Fig. 1

MiR-148b mimics is taken up by bovine embryos and influences on embryo development. (A) Representative fluorescence images that illustrate the passage of miRNA mimics through the zona pellucida of 16-cell stage bovine embryos and blastocyst. Presumptive zygotes were cultured from 21 h post-insemination (hpi) until day 8 pi (CMimic) along with commercial triple-RNA-strand mimics prelabeled with 5′ FAM (5-carboxyfluorescein, green) or PBS (Control). Zona-intact bovine embryos at 16-cell stage and blastocyst (5′FAM-labeled or PBS) were washed, fixed, and stained with Hoechst (blue) to visualize the nuclei. The merged images demonstrate uptake of green, fluorescent–labeled mimics by 16-cell stage embryos and blastocyst. (B) Relative expression level of miR-148b of bovine embryo cultured from Day 1 until Day 7 pi with or without miR-148b mimics or control mimics. (C) Developmental rates of in vitro produced bovine embryos cultured from Day 1 until Day 7 p.i. with or without miR-148b mimics or control mimics. Results are expressed as mean ± s.e.m. Significant differences (P < 0.001) are indicated with different letters