received: 23/sep/2008, accepted: 23/nov/2008oct-4/ pou5f1/ oct-3, a pou domain family protein acts as a crucial transcription factor dur- ing embryonic development. it helps in maintenance of self renewal as well as pluripotential state of embryonic stem (es) cells. its expression starts right from 2 cell stage especially prior to 8 cell stage till the blastocyst stage where it is strongly exp...