213 ASSESSMENT OF THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF PORCINE PRE-IMPLANTATION EMBRYOS TO PSEUDORABIES VIRUS (PRV) AND PORCINE REPRODUCTIVE AND RESPIRATORY SYNDROME VIRUS (PRRSV) USING SUBZONAL MICROINJECTION
Authors: Mateusen B. , Van Soom A. , Maes D. , Nauwynck H. 
Published: December 2006

It is known that porcine pre-implantation embryos before the morula stage are refractory to infection with pseudorabies virus (PRV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (Bolin et al. 1981 Am. J. Vet. Res. 42, 1711-1712; Prieto et al. 1996 Theriogenology 46, 687-693, respectively). The effects of PRV and PRRSV on embryonic cells of morulae and blastocysts are unknown. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to (1) assess the effects of PRV and PRRSV exposure on further embryo development, and (2) determine whether PRV and PRRSV are able to replicate in embryonic cells. Zona pellucida (ZP)-intact morulae (6 days post-insemination, 6 dpi) and early blastocysts (7 dpi) were microinjected subzonally with approximately 3 nL of 109 TCID50/mL PRV (strain 89v87, second passage in swine testicle cells) or 108.6 TCID50/mL PRRSV (Lelystad virus strain, 13th passage in swine alveolar macrophages). Control embryos were microinjected under the same circumstances with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Hatched blastocysts (8 dpi) were exposed for 1 h at 39�C to 105 TCID50/mL of PRV or PRRSV of the same strains used for injecting earlier embryonic stages. Control hatched blastocysts were incubated with PBS. Each group of morulae and blastocysts consisted of approximately 20 embryos. Embryonic development was assessed every 12 h. At 48 h post injection, the percentage of infected embryos and the percentage of viral antigen positive cells per embryo were determined by immunofluorescence. Subzonal microinjection of ZP-intact morulae and blastocysts with PRV inhibited in vitro development in comparison to the controls. Moreover, under direct immunofluorescence, PRV antigen-positive cells were detected in association with the embryos. Exposure of hatched blastocysts to PRV inhibited further embryo development; the majority (16/20) of the embryos degenerated 24 h after incubation. Perivitelline microinjection of ZP-intact morulae and blastocysts with PRRSV and incubation of hatched blastocysts with PRRSV did not inhibit in vitro development in comparison to the controls. No PRRSV antigen positive cells were detected in association with the embryos. Based on these results, it can be deduced that embryonic cells of morulae and blastocysts are susceptible to PRV infection but refractory to PRRSV infection. Another argument substantiating insusceptibility of embryos to certain viral pathogens is the demonstration of the lack of virus receptors at a given embryonic cell stage. Therefore, the expression of sialoadhesin, the receptor that mediates the internalization of PRRSV in cells, was investigated in hatched blastocysts (n = 10). By indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibody 41D3 directed against porcine sialoadhesin, no positive signals were detected. The result of this experiment strengthens the statement that embryonic stages up to the hatched blastocyst stage are refractory to PRRSV infection.