BMC Research Notes (Dec 2009)

Selection of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR in equine <it>in vivo </it>and fresh and frozen-thawed <it>in vitro </it>blastocysts

  • Galli Cesare,
  • Vanhaesebrouck Emilie,
  • Hoogewijs Maarten,
  • Govaere Jan,
  • Van Soom Ann,
  • Goossens Karen,
  • Smits Katrien,
  • Colleoni Silvia,
  • Vandesompele Jo,
  • Peelman Luc

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-2-246
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 1
p. 246

Abstract

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Abstract Background Application of reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction is very well suited to reveal differences in gene expression between in vivo and in vitro produced embryos. Ultimately, this may lead to optimized equine assisted reproductive techniques. However, for a correct interpretation of the real-time PCR results, all data must be normalized, which is most reliably achieved by calculating the geometric mean of the most stable reference genes. In this study a set of reliable reference genes was identified for equine in vivo and fresh and frozen-thawed in vitro embryos. Findings The expression stability of 8 candidate reference genes (ACTB, GAPDH, H2A/I, HPRT1, RPL32, SDHA, TUBA4A, UBC) was determined in 3 populations of equine blastocysts (fresh in vivo, fresh and frozen-thawed in vitro embryos). Application of geNorm indicated UBC, GAPDH, ACTB and HPRT1 as the most stable genes in the in vivo embryos and UBC, RPL32, GAPDH and ACTB in both in vitro populations. When in vivo and in vitro embryos were combined, UBC, ACTB, RPL32 and GAPDH were found to be the most stable. SDHA and H2A/I appeared to be highly regulated. Conclusions Based on these results, the geometric mean of UBC, ACTB, RPL32 and GAPDH is to be recommended for accurate normalization of quantitative real-time PCR data in equine in vivo and in vitro produced blastocysts.