scholarly journals Follicular Fluid from Infertile Women with Mild Endometriosis Impairs In Vitro Bovine Embryo Development: Potential Role of Oxidative Stress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Silvestre Innocenti Giorgi ◽  
Rui Alberto Ferriani ◽  
Paula Andrea Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Fertilization In Vitro ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Infertile Women ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

Abstract Objective To investigate whether follicular fluid (FF) from infertile women with mild endometriosis (ME) alters in vitro bovine embryo development, and whether the antioxidants N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and/or L-carnitine (LC) could prevent such damages. Methods Follicular fluid was obtained from infertile women (11 with ME and 11 control). Bovine oocytes were matured in vitro divided in: No-FF, with 1% of FF from control women (CFF) or ME women (MEFF); with 1.5 mM NAC (CFF + NAC, MEFF + NAC), with 0.6 mg/mL LC (CFF + LC, MEFF + LC), or both antioxidants (CFF + NAC + LC, MEFF + NAC + LC). After in vitro fertilization, in vitro embryo culture was performed for 9 days. Results A total of 883 presumptive zygotes were cultured in vitro. No differences were observed in cleavage rate (p = 0.5376) and blastocyst formation rate (p = 0.4249). However, the MEFF group (12.5%) had lower hatching rate than the No-FF (42.1%, p = 0.029) and CFF (42.9%, p = 0.036) groups. Addition of antioxidants in the group with CFF did not alter hatching rate (p ≥ 0.56), and in groups with MEFF, just NAC increased the hatching rate [(MEFF: 12.5% versus MEFF + NAC: 44.4% (p = 0.02); vs MEFF + LC: 18.8% (p = 0.79); versus MEFF + NAC + LC: 30.8% (p = 0.22)]. Conclusion Therefore, FF from infertile women with ME added to medium of in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes impairs hatching rate, and NAC prevented these damages, suggesting involvement of oxidative stress in worst of oocyte and embryo quality of women with ME.

scholarly journals LÍQUIDO FOLICULAR FRESCO OU CONGELADO NA PRODUÇÃO IN VITRO DE EMBRIÕES BOVINOS

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.P. RAUBER ◽  
D.F. ALVES ◽  
F.D. MOZZAQUATRO ◽  
J.V. TESSMANN ◽  
M.L. BERNARDI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Freezing Process ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Cumulus Oocyte Complex ◽  
Follicle Size ◽  
Blastocyst Rate ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

A manutenção dos complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCO) em líquido folicular (LF) antes da sua maturação, além de visar a capacitação, viabiliza o transporte até o laboratório por ser de baixo custo, de fácil aquisição e o congelamento do LF permite seu armazenamento para futura utilização. Neste experimento avaliou-se o efeito do congelamento do LF obtido de folículos de 2-8mm e de folículos >8mm, sobre a taxa de produção embrionária. Oócitos foram aspirados de folículos de 2 a 8mm de ovários provenientes de abatedouro. No grupo controle (n=295) os CCO foram maturados por 24h. Nos tratamentos GF (n=297) e GC (n=282), os CCO foram mantidos por 6h a 30ºC em LF fresco ou congelado, respectivamente, de folículos >8mm. Já no tratamento PF(n=278) e PC (n=281), os CCO foram mantidos em LF fresco ou congelado, respectivamente, de folículos de 2-8mm. Posteriormente, os CCO dos tratamentos GF, GC, PF e PC foram maturados por 18h. Não houve efeito negativo do congelamento do líquido folicular e nem do tamanho dos folículos sobre as taxas de clivagem e produção embrionária em D7 e D9 (P>0,05). No entanto, o congelamento do LF de folículos de 2 a 8mm resultou em redução da taxa de eclosão e do número de células dos blastocistos. A manutenção de oócitos bovinos por 6h a 30ºC, antes da maturação, pode ser efetuada em líquido folicular de folículos >8mm, fresco ou congelado. Fresh or frozen follicular fluid in vitro bovine embryo production Abstract In addition to the capacitation, the maintenance of cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) in follicular fluid (FF) before maturation, allows the transport to the laboratory, being a practical and less expensive media. The FF can be stored after freezing to future use. Oocytes aspirated from bovine slaughterhouse ovaries, were used to evaluate the effect of maintaining the oocytes in fresh or frozen bovine FF (from 2-8mm and >8mm follicles) on the blastocyst rate. In the control group (n=259) the COC were matured for 24h. On treatments GF (n=297) and GC (n=282) the COC were held for 6h at 30°C in fresh or frozen FF from >8mm follicles, respectively. In treatments PF (n=278) and PC (n=281) the COC were held in fresh or frozen FF from 2-8mm follicles, respectively. Later, the COC from GF, GC, PF and PC were matured for 18h. The freezing process as well as the follicle size had no effect on the cleavage, D7 or D9 blastocyst rates (P>0,05). Nevertheless, the frozen FF from 2-8mm follicles resulted in a reduced hatching rate and lower ICM cells. Fresh or frozen follicular fluid of >8mm follicles could be used for a 6h transport of bovine oocytes before maturation for 18h.

scholarly journals Three-step in vitro maturation culture of bovine oocytes imitating temporal changes of estradiol-17<i>β</i> and progesterone concentrations in preovulatory follicular fluid

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minami Matsuo ◽  
Kazuma Sumitomo ◽  
Chihiro Ogino ◽  
Yosuke Gunji ◽  
Ryo Nishimura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Culture System ◽  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

Abstract. The objective of the article is to evaluate the effect of three-step in vitro maturation (IVM) culture system imitating estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations in preovulatory follicles on in vitro bovine embryo production. The cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from follicles (2 to 8 mm in diameter) of bovine ovaries obtained from a local slaughterhouse. For IVM, the COCs were cultured for 22 h in a three-step system: (1) culture in medium 199, containing 700 ng mL−1 E2 and 50 ng mL−1 P4, for 5 h, followed by the medium containing 150 ng mL−1 E2 and 150 ng mL−1 P4 for 11 h, and then the medium containing 20 ng mL−1 E2 and 300 ng mL−1 P4 for 6 h (EP group); (2) culture in the medium containing 700 ng mL−1 E2 for 5 h, followed by the medium containing 150 ng mL−1 E2 for 11 h, and then the medium containing 20 ng mL−1 E2 for 6 h (E group); or (3) culture in the medium containing 50 ng mL−1 P4 for 5 h, followed by the medium containing 150 ng mL−1 P4 for 11 h, and then the medium containing 300 ng mL−1 P4 for 6 h (P group). The COCs were cultured in the medium containing 1000 ng mL−1 E2 for 22 h (control group). After IVM, the COCs were co-incubated with sperm and further cultured. At 48 h after insemination, the cleavage rate of embryos was not different among the groups. At 192 h after insemination, the blastocyst formation rate of EP group was significantly higher than that of the other groups. The total cell number of blastocysts did not differ among the groups. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the three-step IVM culture system of bovine oocytes imitating temporal changes of E2 and P4 concentrations in preovulatory follicular fluid improves the developmental potential of embryos in vitro.

242 USE OF BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR IN IN VITRO PREMATURATION OF BOVINE OOCYTES SUBJECTED TO PARTHENOGENETIC ACTIVATION

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
T. H. C. De Bem ◽  
R. Rochetti ◽  
P. R. L. Pires ◽  
F. F. Bressan ◽  
P. R. Adona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Polar Body ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Embryo Production ◽  
Parthenogenetic Activation ◽  
Bovine Oocytes ◽  
Hatching Rates

Prematuration provides an additional time for oocyte capacitation and maturation in an attempt to improve in vitro embryo production (IVP) rates and allows media supplementation during this period for IVP. The aim of this study was to use brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in prematuration to improve maturation of bovine oocytes subjected to parthenogenetic activation and cultured with different media. Oocytes were subjected to prematuration in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10 µm butyrolactone I, 2.0 mm pyruvate, and 10 µg mL–1 gentamicin for 24 h in the absence of BDNF (control) or in the presence of 10 ng mL–1 BDNF (BD). Oocytes were then in vitro-matured (IVM) in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS, 0.5 µg mL–1 FSH, 5.0 µg mL–1 LH, 2.0 mm pyruvate, and 10 µg mL–1 gentamicin at 38.5�C under 5% CO2 in air. After 19 h oocytes were denuded using hyaluronidase and vortexing for 3 min for the 1st polar body (1PB) selection. Those which extruded the 1PB were maintained in IVM until 26 h, when parthenogenetic activation was performed (5 min in 5 µm ionomycin, followed by 3 h in 2 mm 6-DMAP). Activated oocytes were then transferred to in vitro culture (IVC) for embryo development evaluation. Embryos from both groups were cultured in SOF medium with 2.5% FCS, 0.05 g mL–1 BSA, 0.2 mm pyruvate, and 10 mg mL–1 gentamicin. Cleavage rates on the second day of in vitro culture (D2), embryo production at Days 7 and 8 (D7 and D8), and hatching rate at Day 8 were evaluated. Data regarding 1PB extrusion, cleavage, blastocyst development on D7 and D8, and blastocyst D8 hatching rates of three replicates were analyzed by chi-square test at 5% significance using the BIOESTATS 4.0 software. Control and BD, respectively, did not show differences (P > 0.05) regarding 1PB extrusion (n = 164, 63.81%, and n = 175, 66.79%) or cleavage (n = 117, 71.34%, and n = 138, 78.86%). However, for control and BD, respectively, blastocyst development on D7 (n = 63, 38.41%, and n = 89, 50.86%), D8 (n = 63, 38.41%, and n = 91, 52.00%), and hatching on D8 (n = 22, 34.92%, and n = 39, 43.82%) were all significantly higher for BD when compared with control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BDNF during prematuration improved in vitro embryo development by increasing blastocyst and hatching rates of parthenogenetic embryos.

The effect of steer sera generating low or high concentrations of ammonia in culture on bovine embryo development and cell number in vitro

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 2-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kuran ◽  
M.E. Staines ◽  
G.J. McCallum ◽  
A.G. Onal ◽  
T.G. McEvoy
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Cell Monolayers ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Oviduct Fluid ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

Ovine embryos produced in synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) medium or in coculture with granulosa cell monolayers supplemented with low (A; 120 μmol/l) and high (B; 190 μmol/l) ammonia-producing steer sera caused different degrees of fetal oversize (Carolan et al., 1998). The objective of the present study was to determine whether the effects on fetal growth induced by these sera were associated with alterations in early embryo development.A total of 911 bovine oocytes, used in 8 replicates to test the effect of three culture treatments on embryo development, were matured and fertilized in vitro (IVF= Day 0). Presumptive zygotes were allocated on Day 1 to culture in SOF supplemented with 10% v/v steer serum (SOF+A, n=308; SOF+B, n=302) or with amino acids plus 0.4% w/v crystalline BSA (SOFaaBSA, n=301). All cultures were in 20 μl droplets under oil (38.5°C; 5% CO2, 5% O2; 4 zygotes per drop) and droplets were renewed every 48 h. Cleavage rate was recorded on Day 3. On Days 7 and 8, blastocyst yields, grade 1 and 2 blastocysts, their cell numbers (by staining with Hoechst 33342) and their stage and diameter were determined.

87 COAGULANSIN-A VIA HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 70 INDUCTION SHOWS BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE EMBRYOS IN VITRO

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
I. Khan ◽  
K.-L. Lee ◽  
A.-N. Ha ◽  
P.-R. Park ◽  
S.-H. Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Shock ◽  
Heat Shock Protein ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Heat Shock Protein 70 ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Hsp 70 ◽  
Development In Vitro ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

Coagulansin-A (withanolide) is the steroidal lactone obtained from Withania coagulans, which belong to Solanaceae family. The coagulansin-A induces heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), which acts as a cellular antioxidant. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of coagulansin-A on bovine oocytes maturation and embryo development in vitro. All these oocytes were aspirated from the ovaries obtained from Korean Hanwoo cows at a local abattoir. To analyse the possible beneficial effect of coagulansin-A on bovine oocytes maturation in vitro, 355 oocytes per group (control and treatment) in seven replicates were subjected with three concentrations i.e. (1, 5, and 10 µM) of coagulansin-A. The coagulansin-A was added in the in vitro-matured (IVM) media for 20 to 22 h followed by IVF for 18 to 22 h, and after fertilization the fertilized oocytes were transferred to IVC1 media for 3 days. After 3 days, the cleavage rate was checked and the 8-cell stage embryos were transferred to IVC2 media and embryo development was checked at Day 8. The culture was carried out at 5% CO2 and 38.5°C. The results indicated that among the three concentrations of Coagulansin-A, only 5 µM remarkably (P < 0.05) improved embryo development (Day 8 blastocyst), being 27.30% and 40.01% for control and treated groups, respectively. This concentration also significantly (P < 0.05) encouraged the activation of HSP-70, having 16.44 arbitrary units (AU) and 35.41 AU integral optical density (IOD) for control and treated groups, respectively. The immunofluorescence analysis revealed that 5 µM coagulansin-A supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation during bovine embryo development in vitro by decreasing IOD of 8-Oxoguanosine (8-OxoG) from 28.12 AU in control to 18.06 AU for the treated group and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) IOD (P < 0.05) from 42.25 AU to 21.80 for control and treated groups, respectively. Additionally, the results obtained from terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase TUNEL assay confirmed that coagulansin-A treatment reduced the bovine embryo DNA damage significantly (P < 0.05) from 7.4 ± 0.375 to 5.7 ± 0.287 and improved the embryo quality (P < 0.05) with mean cell numbers of 127.7 ± 4.161 and 150.1 ± 3.624 per embryo for control and coagulansin-A treated groups, respectively. This study provides new information regarding the mechanisms by which coagulansin-A promotes bovine oocyte maturation and embryo development in vitro.

scholarly journals Oocyte maturation under lipotoxic conditions induces carryover transcriptomic and functional alterations during post-hatching development of good-quality blastocysts: novel insights from a bovine embryo-transfer model

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-307
Author(s):  
Karolien L J Desmet ◽  
Waleed F A Marei ◽  
Christophe Richard ◽  
Katrien Sprangers ◽  
Gerrit T S Beemster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Rna Sequencing ◽  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Does oocyte maturation under lipolytic conditions have detrimental carry-over effects on post-hatching embryo development of good-quality blastocysts after transfer? SUMMARY ANSWER Surviving, morphologically normal blastocysts derived from bovine oocytes that matured under lipotoxic conditions exhibit long-lasting cellular dysfunction at the transcriptomic and metabolic levels, which coincides with retarded post-hatching embryo development. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is increasing evidence showing that following maturation in pathophysiologically relevant lipotoxic conditions (as in obesity or metabolic syndrome), surviving blastocysts of good (transferable) morphological quality have persistent transcriptomic and epigenetic alteration even when in vitro embryo culture takes place under standard conditions. However, very little is known about subsequent development in the uterus after transfer. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Bovine oocytes were matured in vitro in the presence of pathophysiologically relevant, high non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations (HIGH PA), or in basal NEFA concentrations (BASAL) as a physiological control. Eight healthy multiparous non-lactating Holstein cows were used for embryo transfers. Good-quality blastocysts (pools of eight) were transferred per cow, and cows were crossed over for treatments in the next replicate. Embryos were recovered 7 days later and assessed for post-hatching development, phenotypic features and gene expression profile. Blastocysts from solvent-free and NEFA-free maturation (CONTROL) were also tested for comparison. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Recovered Day 14 embryos were morphologically assessed and dissected into embryonic disk (ED) and extraembryonic tissue (EXT). Samples of EXT were cultured for 24 h to assess cellular metabolic activity (glucose and pyruvate consumption and lactate production) and embryos’ ability to signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy (interferon-τ secretion; IFN-τ). ED and EXT samples were subjected to RNA sequencing to evaluate the genome-wide transcriptome patterns. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The embryo recovery rate at Day 14 p.i. was not significantly different among treatment groups (P &gt; 0.1). However, higher proportions of HIGH PA embryos were retarded in growth (in spherical stage) compared to the more elongated tubular stage embryos in the BASAL group (P &lt; 0.05). Focusing on the normally developed tubular embryos in both groups, HIGH PA exposure resulted in altered cellular metabolism and altered transcriptome profile particularly in pathways related to redox-regulating mechanisms, apoptosis, cellular growth, interaction and differentiation, energy metabolism and epigenetic mechanisms, compared to BASAL embryos. Maturation under BASAL conditions did not have any significant effects on post-hatching development and cellular functions compared to CONTROL. LARGE-SCALE DATA The datasets of RNA sequencing analysis are available in the NCBI’s Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository, series accession number GSE127889 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE127889). Datasets of differentially expressed genes and their gene ontology functions are available in the Mendeley datasets at http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/my2z7dvk9j.2. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The bovine model was used here to allow non-invasive embryo transfer and post-hatching recovery on Day 14. There are physiological differences in some characteristics of post-hatching embryo development between human and cows, such as embryo elongation and trophoblastic invasion. However, the main carry-over effects of oocyte maturation under lipolytic conditions described here are evident at the cellular level and therefore may also occur during post-hatching development in other species including humans. In addition, post-hatching development was studied here under a healthy uterine environment to focus on carry-over effects originating from the oocyte, whereas additional detrimental effects may be induced by maternal metabolic disorders due to adverse changes in the uterine microenvironment. RNA sequencing results were not verified by qPCR, and no solvent control was included. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our observations may increase the awareness of the importance of maternal metabolic stress at the level of the preovulatory oocyte in relation to carry-over effects that may persist in the transferrable embryos. It should further stimulate new research about preventive and protective strategies to optimize maternal metabolic health around conception to maximize embryo viability and thus fertility outcome. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the Flemish Research Fund (FWO grant 11L8716N and FWO project 42/FAO10300/6541). The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest.

Effect of spermatozoa motility hyperactivation factors and gamete coincubation duration on in vitro bovine embryo development using flow cytometrically sorted spermatozoa

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis B. Ferré ◽  
Yanina Bogliotti ◽  
James L. Chitwood ◽  
Cristóbal Fresno ◽  
Hugo H. Ortega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Embryo Quality ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Spermatozoa Motility

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of sperm motility enhancers and different IVF times on cleavage, polyspermy, blastocyst formation, embryo quality and hatching ability. In Experiment 1, sex-sorted X chromosome-bearing Bos taurus spermatozoa were incubated for 30 min before 18 h fertilisation with hyperactivating factors, namely 10 mM caffeine (CA), 5 mM theophylline (TH), 10 mM caffeine and 5 mM theophylline (CA + TH); and untreated spermatozoa (control). In Experiment 2, matured B. taurus oocytes were fertilised using a short (8 h) or standard (18 h) fertilisation length, comparing two different fertilisation media, namely synthetic oviducal fluid (SOF) fertilisation medium (SOF-FERT) and M199 fertilisation medium (M199-FERT). Cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher in the CA + TH group (77% and 27%, respectively) compared with the control group (71% and 21%, respectively). Cleavage rates and blastocyst formation were significantly lower for the shortest fertilisation time (8 h) in M199-FERT medium (42% and 12%, respectively). The SOF-FERT medium with an 8 h fertilisation time resulted in the highest cleavage rates and blastocyst formation (74% and 29%, respectively). The SOF-FERT medium produced the highest embryo quality (50% Grade 1) and hatching rate (66%). Motility enhancers did not affect polyspermy rates, whereas polyspermy was affected when fertilisation length was extended from 8 h (3%) to 18 h (9%) and in M199-FERT (14%) compared with SOF-FERT (6%). We conclude that adding the motility enhancers CA and TH to sex sorted spermatozoa and Tyrode’s albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP)-Sperm can improve cleavage and embryo development rates without increasing polyspermy. In addition, shortening the oocyte–sperm coincubation time (8 h) resulted in similar overall embryo performance rates compared with the prolonged (18 h) interval.

48 EFFECTS OF LIPID METABOLIC REGULATORS DURING BOVINE EMBRYO CULTURE ON BLASTOCYST DEVELOPMENT AND CRYOSURVIVAL

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 138 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ruiz ◽  
P. J. Hansen ◽  
J. Block
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Embryo Culture ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Phenazine Ethosulfate ◽  
Metabolic Regulators ◽  
Hatching Rates

The overall objective was to determine the effects of addition of lipid metabolic regulators during embryo culture on blastocyst development and survival following cryopreservation. For Experiment 1, embryos produced in vitro were cultured in 5% (vol/vol) oxygen in SOF-bovine embryo 1 (SOF-BE1) medium supplemented with or without 100 μM trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and 0.3 μM phenazine ethosulfate (PES). Treatment with CLA began at the initiation of culture, whereas treatment with PES began at Day 3 after insemination. At Day 7 after insemination, the proportion of oocytes that developed to the blastocyst and advanced blastocyst (expanded, hatching, or hatched) stages was recorded. Blastocysts and expanded blastocyst-stage embryos were harvested and slow frozen in 1.5 M ethylene glycol. Embryos were thawed and then cultured for 72 h in SOF-BE1 medium containing 10% (vol/vol) fetal bovine serum and 50 μM dithiothreitol. Re-expansion and hatching rates were recorded at 24, 48, and 72 h. Addition of CLA had no effect on embryo development, whereas PES reduced (P < 0.01) development to the blastocyst (26.0 ± 0.8 v. 22.1 ± 0.8%) and advanced blastocyst (19.2 ± 0.9 v. 14.4 ± 0.9%) stages. Blastocysts cultured in the presence of CLA had higher (P < 0.05) re-expansion rates at 24, 48, and 72 h (50.8 ± 3.7 v. 65.7 ± 3.7%, 57.2 ± 4.0 v. 72.0 ± 4.05%, and 57.2 ± 4.0 v. 72.0 ± 4.0%, respectively). Addition of CLA tended (P < 0.07) to increase the hatching rate at 24 h and did increase (P < 0.05) the hatching rate at 48 h (12.4 ± 1.3 v. 16.2 ± 1.3% and 39.0 ± 3.2 v. 50.0 ± 3.2%, respectively). Treatment with PES had no effect on re-expansion rates but reduced (P < 0.05) hatching rates at 24 and 48 h (18.2 ± 1.3 v. 10.3 ± 1.3 and 50.2 ± 3.2 v. 38.8 ± 3.2%, respectively). There was no interaction between CLA and PES affecting embryo development or cryosurvival. For Experiment 2, embryos were produced in vitro as in Experiment 1 and cultured in SOF-BE1 medium with or without 3.03 mM L-carnitine (LC) and 10 μM forskolin (FK). Treatment with LC began at the initiation of culture and treatment with FK began at Day 6. All other methods were as described for Experiment 1. Addition of LC did not affect development to the blastocyst stage but reduced (P < 0.05) development to the advanced blastocyst stage (21.0 ± 1.2 v. 17.1 ± 1.2%). Treatment with FK had no effect on embryo development to the blastocyst or advanced blastocyst stages. Blastocysts cultured in the presence of LC had increased (P < 0.05) re-expansion rates at 24, 48, and 72 h (60.2 ± 2.0 v. 78.0 ± 2.0%, 62.9 ± 1.2 v. 83.3 ± 1.2%, and 63.0 ± 2.4 v. 82.8 ± 2.4%, respectively) and hatching rates at 48 and 72 h (48.6 ± 4.3 v. 64.1 ± 4.3% and 59.6 ± 3.0 v. 78.5 ± 3.0%, respectively). There was no effect of FK on cryosurvival and no interaction between LC and FK affecting embryo development or cryosurvival. In conclusion, blastocyst yield was not improved by any of the lipid metabolic regulators tested. Cryosurvival was enhanced by addition of CLA and LC but FK reduced survival following freezing. There were no additive effects of either CLA and PES or LC and FK for blastocyst yield or cryosurvival.Support was provided by USDA AFRI Grant 2010-85122-20623.

106 EFFECTS OF BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN 4 (BMP4) AND ITS INHIBITOR NOGGIN ON BOVINE IN VITRO EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
I. La Rosa ◽  
R. Fernandez-Martin ◽  
D. A. Paz ◽  
D. F. Salamone
Keyword(s):  
Bone Morphogenetic Protein ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Nuclear Staining ◽  
Morphogenetic Protein

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is a member of the BMP family of conserved morphogenes in charge of many events of differentiation (Chen et al. 2004 Growth Factors 22, 233–241) BMP4 is involved in regulation of pluripotency in humans and mice though the role in bovine early embryo development is still undefined. Noggin is a BMP4 inhibitor (Groppe et al. 2002 Nature 420, 636–642) that does not have a specific receptor but functions by directly binding BMP ligands. The objective of this work was to study the effects of BMP4 and Noggin on early bovine embryo development. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were aspirated from abattoir ovaries and in vitro matured in TCM containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 2 mM FSH, 20 mM cysteamine, 1% antibiotic- antimycotic (15240, GIBCO, Grand Island, NY, USA) and 0.1 mM sodium pyruvate. Incubation conditions were a 6.5% CO2 humidified atmosphere at 39°C. After 22 h, in vitro fertilization was performed. Briefly, frozen–thawed semen was centrifuged twice at 490 × g and resuspended in B.O. solution to a final concentration of 20 × 106 mL–1 and incubation with COC was performed for 5 h. Presumptive zygotes were randomly cultured in CR2 with 0.3% BSA, free of serum and co-culture (control, n = 217) or supplemented with 100 ng mL–1 of either BMP4 (n = 218) or Noggin (n = 205). Cleavage and blastocyst rates were evaluated at Days 2 and 9 of culture. Blastocysts cell numbers were analysed by nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342. The expression pattern of the transcription factor Oct-4 was studied by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscope analysis in blastocysts. Chi-square tests were applied for cleavage, blastocyst, and hatching rates. One-way ANOVA was used to compare blastocyst cell number and a proportion test was used for Oct-4 expression. For all, P < 0.05 was considered significant. Cleavage rate was significantly lower in the Noggin group compared to control (51.2% v. 62.3%) whereas the BMP group (61.3%) did not differ from control or Noggin groups. Blastocyst rates for the BMP and Noggin groups were statistically lower than control (9.24% and 11.7% v. 20.6%, respectively). Hatching rate for the control group was significantly higher than both BMP and Noggin groups (4.6% v. 1.4% and 0.49%, respectively). Blastocyst cell number did not differ between groups (130, 117, and 128 for control, BMP4, and Noggin groups, respectively). Oct-4 expressing cells over total cell number was lower in BMP (72%; n = 3) and Noggin (72%; n = 3) groups compared to control (83%; n = 3). In our conditions, BMP inhibition with Noggin or addition of exogenous BMP4 negatively affected developmental rates and altered the proportion of pluripotent (Oct-4 positive) cells. Our results demonstrate the importance of a correct balance within the BMP signalling system for proper bovine in vitro embryo development.

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