Differentially expressed genes in preimplantation human embryos: potential candidate genes for blastocyst formation and implantation

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine which genes and gene pathways are differentially expressed when comparing human blastocysts with cleavage-stage embryos. Methods We individually assessed gene expression in preimplantation human embryos at cleavage (n = 3) and blastocyst (n = 3) stages. Gene expression patterns were then validated in publically available datasets and then independently validated in vitro with additional human embryos using TaqMan gene expression assays. Immunolocalization studies were conducted to identify protein expression in intact blastocyst-stage embryos. Results Compared to cleavage-stage embryos, blastocyst-stage embryos differentially expressed 51 genes (p