Lysophosphatidic acid improves oocyte quality during IVM by activating the ERK1/2 pathway in cumulus cells and oocytes

Author(s):  
Yerong Ma ◽  
Weijie Yang ◽  
Peipei Ren ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Jiamin Jin ◽  
...  

Abstract Oocyte IVM technology is an option for fertility preservation in some groups of patients, such as those with polycystic ovary syndrome, patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and for patients with cancer. However, the developmental potential of oocytes from IVM still needs to improve. Several previous studies have reported that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) promotes glucose metabolism, cumulus cell (CC) expansion, and oocyte nuclear maturation. However, the effect of LPA on oocyte cytoplasmic maturation, particularly mitochondrial function, has rarely been studied and the underlying mechanism is largely unknown, which impedes (pre)clinical applications of LPA. In this study, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and cumulus-denuded germinal vesicle oocytes (DOs) were treated with various concentrations of LPA during IVM, in the presence or absence of the oxidative stressor cyclophosphamide (CTX). In both normal and CTX-damaged COCs, the 25 μM LPA group exhibited improved CC expansion capacity, a higher nuclear maturation rate, and superior mitochondrial function, compared to no LPA treatment. When the concentration of LPA was over 40 μM, detrimental effects of LPA on oocyte maturation occurred. Compared with COCs, the addition of LPA slightly improved oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of DOs, but this was not statistically significant. We observed that LPA promotes the activation of ERK1/2, although this was not statistically significant in DOs. Furthermore, LPA could not reverse the negative effect of CC expansion and mitochondrial function after inactivation of ERK1/2 by U0126. RNA-Sequencing and RT-PCR results showed that LPA upregulated several ERK1/2 downstream genes related to CC expansion, such as Areg, Cited4, and Ptgs2. This study demonstrates that LPA improves oocyte quality during IVM through the activation of ERK1/2 pathway CCs and oocytes, which provides evidence for the potential addition of LPA to IVM medium.

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1607 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Lorenzo ◽  
A. Maruri ◽  
P. R. Cruzans ◽  
G. M. Teplitz ◽  
M. F. Tello ◽  
...  

Abattoir ovaries, which are the main source of oocytes for reproductive biotechnologies, arrive at the laboratory under ischaemic conditions. Reoxygenation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ischaemic tissues, which could affect oocyte quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of media with dimethylthiourea (DMTU) during the collection and washing of cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) on ROS levels, COC apoptosis and oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. Thus, the collection (TCM-199) and washing (TCM-199 with 10% porcine follicular fluid, sodium pyruvate and antibiotics) media were supplemented with 1 and 10mM DMTU. In the control group, the media were not supplemented with DMTU. Intracellular ROS levels decreased significantly in the DMTU-treated groups (P<0.05). Although no effects on rate of nuclear maturation were observed, DMTU significantly increased sperm penetration rates without increasing polyspermy (P<0.05). The addition of 10mM DMTU to the collection and washing media enhanced IVF efficiency. DMTU did not modify the early or late apoptosis of oocytes. Both concentrations of DMTU significantly increased viability and decreased the apoptosis of cumulus cells (P<0.05). These results suggest that the addition of 1 or 10mM of DMTU to the media during the collection and washing of porcine COCs is useful for decreasing cumulus apoptosis mediated by ROS and for optimising the IVF of porcine oocytes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Á Martíne. Moro ◽  
I Lamas-Toranzo ◽  
L González-Brusi ◽  
A Pérez-Gómez ◽  
P Bermejo-Álvarez

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 > 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


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. De los Reyes ◽  
D. Luna ◽  
J. Palomino

Low development of IVM canine oocytes could be in part attributed to an impaired cytoplasmic maturation. In mammalian oocytes, migration and the redistribution of cortical granules (CGs) around the periphery of the oocyte contribute to the inhibition of polyspermy and it is an important criterion to evaluate cytoplasmic maturation. The state of nuclear maturation and the distribution of CGs were evaluated in canine oocytes cultured for different periods in order to compare the synchrony of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation during in vitro maturation. Bitch ovaries at different stages of the estrous cycle were obtained following ovariectomy. COCs with compact cumulus cells showing a homogeneous cytoplasm were selected for experiments. Thirty-six COCs were processed at immature stage, placed in PBS medium until evaluation. A total of 275 COCs were matured in vitro for 48, 72, and 96 h in TCM-199 with Earle’s salt supplemented with 25 mM Hepes, 10% FCS, 0.25 mM pyruvate, 10 IU mL-1 of hCG, 300 IU mL-1 penicillin, and 20 mg mL-1 streptomycin, at 38.5°C and 5% CO2. At each culture period, the oocytes were stained with Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, and the CGs distributions were examined under a fluorescent microscope. The nuclear status of the denuded oocytes was determined by DAPI staining under a fluorescence microscope. For each treatment, at least four replicates were performed and the data was analyzed by ANOVA using Tukey’s test to determine the differences P < 0.05. Three types of CGs distribution were distinguished during canine oocyte maturation: (1) homogeneous distribution throughout the cytoplasm including the cortex; (2) heterogeneous (clusters) within the cytoplasm and (3) densely distributed beneath the oolemma. Nuclear stages were classified as immature or germinal vesicle (GV) stage; resumption of meiosis or germinal vesicle break down (GVBD); metaphase I to telophase I (MI toTel I); and mature or second metaphase (MII). The distribution patterns of GCs were different (P < 0.05) among oocytes cultured for different periods and the nuclear maturation status also differed between oocytes cultured for different intervals (P < 0.05). Most (>84%) of the immature oocytes at GV showed a uniform distribution of CGs throughout the cytoplasm. At 48 h of culture, CGs distribution was mainly Type 2 (25%) and 3 (61%) and the oocytes were at GVBD (33%) and MI-Tel I (33%) stages. Most nuclei of the type 3 oocytes were in the MI (40%) and MII (11%) stages, corresponding to those oocytes matured for 72 (88%) or 96 h (71%). These results indicate that canine oocytes migrate to the cortex during IVM and this process is not finished before 72 h of culture. In addition, although the re-distribution of the CGs occurred in parallel with nuclear maturation, the oocytes cannot always proceed to the MII stage; however, in such oocytes the CGs are distributed beneath the oolemma. Supported by Grant FONDECYT 1080618.


Reproduction ◽  
2003 ◽  
pp. 693-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
LC Franz ◽  
YH Choi ◽  
EL Squires ◽  
K Hinrichs ◽  

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of roscovitine on suppression of meiosis, subsequent meiotic maturation, and cleavage rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection of horse oocytes. Oocytes were classified as having compact or expanded cumuli (Com or Exp oocytes) and were divided into three culture groups: 30 h culture in maturation medium (30 h Mat); 54 h culture in maturation medium (54 h Mat), or 24 h culture in medium containing 66 micro mol roscovitine l(-1) and then 30 h culture in maturation medium (Ros+M). After maturation, oocytes were subjected to intracytoplasmic sperm injection and cultured in G1.2 medium for 96 h. Among oocytes fixed immediately after roscovitine culture, 26 of 31 (84%) Com oocytes and 16 of 28 (57%) Exp oocytes were at the germinal vesicle stage (P<0.05). After maturation culture, there were no differences in maturation rates or morphological cleavage rates among treatments. Among Com oocytes, significantly more embryos in the Ros+M treatment than in the 54 h Mat treatment had cleaved with > or = two normal nuclei (63 versus 36%; P<0.05); whereas among Exp oocytes, significantly more embryos in the 30 h Mat treatment than in the Ros+M treatment (63 versus 42%; P<0.05) had cleaved with > or = two normal nuclei. The average number of nuclei in embryos at 96 h was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Ros+M Com oocytes (13.5) than in any other Com or Exp group. These results demonstrate that roscovitine can reversibly maintain equine oocytes in the germinal vesicle stage for up to 24 h, and that such suppression may increase the developmental potential of Com, but not Exp, oocytes.


Zygote ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia Ferrari Crocomo ◽  
Wolff Camargo Marques Filho ◽  
Camila Louise Ackermann ◽  
Daniela Martins Paschoal ◽  
Midyan Daroz Guastali ◽  
...  

SummaryTemporary meiosis arrest with cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors has been proposed in order to improve the quality of in vitro matured oocytes. In sheep, however, this phenomenon has been rarely investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different incubation times with roscovitine on nuclear maturation and cumulus cell expansion of sheep cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). For this, COCs were cultured for 0, 6, 12 or 20 h in basic maturation medium (Control) containing 75 μM roscovitine (Rosco). After, they were in vitro matured (IVM) for 18 h in the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). At the end of each treatment, cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation were assessed under a stereomicroscope and by Hoechst 33342 staining, respectively. In the Control and Rosco groups, the absence of cumulus cell expansion prevailed at 0, 6, 12 and 20 h. After IVM for 18 h, total cumulus cell expansion in the Rosco treatments was dependent on the exposure time to roscovitine. A significantly high percentage of oocytes treated with roscovitine for 6 h (87%), 12 h or 20 h (65%) were arrested at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage. In contrast, 23% GVBD, 54% metaphase I (MI) and 61% MII oocytes were observed in the Control groups at 6, 12 and 20 h, respectively. In all treatments, a significant percentage of oocytes reached MII after IVM for 18 h. Therefore, roscovitine reversibly arrested the meiosis of sheep oocytes during different culture times with the maximal efficiency of meiotic inhibition reached at 6 h. In addition, reversibility of its inhibitory action on cumulus cells was exposure-time dependent.


1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 485 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Eppig

As oocytes near the end of their growth phase, they become competent to undergo two aspects of maturation, cytoplasmic and nuclear. Both are essential for the formation of an egg having the capacity for fertilization and development to live offspring. Nuclear maturation encompasses the processes reversing meiotic arrest at prophase I and driving the progression of meiosis to metaphase II. Cytoplasmic maturation refers to the processes that prepare the egg for activation and preimplantation development. This review focuses on the developmental programmes whereby oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage acquire competence to undergo nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, the coordination of programmes regulating the acquisition of these competencies in GV-stage oocytes, and the coordination of the maturational processes themselves. Although the developmental programme of the GV-stage oocyte for acquiring competence to complete preimplantation development does not appear to be tightly linked to the acquisition of competence to complete nuclear maturation, GV breakdown (GVB) is probably essential for activating some critical aspects of cytoplasmic maturation, particularly those related to fertilization and activation. Nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation are normally coordinated by this mechanism requiring the mixing of the GV contents with the cytoplasm at the time of GVB, but some processes of cytoplasmic maturation related to successful preimplantation development probably still occur without coordination with nuclear maturation. Thus, continued differentiation of GV-stage oocytes is necessary after the acquisition of competence to undergo nuclear maturation, to allow for the deposition of the maternal factors required for the development of preimplantation embryos beyond the 2-cell stage.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
M. Fathi ◽  
A. R. Moawad ◽  
M. R. Badr

Cryopreservation of oocyte would be an alternative to overcome the limited availability of dromedary camel oocytes and allow improvements in in vitro production in this species. Our aim was to develop a protocol for vitrification of dromedary camel oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage using various cryoprotectant combinations and cryo-carriers. In experiment 1, cumulus–ppcyte complexes (COC) obtained at slaughter were equilibrated in a solution composed of 10% ethylene glycol (EG) and 0.25 M trehalose. The oocytes were then exposed for 60 s to vitrification solutions (VS) composed of 20% EG and 20% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; VS1) or 25% EG plus 25% DMSO (VS2) or 25% EG and 25% glycerol (VS3). The COC were then transferred into decreasing concentration of trehalose solution (toxicity test). In experiment 2, COC were randomly divided into 4 groups and vitrified by using straw or open pulled-straw (OPS) or solid surface vitrification (SSV) or cryotop in VS1 or VS2. Following vitrification and warming viable oocytes were matured in vitro for 30 h at 39°C in 5% CO2 in air. Matured oocytes were fertilized in vitro by epididymal spermatozoa of mature male camels and then cultured in modified KSOMaa medium for 7 days. Oocyte viability, maturation, fertilization, and embryo development were evaluated. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and t-test. Viability and nuclear maturation rates were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in oocytes exposed to VS3 (44.8% and 34.0%) than those exposed to VS1 (68.2% and 48.0%) and VS2 (79.3% and 56.9%). Although recovery rates were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in oocytes vitrified using SSV or cryotop in either VS1 or VS2 solutions (66.9% to 71.1%) than those vitrified by straws using VS1 or VS2 solutions (86.3% to 91.0%), survival rates were higher in SSV and cryotop groups (90.7% to 94.8%) than straw and OPS (68.2% to 86.5%) groups. Among vitrified groups, maturation and fertilization rates (51.8% and 39.2%, respectively) were the highest in the cryotop-VS2 group. Those values were comparable to those seen in the controls (59.2% and 44.6%, respectively). Cleavage (22.5% to 27.9%), morula (13.2% to 14.5%), and blastocyst (6.4% to 8.5%) rates were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in SSV and cryotop groups than in straws. No significant differences were observed in these parameters between cryotop and control groups. Together, the results show that both vitrification solution and cryodevice affect viability and developmental competence of vitrified/warmed dromedary camel oocytes. We report for the first time that dromedary camel oocytes vitrified at the GV stage have the ability to be matured, fertilized, and subsequently develop in vitro to produce blastocyst embryos at frequencies comparable to those obtained using fresh oocytes.


Author(s):  
Luyao Zhang ◽  
Zichuan Wang ◽  
Tengfei Lu ◽  
Lin Meng ◽  
Yan Luo ◽  
...  

Overweight or obese women seeking pregnancy is becoming increasingly common. Human maternal obesity gives rise to detrimental effects during reproduction. Emerging evidence has shown that these abnormities are likely attributed to oocyte quality. Oxidative stress induces poor oocyte conditions, but whether mitochondrial calcium homeostasis plays a key role in oocyte status remains unresolved. Here, we established a mitochondrial Ca2+ overload model in mouse oocytes. Knockdown gatekeepers of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporters Micu1 and Micu2 as well as the mitochondrial sodium calcium exchanger NCLX in oocytes both increased oocytes mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration. The overload of mitochondria Ca2+ in oocytes impaired mitochondrial function, leaded to oxidative stress, and changed protein kinase A (PKA) signaling associated gene expression as well as delayed meiotic resumption. Using this model, we aimed to determine the mechanism of delayed meiosis caused by mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, and whether oocyte-specific inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ influx could improve the reproductive abnormalities seen within obesity. Germinal vesicle breakdown stage (GVBD) and extrusion of first polar body (PB1) are two indicators of meiosis maturation. As expected, the percentage of oocytes that successfully progress to the germinal vesicle breakdown stage and extrude the first polar body during in vitro culture was increased significantly, and the expression of PKA signaling genes and mitochondrial function recovered after appropriate mitochondrial Ca2+ regulation. Additionally, some indicators of mitochondrial performance—such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential—recovered to normal. These results suggest that the regulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in mouse oocytes has a significant role during oocyte maturation as well as PKA signaling and that proper mitochondrial Ca2+ reductions in obese oocytes can recover mitochondrial performance and improve obesity-associated oocyte quality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11148
Author(s):  
Radek Procházka ◽  
Alexandra Bartková ◽  
Lucie Němcová ◽  
Matej Murín ◽  
Ahmed Gad ◽  
...  

The developmental potential of porcine oocytes cultured in vitro was remarkably enhanced in a medium containing FGF2, LIF and IGF1 (FLI) when compared to a medium supplemented with gonadotropins and EGF (control). We analyzed the molecular background of the enhanced oocyte quality by comparing the time course of MAPK3/1 and AKT activation, and the expression of genes controlled by these kinases in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) cultured in FLI and the control medium. The pattern of MAPK3/1 activation in COCs was very similar in both media, except for a robust increase in MAPK3/1 phosphorylation during the first hour of culture in the FLI medium. The COCs cultured in the FLI medium exhibited significantly higher activity of AKT than in the control medium from the beginning up to 16 h of culture; afterwards a deregulation of AKT activity occurred in the FLI medium, which was not observed in the control medium. The expression of cumulus cell genes controlled by both kinases was also modulated in the FLI medium, and in particular the genes related to cumulus-expansion, signaling, apoptosis, antioxidants, cell-to-cell communication, proliferation, and translation were significantly overexpressed. Collectively, these data indicate that both MAPK3/1 and AKT are implicated in the enhanced quality of oocytes cultured in FLI medium.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
G. Z. Mingoti ◽  
F. Filion ◽  
P. Vincent ◽  
L. C. Smith

Meiotic block during a prematuration culture (pre-IVM) before in vitro maturation (IVM) is suggested as a way to provide additional time to synchronize oocyte-somatic cell communication, leading to improved cytoplasmic maturation and nuclear meiotic competence and the acquisition of critical cellular functions necessary for developmental competence. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of the inhibitors butyrolactone I (Bl-I) and cilostamide on oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. For that, 2 well-established methods of pre-IVM and IVM for cilostamide (Albuz et al. 2010 Hum. Reprod. 25, 2999–3011) or Bl-I (Hashimoto et al. 2002 Biol Reprod. 66, 1696–1701) were used. Abattoir-collected oocytes were IVM in maturation medium (MM: mSOF with 0.8% BSA and hormones) for 24 h, without a previous pre-IVM culture (control). Cilostamide-group oocytes were treated for the first 2 h in vitro (pre-IVM) with 100 μM of the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin and 500 μM IBMX (nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor) and then oocytes underwent extended IVM for 30 h in the presence of 20 μM cilostamide (type 3 phosphodiesterase inhibitor; pre-IVM 2 h + IVM 30 h). The Bl-I-group oocytes were pre-IVM for 24 h with 100 μM Bl-I diluted in TCM-199 supplemented with 0.2 mM pyruvate and then were IVM in MM for 20 h (pre-IVM 24 h + IVM 20 h). The Bl-I + Cilost group was a combination of both procedures: oocytes were first pre-IVM with Bl-I for 24 h and then cultured as described for the cilostamide group (pre-IVM 24 h + IVM 30 h). Cultures were carried out at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in humidified air. After IVM, oocytes were stained with 500 nM mitotracker red to assess the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and with 10 μg mL–1 of Hoescht 33342 to evaluate the nuclear maturation (n = 207). Images were captured by an Olympus confocal microscope and analyzed with Fluoview software. The TUNEL assay was used to detect oocyte DNA fragmentation (n = 74). Relative amounts of mRNA for apoptotic-related genes were quantified after IVM in individual oocytes using real-time PCR (Kameyama et al. 2007 Reproduction 133, 423–32). Means were compared by ANOVA and Tukey's test or by chi-square (P ≤ 0.05). The percentage of oocytes reaching metaphase II after IVM did not differ among groups (73.8 to 90.4%; P ≥ 0.05), indicating that in vitro meiotic resumption was normal. The Δψm, expressed in arbitrary units of fluorescence, was 1.0 ± 0.1a (control), 2.7 ± 0.4b (Bl-I), 3.2 ± 0.5b (Cilost) and 2.1 ± 0.3ab (Bl-I + Cilost). The percentage of TUNEL-positive oocytes (18.8–41.3%) did not differ among groups (P ≥ 0.05). The relative abundance of BAX (1.0 ± 0.4 to 2.3 ± 0.4) and BCL-XL (1.0 ± 0.3 to 0.3 ± 0.1) transcripts was unaffected by pre-IVM and IVM (P ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, except for an increase in mitochondrial activity, pre-IVM with cilostamide and/or Bl-I did not affect cytoplasmic and nuclear oocyte maturation. However, oocyte developmental potential needs to be better evaluated in a future study through assessment of embryonic development. We acknowledge FAPESP and NSERC.


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