Objective To study the effect of transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) on early stage of embryo implantation.Methods Mouse blastocysts were cultured in vitro in medium containing various concentrations of TGF-α. Blastocyst implantation capacity was evaluated by calculating the percentage of embryos with attachment or outgrowth. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion of blastocysts was observed using gelatin zymography. Results There was no significant difference in the percentage of attachment between control and TGF-α treated groups, but the percentage of outgrowth of TGF-α treated groups was significantly higher than that of the control group after 24h culturing. Gelatin zymography showed that blastocysts cultured in TGF-α treated groups started secreting MMPs earlier than those in the control group.Conclusion TGF-α is involved in regulating the mouse embryo implantation process by promoting blastocyst outgrowth and secreting matrix matalloproteinases.
