Purpose : This study investigated the effects of HB-EGF on expression of integrin $$\alpha\nu\beta\hbox{{\it 3}}$$ and implantation of embryos.
Methods : Two-cell embryos were recovered and cultured with or without 10 ng/mL HB-EGF for 96h. Expression of integrin $$\alpha\nu\beta\hbox{{\it 3}}$$ in cultured embryos was examined by real time-RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analysis; embryos were cultured with or without HB-EGF, then transferred into the uteri of pseudo-pregnant female mice in order to analyze their implantation rate.
Results : HB-EGF improved embryonic hatching and outgrowth during extended culture, and up-regulated expression of integrin $$\alpha\nu\beta\hbox{{\it 3}}$$ in both the preimplantation embryo and outgrowing blastocyst. Also, integrin $$\alpha\nu\beta\hbox{{\it 3}}$$ subunits were localized at the pericellular borders and cell–cell contact areas. The number of successful implantation sites of transferred HB-EGF-treated embryos in the uterus was increased when compared to number of implantation sites with non-treated controls.
Conclusions : HB-EGF may improve implantation by accelerating expression of integrin $$\alpha\nu\beta\hbox{{\it 3}}$$ in peri-implantation mouse embryos.