Influence of Maternal Age On Mouse Oocyte Developmental Competence and Cryotolerance

AbstractMycotoxins, such as aflatoxin (AF), fumonisin B1, zearalenone (ZEA), and deoxynivalenol (DON), are commonly found in many food commodities. Mycotoxins have been shown to increase DNA methylation levels in a human intestinal cell line. We previously showed that the developmental competence of oocytes was affected in mice that had been fed a mycotoxin-containing diet. In this study, we explored possible mechanisms of low mouse oocyte developmental competence after mycotoxin treatment in an epigenetic modification perspective. Mycotoxin-contaminated maize (DON at 3,875μg/kg, ZEA at 1,897μg/kg, and AF at 806μg/kg) was included in diets at three different doses (mass percentage: 0, 15, and 30%) and fed to mice for 4 weeks. The fluorescence intensity analysis showed that the general DNA methylation levels increased in oocytes from high dose mycotoxin-fed mice. Mouse oocyte histone methylation was also altered. H3K9me3 and H4K20me3 level increased in oocytes from mycotoxin-fed mice, whereas H3K27me3 and H4K20me2 level decreased in oocytes from mycotoxin-fed mice. Thus, our results indicate that naturally occurring mycotoxins have effects on epigenetic modifications in mouse oocytes, which may be one of the reasons for reduced oocyte developmental competence.

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Beta-Oxidation Is Essential for Mouse Oocyte Developmental Competence and Early Embryo Development1

Biology of Reproduction ◽

10.1095/biolreprod.110.084145 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 83 (6) ◽

pp. 909-918 ◽

Cited By ~ 203

Author(s):

Kylie R. Dunning ◽

Kara Cashman ◽

Darryl L. Russell ◽

Jeremy G. Thompson ◽

Robert J. Norman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Embryo ◽

Mouse Oocyte ◽

Developmental Competence ◽

Beta Oxidation ◽

Oocyte Developmental Competence

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Effects of maternal age on oocyte developmental competence

Theriogenology ◽

10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00484-8 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 55 (6) ◽

pp. 1303-1322 ◽

Cited By ~ 121

Author(s):

D.T. Armstrong

Keyword(s):

Maternal Age ◽

Developmental Competence ◽

Oocyte Developmental Competence

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Maternal age affects oocyte developmental potential at both ends of the age spectrum

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd18340 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rebecca L. Krisher

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Pathways ◽

Maternal Age ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cumulus Cells ◽

Oocyte Quality ◽

Developmental Competence ◽

Cellular Mechanisms ◽

Developmental Potential ◽

Oocyte Developmental Competence ◽

Maternal Mrnas

Maternal age has a significant effect on oocyte developmental competence. Overall, evidence suggests that oocytes from both prepubertal females and reproductively aged females are inherently less competent. Reduced oocyte quality in both age groups is problematic for human medicine and agriculture. Some of the cellular mechanisms implicated in poor oocyte quality associated with maternal age are mitochondrial function and location, reduction of oxygen radicals, balance of metabolic pathways, regulation of maternal mRNAs and appropriate communication between the oocyte and cumulus cells. However, additional knowledge must be gained about the deficiencies present in prepubertal and reproductively aged oocytes that result in poor developmental potential before significant improvement can be achieved. This review discusses the evidence currently available regarding oocyte quality at both ends of the maternal age spectrum, what we know, or hypothesise, about the mechanisms involved and current thoughts regarding potential treatment for improvement.

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