scholarly journals A new microfluidic concept for successful in vitro culture of mouse embryos

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Mancini ◽  
P.J McKeegan ◽  
A.C. Rutledge ◽  
S.G. Codreanu ◽  
S.D. Sherrod ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTInnovative techniques for gene editing have enabled accurate animal models of human diseases to be established. In order for these methods to be successfully adopted in the scientific community, the optimization of procedures used for breeding genetically altered mice is required. Among these, the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure is still suboptimal and the culture methods do not guarantee the development of competent embryos. Critical aspects in traditional in vitro embryo culture protocols include the use of mineral oil and the stress induced by repetitive handling of the embryos.A new microfluidic system was designed to allow for efficient in vitro culture of mouse embryos. Harmful fluidic stress and plastic toxicity were excluded by completing the industry gold standard Mouse Embryo Assay. The potential competence of the embryos developed in the device was quantified in terms of blastocyst rate, outgrowth assay, energy substrate metabolism and expression of genes related to implantation potential.Mass spectrometry analyses identified plastic-related compounds released in medium, and confirmed leaching of low molecular weight species into the culture medium that might be associated to un-crosslinked PDMS.Finally, these data show the potential for the system to study preimplantation embryo development and to improve human IVF techniques.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Mancini ◽  
Paul McKeegan ◽  
Alexandra C. Schrimpe-Rutledge ◽  
Simona Gabriela Codreanu ◽  
Stacy D. Sherrod ◽  
...  

Abstract Innovative techniques for gene editing have enabled accurate animal models of human diseases to be established. In order for these methods to be successfully adopted in the scientific community, the optimization of procedures used for breeding genetically altered mice is required. Among these, the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure is still suboptimal and the culture methods do not guarantee the development of competent embryos. Critical aspects in traditional in vitro embryo culture protocols include the use of mineral oil and the stress induced by repetitive handling of the embryos. A novel microfluidic system was designed and fabricated in poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS) to allow for efficient in vitro production of mouse embryos. Culture experiments conducted by completing the industry gold standard Mouse Embryo Assay excluded any harmful fluidic stress and plastic toxicity. The developmental competence of the embryos developed in the device was consistently confirmed by high blastocyst rate (>80%), hatching and outgrowth rate, and matched with analysis of energy substrate metabolism and expression of genes related to implantation potential. Metabolomics analyses of spent culture media allowed for biologically important metabolite changes to be observed throughout embryo development, and for identification of specific overrepresented metabolic pathways affected by the microfluidic environment. Moreover, mass spectrometry data identified plastic-related compounds released in medium, and confirmed leaching of low molecular weight species into the culture medium that might be associated to un-crosslinked PDMS. Finally, these data show the potential for the system to study preimplantation embryo development and to improve the embryo culture techniques used for human assisted conception.


Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 154 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfeng Yao ◽  
Lixia Geng ◽  
Rongfu Huang ◽  
Weilin Peng ◽  
Xuan Chen ◽  
...  

Vitrification of embryos is a routine procedure in IVF (in vitrofertilization) laboratories. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of vitrification on mouse preimplantation embryo developmentin vitro, and effect on the epigenetic status of imprinted geneGrb10in mouse embryos. The blastocyst formation rate for vitrified 8-cell embryos was similar to the non-vitrified 8-cell embryos, whereas the blastocyst hatching rate was lower than that of the non-vitrified group. The expression level ofGrb10major-type transcript decreased significantly in vitrified blastocysts compared with non-vitrified andin vivoblastocysts. Moreover, the global DNA methylation level in 8-cell embryos and blastocysts, and the DNA methylation at CpG island 1 (CGI1) ofGrb10in blastocysts were also significantly decreased after vitrification.In vitroculture condition had no adverse effect, except for on the DNA methylation inGrb10CGI1. These results suggest that vitrification may reduce thein vitrodevelopment of mouse 8-cell embryos and affect the expression and DNA methylation of imprinted geneGrb10.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Stefańska ◽  
Agata Chamier-Gliszczyńska ◽  
Maurycy Jankowski ◽  
Piotr Celichowski ◽  
Magdalena Kulus ◽  
...  

AbstractThe correct oviductal development and morphogenesis of its epithelium are crucial factors influencing female fertility. Oviduct is involved in maintaining an optimal environment for gametes and preimplantation embryo development; secretory oviductal epithelial cells (OECs) synthesize components of oviductal fluid. Oviductal epithelium also participates in sperm binding and its hyperactivation. For better understanding of the genetic bases that underlay porcine oviductal development, OECs were isolated from porcine oviducts and established long-term primary culture. A microarray approach was utilized to determine the differentially expressed genes during specific time periods. Cells were harvested on day 7, 15 and 30 of in vitro primary culture and their RNA was isolated. Gene expression was analyzed and statistical analysis was performed. 48 differentially expressed genes belonging to “tube morphogenesis”, “tube development”, “morphogenesis of an epithelium”, “morphogenesis of branching structure” and “morphogenesis of branching epithelium” GO BP terms were selected, of which 10 most upregulated include BMP4, ARG1, SLIT2, FGFR1, DAB2, TNC, EPAS1, HHEX, ITGB3 and LOX. The results help to shed light on the porcine oviductal development and its epithelial morphogenesis, and show that after long-term culture the OECs still proliferate and maintain their tube forming properties.


Development ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-115
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Copp ◽  
Heather M. Roberts ◽  
Paul E. Polani

A microsurgical grafting technique has been used to introduce primordial germ cell (PGC) precursors into intact primitive-streak-stage mouse embryos in vitro. Operated embryos were cultured for 36–40 h and then analysed by a combined histochemical and autoradiographic method. PGC chimaerism occurred in embryos that received grafts of caudal primitive streak cells but not adjacent embryonic endoderm or anterolateral ectoderm/mesoderm cells. Graftderived PGCs were found to be migrating through the gut endoderm alongside host-derived PGCs in approximately half of the chimaeric embryos whereas in the other 50% of cases PGCs remained at the site of grafting in association with graft-derived somatic cells. A similar pattern of somatic chimaerism was produced by primitive streak and anterolateral ectoderm/mesoderm grafts: the allantois was colonized predominantly, with, in addition, formation of amnion, surface ectoderm and caudal mesoderm in a few embryos. The majority of embryonic endoderm grafts failed to incorporate into host embryos and formed yolk-sac-like vesicles. The findings of this study indicate that (a) PGCs originate from the embryonic ectoderm via the primitive streak during development of the mouse embryo, and (b) anterolateral ectoderm and mesoderm cells are unable to form PGCs after heterotopic grafting to the posterior primitive streak site. The combined microsurgical and embryo culture methods provide an experimental system for the analysis of PGC development in intact mouse embryos.


2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Deneau ◽  
Taufeeq Ahmed ◽  
Roger Blotsky ◽  
Krzysztof Bojanowski

Type II diabetes is a metabolic disease mediated through multiple molecular pathways. Here, we report anti-diabetic effect of a standardized isolate from a fossil material - a mineraloid leonardite - in in vitro tests and in genetically diabetic mice. The mineraloid isolate stimulated mitochondrial metabolism in human fibroblasts and this stimulation correlated with enhanced expression of genes coding for mitochondrial proteins such as ATP synthases and ribosomal protein precursors, as measured by DNA microarrays. In the diabetic animal model, consumption of the Totala isolate resulted in decreased weight gain, blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin. To our best knowledge, this is the first description ever of a fossil material having anti-diabetic activity in pre-clinical models.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 2008-2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snigdha Singh ◽  
Neha Sharma ◽  
Charu Upadhyay ◽  
Sumit Kumar ◽  
Brijesh Rathi ◽  
...  

Malaria is a lethal disease causing devastating global impact by killing more than 8,00,000 individuals yearly. A noticeable decline in malaria related deaths can be attributed to the most reliable treatment, ACTs against P. falciparum. However, the cumulative resistance of the malaria parasite against ACTs is a global threat to control the disease and, therefore the new effective therapeutics are urgently needed, including new treatment approaches. Majority of the antimalarial drugs target BS malarial infection. Currently, scientists are eager to explore the drugs with potency against not only BS but other life stages such as sexual and asexual stages of the malaria parasite. Liver Stage is considered as one of the important drug targets as it always leads to BS and the infection can be cured at this stage before it enters into the Blood Stage. However, a limited number of compounds are reported effective against LS malaria infection probably due to scarcity of in vitro LS culture methods and clinical possibilities. This mini review covers a range of chemical compounds showing efficacy against BS and LS of the malaria parasite’s life cycle collectively (i.e. dual stage activity). These scaffolds targeting dual stages are essential for the eradication of malaria and to evade resistance.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 17-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Borsini

AbstractMyriad difficulties exist in analyzing the pharmacology of the serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor. The receptor may demonstrate a different activity depending on the tissue or species used for analysis, the agent used, laboratory conditions, and differences between in vitro and in vivo effects of compounds. Affinity for 5-HT receptors also varies widely, presenting difficulties in drawing definitive conclusions on affinity values for various compounds. At least two possibilities exist to explain the diversity of pharmacology of 5-HT receptors. First, it is possible that different 5-HT1A receptor subtypes exist. Second, the 5-HT1A receptors may play a far more complex role than previously believed.


Author(s):  
Er-Meng Gao ◽  
Bongkoch Turathum ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Di Zhang ◽  
Yu-Bing Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study evaluated the differences in metabolites between cumulus cells (CCs) and mural granulosa cells (MGCs) from human preovulatory follicles to understand the mechanism of oocyte maturation involving CCs and MGCs. CCs and MGCs were collected from women who were undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. The differences in morphology were determined by immunofluorescence. The metabolomics of CCs and MGCs was measured by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis to further confirm the genes and proteins involved in oocyte maturation. CCs and MGCs were cultured for 48 h in vitro, and the medium was collected for detection of hormone levels. There were minor morphological differences between CCs and MGCs. LC-MS/MS analysis showed that there were differences in 101 metabolites between CCs and MGCs: 7 metabolites were upregulated in CCs, and 94 metabolites were upregulated in MGCs. The metabolites related to cholesterol transport and estradiol production were enriched in CCs, while metabolites related to antiapoptosis were enriched in MGCs. The expression of genes and proteins involved in cholesterol transport (ABCA1, LDLR, and SCARB1) and estradiol production (SULT2B1 and CYP19A1) was significantly higher in CCs, and the expression of genes and proteins involved in antiapoptosis (CRLS1, LPCAT3, and PLA2G4A) was significantly higher in MGCs. The level of estrogen in CCs was significantly higher than that in MGCs, while the progesterone level showed no significant differences. There are differences between the metabolomes of CCs and MGCs. These differences may be involved in the regulation of oocyte maturation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marino Maemura ◽  
Hiroaki Taketsuru ◽  
Yuki Nakajima ◽  
Ruiqi Shao ◽  
Ayaka Kakihara ◽  
...  

AbstractIn multicellular organisms, oocytes and sperm undergo fusion during fertilization and the resulting zygote gives rise to a new individual. The ability of zygotes to produce a fully formed individual from a single cell when placed in a supportive environment is known as totipotency. Given that totipotent cells are the source of all multicellular organisms, a better understanding of totipotency may have a wide-ranging impact on biology. The precise delineation of totipotent cells in mammals has remained elusive, however, although zygotes and single blastomeres of embryos at the two-cell stage have been thought to be the only totipotent cells in mice. We now show that a single blastomere of two- or four-cell mouse embryos can give rise to a fertile adult when placed in a uterus, even though blastomere isolation disturbs the transcriptome of derived embryos. Single blastomeres isolated from embryos at the eight-cell or morula stages and cultured in vitro manifested pronounced defects in the formation of epiblast and primitive endoderm by the inner cell mass and in the development of blastocysts, respectively. Our results thus indicate that totipotency of mouse zygotes extends to single blastomeres of embryos at the four-cell stage.


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