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Metabolic support of preimplantation embryo growth and viability

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dc.contributor.authorFresa, Kyle Joseph, author
dc.contributor.authorCarnevale, Elaine, advisor
dc.contributor.authorChicco, Adam, advisor
dc.contributor.authorTesfaye, Dawit, committee member
dc.contributor.authorKrisher, Rebecca, committee member
dc.contributor.authorGentile, Christopher, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-09T20:52:11Z
dc.date.available2026-08-16
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractEarly embryo metabolism involves essential and dynamic biological reactions that support viability, growth, and pregnancy establishment. Embryo metabolism not only serves to provide energy through ATP synthesis, but also facilitates the production of macromolecules such as proteins, nucleotides, and lipids. The ways in which embryos balance catabolic and anabolic activity during the preimplantation stage are not well understood; however, understanding these processes may lead to improved fertility treatments, embryo culture, and pregnancy outcomes. The studies described in this dissertation utilize innovative methods, such as stable isotope tracer analysis to track carbon and nitrogen flux through various pathways, oxygen microsensors to determine individual embryo respiration under various conditions, and proteomic analysis to determine the impacts of metabolic disturbances on embryo viability. The overarching hypothesis of this dissertation is that embryo viability is dependent on efficient and tightly regulated metabolic activity, and disturbances to metabolic function ultimately lead to reduced developmental potential. To test this hypothesis, a series of projects were conducted to 1) evaluate the importance of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) during early development, 2) uncover the function of PEPCK to support catabolic and anabolic activity in early embryos, and 3) determine the impacts of delayed embryo development on embryo metabolism and pathway regulation. These projects revealed important insights into the impact of embryo metabolism on development, including the discovery of a novel, PEPCK-mediated pathway that embryos utilize to balance energy production and biosynthesis. Furthermore, the impact of delayed embryo development was demonstrated to alter embryo metabolic activity and pathway regulation, including increased aerobic activity and altered protein expression. These findings improve our understanding of metabolic activity and regulation during preimplantation development, highlighting the impact of metabolic activity to promote ATP production, biosynthesis, developmental kinetics, and ultimately survival. The experimental outcomes presented in this dissertation provide a foundation for targeted approaches to improve embryo development and reproductive success.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierFresa_colostate_0053A_18512.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/239269
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2020-
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.rights.accessEmbargo expires: 08/16/2026.
dc.subjectdevelopment
dc.subjectmetabolism
dc.subjectpreimplantation
dc.subjectembryo
dc.subjectbovine
dc.subjectPEPCK
dc.titleMetabolic support of preimplantation embryo growth and viability
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2026-08-16
dcterms.embargo.terms2026-08-16
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineBiomedical Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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