Abstract
IN humans, a gonadotrophin (hCG) is localised on the cell membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast facing the maternal bloodstream1. The syncytiotrophoblast is derived from the trophoblast cells of the mammalian blastocyst and is thought to participate in isolating the foetus from attack by the maternal immunological system2. Martin, et al.1 suggest that the hCG on human syncytial plasma membranes may, in part, be responsible for the lack of maternal immunological rejection of the foetus; in addition to its role in steroidogenesis, therefore, hCG may also have an immunological function during pregnancy. Because hCG is generally used to induce super-ovulation in mice and must, therefore, cross-react with mouse gonadotrophin, and since the mouse is extensively used in studies on mammalian development, I investigated the possible presence of gonadotrophin(s) in mouse embryos before implantation and formation of the syncytiotrophoblast. Using an antiserum to hCG and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) I have detected a luteinising hormone (LH)- or hCG-like substance (‘embryonic gonadotrophin’, EG) on the cell surfaces, of live mouse preimplanted embryos.
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WILEY, L. Presence of a gonadotrophin on the surface of preimplanted mouse embryos. Nature 252, 715–716 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/252715a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/252715a0
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