Spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular [Ca2+]i oscillations during the growth and meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (12) ◽  
pp. 3507-3517 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Carroll ◽  
K. Swann ◽  
D. Whittingham ◽  
M. Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Calcium Oscillations ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Similar Proportion ◽  
Calcium Waves ◽  
Apparent Difference ◽  
Immature Oocytes ◽  
Mouse Oocytes

Calcium oscillations occur during meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes. They also trigger activation at fertilization. We have monitored [Ca2+]i in oocytes at different stages of growth and maturation to examine how the calcium release mechanisms alter during oogenesis. Spontaneous calcium oscillations occur every 2–3 minutes in the majority of fully grown (but immature) mouse oocytes released from antral follicles and resuming meiosis. The oscillations last for 2–4 hours after release from the follicle and take the form of global synchronous [Ca2+]i increases throughout the cell. Rapid image acquisition or cooling the bath temperature from 28 degrees C to 16 degrees C did not reveal any wave-like spatial heterogeneity in the [Ca2+]i signal. Calcium appears to reach highest levels in the germinal vesicle but this apparent difference of [Ca2+] in nucleus and cytoplasm is an artifact of dye loading. Smaller, growing immature oocytes are less competent: about 40% are able to resume meiosis and a similar proportion of these oocytes show spontaneous calcium oscillations. [Ca2+]i transients are not seen in oocytes that do not resume meiosis spontaneously in vitro. Nonetheless, these oocytes are capable of [Ca2+]i oscillations since they show them in response to the addition of carbachol or thimerosal. To examine how the properties of calcium release change during meiotic maturation, a calcium-releasing factor from sperm was microinjected into fully grown immature and mature oocytes. The sperm-factor-induced oscillations were about two-fold larger and longer in mature oocytes compared to immature oocytes. Calcium waves travelling at 40–60 microns/second were generated in mature oocytes, but not in immature oocytes. In some mature oocytes, successive calcium waves had different sites of origin. The modifications in the size and spatial organization of calcium transients during oocyte maturation may be a necessary prerequisite for normal fertilization.

Triphenyltin chloride induces spindle microtubule depolymerisation and inhibits meiotic maturation in mouse oocytes

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Ting Shen ◽  
Yue-Qiang Song ◽  
Xiao-Qin He ◽  
Fei Zhang ◽  
Xin Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polar Body ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
First Polar Body ◽  
Triphenyltin Chloride ◽  
Dose Dependent

Meiosis produces haploid gametes for sexual reproduction. Triphenyltin chloride (TPTCL) is a highly bioaccumulated and toxic environmental oestrogen; however, its effect on oocyte meiosis remains unknown. We examined the effect of TPTCL on mouse oocyte meiotic maturation in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, TPTCL inhibited germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and first polar body extrusion (PBE) in a dose-dependent manner. The spindle microtubules completely disassembled and the chromosomes condensed after oocytes were exposed to 5 or 10 μg mL–1 TPTCL. γ-Tubulin protein was abnormally localised near chromosomes rather than on the spindle poles. In vivo, mice received TPTCL by oral gavage for 10 days. The general condition of the mice deteriorated and the ovary coefficient was reduced (P < 0.05). The number of secondary and mature ovarian follicles was significantly reduced by 10 mg kg–1 TPTCL (P < 0.05). GVBD decreased in a non-significant, dose-dependent manner (P > 0.05). PBE was inhibited with 10 mg kg–1 TPTCL (P < 0.05). The spindles of in vitro and in vivo metaphase II oocytes were disassembled with 10 mg kg–1 TPTCL. These results suggest that TPTCL seriously affects meiotic maturation by disturbing cell-cycle progression, disturbing the microtubule cytoskeleton and inhibiting follicle development in mouse oocytes.

Meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro: protein synthesis in nucleate and anucleate oocyte fragments

1978 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 251-264
Author(s):  
R.M. Schultz ◽  
G.E. Letourneau ◽  
P.M. Wassarman
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
In Vitro Protein Synthesis ◽  
Mammalian Oocyte ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Meiotic Competence ◽  
Vitro Protein

Nucleate and anucleate fragments of mouse oocytes have been isolated following treatment of fully grown oocytes with cytochalasin B. The nucleate oocyte fragments resume meiosis in vitro, progressing from dictyate of the first meiotic prophase to metaphase II (‘meiotic maturation’), and exhibit all of the changes in protein synthesis normally associated with meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes. The anucleate oocyte fragments also undergo certain of the changes in protein synthesis associated with meiotic maturation, despite the absence of nuclear progression. These results suggest that the acquisition of meiotic competence (i.e. the ability to undergo meiotic maturation) during growth of the mammalian oocyte is due to changes in the quality, rather than the quantity, of cytoplasm and that the reprogramming of protein synthesis during meiotic maturation is directed by RNA templates already present in the cytoplasm. The behaviour of anucleate oocyte fragments is discussed in terms of the proposed role for nucleoplasm in the initiation of changes in protein synthesis during meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes.

scholarly journals Spindle assembly in the absence of chromosomes in mouse oocytes

Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
pp. 731-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Wen Yang ◽  
Zi-Li Lei ◽  
Yi-Liang Miao ◽  
Jun-Cheng Huang ◽  
Li-Hong Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Microtubule Organizing Centers ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Inactive Form ◽  
Different Shapes ◽  
Metaphase I

This study was carried out to investigate the contributions of chromosomes to spindle assembly in mouse oocytes. We generated two groups of cytoplasts (holo- and hemi-cytoplasts) by enucleation of germinal vesicle (GV), metaphase I (MI), and metaphase II (MII) oocytes using micromanipulation technology. After in vitro culture for 18 h, spindles with different shapes (bi-, mono-, or multipolar) formed in most of these cytoplasts except in hemi-GV cytoplasts. Two or more spindles were observed in most of holo-GV, holo-MI, and holo-MII cytoplasts (76.1, 77.0, and 83.7% respectively). However, the proportions of hemi-MI and hemi-MII cytoplasts with multiple sets of spindles decreased to 17.6 and 20.7% respectively. A single bipolar spindle was observed in each sham-operated oocyte generated by removing different volumes of cytoplasm from the oocytes and keeping nuclei intact. Localization of γ-tubulin showed that microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) were dispersed at each pole of the multiple sets of spindles formed in holo-cytoplasts. However, most of the MTOCs aggregated at the two poles of the bipolar spindle in sham-operated oocytes. Our results demonstrate that chromosomes are not essential for initiating spindle assembly but for directing distinct MTOCs to aggregate to form a bipolar spindle. Some factors of undetermined nature may pre-exist in an inactive form in GV-stage ooplasm, serving as initiators of spindle assembly upon their activation. Moreover, GV materials released into the cytoplasm may facilitate spindle assembly in normal meiotic maturation.

A co-culture system with preantral follicular granulosa cells in vitro induces meiotic maturation of immature oocytes

2011 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
pp. 513-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhanbiao Li ◽  
Pan Zhang ◽  
Zhipeng Zhang ◽  
Bo Pan ◽  
Huhe Chao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Immature Oocytes

Meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro: inhibition of maturation at specific stages of nuclear progression

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-545
Author(s):  
P.M. Wassarman ◽  
W.J. Josefowicz ◽  
G.E. Letourneau
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Amp ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
Polar Body ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Dibutyryl Cyclic Amp ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
First Polar Body

In vitro studies of meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes have been carried out in the presence of several drugs. The individual steps of nuclear progression, including dissolution of the nuclear (germinal vesicle) membrane, condensation of dictyate chromatin into compact bivalents, formation of the first metaphase spindle, and extrusion of the first polar body, are each susceptible to one or more of these drugs. Germinal vesicle breakdown, the initial morphological feature characteristic of meiotic maturation, is inhibited by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. However, even in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP, the nuclear membrane becomes extremely convoluted and condensation of chromatin is initiated but aborts at a stage short of compact bivalents. Germinal vesicle breakdown and chromatin condensation take place in an apparently normal manner in the presence of puromycin, Colcemid, or cytochalasin B. Nuclear progression is blocked at the circular bivalent stage when oocytes are cultured continuously in the presence of puromycin or Colcemid, whereas oocytes cultured in the presence of cytochalasin B proceed to the first meiotic metaphase, form an apparently normal spindle, and arrest. Emission of a polar body is inhibited by all of these drugs. The inhibitory effects of these drugs on meiotic maturation are reversible to varying degrees dependent upon the duration of exposure to the drug and upon the nature of the drug. These studies suggest that dissolution of the mouse oocyte's germinal vesicle and condensation of chromatin are not dependent upon concomitant protein synthesis or upon microtubules. On the other hand, the complete condensation of chromatin into compact bivalents apparently requires breakdown of the germinal vesicle. Failure of homologous chromosomes to separate after normal alignment on the meiotic spindle in the presence of cytochalasin B suggest that microfilaments may be involved in nuclear progression at this stage of maturation. Cytokinesis, in the form of polar body formation, is blocked when any one of the earlier events of maturation fails to take place.

Immunofluorescent anti-tubulin staining of spindles during meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-188
Author(s):  
P.M. Wassarman ◽  
K. Fujiwara
Keyword(s):  
Polar Body ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Cytoplasmic Bridge ◽  
Specific Staining ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Maturation In Vitro ◽  
Reproducible Manner ◽  
Metaphase I

Immunofluorescent anti-tubulin staining has been used to follow nuclear progression from dictyate to metaphase II during meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro. Antibody directed against tubulin isolated from sea-urchin eggs decorates the metaphase I and metaphase II spindles, as well as the cytoplasmic bridge, midbody, and polar body of the maturing mouse oocytes. Changes in the tubulin-specific staining pattern during meiotic maturation in vitro take place in a highly reproducible manner. Oocytes exposed continuously to cytochalasin B arrest at metaphase I and display a spindle which by immunofluorescent staining is virtually indistinguishable from the spindle of untreated oocytes.

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