An Exploration of the Impact of Anticentromere Antibody on Early-Stage Embryo

BACKGROUND: Previously, we found women with positive anticentromere antibody showed impaired potential of oocyte maturation and embryo cleavage; the possible mechanism behind this phenomenon was still unknown. OBJECTIVE: Thus, the present study aimed to preliminarily explore whether ACA could penetrate into the living embryos and impair their developmental potential via in vitro coculture with mouse embryos. METHODS: Mouse embryos were collected and used for in vitro culture with polyclonal anticentromere protein A (CENP-A) antibody; then, immunofluorescence assay was performed to determine the penetration of antibody into embryos, and embryo development potential was observed. RESULTS: All embryos cultured with anti-CENP-A antibody exhibited immunofluorescence on the nucleus, while none of the embryos from the control groups showed immunofluorescence. Additionally, embryos cultured with anti-CENP-A antibody experienced significant growth impairment compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Mouse embryos may be a direct target for ACA in vitro prior to implantation. However, the precise mechanism needs further clarification.