Avicenna J Med Biotech arij002 Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology 2008-2835 2008-4625 Avicenna Research Institute ajmb227 The Effect of Angiotensin on the Quality of <i>In Vitro</i> Produced (IVP) Sheep Embryos and Expression of Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup>/ATPase NaderiMohammad MehdiDepartment of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IndiaBorjian BoroujeniSaraDepartment of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranSarvariAliHeidariBanafshehDepartment of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, IranAkhondiMohammad MehdiDepartment of Immunology, Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, IranZarnaniAmir-HassanDepartment of Immunology, Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, IranShiraziAbolfazlReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran 8 1 9 15 1 6 2015 23 9 2015

<p>Background: The presence of rennin-angiotensin components in mammalian ovaries and their involvement in ovarian physiology have been established. In the present study, effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup>/ATPase) expression and development of sheep embryos was evaluated.<br /> Methods: The abattoir-derived Cumulus Oocyte Complexes (COC) were randomly allocated into three experimental groups; group I) <em>in vitro</em> Maturation (IVM) of oocytes in the presence of Ang II followed by <em>in vitro</em> fertilization (IVF)/<em>in vitro</em> Culture (IVC) (IVM group), group II) IVM/IVF of oocytes followed by IVC wherein the embryos were exposed to Ang II on day 4 of IVC (D4 group), and&nbsp; group III) IVM/IVF and IVC of oocytes without any angiotensin (Control). The blastocyst and hatching rates were recorded on days 6 to 8. Day 8 embryos were immunostained with primary and secondary antibodies against Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup>/ATPase &alpha;<sub>1</sub> and &beta;<sub>1</sub> subunits.<br /> Results: Addition of Ang II during IVM and IVC significantly increased the hatching rate of blastocysts on day 8 compared to the control. The trophectoderm and total blastocyst cells&rsquo; numbers were significantly increased by addition of Ang II to the IVM and IVC media, though the expression of Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup>/ATPase &alpha;<sub>1</sub> and &beta;<sub>1</sub> subunits were positively influenced by the addition of Ang II on day 4 (D4 group).<br /> Conclusion: In conclusion, it seems Ang II through positive effects on embryos, expressed as the greater hatching rate and blastocyst cell number, could increase the sheep embryo developmental rate. These improvements might be partly related to the greater expression of Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup>/ATPase &alpha;<sub>1</sub> and &beta;<sub>1</sub> subunits when Ang II was added during IVC.</p>