Temporal regulation of mRNAs for select bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), BMP receptors and their associated SMAD proteins during bovine early embryonic development: effects of exogenous BMP2 on embryo developmental progression

Background We previously demonstrated embryotrophic actions of maternal (oocyte-derived) follistatin during bovine early embryogenesis. Classical actions of follistatin are attributed to inhibition of activity of growth factors including activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP). However, temporal changes in BMP mRNA in early bovine embryos and the effects of exogenous BMP on embryo developmental progression are not understood. The objectives of present studies were to characterize mRNA abundance for select BMP, BMP receptors and BMP receptor associated SMADs during bovine oocyte maturation and early embryogenesis and determine effects of addition of exogenous BMP protein on early development.