Single Cell Collection of Trophoblast Cells in Peri-implantation Stage Human Embryos

Deirdre  M. Logsdon; Rebecca  A. Kile; William  B. Schoolcraft; Rebecca  L. Krisher; Ye Yuan

doi:10.3791/61476

Single Cell Collection of Trophoblast Cells in Peri-implantation Stage Human Embryos

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Biology

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Single Cell Collection of Trophoblast Cells in Peri-implantation Stage Human Embryos

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08:50 min

June 12, 2020

DOI: 10.3791/61476-v

Deirdre M. Logsdon¹, Rebecca A. Kile¹, William B. Schoolcraft¹, Rebecca L. Krisher¹, Ye Yuan¹

¹Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine

Overview

This study investigates a method for warming vitrified human blastocysts and culturing them through the implantation period in vitro. The research aims to understand the mechanisms of human implantation and early placental formation by collecting early trophoblast cells for further analysis.

Key Study Components

Research Area

Human embryology
Early developmental biology
Placental biology

Background

Many pregnancies fail in early human embryo development around seven to eight days post-fertilization.
This method provides an opportunity to study the implantation window in vitro.
Understanding early trophoblast differentiation is crucial for tackling issues like early pregnancy loss and implantation failure.

Methods Used

Warming and culturing vitrified human blastocysts
In vitro culture of peri-implantation stage embryos
Single-cell dissociation and collection techniques

Main Results

Identified differentiation of cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts during early culture.
Confirmed the proliferation rates of healthy embryos versus abnormal ones.
Established methods for collecting and freezing single trophoblast cells for future analysis.

Conclusions

This study validates a protocol for investigating early human development.
The findings contribute to understanding crucial processes leading to healthy pregnancies and addressing pregnancy complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main focus of this research?

The study focuses on understanding early human implantation and placental formation through the analysis of trophoblast cells.

Why is studying early development important?

Understanding early development can help address issues like pregnancy loss and implantation failure.

What techniques are used in this study?

The study employs a protocol for warming vitrified embryos, in vitro culturing, and single cell collection.

Who conducted the research?

The research was conducted by Deirdre Logsdon, a PhD student from the laboratory.

How does this study contribute to biology research?

It provides insights into the mechanisms of implantation and trophoblast differentiation, enhancing our understanding of early pregnancy.

What are cytotrophoblasts?

Cytotrophoblasts are the cells that form the outer layer of the placenta and are crucial for implantation and nutrient exchange.

Can the methods in this study be applied to other species?

While the focus is on human embryos, some techniques may be adapted for research in other mammals.

Here, we describe a method for warming vitrified human blastocysts, culturing them through the implantation period in vitro, digesting them into single cells and collecting early trophoblast cells for further investigation.

Many pregnancies fail early in human embryo development around the seven or eight post-fertilization. This protocol offers opportunities to investigators to grow human conceptors in vitro during this mysterious implantation window. This allows us to understand the mechanisms that underpin the success of human implantation and early placental formation.

Using an extended culture system to grow peri-implantation stage human embryos in vitro is probably the only way to obtain authentic materials to study implantation and early trophoblast differentiation. This straightforward technique is a powerful tool that allow us to answer many fundamental questions about human early development. Research conducted with the use of this protocol will largely contribute to the understanding of early pregnancy loss, recurrent implantation failure and the placenta pathologies.

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