Cell adhesion molecules on the oocyte and preimplantation human embryo

The presence of cell adhesion molecules on human oocytes, early embryos, and pre-hatched blastocysts was examined by indirect immunofluorescence and compared to the distribution found on first trimester villous placenta with the same antibodies. Six integrin subunits (α3, αV, β1, β3, β4, β5) were observed consistently throughout preimplantation development. Evidence was also obtained for the presence of integrin subunits (α2, α4, αL, β2, and β7 on a small number of oocytes. A more restricted developmental analysis of E-cadherin, ICAM-1, NCAM, and VCAM-1 demonstrated that these cell adhesion molecules are also present on oocytes and early embryos. L-selectin was detected on oocytes but was not found on 8-cell embryos. The oocyte and early blastomeres have complex surfaces in which the integrin and CAM families are represented.