40 Administration of 0.1µM melatonin during invitro maturation of bovine oocytes regulates autophagy levels in produced embryos

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
M. El-Sheikh ◽  
A. A. Mesalam ◽  
K.-L. Lee ◽  
I.-K. Kong
Keyword(s):  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Dapi Staining ◽  
Melatonin Treatment ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

Melatonin, the antioxidant pineal hormone, is a strong regulator for various cellular processes essential for reproduction. Although the protective role of 0.1µM melatonin against the toxicity of different anti-developmental compounds has been elucidated in numerous studies, its effect on the autophagy level in invitro-produced blastocysts has not been entirely clarified. In this study, oocytes were incubated for 24h in the presence and absence of melatonin, administered during IVM, to investigate the effect of 0.1µM melatonin on the developmental competence of bovine oocytes and pre-implantation embryos, autophagy, and quality of embryos. The developmental potential of embryos were basically the stages from oocytes fertilization to blastocyst production. Gene expression levels were evaluated in matured oocytes, whereas blastocysts were used for immunofluorescence experiments. The differences between treated and control groups were analysed using Student’s t-test (GraphPad Prism version 6; GraphPad Inc.), where P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Results showed that oocyte maturation, Day-4 total cleavage, and Day-8 blastocyst development rates were not significantly improved (melatonin: 72±2 vs. control: 69±2 for cleavage rate, and melatonin: 33±1 vs. control: 31±2 for control for Day-8 blastocyst; P>0.05), whereas the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was reduced (P<0.05) with addition of melatonin. Using RT-qPCR, cumulus cells-related (HAS2) and apoptosis-related (Bcl2 and SOD2) genes were upregulated, whereas BAX was downregulated in melatonin-treated oocytes. Using immunofluorescence, apoptosis (caspase-3) and autophagy (Beclin-1 and LC3) markers were underexpressed, whereas the PI3K survival protein (P<0.05) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9; P>0.05) were overexpressed, in Day-8 embryos of melatonin-treatment. Additionally, the total number of cells per blastocysts, inspected via nuclei-based 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining was higher in the melatonin-treated group (P<0.05). Taken together, our study demonstrates that 0.1µM melatonin treatment during IVM does not interfere with developmental competence, but improves the quality of IVF-produced embryos by lowering the incidence of autophagy.

150 Changes in pyruvate metabolism alters the epigenetic and molecular maturation of bovine oocytes

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
J. V. A. Silva ◽  
J. Ispada ◽  
A. M. Fonseca Junior ◽  
E. C. dos Santos ◽  
C. B. de Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Pyruvate Metabolism ◽  
Acetyl Coa ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Thermofisher Scientific ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

During invitro maturation (IVM), bovine oocytes undergo important metabolic, epigenetic, and transcriptional changes for the acquisition of developmental competence. Particularly, metabolic changes that alter the availability of cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA, the main substrate for histones acetylation, may alter the epigenetic profile of the oocyte, with consequences for correct molecular maturation. To test this hypothesis, cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were IVM in three experimental groups: Control [IVM medium (TCM-199-Bicarbonate, 10% fetal bovine serum, 1µg mL−1 oestradiol, 10µg mL−1 FSH, and 10µg mL−1 human chorionic gonadotrophin)], DCA (IVM medium supplemented with 1.5mM sodium dichloroacetate, a pyruvate to acetyl-CoA conversion stimulator) and IA (IVM medium supplemented with 5µM sodium iodoacetate, a glycolysis inhibitor). Cumulus cells (CC) and oocytes (Oo) were analysed separately at 24h (mitochondrial activity, MA; MitoTracker Red CMXRos, ThermoFisher Scientific] and at 0, 4, 8, 16, and 24h of IVM [lysine 9 histone 3 acetylation (H3K9ac immunofluorescence) and new transcript synthesis (only CC; Click-iT® RNA, ThermoFisher Scientific). The images were acquired using a fluorescence microscope and analysed by Image J software. The results from at least 3 replicates were compared by Student’s t-test (treatment vs. control) or by ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (comparison within the same group in different time points) considering P<0.05. As expected, DCA treatment led to an increase in MA in CC and oocytes (CC control vs. DCA, P=0.003; Oo control vs. DCA, P=0.003). In CC, during the first 4h, H3K9ac increased significantly in the treated group and decreased in the control group. At 8, 16, and 24h, both groups presented similar tendencies, although H3K9ac levels remained higher in DCA compared with control at all time points (P<0.001). The synthesis of new transcripts in CC was stimulated by DCA compared with control at 8h (P=0.02) and particularly at 16h (P=0.002), when acetylation levels were at the lowest point. Interestingly, in oocytes, the initial trend was reversed. An increase was observed in the H3K9ac levels of the control group (P=0.014), whereas no difference was observed for DCA in the first 4h. Moreover, although acetylation levels followed a downward tendency with time in both groups, oocytes treated with DCA showed lower H3K9ac levels at 4 and 8h and a higher level at 24h (P=0.04) compared with control. Regarding IA, lower MA were verified in CC whereas oocytes had the opposite profile (CC control vs. IA: P=0.0035; Oc control vs. IA: P<0.001). In CC, this decrease in MA was not accompanied by a decrease in H3K9ac. In contrast, H3K9ac increased compared with the control group at 8 and 16h (control 8h vs. IA 8 h: P=0.019 and control 16h vs. IA 16 h: P=0.019). These changes were accompanied by an increase in the synthesis of new transcripts in the IA group over the time of IVM. Based on these data, we can conclude that changes in pyruvate metabolism caused by manipulation of the IVM system lead to epigenetic and molecular changes in both CC and oocytes.

scholarly journals Developmental competence in vivo and in vitro of in vitro-matured equine oocytes fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection with fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa

Reproduction ◽  
2002 ◽  
pp. 455-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
YH Choi ◽  
CC Love ◽  
LB Love ◽  
DD Varner ◽  
S Brinsko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ◽  
Polar Body ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
First Polar Body ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

This study was undertaken to evaluate the development of equine oocytes in vitro and in vivo after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with either fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa, without the use of additional activation treatments. Oocytes were collected from ovaries obtained from an abattoir and oocytes classified as having expanded cumulus cells were matured in M199 with 10% fetal bovine serum and 5 microU FSH ml(-1). After 24-26 h of in vitro maturation, oocytes with a first polar body were selected for manipulation. Fresh ejaculated stallion spermatozoa were used for the experiment after swim-up for 20 min in sperm-Tyrode's albumen lactate pyruvate. Frozen-thawed spermatozoa from the same stallion were treated in a similar way. Spermatozoa were immobilized and injected into the oocytes using a Piezo drill. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in G1.2 medium for 20 or 96 h after the injection was administered, or were transferred to the oviducts of recipient mares and recovered 96 h later. In addition, bovine oocytes with first polar bodies were injected with the two types of stallion spermatozoa and fixed 20 h after injection to examine pronuclear formation. Fertilization rate (pronucleus formation and cleavage) at 20 h after injection of spermatozoa was not significantly different between fresh and frozen-thawed sperm groups in either equine or bovine oocytes. Pronucleus formation after injection of spermatozoa into bovine oocytes was significantly higher than that for equine oocytes (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in cleavage rate or average number of nuclei at 96 h between equine oocytes injected with fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa. However, embryos developed in vivo for 96 h had a significantly higher number of nuclei in both sperm treatments compared with those cultured in vitro. These results indicate that good activation rates may be obtained after injection of either fresh or frozen-thawed equine spermatozoa without additional activation treatment. Injection of frozen-thawed equine spermatozoa results in similar embryo development to that obtained with fresh equine spermatozoa. In vitro culture of equine zygotes in G1.2 medium results in a similar cleavage rate but reduced number of cells compared with in vivo culture within the oviduct. Bovine oocytes may be useful as models for assessing sperm function in horses.

230 ROLE OF PITUITARY HORMONES AND CUMULUS CELLS IN MODULATING THE DEVELOPMENTAL CAPACITY OF AGING BOVINE OOCYTES

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
G. Singina ◽  
I. Lebedeva ◽  
T. Taradajnic ◽  
N. Zinovieva
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Pituitary Hormones ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Prolonged Culture ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

The competence for embryonic development acquired during the oocyte maturation attenuates during the subsequent oocyte aging both in vivo and in vitro. Thus, the successful control of the female fertility requires information regarding factors responsible for the oocyte protection from early aging. The aim of the present research was to study the pattern and pathways of actions of two closely related pituitary hormones, prolactin (PRL), and growth hormone (GH), on the developmental potential of bovine oocytes during their aging in vitro. Therefore, we analysed (1) effects of PRL and GH during the prolonged culture of bovine oocytes on their subsequent development up to the blastocyst stage and (2) the role of cumulus cells (CC) and tyrosine kinases, the well-known mediators of PRL and GH signalling, in these effects. Bovine cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEO) were cultured for 22 h in the following maturation medium: TCM 199 containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), 10 μg mL–1 of porcine FSH, and 10 μg mL–1 of ovine LH. After IVM, CEO or denuded oocytes (DO) were transferred to the aging medium consisting of TCM 199 supplemented with 10% FCS and cultured for 10 h in the absence (Control) or presence of 50 ng mL–1 bovine PRL or 10 ng mL–1 recombinant bovine GH and/or 10 μg mL–1 genistein (a non-selective inhibitor of tyrosine kinases). Genistein was not applied in the case of aging DO, since their developmental potential was not affected by both hormones. Following the prolonged culture, oocytes underwent IVF and IVC. Embryos were cultured in CR1aa medium until Day 5 post-insemination and then transferred to the same medium supplemented with 5% FCS and cultured up to Day 8. The embryo development was evaluated at Days 2 and 8 for cleavage and blastocyst formation. The data from 5 to 6 replicates using 135–184 oocytes per treatment were analysed by ANOVA. Aging of oocytes in the control medium had no effect on the cleavage rate, but caused the blastocyst yield to decline (P < 0.001) from 31.1 ± 2.3% (CEO fertilized immediately after maturation) to 10.5 ± 2.4% (aged CEO) and 7.9 ± 1.9% (aged DO). Cleavage rates of aging CEO and DO were unaffected by both PRL and GH. In the case of CEO, the addition of PRL (but not GH) to the aging medium raised the blastocyst yield from 8.2 ± 0.9% to 15.2 ± 2.1% (P < 0.05), whereas the removal of CC abolished this effect, reducing the yield up to 9.1 ± 2.7% (P < 0.05). At the same time, genistein did not influence the blastocyst yield in the PRL-treated group. The findings demonstrate that PRL can inhibit the attenuation of the developmental competence of bovine oocytes aging in vitro, with this effect being achieved via cumulus cells. Tyrosine kinases are unlikely to mediate the beneficial action of PRL on the CEO capacity for embryonic development. Meanwhile, closely related GH does not affect the developmental competence of aging bovine oocytes.This research was supported by RFBR (project No. 13-04-01888).

56 DEVELOPMENT OF INTERSPECIES CLONED EMBRYOS USING SOMATIC CELLS FROM VARIOUS SPECIES AND BOVINE CYTOPLASTS

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Song ◽  
J. S. Kim ◽  
X. L. Jin ◽  
Y. Y. Lee ◽  
Y. J. Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Rate ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Complete Medium ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
Donor Cells

Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) is an invaluable tool for studying nucleus–cytoplasm interaction and it provides a possible alternative to cloning animals whose oocytes are limited. In Experiment 1 of the present study, we investigated the developmental potential of iSCNT embryos created from monkey, pig, and goat donor cells and bovine cytoplasts. Bovine ovaries were obtained at a local slaughterhouse and the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) aspirated. COCs were matured in vitro in TCM-199 supplemented with 10 IU mL–1 pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), 10 IU mL–1 hCG, and 10 ng mL–1 epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 38.5�C and 5% CO2 in air for 20–22 h. At the end of IVM, half of the COCs were inseminated using frozen semen (1 � 106 sperm mL–1) and the remainder were used for iSCNT after the cumulus cells were removed with 0.1% hyaluronidase in TCM-199. The procedure of iSCNT and establishment of donor cells were according to Koo et al. (2002 Biol. Reprod. 67, 487–492). After IVF and iSCNT, presumptive zygotes were cultured in CR1-aa medium supplement with 0.3% BSA. After 3 days, cleaved embryos were transferred to CR1-aa medium supplemented with 10% FBS and cultured for an additional 4 days. In Experiment 2, we investigated the developmental ability of reconstructed embryos produced from monkey cells and bovine cytoplasts using various IVC media, such as IVC-1/2 (InVitroCare, Frederick, MD, USA), G-1/2 (Vitrolife, Inc., Englewood, CO, USA) and complete medium (CM; Irvine Scientific, Santa Clara, CA, USA). All experiments were repeated more than three times and data were analyzed with t-test of one-way ANOVA using the SAS 8.01 program (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Cleavage and developmental rate of blastocysts were expressed as mean � SEM. In Experiment 1, we investigated the development ability among IVF, SCNT (bovine-bovine), and iSCNT (monkey-bovine, pig-bovine, and goatbovine) embryos cultured in CR1-aa medium. Our results showed that the cleavage rate of IVF (73.6 � 1.8%, 86/117) embryos was not significantly different compared to SCNT (84.6 � 2.7%, 38/45), and iSCNT (89.3 � 2.7%, 100/110, monkey; 89.3 � 3.3%, 45/49, pig; and 86.0 � 2.3%, 87/95, goat). Although cloned embryos reconstructed with monkey cells did not develop to the blastocyst stage, iSCNT embryos derived from pig and goat cells did (3.3 � 3.0%, 2/49, and 7.9 � 1.7%, 7/95, respectively). However, these blastocyst formation rates were significantly lower compared to those of IVF and SCNT bovine embryos (32.5 � 2.9%, 38/117, and 26.7 � 2.8%, 12/88, respectively; P < 0.05). The success of iSCNT was confirmed by PCR of mitochondrial DNA, porcine PKA region, and SRY region. In Experiment 2, we investigated the developmental potential of cloned embryos produced by monkey cells using various IVC media (IVC-1/2, G-1/2, and CM). The cleavage rate of iSCNT embryos was not significantly different among these media (86.9 � 2.7%, 78.1 � 2.1%, and 82.3 � 1.8%, respectively). However, we did not observe blastocyst formation using these media. Therefore, we suggest that the cytoplasts of bovine oocytes can support blastocyst development of cloned embryos with pig and goat cells, but they were not suitable for monkey cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that species-specific differences are apparent in the production of iSCNT embryos.

101 EXTERNAL PARAMETRIC INDICATORS OF IN VITRO DEVELOPMENTALLY COMPETENT WATER BUFFALO OOCYTES

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
D. Hufana-Duran ◽  
P. G. Duran ◽  
E. P. Atabay ◽  
Y. Kanai ◽  
Y. Takahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Buffalo ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Developmental Phase ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Exact Test

External parametric indicators for in vitro developmentally competent water buffalo oocytes were determined. Oocytes were retrieved from ovarian follicles and classified based on the 1) density of surrounding cumulus cells (Rank A, n = 94: with >5 layers, Rank B, n = 73: with 3 to 5 layers, Rank C, n = 73: with <3 layers, Rank D, n = 63: with irregular or denuded from cumulus cells, and Rank E, n = 42: with expanded cumulus cells, and 2) granulation of ooplasm (Homogeneous, n = 164: evenly granulated, Heterogeneous, n = 180: not evenly granulated where some part is either light or dark), 3) size of the ooplasm, n = 647 (<100, n = 87; 100–119, n = 312; 120–139, n = 164; ≥140 μm, n = 84), and 4) size of the donor antral follicle, n = 688 (<2, n = 244; 2 to 3.9, n = 221; 4 to 5.9, n = 116; 6 to 7.9, n = 61; ≥8 mm, n = 46). Oocytes classified based on these parameters were matured for 22 to 24 h and the nuclear maturation was examined with cleavage rate and blastocyst development rate assessed after in vitro fertilization. To validate the hypothesis that oocytes with compact cumulus (n = 248) are at growing phase while those with loose cumulus (n = 270) are at developmental phase, they were matured and fertilized in vitro at shorter (20 to 22 h) or longer (24 to 26 h) period and embryo development was assessed. Each study was replicated 5 to 10 times. Data were statistically analysed by chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and correlation analysis. Results showed that oocytes surrounded by multi-layers (>5 layers) of cumulus cells had highest developmental competence. Oocytes with a diameter of <100 μm lacked developmental competence, evidenced by the failure to develop to metaphase II (MII) after in vitro maturation (IVM), whereas oocytes with diameter of ≥100 μm developed to MII and cleaved after IVF. Optimum cleavage (96.8%) and blastocyst development (27.0%) was observed in oocytes with ≥120 μm. The size of the donor follicle was linearly correlated with oocyte developmental competence with follicles ≥6 mm containing highly developmentally competent oocyte. Based on the findings, oocytes surrounded by >3 layers of compact or loose cumulus with evenly granulated and with ∼110 μm diameter ooplasm and derived from ≥4 mm follicles are developmentally competent. Oocytes with a compact cumulus required 24 to 26 h of IVM while those with loose cumulus required 20 to 22 h of IVM for optimum blastocyst development. These results suggest that the density and compactness of the surrounding cumulus, and the diameter of ooplasm and donor follicles are positive indicators for oocytes with developmental competence.

scholarly journals Abilities of cumulus and granulosa cells to enhance the developmental competence of bovine oocytes during in vitro maturation period are promoted by midkine; a possible implication of its apoptosis suppressing effects

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ikeda ◽  
K Saeki ◽  
H Imai ◽  
M Yamada
Keyword(s):  
Dna Fragmentation ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

We previously reported that when midkine (MK), a heparin-binding growth differentiation factor was used inin vitromaturation (IVM) culture of bovine cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEOs), their developmental competence to the blastocyst stage afterin vitrofertilization (IVF) was enhanced and the effect of MK might be mediated by its action upon mural granulosa cells and cumulus cells that closely surround the oocyte. In the present study, when denuded oocytes (DOs) were matured in IVM medium with or without MK (200 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of isolated cumulus cell masses and subjected to IVF, the enhancing effects of MK on the developmental competence of DOs to the blastocyst stage after IVF were exerted only in the presence of cumulus cells. In addition, we prepared the conditioned media of granulosa cells cultured with or without 200 ng MK/ml (CMMK+ or CMMK− respectively) and examined their effects on the IVM of DOs in terms of their developmental competence to the blastocyst stage after IVF. The supplementation of CMMK+ into IVM medium at 40% (v/v) significantly enhanced the blastocyst development compared with the no additive control and the CMMK− supplemented groups. Furthermore, the effects of MK during IVM of bovine CEOs on the cumulus cell apoptosis were investigated. CEOs were cultured up to 24 h in IVM medium without (control) or with 200 ng MK/ml. The genomic DNA was extracted from CEOs at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h of IVM and subjected to ligation-mediated PCR (LM-PCR) to detect the apoptotic internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. DNA fragmentation was scarcely detected at the start of IVM, whereas it increased time-dependently as the IVM culture progressed. The degree of the fragmentation was significantly lower in the MK-treatment group compared with the control group at 18 and 24 h of IVM. The apoptosis-suppressing effect of MK on cumulus cells was further confirmedin situby using TUNEL on CEOs. In conclusion, data from the present study further confirmed that MK enhances the developmental competence of bovine oocytes via cumulus and granulosa cells. It was also demonstrated that MK suppresses the apoptosis that occurs in cumulus cells during the period of IVM of bovine CEOs. The putative soluble factor(s) from cumulus cells was suggested from the experiment using CMMK+ . MK may promote the production of such factors in part by its anti-apoptotic effects on cumulus cells.

scholarly journals Pregnancies and improved early embryonic development with bovine oocytes matured in vitro with 9-cis-retinoic acid

Reproduction ◽  
2003 ◽  
pp. 409-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
CO Hidalgo ◽  
C Diez ◽  
P Duque ◽  
N Facal ◽  
E Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Bovine Oocytes ◽  
Number Of Cells

Retinoids have an important role in cell growth, morphogenesis and differentiation. In the present study the developmental potential of bovine oocytes was examined after in vitro maturation in the presence of 9-cis-retinoic acid, a vitamin A metabolite, at 5 nmol l(-1) in chemically defined conditions. Experiments studied early in vitro development, blastocyst differential cell counts and the capacity of embryos to establish pregnancy after transfer to recipients. After in vitro fertilization and culture in simple medium, blastocyst development and hatching rates increased in oocytes matured with 9-cis-retinoic acid. Addition of ethanol (used as a solvent for 9-cis-retinoic acid) resulted in higher cell counts and proportions of cells in the inner mass of day 7 blastocysts. Day 8 blastocysts represented most differences observed in the number of cells. In these embryos, ethanol and 9-cis-retinoic acid increased both the number of cells and proportions in the inner mass. However, while ethanol treatment reduced the number of cells in the trophectoderm, 9-cis-retinoic acid did not. The total number of cells was unaffected by treatment within 1 day, although untreated oocytes lead to day 8 blastocysts with reduced total cell counts. Once transferred to recipients, both fresh and vitrified-warmed blastocysts derived from oocytes matured with 9-cis-retinoic acid yielded more pregnancies at day 60. Modifications of retinoid metabolism affect development and trophectoderm differentiation, and in vitro maturation with 9-cis-retinoic acid increased the developmental competence of the oocyte.

scholarly journals N-acetyl-L-cysteine Improves the Developmental Competence of Bovine Oocytes and Embryos Cultured In Vitro by Attenuating Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 860
Author(s):  
Wu-Sheng Sun ◽  
Hoon Jang ◽  
Mi-Ryung Park ◽  
Keon Bong Oh ◽  
Haesun Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Developmental Rates ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Bovine Oocytes ◽  
Dose Dependent

Oxidative stress has been suggested to negatively affect oocyte and embryo quality and developmental competence, resulting in failure to reach full term. In this study, we investigated the effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a cell-permeating antioxidant, on developmental competence and the quality of oocytes and embryos upon supplementation (0.1–10 mM) in maturation and culture medium in vitro using slaughterhouse-derived oocytes and embryos. The results show that treating oocytes with 1.0 mM NAC for 8 h during in vitro maturation attenuated the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p < 0.05) and upregulated intracellular glutathione levels (p < 0.01) in oocytes. Interestingly, we found that NAC affects early embryonic development, not only in a dose-dependent, but also in a stage-specific, manner. Significantly (p < 0.05) decreased cleavage rates (90.25% vs. 81.46%) were observed during the early stage (days 0–2), while significantly (p < 0.05) increased developmental rates (38.20% vs. 44.46%) were observed during the later stage (from day 3) of embryonic development. In particular, NAC supplementation decreased the proportion of apoptotic blastomeres significantly (p < 0.05), resulting in enhanced hatching capability and developmental rates during the in vitro culture of embryos. Taken together, our results suggest that NAC supplementation has beneficial effects on bovine oocytes and embryos through the prevention of apoptosis and the elimination of oxygen free radicals during maturation and culture in vitro.

scholarly journals Heat Shock Protein 70 Improves In Vitro Embryo Yield and Quality from Heat Stressed Bovine Oocytes

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1794
Author(s):  
Konstantina Stamperna ◽  
Themistoklis Giannoulis ◽  
Eleni Dovolou ◽  
Maria Kalemkeridou ◽  
Ioannis Nanas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Heat Shock Protein ◽  
Heat Shock Protein 70 ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Intramolecular Interactions ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Embryo Yield ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a chaperon that stabilizes unfolded or partially folded proteins, preventing inappropriate inter- and intramolecular interactions. Here, we examined the developmental competence of in vitro matured oocytes exposed to heat stress with or without HSP70. Bovine oocytes were matured for 24 h at 39 °C without (group C39) or with HSP70 (group H39) and at 41 °C for the first 6 h, followed by 16 h at 39 °C with (group H41) or without HSP70 (group C41). After insemination, zygotes were cultured for 9 days at 39 °C. Cleavage and embryo yield were assessed 48 h post insemination and on days 7, 8, 9, respectively. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR in oocytes, cumulus cells and blastocysts. In C41, blastocysts formation rate was lower than in C39 and on day 9 it was lower than in H41. In oocytes, HSP70 enhanced the expression of three HSP genes regardless of incubation temperature. HSP70 at 39 °C led to tight coordination of gene expression in oocytes and blastocysts, but not in cumulus cells. Our results imply that HSP70, by preventing apoptosis, supporting signal transduction, and increasing antioxidant protection of the embryo, protects heat stressed maturing bovine oocyte and restores its developmental competence.

P–219 mtDNA content in bovine cumulus cells does not predict oocytés developmental competence

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Á Martíne. Moro ◽  
I Lamas-Toranzo ◽  
L González-Brusi ◽  
A Pérez-Gómez ◽  
P Bermejo-Álvarez
Keyword(s):  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Mtdna Sequence

Abstract Study question Does cumulus cell mtDNA content correlate with oocyte developmental potential in the bovine model? Summary answer The relative amount of mtDNA content did not vary significantly in oocytes showing different developmental outcomes following IVF What is known already Cumulus cells are closely connected to the oocyte through transzonal projections, serving essential metabolic functions during folliculogenesis. These oocyte-supporting cells are removed and discarded prior to ICSI, thereby constituting an interesting biological material on which to perform molecular analysis aimed to predict oocyte developmental competence. Previous studies have positively associated oocytés mtDNA content with developmental potential in both animal models and women. However, it remains debatable whether mtDNA content in cumulus cells could be used as a proxy to infer oocyte developmental potential. Study design, size, duration Bovine cumulus cells were allocated into three groups according to the developmental potential of the oocyte: 1) oocytes developing to blastocysts following IVF (Bl+Cl+), 2) oocytes cleaving following IVF but arresting their development prior to the blastocyst stage (Bl-Cl+), and 3) oocytes not cleaving following IVF (Bl-Cl-). Relative mtDNA content was analysed in 40 samples/group, each composed by the cumulus cells from one cumulus-oocyte complex (COC). Participants/materials, setting, methods Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were obtained from slaughtered cattle and individually matured in vitro (IVM). Following IVM, cumulus cells were removed by hyaluronidase treatment, pelleted, snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at –80 ºC until analysis. Cumulus-free oocytes were fertilized and cultured in vitro individually and development was recorded for each oocyte. Relative mtDNA abundance was determined by qPCR, amplifying a mtDNA sequence (COX1) and a chromosomal sequence (PPIA). Statistical differences were tested by ANOVA. Main results and the role of chance Relative mtDNA abundance did not differ significantly (ANOVA p &gt; 0.05) between the three groups exhibiting different developmental potential (1±0.06 vs. 1.19±0.05 vs. 1.11±0.05, for Bl+Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl+ vs. Bl-Cl-, mean±s.e.m.). Limitations, reasons for caution Experiments were conducted in the bovine model. Although bovine folliculogenesis, monoovulatory ovulation and early embryo development exhibit considerable similarities with that of humans, caution should be taken when extrapolating these data to humans. Wider implications of the findings: The use of molecular markers for oocyte developmental potential in cumulus cells could be used to enhance success rates following single-embryo transfer. Unfortunately, mtDNA in cumulus cells was not found to be a good proxy for oocyte quality. Trial registration number Not applicable

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