99 EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES OF BOVINE OVIDUCTAL FLUID MODIFY THE GENE EXPRESSION ON BOVINE IN VITRO-DERIVED EMBRYOS

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Lopera-Vasquez ◽  
M. Hamdi ◽  
V. Maillo ◽  
C. Nunez ◽  
M. Yanez-Mo ◽  
...  

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as intercellular communicators through their protein, lipid, and mRNA content. The interaction of EVs from oviducal environment and the first stages of embryo development is currently an enigma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the developmental competence and the expression profile of bovine blastocysts cultured with previously purified EVs recovered from ampullary and isthmic oviducal fluid (OF) under different centrifugal forces. OF-EVs recovered from oviducts of slaughtered heifers in early luteal phase were quantified with a nanoparticle tracking analysis system, and their integrity and size were assessed by electron microscopy. In vitro-produced zygotes were cultured in SOF+3 mg mL–1 BSA (C–), C– with 3 × 105 OF-EVs/mL from the ampulla (A) and isthmus (I) isolated at 1 × 103 (A10k and I10k, respectively) and 1 × 105 (A100k and I100k, respectively) × g. A control culture group of SOF+5% FCS (C+) was included. Blastocyst development was recorded on Day 7, 8, and 9 (D0: day of fertilization). Blastocysts on Days 7/8 cultured in C–, C+, I10k, and I100k were used to measure the relative mRNA expression of genes related with membrane trafficking (AQP3, AQP11, and ATP1A1), metabolism (LDLR and LDHA), and epigenetics (DNMT3A, IGF2R, GRB10, and SNRPN) by RT-qPCR. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. The size of ampullary and isthmic OF-EVs was similar with a mean of 220 nm. The concentration of I10k was significantly lower compared with A100k (3.6 × 108 v. 10.5 × 108 EVs/mL, respectively; P < 0.05); however, no differences were found in the rest of the groups with a mean concentration of 7.6 × 108 EVs/mL. EVs and C– groups showed a delayed embryo development at Day 7 compared with C+ (range: 12.0–13.8 v. 20.6%, respectively, P < 0.05); however, it was compensated at Days 8 and 9 (Day 9 range: 28.5–30.8%). The water channel related protein AQP3, associated with blastocoel formation, water, and cryoprotectant movement during cryopreservation, was up-regulated in I10k and I100k blastocysts compared with C+. The lipid receptor LDLR, proposed as a regulator of lipid uptake in blastocysts, was significantly down-regulated in C+ compared with the other groups, a possible consequence of a higher concentration of lipids in the C+ group. The de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A and the imprinting gene SNRPN were down-regulated in the C+ compared with I100k, suggesting alterations in imprinting. In conclusion, bovine isthmic OF-EVs supplementation in in vitro embryo culture has a positive effect on gene expression patterns of developmental related genes compared with serum supplementation, suggesting an association between the oviducal environment and the developing embryo. Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AGL2012–37510 and AGL2012–39652-C02–01).

Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 153 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricaurte Lopera-Vasquez ◽  
Meriem Hamdi ◽  
Veronica Maillo ◽  
Alfonso Gutierrez-Adan ◽  
Pablo Bermejo-Alvarez ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracellular vesicles (EV) from oviductal fluid (OF), either from the ampulla or isthmus, on the development and quality of in vitro-cultured bovine embryos. Zygotes were cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF + 3 mg/mL BSA) without calf serum (C− group), in the presence of 3 × 105 EV/mL from ampullary or isthmic OF at either 1 × 104 g (10 K) or 1 × 105 g (100 K), and compared with SOF + 5% FCS (C+ group). OF-EV size and concentration were assessed by electron microscopy and nanotracking analysis system. Embryo development was recorded on Days 7–9, and blastocyst quality was assessed through cryotolerance and gene expression analysis. Lower blastocyst yield was observed on Day 7 in the C− and OF-EV groups (12.0–14.3%) compared with C+ (20.6%); however, these differences were compensated at Days 8 and 9 (Day 9: 28.5–30.8%). Importantly, the survival rate of blastocysts produced with isthmic 100 K OF-EV was higher than that of C+ and C− group at 72 h after vitrification and warming (80.1 vs 34.5 and 50.5% respectively, P < 0.05). In terms of gene expression, blastocysts produced in the presence of 100 K isthmic OF-EV upregulated the water channel AQP3 and DNMT3A and SNRPN transcripts compared with the C+, with the expression in C− being intermediate. The lipid receptor LDLR was downregulated in C+ compared with all other groups. In conclusion, the addition of oviductal fluid extracellular vesicles from isthmus, to in vitro culture of bovine embryos in the absence of serum improves the development and quality of the embryos produced.


Zygote ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Milena Bernal ◽  
Julia Heinzmann ◽  
Doris Herrmann ◽  
Bernd Timmermann ◽  
Ulrich Baulain ◽  
...  

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.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
M. Paczkowski ◽  
C. Bidwell ◽  
D. Spurlock ◽  
J. Waddell ◽  
R. L. Krisher

The in vitro culture environment significantly impacts nuclear maturation, fertilization, embryonic development, and epigenetic competence; however, our knowledge of the effects of in vitro maturation on oocyte developmental competence, and specifically cytoplasmic maturation, is limited. The objective of this experiment was to identify alterations in the transcriptome of oocytes matured in vitro compared to those matured in vivo that correlate to developmental competence. Immature oocytes were collected from Day 26 and 7-8-week-old B6D2F1 mice 48 h post-pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) administration and matured for 16 h in Gmat supplemented with 0.5 mm citric acid, 0.5 mm cysteamine, 100 ng mL–1 epidermal growth factor (EGF), 0.05% insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS; v/v), 0.01% recombumin (v/v) and 2 mg mL–1 fetuin. In vivo-matured oocytes from females of the same ages were collected from the oviducts 62 h post-PMSG and 14 h post-hCG and mating to vasectomized males. In vivo- and in vitro-matured oocytes were identified visually by the presence of the first polar body. Mature oocytes were pooled into three groups of 150 oocytes per treatment and lysed; poly A+ RNA was extracted. Samples were processed through two cycles of linear amplification and hybridized to the GeneChip� Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Array (Affymetrix, Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA), with three arrays per treatment. Microarray data were sorted and filtered to include genes that were classified as having two present calls per treatment. The data were then normalized to the chip median and analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance; the level of significance was calculated at P < 0.01. In total, 2.17% (482/22170) and 1.61% (358/22170) of genes were differentially expressed between in vitro- and in vivo-matured oocytes in Day 26 and 7–8-week-old mice, respectively. However, 72.82% (351/482) and 67.87% (243/358) of differentially expressed genes had increased abundance in the in vitro- and in vivo-matured oocytes, respectively. Transcripts involved in gene expression, cellular growth and proliferation, and cellular development were increased in in vivo-matured oocytes from both age groups compared to those matured in vitro. Cell death was one of the higher ranking functional groups increased in the 7–8-week-old in vitro-matured oocytes compared to the 7–8-week-old in vivo-matured oocytes. Specific genes altered by in vitro maturation conditions in Day 26 oocytes were DNA methyltransferase 1 (>7-fold increase in vivo), caspase 8 (>4-fold increase in vivo), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1B (>4-fold increase in vivo). DNA methyltransferase 1 and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T were significantly increased in in vivo-matured 7–8-week-old oocytes (>3-fold and >5-fold, respectively). These results indicate that gene expression is altered in oocytes matured in vitro compared to those matured in vivo. Based on the functional annotations of genes differentially expressed, dysregulation of gene expression in the oocyte resulting in altered DNA methylation and an up-regulation in cell death pathways are potential developmental mechanisms influenced by in vitro culture conditions that correlate to reduced embryonic developmental potential.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
David K. Gardner ◽  
Michelle Lane

The environment to which the mammalian embryo is exposed during the preimplantation period of development has a profound effect on the physiology and viability of the conceptus. It has been demonstrated that conditions that alter gene expression, and in some instances the imprinting status of specific genes, have all previously been shown to adversely affect cell physiology. Thus, questions are raised regarding the aetiology of abnormal gene expression and altered imprinting patterns, and whether problems can be averted by using more physiological culture conditions. It is also of note that the sensitivity of the embryo to its surroundings decreases as development proceeds. Post compaction, environmental conditions have a lesser effect on gene function. This, therefore, has implications regarding the conditions used for IVF and the culture of the cleavage stage embryo. The developmental competence of the oocyte also impacts gene expression in the embryo, and therefore superovulation has been implicated in abnormal methylation and imprinting in the resultant embryo. Furthermore, the genetics and dietary status of the mother have a profound impact on embryo development and gene expression. The significance of specific animal models for human assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is questioned, given that most cattle data have been obtained from in vitro-matured oocytes and that genes imprinted in domestic and laboratory animals are not necessarily imprinted in the human. Patients treated with ART have fertility problems, which in turn may predispose their gametes or embryos to greater sensitivities to the process of ART. Whether this is from the drugs involved in the ovulation induction or from the IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection or culture procedures themselves remains to be determined. Alternatively, it may be that epigenetic alterations are associated with infertility and symptoms are subsequently revealed through ART. Whatever the aetiology, continued long-term monitoring of the children conceived through ART is warranted.


Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
pp. 895-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakan Sagirkaya ◽  
Muge Misirlioglu ◽  
Abdullah Kaya ◽  
Neal L First ◽  
John J Parrish ◽  
...  

Expression of embryonic genes is altered in different culture conditions, which influence developmental potential both during preimplantation and fetal development. The objective of this study was to define the effects of culture conditions on: bovine embryonic development to blastocyst stage, blastocyst cell number, apoptosis and expression patterns of a panel of developmentally important genes. Bovine embryos were culturedin vitroin three culture media containing amino acids, namely potassium simplex optimization medium (KSOMaa), Charles Rosenkrans 1 (CR1aa) and synthetic oviductal fluid (SOFaa). Apoptosis in blastocysts was determined by TUNEL assay and expression profiles of developmentally important genes were assayed by real-time PCR.In vivo-produced bovine blastocysts were used as controls for experiments determining gene expression patterns. While the cleavage rates did not differ, embryos cultured in SOFaa had higher rates of development to blastocyst stage (P< 0.05). Mean cell numbers and percentages of apoptotic cells per blastocyst did not differ among the groups. Expression of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) gene was significantly up-regulated in both CR1aa and KSOMaa when compared with SOFaa (P< 0.001). DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a) expression was higher in embryos cultured in CR1aa than in those cultured in SOFaa (P< 0.001). Expression of interferon tau (IF-τ) and insulin-like growth factor II receptor (Igf-2r) genes was significantly up-regulated in KSOMaa when compared with CR1aa (P< 0.001). Gene expression did not differ betweenin vivo-derived blastocysts and theirin vitro-derived counterparts. In conclusion, SOFaa supports higher development to blastocyst stage than KSOMaa and CR1aa, and the culture conditions influence gene expression.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. e201800153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Božić ◽  
Joana Frobel ◽  
Annamarija Raic ◽  
Fabio Ticconi ◽  
Chao-Chung Kuo ◽  
...  

De novo DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) plays pivotal roles in hematopoietic differentiation. In this study, we followed the hypothesis that alternative splicing ofDNMT3Ahas characteristic epigenetic and functional sequels. SpecificDNMT3Atranscripts were either down-regulated or overexpressed in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and this resulted in complementary and transcript-specific DNA methylation and gene expression changes. Functional analysis indicated that, particularly, transcript 2 (coding for DNMT3A2) activates proliferation and induces loss of a primitive immunophenotype, whereas transcript 4 interferes with colony formation of the erythroid lineage. Notably, in acute myeloid leukemia expression of transcript 2 correlates with its in vitro DNA methylation and gene expression signatures and is associated with overall survival, indicating thatDNMT3Avariants also affect malignancies. Our results demonstrate that specificDNMT3Avariants have a distinct epigenetic and functional impact. Particularly, DNMT3A2 triggers hematopoietic differentiation and the corresponding signatures are reflected in acute myeloid leukemia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Janeli Viil ◽  
Freddy Lättekivi ◽  
James Ord ◽  
Qurat Ul Ain Reshi ◽  
...  

While follicular fluid (FF) is well known to provide an optimal environment for oogenesis, its functional roles following its release into the oviduct during ovulation are currently elusive. We hypothesized that FF and FF-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be conveyors of signals capable of inducing functionally-relevant transcriptional responses in oviductal cells. The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the effect of FF and FF-derived EVs on the transcriptome of primary bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOECs). We examined the gene expression of BOECs in three conditions: BOECs cultured with FF, FF-derived EVs, and without supplementations. For each condition, cells were cultured for 6 and 24 h. RNA sequencing results revealed that FF had a stronger effect on BOECs gene expression compared to EVs. We detected 488 and 1998 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with FF treatment in 6 and 24 h, respectively, whereas only 41 DEGs were detected at 6 h following EV treatment. Pathway analysis of the FF-induced DEGs showed that several pathways were highly enriched, notably oxidative phosphorylation, thermogenesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Some of these pathways have a role in sperm survival, fertilization, and early embryo development. In conclusion, the findings of our study demonstrate for the first time that bovine FF and FF-derived EVs can induce changes in the gene expression of the bovine oviductal cells which, although observed in vitro, may be reflective of in vivo responses which may contribute to a favorable periconceptional microenvironment for sperm survival, fertilization, and early embryo development.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 256
Author(s):  
W. J. Son ◽  
M. K. B. ◽  
Y. J. Jeong ◽  
S. Balasubramanian ◽  
S. Y. Choe ◽  
...  

Various factors are known to influence the survival and development of in vitro-produced embryos, including co-culture with somatic cells, antioxidants, and O2 tension. Studies in several species report that embryo development and quality were enhanced at low O2 concentrations. This study compared the effects of 2 O2 concentrations on IVP embryo development, embryo quality, and gene expression to those of in vivo counterparts. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were matured in vitro in TCM-199 with hormones and 10% FCS, and inseminated in TALP medium. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in SOF medium under either 5% or 20% O2 in air. In triplicate, sets of 5 embryos at the 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell, morula, and Day 7 blastocyst stages were used for analyzing the expression patterns of apoptotic (Bax and Bcl2), metabolism (Glut-1 and Glut-5), stress (Sox, Hsp70, and G6PDH), compaction (Cx43), oxidation (PRDX5, NADH, and MnSOD), and implantation (VEGF and IFN-tau) genes using real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of each gene was normalized to that of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Statistical analysis was performed with Bonferroni and Duncan tests by ANOVA (P &lt; 0.05). Cleavage rates did not differ among groups. Blastocyst and hatched blastocyst development in 5% O2 was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher than in 20% O2. Total cell number of in vivo blastocysts was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher than that of IVP blastocysts. ICM ratio and apoptosis of in vivo blastocysts were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) lower than for IVP blastocysts. The relative abundances (RAs) of Glut-1, Glut-5, MnSOD, NADH, PRDX5, Cx43, Bcl2, and IFN-τ were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher in in vivo embryos, whereas the RAs of Sox, G6PDH, Hsp70, Bax, and VEGF were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) lower than for IVP counterparts. In conclusion, culture at 5% O2 concentration resulted in higher rates of development to the blastocyst stage, higher total cell numbers, and decreased apoptosis. Furthermore, differences in expression of genes including Glut-1, Glut-5, Sox, G6PDH, Hsp70, Bax, Bcl2, Cx43, PRDX5, NADH, MnSOD, VEGF, and IFN-τ may prove useful in determining optimal culture conditions. This work was supported by ARPC (204119-03-SB010), Republic of Korea.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Arcarons ◽  
M. Vendrell ◽  
M. Yeste ◽  
M. E. Mercadé ◽  
M. López-Béjar ◽  
...  

Previous reports have demonstrated the beneficial effect of antifreeze glycoprotein supplementation during oocyte vitrification on preventing ice crystal formation and thus enhancing developmental competence after vitrification-warming. Pseudomonas sp. ID1, a bacterium isolated from marine sediment from Antarctica, produces an exopolysaccharide, M1 EPS, as a cold adaptation mechanism. Despite numerous studies on structural and morphological damages induced by cryopreservation in oocytes, few studies have focused on the impact of vitrification on the expression pattern of genes during early embryo development. In the present study, the expression patterns of 6 genes (BAX, BCL2-like 1, DNMT3A, UBE2A, SCLC2A3, and HDAC1) were investigated in Day 8 blastocysts resulting from in vitro-matured oocytes vitrified/warmed in media supplemented with various concentrations of M1 EPS. After 21 h of IVM, 1,062 oocytes were vitrified/warmed in media supplemented with 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg mL−1 M1 EPS. At 24 h of IVM, oocytes were in vitro fertilized and in vitro cultured and the resulting blastocysts were harvested at Day 8 for RNA extraction and qPCR analysis. Fresh, non-vitrified oocytes were used as a control. Analysis of gene expression was performed through Kruskall-Wallis test and followed by Mann-Whitney test, and the level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. No significant differences were detected in relative mRNA abundance for SLC2A3, UBE2A, or HDAC-1 between blastocysts derived from vitrified oocytes, regardless of M1 EPS treatment. Expression of DNMT3A was significantly higher in embryos obtained from oocytes vitrified and warmed with 0.1 mg mL−1 M1 EPS compared with other treatment groups. However, no differences in DNMT3A expression were observed when the other vitrified groups were compared. The relative abundance of BAX transcript in embryos from oocytes vitrified in media supplemented with 0.1 mg mL−1 M1 EPS was higher than that in 0 or 0.001 mg mL−1 groups. Embryos from 0.01 and 0.1 mg mL−1 groups showed higher BCL2-like 1 mRNA abundance than those from the 0, 0.001, and 1 mg mL−1 groups. Whereas blastocysts from oocytes vitrified with 0.01 mg mL−1 M1 EPS exhibited the lowest BAX:BCL2-like 1 ratio, no significant differences in BAX:BCL2-like 1 ratio were observed between the other treatments. The significantly lower BAX:BCL2 ratio observed in blastocysts obtained from oocytes vitrified with 0.01 mg mL−1 M1 EPS could be indicative for a better embryo quality. Although optimizing the use of M1 EPS may benefit oocyte cryopreservation protocols, further research is required to clarify the exact mechanism through which it exerts its protective role. This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project AGL2016-79802-P and grant CTQ2014-59632-R).


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