scholarly journals Reversible changes in protein phosphorylation during germinal vesicle breakdown and pronuclear formation in bovine oocytes in vitro

Zygote ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.C. Chian ◽  
J.T. Chung ◽  
K. Niwa ◽  
M.A. Sirard ◽  
B.R. Downey ◽  
...  

This study examined the event of protein phosphorylation in bovine oocytes during germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and formation of pronuclei following fertilisation in vitro. Immature oocytes were obtained from abattoir materials and cultured in vitro. The oocytes were labelled with [32P]orthophosphate at 3 h intervals from 0 to 12 h following maturation in culture or from 3 to 18 h following insemination. One-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicated that levels of protein phosphorylation are low prior to GVBD. However, the levels of protein phosphorylation at approximately 40 kDa, 27 kDa, 23 kDa and 18 kDa increased substantially following GVBD and then decreased gradually as maturation in culture progressed. In contrast, the levels of protein phosphorylation increased gradually in the oocytes following pronucleus formation. Further, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicated that the protein at approximately 18 kDa reversibly changed in the oocytes during maturation and fertilisation. These results indicate that the reversible changes of this phosphoprotein may be related to either cell cycle transition or pronucleus formation during maturation and fertilisation in bovine oocytes.

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 603 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Bell ◽  
L. C. Smith ◽  
R. Rumpf ◽  
A. K. Goff

The role of the nucleus in protein synthesis reprogramming during oocyte maturation was examined in immature or mature bovine oocytes, enucleated at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage or the metaphase II (MII) stage. Cumulusoocyte complexes (COCs) were denuded before or after maturationin vitro. Denuded oocytes were (i) enucleated at the GV or MII stage (after DNA staining and ultraviolet (UV) exposure), (ii) stained and exposed to UV but not enucleated, or (iii) used as controls. After treatment, oocytes were labelled for 4 h with35S-methionine or were matured for 24 h before labelling. GV- or MII- karyoplasts and small portions of cytoplasm (cytoplasts), removed during enucleation, were also labelled. Labelled oocytes, karyoplasts or cytoplasts were prepared for one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Incorporation of labelled methionine into oocyte protein was measured. Enucleation did not affect protein synthesis reprogramming, but incorporation of 35S-methionine in immature UV-stained oocytes was high-possibly due to nuclear repair mechanisms. Protein proles of GV- and MII- karyoplasts differed from those of immature and mature oocytes. In conclusion, normal protein synthesis reprogramming in the cytoplasm can occur in the absence of the nucleus, and specic proteins are synthesized in the nuclear region.


Zygote ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Chian ◽  
S. L. Tan ◽  
M. A. Sirard

This study examined the event of protein phosphorylation in bovine oocytes in response to sperm penetration and parthenogenetic activation. In vitro matured oocytes were labelled with [32P]orthophosphate at 3 h intervals from 3 h to 18 h or from 0 h to 12 h following in vitro fertilisation and parthenogenetic activation, respectively. The level of protein dephosphorylation, at approximately 43 kDa, was similar in fertilised and parthenogenetically activated bovine oocytes. However, the level of protein phosphorylation at 40 kDa, 23 kDa and 18 kDa was different between these two samples. There were no such changes of protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in the control oocytes. Further, by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis there is a difference in the level of protein phosphorylation at 18 kDa between the fertilised and activated oocytes. These results suggest that this protein phosphorylation may be related to the formation of the male pronucleus in bovine oocytes.


2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatjana Smiljakovic ◽  
Melo Sterza ◽  
M. Kubelka ◽  
Z. Vohnikova ◽  
W. Tomek

Bovine oocytes are arrested in the germinal vesicle stage (GV stage)and mature spontaneously when they are removed from their follicles and transferred to a suitable culture medium. This process, known as meiotic maturation is characterized among others, by germinal vesicle breakdown followed by metaphase I (MI) stage and further development to metaphase II (MII), where they become arrested again. During GVBD to MI transition, the overall protein synthesis reaches the highest level and it rapidly declines in MII. We have previously shown that transcription completely declines during meiotic maturation. Therefore we suppose that gene expression is exclusively regulated on translational level at this stage of development. This means that mRNAs, which were stored in repressed form during oocyte growth, were actively translated during meiotic maturation. Therefore we have investigated specific regulators of translation, namely the eukaryotic initiation factor of translation eIF4E (cap binding protein) and a specific repressor of eIF4E function, the 4E-binding protein 4E-BP1. Furthermore, we have elucidated pathways, which lead to eIF4E and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation by using specific M-phase kinase inhibitors, and we compare these results with transcription and cytoplasmic polyadenylation events during the course of meiotic maturation. The detailed knowledge of such regulatory processes can help to improve in vitro bio-techniques and to estimate the risk of these techniques.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 194
Author(s):  
D. Paschoal ◽  
R. Maziero ◽  
M. Sudano ◽  
M. Guastali ◽  
L. Vergara ◽  
...  

The maintenance of oocytes in germinal vesicle (GV) stage for a few hours could result in more competent oocytes for use in biotechnology. This study aimed to show if the use of forskolin is able to inhibit and reverse the maturation in bovine oocytes, producing a higher rate of in vitro embryos without apoptosis rates. Eight replicates in total were performed. Nellore oocytes were matured in TCM-199 and to delay meiosis, the oocytes (n = 584) were maintained for 6 h in medium in presence of 0.025, 0.05, or 0.1 mM Forskolin. Then, the oocytes were cultured for 18 h in agent-free medium to resume meiosis. After resumption of meiosis, the oocytes (n = 336) were stained with Hoechst 33342 to evaluate the state of the nucleus: germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), metaphase I (MI), metaphase II (MII), or degenerated or unidentified (D/U). Then (Day 0) oocytes were fertilized in human tubal fluid (Irvine, New Zealand) and the presumed zygotes were culture in SOFaa + 0.6% BSA + 2.5% FCS until Day 7, when the blastocyst (n = 177) rate was evaluated. Apoptosis in blastocysts was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase uracil nick-end labeling (TUNEL) reaction. Data were analysed by ANOVA, followed by Tukey test using the general linear model (PROC GLM) of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The level of significance adopted was 5%. There were no statistical differences in state of the nucleus, only in MI (Control = GV: 0.0, GVBD: 0.8, MI: 8.3a, MII: 67.7, D/U: 7.3; F 0.025 mM = GV: 2.8, GVBD: 0.7, MI: 20.8ab, MII: 67.7, D/U: 8.9; F 0.05 mM = GV: 0.0, GVBD: 4.4, MI: 15.8ab, MII: 65.9, D/U: 13.7; and F 0.1 mM = GV: 0.0, GVBD: 1.0, MI: 34.1b, MII: 50.2, D/U: 14.6; P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in blastocyst rate (Control: 36.7, F 0.025 mM: 32.6, F 0.05 mM: 29.2 and F 0.1 mM: 25.1 – P > 0.05). But when we analysed the apoptosis rate, differences were found among groups: (Control: 12.1a, F 0.025 mM: 12.9a, F 0.05 mM: 13.5a and F 0.1 mM: 30b; P < 0.05). Although Forskolin was able to inhibit meiosis and produce embryos at the same rates as controls, the higher dosage of this drug damaged the embryos. The authors acknowledge FAPESP 10/50410-2 for support.


Zygote ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nam-Hyung Kim ◽  
Seong Koo Cho ◽  
Seok Hwa Choi ◽  
Eun Young Kim ◽  
Se Pill Park ◽  
...  

Microtubules and microfilaments are major cytoskeletal components and important modulators for chromosomal movement and cellular division in mammalian oocytes. In this study we observed microtubule and microfilament organisation in bovine oocytes by laser scanning confocal microscopy, and determined requirements of their assembly during in vitro maturation. After germinal vesicle breakdown, small microtubular asters were observed near the condensed chromatin. The asters appeared to elongate and encompass condensed chromatin particles. At the metaphase stage, microtubules were observed in the second meiotic spindle at the metaphase stage. The meiotic spindle was a symmetrical, barrel-shaped structure containing anastral broad poles, located peripherally and radially oriented. Treatment with nocodazole did not inhibit germinal vesicle breakdown. However, progression to metaphase failed to occur in oocytes treated with nocodazole. In contrast, microfilaments were observed as a relatively thick uniform area around the cell cortex and overlying chromatin following germinal vesicle breakdown. Treatment with cytochalasin B inhibited microfilament polymerisation but did not prevent either germinal vesicle breakdown or metaphase formation. However, movement of chromatin to the proper position was inhibited in oocytes treated with cytochalasin B. These results suggest that both microtubules and microfilaments are closely associated with reconstruction and proper positioning of chromatin during meiotic maturation in bovine oocytes.


1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 1182-1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Sato ◽  
M. Matsuo ◽  
H. Miyamoto

Abstract The present study was undertaken to determine the precise stage of growth at which the ability to resume meiosis is acquired in bovine oocytes. Oocytes of various sizes were isolated from ovaries by mechanical dissection using an 18-gauge needle followed by a razor blade. This method yielded an average of 26.2 ± 7.4 growing and fully grown oocytes from an ovary. Cumulus-enclosed oocytes were cultured in vitro in tissue culture medium 199 containing 10% fetal calf serum. Oocytes ≤ 90 µm in diameter did not resume meiosis. However, germinal vesicle breakdown was observed in oocytes whose diameters exceeded 91 µm. Polar body formation was observed in oocytes with diameters exceeding 101 µm. About 80% of the oocytes with diameters ≥ 121 µm were able to extrude the polar body. The percentage of large oocytes (101 to 120 µm) with first polar body increased when incubated in medium containing dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate; however, oocytes 90 to 101 µm did not extrude the first polar body even when cultured in a medium containing dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate. These observations indicate that the capability to resume meiosis is acquired gradually during development of oocytes and that dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate can improve the meiotic competence of bovine oocytes in culture.


2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 459-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah M. HOOPER ◽  
Rebecca R. PAYTON ◽  
Louisa A. RISPOLI ◽  
Arnold M. SAXTON ◽  
J. Lannett EDWARDS

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (6) ◽  
pp. C1795-C1800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Tosti ◽  
Raffaele Boni ◽  
Annunziata Cuomo

By using the whole cell voltage-clamp technique, we studied changes in plasma membrane permeability at different meiotic stages of bovine oocytes. Follicular oocytes were matured in vitro and activated by Ca2+ ionophore. Oocytes at germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), metaphase I (MI), metaphase II (MII), and meiosis exit were used for electrophysiological recording. By clamping the oocytes at −30 mV, we found that the L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels were active at the GV stage and that their activity decreased after the GVBD stage. Furthermore, the resting potential decreased from the GV to the MI stage and increased again at MII. A significant decrease of the steady-state conductance occurred from the GV to the MI stage, followed by a sharp increase at the MII stage. With the addition of organic L-type Ca2+ channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil), we inhibited the Ca2+ currents. However, only in the case of verapamil was there a decrease of in vitro maturation efficiency. Our results suggest that, in addition to the cumulus-oocyte junctions, the plasma membrane channels provide another mode of Ca2+ entry into bovine oocytes during meiosis.


Zygote ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Flores-Alonso ◽  
Leticia Lezama-Monfil ◽  
María Luisa Sánchez-Vázquez ◽  
Rosalina Reyes ◽  
Néstor M. Delgado

SummaryOocytes undergo numerous biochemical and morphological changes during their development from preantral to preovulatory phases. In vitro studies have suggested several compounds that might induce oocyte maturation. Heparin is a natural component of ooplasm, follicular fluid and uterine fluid and previous studies indicated that it might act as a chromatin maturation factor in bovine oocytes. We tested this hypothesis in vitro by timing germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and first polar body (PB) formation without any other natural or introduced factors that might influence the rate of oocyte maturation. We also determined if these oocytes could be fertilized.Bovine oocytes were incubated in a salt medium and TCM 199 supplemented with different concentrations of heparin for 24 h at 37.5 °C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2. With 1.0 and 6.5 mg/ml heparin, the time of GVBD was reduced from 4.7 ± 1.1 h to about 1.5 h and the time of first PB formation was reduced from 22.0 ± 1.1 h to 9.0–11.0 h in salt medium. In TCM 199, only 6.5 mg/ml heparin significantly reduced the time of PB formation. In both incubation media, 1.0 and 6.5 mg/ml heparin induced GVBD, extrusion of the first PB and formation of the metaphase II nucleus. Moreover, heparin did not interfere with the fertilization of oocytes matured in TCM 199. Based on the results, we propose that heparin plays an important role in the rearrangement of the oocyte chromatin and acts as an oocyte maturation factor.


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