Embryokine Explained

Embryokines (Greek: embryuon "embryo" + kinōs "movement") are regulatory molecules produced by the oviduct and endometrium in the reproductive tract that modulate embryonic growth and development.^{[1] [2]}

Embryokines include growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-1, and activin a transforming growth factor; cytokines such as colony stimulating factor 2,^{[3] [4]} WNT regulatory proteins including DKK1;^[5] Other small molecule amino acids are included that regulate embryonic development through the mTOR signalling pathway. Prostacyclin 1 can activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 6 to increase blastocyst hatching, and cannabinoids that can also act to regulate implantation and development.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Hansen PJ, Dobbs KD, Denicol AC . Programming of the preimplantation embryo by the embryokine colony stimulating factor 2 . Animal Reproduction Science . 149 . 1–2 . 59–66 . September 2014 . 24954585 . 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.05.017.
2. Hansen . PJ . Dobbs . KB . Denicol . AC . Siqueira . LGB . Sex and the preimplantation embryo: implications of sexual dimorphism in the preimplantation period for maternal programming of embryonic development. . Cell and Tissue Research . January 2016 . 363 . 1 . 237–247 . 10.1007/s00441-015-2287-4 . 26391275. 4703572 .
3. Block J, Hansen PJ, Loureiro B, Bonilla L . Improving post-transfer survival of bovine embryos produced in vitro: actions of insulin-like growth factor-1, colony stimulating factor-2 and hyaluronan. . Theriogenology . 76 . 9 . 1602–1609 . December 2011 . 21890189 . 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.07.025. free .
4. Yoshioka K, Suzuki C, Iwamura S . Effects of activin A and follistatin on developmental kinetics of bovine embryos: cinematographic analysis in a chemically defined medium. . Journal of Reproduction and Fertility . 118 . 1 . 119–125 . January 2000 . 10793633 . 10.1530/jrf.0.1180119. 2024-03-30 . free .
5. Denicol AC, Block J, Kelley KG, Dobbs KB, Mortensen CJ, Ortega MS, Hansen PJ . The WNT signaling antagonist Dickkopf-1 directs lineage commitment and promotes survival of the preimplantation embryo. . FASEB Journal . 28 . 9 . 3975–3986 . September 2014 . 24858280 . 10.1096/fj.14-253112. free . 5395727 .