Genome-wide microarray analysis of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) oocyte and embryo

Microarray analyses were performed to assess temporal profiles of maternal and zygotic transcripts and their developmental roles. Results revealed the presence of multiple transcripts involved in patterning and development of tissues and organs long before activation of the zygotic genome. The switch from maternal to zygotic developmental programs is associated with large-scale modification of chromosomes. Analyses included unfertilized and newly fertilized oocytes, mid blastulas and embryos at different stages of segmentation. Pooled organs of adult cod were used as common reference.