Gene expression and developmental competence of bovine embryos produced in vitro under varying embryo density conditions

2005 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 1559-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Tavares Duarte de Oliveira ◽  
Rui Fernando Felix Lopes ◽  
José Luiz Rodrigues
2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona E. Pedersen ◽  
Øzen Banu Øzdas ◽  
Wenche Farstad ◽  
Aage Tverdal ◽  
Ingrid Olsaker

In this study the synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) system with bovine oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC) co-culture is compared with an SOF system with common protein supplements. One thousand six hundred bovine embryos were cultured in SOF media supplemented with BOEC, fetal calf serum (FCS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Eight different culture groups were assigned according to the different supplementation factors. Developmental competence and the expression levels of five genes, namely glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1), heat shock protein 70 (HSP), connexin43 (Cx43), β-actin (ACTB) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), analysed as mRNA by using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, were measured on bovine embryos cultured for 9 days. Gene expression of these in vitro-produced embryos was compared with the gene expression of in vivo-produced embryos. There was no significant difference found in embryo developmental competence between the Day 9 embryos in BOEC co-culture, FCS and BSA supplements in SOF media. However, differences in gene expression were observed. With respect to gene expression in in vivo and in vitro embryos, BOEC co-culture affected the same genes as did supplementation with FCS and BSA. HSP was the only gene that differed significantly between in vitro and in vivo embryos. When the different in vitro groups were compared, a significant difference between the BOEC co-culture and the FCS supplementation groups due to Glut-1 expression was observed.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1794
Author(s):  
Konstantina Stamperna ◽  
Themistoklis Giannoulis ◽  
Eleni Dovolou ◽  
Maria Kalemkeridou ◽  
Ioannis Nanas ◽  
...  

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a chaperon that stabilizes unfolded or partially folded proteins, preventing inappropriate inter- and intramolecular interactions. Here, we examined the developmental competence of in vitro matured oocytes exposed to heat stress with or without HSP70. Bovine oocytes were matured for 24 h at 39 °C without (group C39) or with HSP70 (group H39) and at 41 °C for the first 6 h, followed by 16 h at 39 °C with (group H41) or without HSP70 (group C41). After insemination, zygotes were cultured for 9 days at 39 °C. Cleavage and embryo yield were assessed 48 h post insemination and on days 7, 8, 9, respectively. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR in oocytes, cumulus cells and blastocysts. In C41, blastocysts formation rate was lower than in C39 and on day 9 it was lower than in H41. In oocytes, HSP70 enhanced the expression of three HSP genes regardless of incubation temperature. HSP70 at 39 °C led to tight coordination of gene expression in oocytes and blastocysts, but not in cumulus cells. Our results imply that HSP70, by preventing apoptosis, supporting signal transduction, and increasing antioxidant protection of the embryo, protects heat stressed maturing bovine oocyte and restores its developmental competence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 8888
Author(s):  
Bárbara Melo-Baez ◽  
Yat S. Wong ◽  
Constanza J. Aguilera ◽  
Joel Cabezas ◽  
Ana C. F. Mançanares ◽  
...  

During early development, embryos secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) that participate in embryo–maternal communication. Among other molecules, EVs carry microRNAs (miRNAs) that interfere with gene expression in target cells; miRNAs participate in embryo–maternal communication. Embryo selection based on secreted miRNAs may have an impact on bovine breeding programs. This research aimed to evaluate the size, concentration, and miRNA content of EVs secreted by bovine embryos with different developmental potential, during the compaction period (days 3.5–5). Individual culture media from in vitro–produced embryos were collected at day 5, while embryos were further cultured and classified at day 7, as G1 (conditioned-culture media by embryos arrested in the 8–16-cells stage) and G2 (conditioned-culture media by embryos that reached blastocyst stages at day 7). Collected nanoparticles from embryo conditioned culture media were cataloged as EVs by their morphology and the presence of classical molecular markers. Size and concentration of EVs from G1 were higher than EVs secreted by G2. We identified 95 miRNAs; bta-miR-103, bta-miR-502a, bta-miR-100, and bta-miR-1 were upregulated in G1, whereas bta-miR-92a, bta-miR-140, bta-miR-2285a, and bta-miR-222 were downregulated. The most significant upregulated pathways were fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, lysine degradation, gap junction, and signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells. The characteristics of EVs secreted by bovine embryos during the compaction period vary according to embryo competence. Embryos that reach the blastocyst stage secrete fewer and smaller vesicles. Furthermore, the loading of specific miRNAs into the EVs depends on embryo developmental competence.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Arias-Álvarez ◽  
R. M. García-García ◽  
J. López-Tello ◽  
P. G. Rebollar ◽  
A. Gutiérrez-Adán ◽  
...  

In vivo-matured cumulus–oocyte complexes are valuable models in which to assess potential biomarkers of rabbit oocyte quality that contribute to enhanced IVM systems. In the present study we compared some gene markers of oocytes and cumulus cells (CCs) from immature, in vivo-matured and IVM oocytes. Moreover, apoptosis in CCs, nuclear maturation, mitochondrial reallocation and the developmental potential of oocytes after IVF were assessed. In relation to cumulus expansion, gene expression of gap junction protein, alpha 1, 43 kDa (Gja1) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2) was significantly lower in CCs after in vivo maturation than IVM. In addition, there were differences in gene expression after in vivo maturation versus IVM in both oocytes and CCs for genes related to cell cycle regulation and apoptosis (V-Akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homologue 1 (Akt1), tumour protein 53 (Tp53), caspase 3, apoptosis-related cysteine protease (Casp3)), oxidative response (superoxide dismutase 2, mitochondrial (Sod2)) and metabolism (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6pd), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh)). In vivo-matured CCs had a lower apoptosis rate than IVM and immature CCs. Meiotic progression, mitochondrial migration to the periphery and developmental competence were higher for in vivo-matured than IVM oocytes. In conclusion, differences in oocyte developmental capacity after IVM or in vivo maturation are accompanied by significant changes in transcript abundance in oocytes and their surrounding CCs, meiotic rate, mitochondrial distribution and apoptotic index. Some of the genes investigated, such as Gja1, could be potential biomarkers for oocyte developmental competence in the rabbit model, helping improve in vitro culture systems in these species.


2018 ◽  
Vol 110 ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Laguna-Barraza ◽  
M.J. Sánchez-Calabuig ◽  
A. Gutiérrez-Adán ◽  
D. Rizos ◽  
S. Pérez-Cerezales

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 210
Author(s):  
D. M. Kohl ◽  
R. L. Monson ◽  
L. E. Enwall ◽  
J. J. Rutledge

Assessment of morphological stage grade is a subjective procedure. Stage grade is of vital importance to, among other things, recipient synchrony for the purpose of establishing successful pregnancies. Asynchronous embryo transfer has led to decreases in pregnancy rates (Farin et al. 1995 Biol. Reprod. 52, 676–682) and has been implicated in contributing to large offspring syndrome (Young et al. 1996 Theriogenology 45, 231). Differences in embryo kinetics based on culture conditions have been well documented (Mello et al. 2005 Reprod. Fert. Dev. 17, 221 abst). Whether such differences are the result of species, breed, metabolic stress, sire effects, or separation from an in vivo environment has yet to be determined. The correlation between oxygen respiration rates and embryo morphology as well as embryo diameter in bovine embryos produced in vitro has shown promise in the development of a more objective predictor of embryo quality and perhaps pregnancy initiation (Lopes et al. 2005 Reprod. Fert. Dev. 17, 151 abst). As well, recent examination of gene expression patterns of in vitro-derived bovine embryos seems to indicate that longer periods of in vitro culture are associated with lower rates of embryo survival (Lonergan et al. 2006 Theriogenology 65, 137–152). We hypothesize that differences do exist in the number, rate, and morphological appearance of blastocysts and that these parameters are in large part based on culture conditions in vitro. The objective of this experiment was to determine the timing and distribution of blastocyst formation of in vitro-produced bovine embryos cultured in SOF8, CR18AA, and KSOM8, under a standard incubation environment. Bovine ovaries from a local abattoir were aspirated and matured for 18-22. Oocytes were fertilized with frozen-thawed Percoll-separated semen from a Holstein bull. Presumptive zygotes were vortexed to remove cumulus cells and placed into 3 different culture media in a highly humidified atmosphere containing 20% oxygen, 5% carbon dioxide, and compressed air at 38.5�C. Embryos were evaluated specifically at 168 h post-insemination (Day 7) and assigned a morphological stage grade (IETS) to determine fixed time point differences. A total of 6 complete replicates were performed. Only embryos exhibiting the presence of a blastocoel at this time were documented (early blast, mid-blast, expanded blast). At 168 h post-insemination, there were no significant differences in the total number of embryos reaching early or mid-blast stage in any of the media. However, chi-square analysis revealed an increase in the number of expanded blastocysts in SOF (n = 813) and CR1 (n = 838) treatments compared to KSOM (n = 824; P < 0.0001). Expanded blastocysts in SOF were also greater in number than in CR1 (P < 0.05). Embryo selection based on development to the expanded blastocyst stage on Day 7 may prove useful in increasing pregnancy rates, and may validate qualitative correlations based on oxygen consumption and gene expression profiles for embryos produced in vitro.


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Song ◽  
J. S. Kim ◽  
D. B. Koo ◽  
J. S. Park ◽  
K. K. Lee ◽  
...  

The microenvironment of the follopian tube, in which the oviductal fluid contains a variety of cytokines and growth factors, affects pre-implantation development of fertilized embryos in mammals. Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2, prostacyclin) exists in oviductal fluid and is synthesized from arachidonic acid by prostacyclin synthetase. PGI2 also enhances the implantation rate of mouse embryos. In this study, the effect of PGI2 analog on the development of bovine embryos was examined. Bovine cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) were matured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10 IU/mL pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), 10 IU/mL hCG, and 10 ng/mL epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 39�C, 5% CO2 in air for 20-22 h. Following in vitro maturation, COCs were fertilized in Fert-TALP medium containing 0.6% BSA using frozen semen. Also, oocytes matured in vitro were enucleated, individually reconstructed with bESF cells, fused, and then activated by treatment with 5 �M ionomycin for 5 min and 2 mM 6-DMAP for 4 h. In vitro-fertilized (IVF) and nuclear-transferred (NT) eggs were cultured in 50 ��L drops of CR1-aa medium supplemented with 0.3% BSA in the absence or presence of 1 �M PGI2 analog at 39�C, 5% CO2 in air, respectively. At 3 days of culture, cleaved embryos were further cultured in the same culture media supplemented with 10% FBS for 4 days. Allocations of blastocysts to inner cell mass (ICM) and trophoblast (TE) cells were investigated to assess embryo quality. All experiments were repeated more than three times. All data were analyzed by using the Duncan test of ANOVA by the Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and numbers of nuclei in blastocysts were expressed as mean � SE. No difference was detected in the cleaved rate of the eggs between the treated- and nontreated groups. IVF zygotes treated with PGI2 analog represented a higher developmental rate (33%, 122/418) to the blastocyst stage than nontreated controls (24%, 107/456) (P < 0.05). Among IVF-derived blastocysts, interestingly, the proportion (46%, 84/181) of expanded blastocysts was significantly higher in the PGI2 analog-treated group compared with that in the nontreated group (28%, 46/164). The number of nuclei in (165 � 6.1, n = 15) in blastocysts in the PGI2 analog-treated group was higher than that (146.12 � 5.7, n = 18) in the nontreated group (P < 0.05). No difference was detected in the ratio of ICM to total cells between PGI2 analog-treated (42.0 � 3.0%) and nontreated groups (41.9 � 2.9%). Like the IVF embryos, NT embryos in the PGI2 analog-treated group showed a higher in vitro developmental rate (33.6%, 43/128) than the nontreated embryos (24.2%, 32/132) (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that PGI2 analog improves the kinetics of embryo development in cattle.


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