Biomedical subjects

Adrian Wilkins

Publications and source records attributed to Adrian Wilkins.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

The influence of mouse Ped gene expression on postnatal development.

The Ped (preimplantation embryo development) gene, whose product is Qa-2 protein, is correlated with a faster rate of preimplantation development (Ped fast phenotype) in mice that express Qa-2 protein compared with mice with an absence of Qa-2 protein (Ped slow phenotype). In the current study, we have used two congenic mouse strains differentially expressing the Ped gene, strain B6.K1 (Ped slow; Qa-2 negative) and strain B6.K2 (Ped fast; Qa-2 positive), to investigate the effects of Ped gene expression on postnatal growth profiles, systolic blood pressure and adult organ allometry. At birth, B6.K1 mice were moderately lighter than B6.K2 mice. B6.K1 mice became heavier during postnatal life (P < 0.05) and had elevated systolic blood pressure at 21 weeks of age when compared with B6.K2 mice (P = 0.006). B6.K1 mice also demonstrated elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, a known regulator of blood pressure (P = 0.037). Altered organ:body weight ratios were also observed, with the B6.K1 females having a higher ratio for lungs than B6. K2 females (P = 0.014). These data provide evidence of an association between the rate of preimplantation embryo development, postnatal growth and later cardiovascular function.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The embryo and its future.

The preimplantation mammalian embryo from different species appears sensitive to the environment in which it develops, either in vitro or in vivo, for example, in response to culture conditions or maternal diet. This sensitivity may lead to long-term alterations in the characteristics of fetal and/or postnatal growth and phenotype, which have implications for clinical health and biotechnological applications. We review the breadth of environmental influences that may affect early embryos and their responses to such conditions along epigenetic, metabolic, cellular, and physiological directions. In addition, we evaluate how embryo environmental responses may influence developmental potential and phenotype during later gestation. We conclude that a complex of different mechanisms may operate to associate early embryo environment with future health.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Society for Reproductive Biology Founders' Lecture 2003. The making of an embryo: short-term goals and long-term implications.

During early development, the eutherian mammalian embryo forms a blastocyst comprising an outer trophectoderm epithelium and enclosed inner cell mass (ICM). The short-term goal of blastocyst morphogenesis, including epithelial differentiation and segregation of the ICM, is mainly regulated autonomously and comprises a combination of temporally controlled gene expression, cell polarisation, differentiative cell divisions and cell-cell interactions. This aspect of blastocyst biogenesis is reviewed, focusing, in particular, on the maturation and role of cell adhesion systems. Early embryos are also sensitive to their environment, which can affect their developmental potential in diverse ways and may lead to long-term consequences relating to fetal or postnatal growth and physiology. Some current concepts of embryo-environment interactions, which may impact on future health, are also reviewed.

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