNA repair and stress responses, while fast-cleaving bovine embryos showed a higher percentage of proteins identified that are involved in cell metabolism, gene transcription, and signal transduction. These differential protein expressions identified in the fast-and slow-cleaving embryos may serve as alternative potential markers of healthy pre-implantation embryos and improve overall bovine reproductive rate.