137 SPLITTING OF IVP BOVINE BLASTOCYST AFFECTS MORPHOLOGY AND GLOBAL GENE EXPRESSION OF RESULTING DEMI-EMBRYOS DURING ELONGATION

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
A. E. Velásquez ◽  
D. Veraguas ◽  
J. F. Cox ◽  
F. O. Castro ◽  
L. l. Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Global Gene Expression ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Developmental Potential

Embryo splitting has been used since the early 1980s to produce identical twins and increase the pregnancy rate per available embryo. However, very little is known about the effect of splitting on embryo development and competence. Indeed splitting could provoke a negative effect on embryo survival and it can be presumed that each demi-embryo might respond differently to the injury. In this sense, even when embryos are genetically and morphologically identical at the moment of splitting, their developmental potential and molecular characteristics might change as a consequence of the intense manipulation or epigenetic differences due to the interaction with the environment. We have proposed an approach to evaluate the effect of blastocyst splitting on the morphological and gene expression in in vivo development up to the filamentous stage. For that, the effect of splitting on bovine embryo development was evaluated during the elongation period by transferring split and nonsplit IVF-derived blastocysts to cattle recipients and collecting them at Day 17 of development. The number of collected embryos, embryo size, and global gene expression was compared between both groups. Collected elongated embryos derived from split blastocyst were compared with time matched collected control embryos. From 14 transferred hemi-embryos, 5 (35.7%) were collected while 9 elongated from 17 controls were recovered (52.9%). Neither the recovery rate nor the average length of the elongated embryos was significantly different between the two treatments. However, when embryos were rated depending on their size, more than 50% of embryos from the control group had a length surpassing 100 mm, while only 33% of the split embryos reached that size. Global gene expression was performed using 2-colour microarray-based gene expression analysis. This was a whole-genome microarray study comparing 10 individual elongated embryos derived from split and nonsplit IVF blastocysts. Genes were considered differentially expressed if the fold change is greater than 2 (up or down-regulation) with P ≤ 0.05. A total of 29 585 transcripts were detected in all embryos. From those, 449 (1.5%) were differentially expressed between elongated embryos derived from split and nonsplit IVF blastocysts, among them, 248 (0.83%) genes were down-regulated and 201 (0.67%) genes were up-regulated in split embryos. Gene ontology analysis identified deregulated genes related with intrinsic component of membrane (ELOVL7, GJA1, LAPTM4B, LDLR, SLC18A2, SLC1A3, SLC38A5, TSPAN13), lipid transporter activity (RBP4, APOA1, MTTP), and organophosphate ester transport (GJA1, GJB1, ATP9B). In conclusion, we showed that splitting affect the in vivo developmental capability and gene expression profile during the elongation period of bovine embryos. However, further studies are needed to determine the long-term effect of this technique to produce viable offspring. This work was partially supported by Fondecyt No. 11100082 and Fondequip No. EQM12113 from the Ministry of Education of Chile.

7 THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL RECOMBINANT PROTEASE TREATMENT ON BOVINE SPERM FERTILIZING CAPACITY AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN VITRO

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
J. T. Aaltonen ◽  
K. J. Mattson ◽  
N. M. Loskutoff
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Human Sequence ◽  
Bovine Sperm

As described in the IETS Manual (Stringfellow and Seidel, 1995), and endorsed by the OIE, trypsin can be used (for specific pathogens and livestock) to effectively remove certain infectious agents from in vivo-derived embryos for international transport. Because of the multimillion-dollar AI industry for livestock, the OIE has encouraged more research in developing similar decontamination techniques for semen as an added safeguard to animal quarantine for the prevention of disease transmission. Most or all of the earlier studies on embryos used a porcine pancreatic-derived trypsin. Because of more stringent guidelines from international regulatory agencies on the use of animal products, several serine protease recombinants are now available. Previous experiments comparing the porcine pancreatic extract with a recombinant bovine sequence trypsin developed in corn resulted in no statistical difference in cleavage or morula/blastocyst rates. (Mattson et al. 2008 Theriogenology 69, 724–727). An additional in vivo study treating bovine sperm with a yeast-derived human-sequence trypsin resulted in significantly more transferable-quality embryos after the AI of superovulated cows as compared with sperm not treated with trypsin (Blevins et al. 2008 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 20, 84). The goal of this experiment was to examine the in vitro development of bovine embryos produced from sperm treated with a recombinant trypsin found in a commercially available density gradient centrifugation (DGC) product (Bovipure, Nidacon, Sweden) compared with DGC without trypsin. Oocyte aspiration, maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture were performed using standard methods in 5 replications (n = 2220 oocytes). Semen was collected and pooled from 2 Bos taurus bulls and frozen in an egg-yolk cryodiluent (Biladyl, Minitube). The semen was processed using Bovipure DGC composed of 2 mL of 40% colloid of silane-coated silica particles containing either a yeast-derived human sequence recombinant trypsin containing no animal by-products (n = 1126 oocytes) or the same colloid without trypsin as the control group (n = 1094 oocytes). Both 40% concentrations were layered over 2 mL of an 80% concentration of the same colloid without any additives. The density gradients were centrifuged at 300g for 20 min, after which time the pellets were washed in 5 mL of prewarmed TL Hepes solution (Cambrex) and centrifuged at 500g for 10 min. The resulting sperm pellets were then resuspended in a volume calculated to provide 1 × 106 sperm mL–1, to be used for in vitro inseminations. Results were compared using a 2-tailed unpaired t-test. Cleavage rates for the trypsin-treated sperm (n = 969, 35.8%) and the control (n = 950, 44.3%) groups were not statistically different (P = 0.20). Although more embryos reached the morula to blastocyst stages in the control group (n = 421, 61.0%) than in the trypsinized group (n = 347, 54.7%), these differences also were not statistically significant (P = 0.85). In conclusion, trypsinized Bovipure DGC of sperm before insemination showed no detrimental effects on IVF-derived bovine embryo development.

196 EMBRYO BIOPSY TRANSCRIPTOMICS: A POTENTIAL TOOL TO IDENTIFY TRANSCRIPTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ABILITY OF THE EMBRYO TO INDUCE PREGNANCY AFTER TRANSFER

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
D. Tesfaye ◽  
N. Ghanem ◽  
F. Rings ◽  
E. Tholen ◽  
C. Phatsara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Expression Profile ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Embryo Biopsy ◽  
Bovine Embryo

The incidence of pregnancy loss due to embryonic mortality in cattle is one of the major causes of reproductive failure. The early embryonic loss can be due to problems with the embryo itself, the uterine environment, or interactions between the embryo and the uterus. So, this study was conducted to investigate the gene expression profile of bovine embryo biopsies produced in vivo and in vitro that resulted in different pregnancy outcomes. For this, biopsies representing 30 to 40% of the intact in vitro and in vivo blastocysts were taken, and 60 to 70% part was allowed to re-expand prior to transfer to recipients. Based on the pregnancy outcome after transfer, biopsies (n = 10 per pool) were grouped into 3 distinct phenotypes: those that resulted in no pregnancy, those that resulted in resorption, and those that resulted in successful pregnancy and subsequent calf delivery. A bovine cDNA microarray with 2000 clones was used to analyze the gene expression profiles of 3 replicates from each embryo biopsy group. Array data analysis revealed a total of 50 and 52 genes to be differentially expressed between biopsies derived from in vivo blastocysts that resulted in no pregnancy v. calf delivery and resorption v. calf delivery, respectively. Similarly, a total of 52 and 58 transcripts were differentially expressed between biopsies derived from in vitro-produced blastocysts that resulted in no pregnancy v. calf delivery and resorption v. calf delivery, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR has confirmed the expression profile of 6 selected candidate genes. A distinct set of genes were found to be commonly expressed between in vitro- and in vivo-derived blastocyst biopsies, which ended up with the same pregnancy outcome. Biopsies, which ended up with calf delivery, were found to be enriched with transcripts involved in nucleosome assembly (KRT8), translation (RPLPO), electron transport (COX-2), and placenta specific (PLAC8). On the other hand, transcripts regulating immune response (TNFa), response to stress (HSPD1), and cell adhesion (CD9) were up-regulated in embryos that resulted in no pregnancy or resorption. Differences in transcript abundance of some genes have been seen between biopsies derived from in vitro and in vivo blastocysts. Biopsies from in vivo-derived blastocysts and that ended up with resorption were found to be enriched with transcripts regulating calcium-binding protein (S100A10, S100A14). Transcription factor-related transcripts (CDX2, HOXB7) were up-regulated in vitro-derived blastocyst biopsies that resulted in no pregnancy. In conclusion, the results evidenced that embryos derived from either in vitro or in vivo have more similarities than differences in their transcript abundance with respect to the ability in initiating pregnancy.

94 EFFICIENT BOVINE EMBRYO SPLITTING FOR GENE EXPRESSION AND IN VIVO DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
A. Velasquez ◽  
D. Veraguas ◽  
F. O. Castro ◽  
J. F. Cox ◽  
L. l. Rodriguez-Alvarez
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Expression Pattern ◽  
Gene Expression Pattern ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Embryo Morphology ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Gene Markers ◽  
Developmental Potential

It is known that embryos produced in vitro are less competent than their in vivo-derived counterparts. When embryos are produced or manipulated in vitro, their developmental potential decreases significantly, which impinges upon the production of viable offspring. In bovines, embryos that will be transferred to a surrogate mother are selected at the blastocysts stage using noninvasive methods, such as their morphological features. However, many of those embryos are not able to implant or to maintain a normal pregnancy because embryo morphology does not reflect its developmental potential and a correct gene expression pattern that support a normal development. It seems that the ideal method for embryo selection would be based on the screening of gene markers that correlate with successful pregnancy after embryo transfer. In that sense, we have proposed an approach to characterise gene expression pattern of early (Day 7) bovine blastocysts and to correlate this gene expression with further developmental potential in vivo, i.e. upon elongation until Day 17. For that, it was established an efficient method to produce identical and viable hemi-embryos by splitting IVF bovine blastocysts in order to set the expression profile of certain genes in one hemi-embryo at blastocyst stage, while the counterpart embryo elongates in vivo for 10 days. A total of 129 blastocysts were split. Six groups of blastocysts were used for splitting and the results compared: 1) Day-7 early blastocysts (n = 20); 2) Day-7 expanded blastocysts (n = 25); 3) Day-7 hatched blastocysts (n = 17); 4) Day-8 early blastocysts (n = 10); 5) Day-8 expanded blastocysts (n = 12); and 6) Day-8 hatched blastocysts (n = 45). Hemi-embryos derived from day-8 grade I and well expanded blastocysts had the greatest survival rate, in vitro re-expansion (67.7%; P < 0.05) and both hemi-embryos conserved a normal morphology with a total cell number over 80 after 6 h in culture. Also both hemi-embryos at blastocyst stage showed homogeneous expression pattern of the genes OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, CDX2, ACTB, and GAPDH (P < 0.05). Finally, the in vivo survival of hemi-embryos was assessed and compared with nonsplit embryos (control) by transferring to recipient cow and collecting at Day 17 of development. For this, hemi-embryos derived from Day-8 hatched blastocyst were used. From 14 transferred hemi-embryos, 5 (35.7%) were collected, and 9 elongated from 17 controls were recovered (52.9%). Also the elongation rate was significantly lower in hemi-embryos than in control; the length of hemi-embryos had a range between 1 and 5 cm, whereas 60% of the control embryos were longer than 10 cm. Our results provide an initial approach to study the correlation among the gene expression characteristics of early bovine embryos with their further development. However, it seems that embryo splitting hampers their elongation in vivo. It might be possible that the development of split embryos is retarded because of manipulation. This work was partially supported by Fondecyt grant no. 11100082 from the Ministry of Education of Chile.

Effect of butafosfan supplementation during oocyte maturation on bovine embryo development

Zygote ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (05) ◽  
pp. 321-328
Author(s):  
Lucas Teixeira Hax ◽  
Joao Alveiro Alvarado Rincón ◽  
Augusto Schneider ◽  
Lígia Margareth Cantarelli Pegoraro ◽  
Letícia Franco Collares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Nuclear Maturation

SummaryAround 60–80% of oocytes maturated in vivo reached competence, while the proportion of maturation in vitro is rarely higher than 40%. In this sense, butafosfan has been used in vivo to improve metabolic condition of postpartum cows, and can represent an alternative to increase reproductive efficiency in cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of increasing doses of butafosfan during oocyte maturation in vitro on the initial embryo development in cattle. In total, 1400 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were distributed in four groups and maturated according to supplementation with increasing concentrations of butafosfan (0 mg/ml, 0.05 mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml and 0.2 mg/ml). Then, 20 oocytes per group were collected to evaluate nuclear maturation and gene expression on cumulus cells and oocytes and the remaining oocytes were inseminated and cultured until day 7, when blastocysts were collected for gene expression analysis. A dose-dependent effect of butafosfan was observed, with decrease of cleavage rate and embryo development with higher doses. No difference between groups was observed in maturation rate and expression of genes related to oocyte quality. Our results suggest that butafosfan is prejudicial for oocytes, compromising cleavage and embryo development.

173 THE EFFECT OF AMINO ACIDS AND HYALURONAN ON BOVINE EMBRYO IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT AND GENE EXPRESSION PATTERN

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Palasz ◽  
J. Beltrán Breña ◽  
P. De la Fuente ◽  
M. F. Martinez ◽  
A. Gutiérrez-Adán
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
In Vitro Development ◽  
Glut 1 ◽  
Vitro Development ◽  
And Control

We have previously shown that bovine embryos cultured in SOFaa (BME + MEM amino acids) culture medium with hyaluronan (HA) + BSA are of better quality (Guti�rrez-Ad�n et al. 2005 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 17, 219). Our objective was to examine the effect of essential (BME) or non-essential (MEM) amino acids with or without HA (MAP-5; Bioniche, Inc., Belleville, Ontario, Canada) on bovine embryo in vitro development and mRNA transcription of five developmentally important genes; apoptosis (Bax), growth factor (IGF-II), glucose (Glut-1) and fructose (Glut-5) transport and metabolism, and cell to cell adhesion (Cx-43). A total of 1474 presumptive zygotes (5 replicates) were initially cultured in 40 �L drops in the following groups: Group 1, control, SOFaa; Group 2, SOF-1 (MEM only); and Group 3, SOF-2 (BME only). On Day 4 (~96 h post-insemination (pi) the number of zygotes that had developed to d8 cells was recorded and 10 �L of SOF-1 and SOF-2, each with 2.5 mg/mL HA, was added to half of the embryos from Groups 2 and 3, respectively; the other half of Groups 2 and 3 and control group received 10 �L of corresponding medium without HA. Embryos were cultured under paraffin oil at 39�C and 5% CO2 in humidified air. Cleavage rates were recorded on Day 2 and the number of blastocysts on Days 7, 8, and 9. Five blastocysts from each replicate from each treatment were frozen for determination of gene expression patterns later. Cleavage rates and embryo development 96 h pi were compared among groups by chi-square analysis. The effects of HA and medium on blastocyst rates were analyzed by logistic regression and the data on mRNA expression by one-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Cleavage rates were 81.1% in SOFaa and 79.3% in SOF-1 (P = 0.48) and different from those in the SOF-2 group (72.4%; P < 0.02). The proportion of embryos that developed to d8 cells at Day 4 was higher in the control (46.7%) and SOF-1 (46.8%) groups than in the SOF-2 group (32.6%). The number of blastocysts that developed in SOFaa (37.0%), SOF-1 (37.7%), and SOF-1 + HA (37.8%) were higher (P < 0.001) than those in SOF-2 (19.6%) and SOF-2 + HA (21.8%). The level of expression of Glut-5 was not different among the groups. However, SOF-2 was the only group that had significantly lower expression of Glut-5, Igf II, and Cx43, and higher expression of BAX (P < 0.05) as compared to the control group and the SOF-1 groups with or without HA. Addition of HA to SOF-2 medium increased expression of Glut-1 and Igf II and decreased expression of BAX as compared to the SOF-1 only and control groups and the SOF-2 groups with or without HA (P < 0.05). The level of expression of Cx43 was higher in the control than in four remaining groups, and lower in the SOF-2 than in the SOF-1 group (P < 0.05). Addition of HA increased expression of Cx43 in both SOF-1 and SOF-2 groups but this level of expression was lower than in the control group; the level in the SOF-2 + HA group was lower (P < 0.05) than in the SOF-1 + HA group. We conclude that, within our protocol, MEM amino acids only stimulate embryo development to the blastocyst stage and the addition of HA to the SOF-MEM and SOF-BME media on Day 4 of culture improved embryo quality.

57 GENE EXPRESSION PATTERN OF MINIATURE PIG SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS TREATED WITH THE HISTONE DEACETYLASE INHIBITOR SCRIPTAID

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
C. H. Park ◽  
S. G. Lee ◽  
H. J. Lee ◽  
T. K. Jung ◽  
Y. H. Jeong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Histone Deacetylase ◽  
Expression Pattern ◽  
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor ◽  
Gene Expression Pattern ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Deacetylase Inhibitor

It was recently shown that treatment of cloned embryos with histone deacetylase inhibitors improves efficiency for the success rate of developmental potential to term in several species. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of the histone deacetylase inhibitor Scriptaid (Sc) on in vitro development in early porcine SCNT embryos and on their gene expression pattern. Based on the findings of previous porcine studies (Zhao et al. 2009), the reconstructed oocytes were treated with 500 nM Scriptaid for 14 to 16 h after post-fusion activation (6-DMAP/demecolcine). In our preliminary study, blastocyst rate significantly increased in the Sc-treated group, compared with the control group (25.1 ± 2.8% and 13.8 ± 1.9%, respectively, P < 0.05). We determined gene expression using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that OCT3/4 gene was expressed at a similar level in in vivo and SCNT blastocysts with/without Sc. IGF2 and H19 genes tended to be highly expressed in both SCNT blastocysts with (1.6-fold and 3.1-fold, respectively) and without (2.0-fold and 5.8-fold, respectively) Sc than that of the in vivo blastocysts. We found differences in imprinted gene expression patterns between in vivo and cloned blastocysts. Expression of H19 and IGF2 in SCNT blastocysts after Scriptaid treatment decreased towards the expression levels of in vivo blastocysts. These results indicated that Scriptaid treatment in SCNT embryos may also have beneficial effects on in vitro developmental competence as well as their gene expression pattern.

scholarly journals Effects of different oocyte retrieval and in vitro maturation systems on bovine embryo development and quality

Zygote ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Milena Bernal ◽  
Julia Heinzmann ◽  
Doris Herrmann ◽  
Bernd Timmermann ◽  
Ulrich Baulain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Global Methylation ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence

SummaryCyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulators have been used to avoid spontaneous oocyte maturation and concomitantly improve oocyte developmental competence. The current work evaluated the effects of the addition of cAMP modulators forskolin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and cilostamide during in vitro maturation on the quality and yields of blastocysts. The following experimental groups were evaluated: (i) slicing or (ii) aspiration and maturation in tissue culture medium (TCM)199 for 24 h (TCM24slicing and TCM24aspiration, respectively), (iii) aspiration and maturation in the presence of cAMP modulators for 30 h (cAMP30aspiration) and in vivo-produced blastocysts. In vitro-matured oocytes were fertilized and presumptive zygotes were cultured in vitro to assess embryo development. Cleavage, blastocyst formation, blastocyst cell number, mRNA abundance of selected genes and global methylation profiles were evaluated. Blastocyst rate/zygotes for the TCM24aspiration protocol was improved (32.2 ± 2.1%) compared with TCM24slicing and cAMP30aspiration (23.4 ± 1.2% and 23.3 ± 2.0%, respectively, P<0.05). No statistical differences were found for blastocyst cell numbers. The mRNA expression for the EGR1 gene was down-regulated eight-fold in blastocysts that had been produced in vitro compared with their in vivo counterparts. Gene expression profiles for IGF2R, SLC2A8, COX2, DNMT3B and PCK2 did not differ among experimental groups. Bovine testis satellite I and Bos taurus alpha satellite methylation profiles from cAMP30aspiration protocol-derived blastocysts were similar to patterns that were observed in their in vivo equivalents (P > 0.05), while those from the other groups were significantly elevated. It is concluded that retrieval, collection systems and addition of cAMP modulators can affect oocyte developmental competence, which is reflected not only in blastocyst rates but also in global DNA methylation and gene expression patterns.

scholarly journals Vitrification Effects on the Transcriptome of in vivo-Derived Porcine Morulae

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Cuello ◽  
Cristina A. Martinez ◽  
Josep M. Cambra ◽  
Alejandro González-Plaza ◽  
Inmaculada Parrilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Gene Expression Pattern ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Developmental Potential

Despite the reported promising farrowing rates after non-surgical and surgical transfers of vitrified porcine morulae and blastocysts produced in vivo (range: 70–75%), the pregnancy loss is 5–15 fold higher with vitrified than with fresh embryos. The present study aimed to investigate whether vitrification affects the transcriptome of porcine morulae, using microarrays and RT-qPCR validation. Morulae were obtained surgically from weaned sows (n = 13) on day 6 (day 0 = estrus onset). A total of 60 morulae were vitrified (treatment group). After 1 week of storage, the vitrified morulae were warmed. Vitrified-warmed and non-vitrified fresh morulae (control; n = 40) were cultured for 24 h to assess embryo survival by stereomicroscopy after. A total of 30 vitrified/warmed embryos that were deemed viable and 30 fresh control embryos (three pools of 10 for each experimental group) were selected for microarray analysis. Gene expression was assessed with a GeneChip® Porcine Genome Array (Affymetrix). An ANOVA analysis p-unadjusted &lt;0.05 and a fold change cut-off of ±1.5 were set to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Data analysis and biological interpretation were performed using the Partek Genomic Suite 7.0 software. The survival rate of morulae after vitrification and warming (92.0 ± 8.3%) was similar to that of the control (100%). A total of 233 DEGs were identified in vitrified morulae (38 upregulated and 195 downregulated), compared to the control group. Nine pathways were significantly modified. Go-enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly related to the Biological Process functional group. Up-regulated DEGs were involved in glycosaminoglycan degradation, metabolic pathways and tryptophan metabolism KEGG pathways. The pathways related to the down-regulated DEGs were glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, protein export and fatty acid elongation. The disruption of metabolic pathways in morulae could be related to impaired embryo quality and developmental potential, despite the relatively high survival rates after warming observed in vitro. In conclusion, vitrification altered the gene expression pattern of porcine morulae produced in vivo, generating alterations in the transcriptome that may interfere with subsequent embryo development and pregnancy after embryo transfer.

scholarly journals Vitrification of in Vivo-derived Porcine Morulae and Blastocysts Alters Metabolic and Stress Response Pathway Alterations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Cuello ◽  
Cristina A. Martinez ◽  
Josep M Cambra ◽  
Inmaculada Parrilla ◽  
Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Embryo Viability ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Go Enrichment ◽  
Stress Response Pathway

Abstract BackgroundDespite reported promising farrowing rates after non-surgical and surgical transfers of vitrified in vivo-derived porcine morulae and blastocysts (range: 70-75%), their pregnancy loss is yet higher (10-20%) than it is for fresh embryos (< 2.5%). The present study was designed to investigate whether vitrification would affect the transcriptome of porcine morulae and blastocysts, using microarrays and qRT-PCR validation. Material and methods and resultsMorulae and blastocysts were collected from weaned sows (n=13) by laparotomy at Day 6 (Day 0=start of estrus). Of each embryo category, 50 morulae and 50 blastocysts were vitrified (Treatment group) while fresh morulae (n=40) and blastocysts (n=40) acted as control group. After one week of storage, vitrified embryos were cultured in vitrofor 24 h after warming. Non-vitrified morulae (n=40) and blastocysts (n=40), cultured in vitro for 24 h were used as controls. After the in vitro culture period, embryo viability was morphologically assessed. A total of 30 viable embryos per group and embryonic stage(three pools of 10), were subjected to gene expressionanalysis byusing a microarray approach. A fold change cut-off of ±1.5 and a p-unadjusted <0.05 were used to distinguish differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The survival rates of vitrified/warmed morulae and blastocysts were similar to those of the control (nearly 100%, n.s.).A total of 233 DEGs were identified in vitrified morulae (38 upregulated and 195 downregulated) and 105 (112 upregulated and 93 downregulated) in vitrified blastocysts compared to the control group.Transcriptome DEG profiles were dependent on developmental stage, and GO enrichment analysis mainly related DEGs tobiological processes.The vitrification/warming impact on morulae was mostly repression of gene expression with the exception of metabolism-related pathways. In the case of blastocysts, we noted the activation of the cell cycle, cellular senescence andof signaling pathways for TFGβ, p53, FoxO and MAPK. Disruption ofmetabolic-related pathways in morulae and steroid biosynthesis and gap junctions in blastocysts could be related to impaired embryo quality and developmental potential, despite the rather high post-warming survival rates seen in vitro.ConclusionIn conclusion, vitrification modified the transcriptome of in vivo-derived porcine morulae and blastocysts, resulting in moderate gene expression changes, which may disturb subsequent embryo development and pregnancy after embryo transfer.

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