Novel Tools for Reproductive Biology

Novel Tools for Reproductive Biology

Cell-based models are indispensable tools in the study of embryology and reproductive biology. However, the reproductive tract has received less attention than other organ systems in terms of modeling.

Efforts to address the dearth of embryonic cell and microphysiologic models have recently yielded new tools for investigation of basic reproductive biology mechanisms. A recent study by Matsumoto and Tanaka in Nature Scientific Reports describes the establishment of trophoblast stem cell lines (TSCs) as tools for investigating the process of early placental development in primates. The authors created five TSCs in a non-human primate model as cellular proxy for in vivo analyses of embryo development in pre-clinical studies. The trophoblasts are crucial components of developing blastocysts, providing nutrients to the embryo, and further develop into a large part of the placenta.

The TSC lines were thoroughly characterized and further analyzed for secretion of progestins and estrogens using ELISA (Estradiol K030-H) kits from Arbor Assays after induction of differentiation by synthetic cAMP analogs.  Established TSCs showed patterns of trophoblast markers and have differentiation capacity into placenta-specific cell types. The TSCs can be used for further research on the functional trophoblast lineage analysis, providing a valuable tool for reproductive biology researchers.

OUR ESTRADIOL ELISA KITS

• Multi-species
• Measures estradiol with non-invasive methods in 2.5 hours
• Validated in fecal extracts, urine, and TCM (see KB30-H for use with serum and plasma)
• Cited in a variety of publications