Consequences of assisted reproductive technologies for offspring function in cattle

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz G. Siqueira ◽  
Marcos V. G. Silva ◽  
João C. Panetto ◽  
João H. Viana
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Epigenetic Effects ◽  
Postnatal Mortality

Abnormal fetuses, neonates and adult offspring derived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been reported in humans, rodents and domestic animals. The use of ART has also been associated with an increased likelihood of certain adult diseases. These abnormalities may arise as a result of an excess of or missing maternally derived molecules during invitro culture, because the invitro environment is artificial and suboptimal for embryo development. Nonetheless, the success of ART in overcoming infertility or improving livestock genetics is undeniable. Limitations of invitro embryo production (IVEP) in cattle include lower rates of the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and an increased incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Moreover, recent studies demonstrated long-term effects of IVEP in cattle, including increased postnatal mortality, altered growth and a slight reduction in the performance of adult dairy cows. This review addresses the effects of an altered preimplantation environment on embryo and fetal programming and offspring development. We discuss cellular and molecular responses of the embryo to the maternal environment, how ART may disturb programming, the possible role of epigenetic effects as a mechanism for altered phenotypes and long-term effects of ART that manifest in postnatal life.

scholarly journals Assessing the epigenetic risks of assisted reproductive technologies: a way forward

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (3-4-5) ◽  
pp. 217-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Zacchini ◽  
Silvestre Sampino ◽  
Adrian M. Stankiewicz ◽  
Thomas Haaf ◽  
Grazyna E. Ptak
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Safety Evaluation ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Civilization Disease

Since the birth of the first baby conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF), assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been constantly evolving to accomodate needs of a growing number of infertile couples. Rapidly developing ART procedures are directly applied for human infertility treatment without prior long-term safety evaluation. Although the majority of ART babies are healthy at birth, a comprehensive assessment of the long-term risks associated with ART is still lacking. An increased risk of epigenetic errors has been associated with the use of ART, which may contribute to the onset of civilization disease later in adolescence/adulthood and/or in subsequent generations. Therefore, our investigations should not focus on (or be limited to) the occurrence of a few very rare imprinting disorders in ART children, which might be associated with parental age and/or the use of ART, but on the possibly increased disease susceptibilities later in life and their potential transmission to the subsequent generations. Retrospective studies do not offer exhaustive information on long-term consequences of ART. Animal models are useful tools to study long-term effects including transgenerational ones and the epigenetic risk of a given ART procedure, which could then be translated to the human context. The final goal is the establishment of common guidelines for assessing the epigenetic risk of ART in humans, which will contribute to two key objectives of the Horizon2020 programme, i.e. to improve our understanding of the causes and mechanisms underlying health and disease, and to improve our ability to monitor health and prevent/manage disease.

scholarly journals Long-Term Phenotypic and Proteomic Changes Following Vitrified Embryo Transfer in the Rabbit Model

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ximo Garcia-Dominguez ◽  
Francisco Marco-Jiménez ◽  
David S. Peñaranda ◽  
José Salvador Vicente
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Developmental Plasticity ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Mammal Species

Nowadays, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are considered valuable contributors to our past, but a future without their use is inconceivable. However, in recent years, several studies have evidenced a potential impact of ART on long-term development in mammal species. To date, the long-term follow-up data are still limited. So far, studies have mainly focused on in vitro fertilization or in vitro culture, with information from gametes/embryos cryopreservation field being practically missing. Herein, we report an approach to determine whether a vitrified embryo transfer procedure would have long-term consequences on the offspring. Using the rabbit as a model, we compared animals derived from vitrified-transferred embryos versus those naturally conceived, studying the growth performance, plus the weight throughout life, and the internal organs/tissues phenotype. The healthy status was assessed over the hematological and biochemical parameters in peripheral blood. Additionally, a comparative proteomic analysis was conducted in the liver tissue to investigate molecular cues related to vitrified embryo transfer in an adult tissue. After vitrified embryo transfer, birth weight was increased, and the growth performance was diminished in a sex-specific manner. In addition, vitrified-transferred animals showed significantly lower body, liver and heart weights in adulthood. Molecular analyses revealed that vitrified embryo transfer triggers reprogramming of the liver proteome. Functional analysis of the differentially expressed proteins showed changes in relation to oxidative phosphorylation and dysregulations in the zinc and lipid metabolism, which has been reported as possible causes of a disturbed growth pattern. Therefore, we conclude that vitrified embryo transfer is not a neutral procedure, and it incurs long-term effects in the offspring both at phenotypic and molecular levels. These results described a striking example of the developmental plasticity exhibited by the mammalian embryo.

Reshaping the Economic Structure in Argentina: The Role of External Debt during the Macri Administration (2015–2019)

2021 ◽  
pp. 048661342097642
Author(s):  
Juan E. Santarcángelo ◽  
Juan Manuel Padín
Keyword(s):  
External Debt ◽  
Economic Structure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Financial Capital ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Long Term Effects

Argentina’s right-wing shift in the 2015 presidential election concluded twelve years of center-left rule. The elected president, Mauricio Macri, claimed that the economy would experience normalization of existing imbalances and recover its strength in a “new political era.” However, the new administration quickly restored the dominance of neoliberal economic policies through a comprehensive set of initiatives, which centrally included the return to international financial debt and equity markets and submission to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) rules. This article analyzes Argentina’s external-debt-growth process and discusses its objectives and long-term effects. This paper posits that the indebtedness process carried out by the Macri administration—and its modality—not only increased the relevance of financial capital in the Argentine economy but also structurally conditioned any future nonorthodox alternative path of development. This outcome cannot be understood without taking into account the deliberate role of the United States, the IMF, and the top companies that operate in Argentina, as well as the complicity of many political sectors. JEL Classification: H63, F34, F63

scholarly journals Pannexins and Connexins: Their Relevance for Oocyte Developmental Competence

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5918
Author(s):  
Paweł Kordowitzki ◽  
Gabriela Sokołowska ◽  
Marta Wasielak-Politowska ◽  
Agnieszka Skowronska ◽  
Mariusz T. Skowronski
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Atp Release ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Protein Group ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

The oocyte is the major determinant of embryo developmental competence in all mammalian species. Although fundamental advances have been generated in the field of reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies in the past three decades, researchers and clinicians are still trying to elucidate molecular factors and pathways, which could be pivotal for the oocyte’s developmental competence. The cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix communications are crucial not only for oocytes but also for multicellular organisms in general. This latter mentioned communication is among others possibly due to the Connexin and Pannexin families of large-pore forming channels. Pannexins belong to a protein group of ATP-release channels, therefore of high importance for the oocyte due to its requirements of high energy supply. An increasing body of studies on Pannexins provided evidence that these channels not only play a role during physiological processes of an oocyte but also during pathological circumstances which could lead to the development of diseases or infertility. Connexins are proteins that form membrane channels and gap-junctions, and more precisely, these proteins enable the exchange of some ions and molecules, and therefore they do play a fundamental role in the communication between the oocyte and accompanying cells. Herein, the role of Pannexins and Connexins for the processes of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation and fertilization will be discussed and, at the end of this review, Pannexin and Connexin related pathologies and their impact on the developmental competence of oocytes will be provided.

scholarly journals The effects of assisted reproduction technologies on metabolic health and disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Florencia Heber ◽  
Grażyna Ewa Ptak
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Metabolic Alterations ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background The increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases places a substantial burden on human health throughout the world. It is believed that predisposition to metabolic disease starts early in life, a period of great susceptibility to epigenetic reprogramming due to environmental insults. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), i.e., treatments for infertility, may affect embryo development, resulting in multiple adverse health outcomes in postnatal life. The most frequently observed alteration in ART pregnancies is impaired placental nutrient transfer. Moreover, consequent intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight followed by catch-up growth can all predict future obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic metabolic diseases. Scope of the review In this review, we have focused on evidence of adverse metabolic alterations associated with ART, which can contribute to the development of chronic adult-onset diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Due to high phenotypic plasticity, ART pregnancies can produce both offspring with adverse health outcomes, as well as healthy individuals. We further discuss the sex-specific and age-dependent metabolic alterations reflected in ART offspring, and how the degree of interference of a given ART procedure (from mild to more severe manipulation of the egg) affects the occurrence and degree of offspring alterations. Major conclusions Over the last few years, studies have reported signs of cardiometabolic alterations in ART offspring that are detectable at a young age but that do not appear to constitute a high risk of disease and morbidity per se. These abnormal phenotypes could be early indicators of the development of chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, in adulthood. The early detection of metabolic alterations could contribute to preventing the onset of disease in adulthood. Such early interventions may counteract the risk factors and improve the long-term health of the individual.

Mother, baby and Facebook makes three: does social media provide social support for new mothers?

2018 ◽  
Vol 168 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Archer ◽  
Kai-Ti Kao
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
New Mothers ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Extreme Stress ◽  
Ability To Act

Many mothers can find themselves increasingly isolated and overwhelmed after giving birth to a new baby. This period can be a source of extreme stress, anxiety and depression, which can not only have an economic impact on national health services, but can also have long-term effects on the development of the child. At the same time, social media use among most new mothers has become ubiquitous. This research investigates the role of social media, potentially as a mechanism for social support, among Australian mothers of young children aged from birth to 4 years. The findings indicate that participants had mixed responses to their social media use. While social support was deemed a benefit, there were also some negative aspects to social media use identified. The findings highlight the need to critically interrogate social media’s ability to act as a source of social support for new mothers.

The role of maternal age in the assisted reproductive technologies

1999 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A Damario ◽  
Owen K Davis ◽  
Zev Rosenwaks
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Abortion Rate ◽  
Western World ◽  
Delayed Childbearing ◽  
Art Outcome

Age is perhaps the most important single variable influencing outcome in the assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The effect of advancing age on clinical ART outcome is manifested not only in the pattern of ovarian response to stimulation regimens, but also in reduced implantation efficiency and an increased spontaneous abortion rate. The clinical importance of these factors is compounded by the fact that increasing numbers of older women are presenting for ART treatment. Delayed childbearing is becoming increasingly common in the western world. The availability of methods of birth control, educational and career priorities for women, and the increased rates of divorce and remarriage are some of the factors contributing to this phenomenon.

scholarly journals Alteration of Genomic Imprinting after Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Long-Term Health

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 728
Author(s):  
Eguzkine Ochoa
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Genomic Imprinting ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Early Embryonic Development ◽  
Global Methylation ◽  
The Impact

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are the treatment of choice for some infertile couples and even though these procedures are generally considered safe, children conceived by ART have shown higher reported risks of some perinatal and postnatal complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and childhood cancer. In addition, the frequency of some congenital imprinting disorders, like Beckwith–Wiedemann Syndrome and Silver–Russell Syndrome, is higher than expected in the general population after ART. Experimental evidence from animal studies suggests that ART can induce stress in the embryo and influence gene expression and DNA methylation. Human epigenome studies have generally revealed an enrichment of alterations in imprinted regions in children conceived by ART, but no global methylation alterations. ART procedures occur simultaneously with the establishment and maintenance of imprinting during embryonic development, so this may underlie the apparent sensitivity of imprinted regions to ART. The impact in adulthood of imprinting alterations that occurred during early embryonic development is still unclear, but some experimental evidence in mice showed higher risk to obesity and cardiovascular disease after the restriction of some imprinted genes in early embryonic development. This supports the hypothesis that imprinting alterations in early development might induce epigenetic programming of metabolism and affect long-term health. Given the growing use of ART, it is important to determine the impact of ART in genomic imprinting and long-term health.

The long-term effects of stress: role of miRNAs in the development of vulnerable and resilient phenotype

2021 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 105496
Author(s):  
M. Mazzelli ◽  
N. Cattane ◽  
V. Begni ◽  
M. Papp ◽  
M.A. Riva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Effects Of Stress
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