Metabolic behaviour and cleavage capacity in the amphibian egg

Development ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-168
Author(s):  
Arnaldo H. Legname ◽  
Marta I. Buhler
Keyword(s):  
Winter Season ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Ovarian Metabolism ◽  
Cytoplasmic Maturation ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Metabolic Behaviour

During the winter season the full grown Bufo arenarum oocyte shows the metabolic behaviour characteristic of differentiated tissues of the same species. Due to seasonal variations, uring the amplexus period, it acquires the metabolic behaviour of the segmenting egg. Short-time-induced ovulations (5–6 h) determine germinal vesicle breakdown immediately before the expulsion of the oocyte, without modifying the ovarian metabolism of the same. The incidence of the operative type of metabolism upon their capacity to cleave after insemination and needle pricking, has been studied in coelomic oocytes, which have attained nuclear maturation and have not experienced oviducal secretion effects. The results obtained indicate that the segmenting capacity of the egg is attained only when, through biochemical modifications, the oocyte acquires the metabolic behaviour characterizing embryonic cells. It is postulated that the metabolic changes observed in the oocyte constitute a fundamental aspect of cytoplasmic maturation.

Involvement of catecholamines in the regulation of oocyte maturation in frogs

Zygote ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inés Ramos ◽  
Susana Cisint ◽  
Claudia A. Crespo ◽  
Marcela F. Medina ◽  
Silvia N. Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Follicle Cells ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Metabolic Behaviour

The present study investigates the role of catecholamines in the regulation of Bufo arenarum oocyte maturation. The metabolic changes in the oxidation of carbohydrates and the meiotic resumption evinced by the germinal vesicle breakdown were used as indicators of cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation, respectively. The results obtained suggest that noradrenaline (norepinephrine) could be one of the factors responsible for the metabolic behaviour that characterises cytoplasmically immature oocytes. The use of adrenaline (epinephrine), on the other hand, induced a metabolic change which made oocytes cytoplasmically mature. The effect of both catecholamines, which was dose-dependent, was observed in ovarian oocytes (surrounded by follicle cells) as well as in coelomic oocytes (free from follicle cells), suggesting the presence of adrenergic receptors in the gamete. The results obtained using adrenergic agonists and antagonists suggest that the effect of adrenaline would be due to an interaction with β2-receptors. Although catecholamines have an influence on the determination of the stage of cytoplasmic maturation of the oocytes, they do not affect nuclear maturation by themselves. Nevertheless, pretreatment of follicles with adrenaline caused a significant inhibition in progesterone-induced nuclear maturation even though this effect was markedly weaker when using noradrenaline.

Influence of meiotic inhibition by butyrolactone-I during germinal vesicle stage on the ability of porcine oocytes to be activated by electric stimulation after nuclear maturation

Zygote ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuji Hirao ◽  
Namiko Nishimoto ◽  
Satoshi Kure-bayashi ◽  
Naoki Takenouchi ◽  
Nobuhiko Yamauchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Electric Stimulus ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Female Pronucleus ◽  
Cytoplasmic Maturation

Butyrolactone-I (BL-I) is a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases and prevents germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in porcine oocytes. This study first focused on the effect of BL-I on the time course of GVBD and progression to metaphase II (MII) in oocytes after the removal of BL-I. When porcine oocytes were treated with 20 μM BL-I for 28 h, the intervals taken to undergo GVBD and progress to MII were 4-8 h and 16-20 h after washing out BL-I, respectively. These intervals were both approximately 8 h behind those of the control oocytes. When the BL-I treatment was performed for 20 h, instead of 28 h, there were no differences in the timing or frequency of progression to MII between the BL-I treatment and control groups. To determine whether the cytoplasmic maturation was the same, the ability of oocytes to form a female pronucleus in response to an electric stimulus was examined. When oocytes were stimulated at 28 h after the removal of BL-I, the rate of pronucleus formation was significantly lower in oocytes treated with BL-I than in untreated oocytes, despite the fact that both groups reached MII at a similar time. When the electric stimulus was given at 36 h after the removal of BL-I, oocytes had a pronucleus formation rate comparable to that of control oocytes. Therefore, the findings suggest that BL-I treatment of porcine oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage affects not only the progression of meiosis, but also the events involved in cytoplasmic maturation.

336 MEIOTIC DEVELOPMENT AND CORTICAL GRANULES DISTRIBUTION IN CANINE OOCYTES DURING IN VITRO MATURATION

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. De los Reyes ◽  
D. Luna ◽  
J. Palomino
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Cortical Granules ◽  
Dapi Staining ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Cytoplasmic Maturation

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.

The role of calcium in the nuclear maturation of Bufo arenarum oocytes

Zygote ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana I. Zelarayán ◽  
Graciela Sánchez Toranzo ◽  
Julia M. Oterino ◽  
Marta I. Bühler
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Calcium ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Protein Kinase Activity ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Bufo Arenarum ◽  
Hormonal Stimulus

In Bufo arenarum, progesterone is the physiological maturation inducer. However, in this species, oocytes reinitiate meiosis with no need of an exogenous hormonal stimulus when deprived of their enveloping cell, a phenomenon called spontaneous maturation. We demonstrated that in Bufo arenarum spontaneous maturation occurs only in oocytes obtained during the reproductive period, which can be considered competent to mature spontaneously, in contrast to those in the non-reproductive period, which are incompetent. Interestingly, full-grown Bufo arenarum oocytes always respond to progesterone regardless of the season in which they are obtained. There is a general consensus that both a transient increase in intracellular calcium and a decrease in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity are the first steps in the mechanisms by which progesterone induces maturation in amphibians. In the present work we analysed the role of calcium in the spontaneous and progesterone-induced maturation of Bufo arenarum oocytes. Results demonstrated that the absence of calcium in the incubation medium or the prevention of Ca2+ influx by channel blockers such as CdCl2 or NiCl2 did not prevent meiosis reinitiation in either type of maturation. The inhibition of the Ca2+-calmodulin complex in no case affected the maturation of the treated oocytes. However, when the oocytes were deprived of calcium by incubation in Ca2+-free AR + A23187, meiosis resumption was inhibited. In brief, we demonstrated that in Bufo arenarum the reinitiation of meiosis is a process independent of extracellular calcium at any period of the year and that oocytes require adequate levels of intracellular calcium for germinal vesicle breakdown to occur.

Secretion of progestogens during induced ovulation in goldfish

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 1946-1949 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Peter ◽  
M. Sokolowska ◽  
B. Truscott ◽  
J. Walsh ◽  
D. R. Idler
Keyword(s):  
Carassius Auratus ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Rapid Onset ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone ◽  
Goldfish Carassius Auratus ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Short Time

Female goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) were held at 20 °C and ovulation was induced by injection of des-Gly10[D-Ala6] luteinizing hormone releasing hormone ethylamide (LHRH-A) plus pimozide, and 3 h later, LHRH-A. This treatment causes rapid onset of a prolonged surge of gonadotropin (GtH) release. At 6 h after the second set of injections, serum levels of GtH, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17α-P), and 17α-hydroxy-20β-dihydroprogesterone (17α,20β-P) are significantly higher than in control groups; oocytes have reached the germinal vesicle breakdown stage of maturation by this time. By 20 h after the second set of injections, seven of eight fish had ovulated in the LHRH-A and pimozide treatment group; the serum levels of GtH were greater than at 6 h, but serum concentrations of 17α-P and 17α,20β-P were decreased to control levels. The ovulated fish still retained ovulated oocytes. This indicates that goldfish have a preovulatory surge of secretion of progestogens, which may aid in induction of oocyte maturation and ovulation within a short time period, enabling the goldfish to synchronize ovulation with the photoperiod and to take advantage of favorable environmental conditions for spawning within a 24-h period.

Coordination of nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation in eutherian mammals

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 485 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Eppig
Keyword(s):  
Growth Phase ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Preimplantation Development ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Maternal Factors ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Cytoplasmic Maturation ◽  
Developmental Programme ◽  
Critical Aspects

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.

344 PENTOSE PHOSPHATE PATHWAY ACTIVITY CONTROLS NUCLEAR MATURATION OF PORCINE OOCYTES

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Tubman ◽  
A. Peter ◽  
R. Krisher
Keyword(s):  
Pentose Phosphate Pathway ◽  
Control Level ◽  
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Pentose Phosphate ◽  
Meiotic Stage ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Pathway Activity ◽  
Nuclear Maturation

Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), arrests nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes. This inhibition is reversed using products or cofactors of PPP such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), phosphoribose diphosphate (PRPP), and ribose-5-phosphate (R5P). The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between DPI-mediated meiotic inhibition, reversal of this inhibition, and metabolism of in vitro-matured (IVM) porcine oocytes. Oocytes were aspirated, searched, and selected in the presence of DPI, with the exception of control oocytes. Oocytes were then matured in one of five treatments for 40 h in 7% CO2 in air at 39°C in defined Purdue Porcine Medium for maturation (PPMmat). Treatments included control, 50 nM DPI (DPI), DPI + 5 mM NADP (NADP), DPI + 12.5 mM PRPP (PRPP), and DPI + 10 mM R5P (R5P). Following IVM, oocytes were denuded by vortexing. Glycolysis and PPP activities were measured in 4 μL hanging drops containing labeled glucose (0.0125 mM 5-3H glucose and 0.482 mM 1-14C glucose, respectively) for 3 h in 6% CO2. Oocytes were then individually fixed in a 3:2:1 solution of ethanol:acetic acid:chloroform and stained with aceto-orcein for determination of meiotic stage (germinal vesicle = 1 through metaphase II = 7). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The use of DPI inhibited PPP and nuclear maturation; additionally glycolysis was decreased by DPI compared to control. Addition of NADP and PRPP increased both metabolic pathways and nuclear maturation compared to DPI. R5P restored glycolysis and nuclear maturation to control levels, and PPP to above the control level. There were no significant differences among meiotic stages relative to glycolytic activity. PPP activity was significantly different (values with different superscripts; P < 0.05) among oocytes of different meiotic stages (germinal vesicle = 0.24 ± 0.03ad, germinal vesicle breakdown = 0.40 ± 0.05bcde, condensed chromatin = 0.44 ± 0.05bcd, metaphase I = 0.45 ± 0.12abcd, anaphase = 0.76 ± 0.50abcde, telophase = 0.92 ± 0.17be, metaphase II = 0.74 ± 0.08be). Percentages of oocytes reaching MII were 43.48 (control), 2.08 (DPI), 28.30 (NADP), 18.18 (PRPP), and 46.94 (R5P). These results demonstrate that the PPP is a critical control mechanism for nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes, as inhibition of this metabolic pathway resulted in arrest of nuclear maturation. Addition of PPP cofactors or end products to the arresting medium led to reversal of inhibition as demonstrated by restoration of PPP activity resulting in nuclear maturation. Table 1. Meiotic stage, glycolysis, and pentose phosphate pathway activity after in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes

scholarly journals Distribution of cortical granules and meiotic maturation of canine oocytes in bi-phasic systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maricy Apparicio ◽  
Giuliano Q. Mostachio ◽  
Tathiana F. Motheo ◽  
Aracelle E. Alves ◽  
Luciana Padilha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Cortical Granule ◽  
Cortical Granules ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
System A ◽  
Cytoplasmic Maturation ◽  
Positive Effect

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different bi-phasic systems with gonadotrophins and steroids on in vitro maturation rates of oocytes obtained from bitches at different reproductive stages (follicular, luteal, anoestrous). In System A (control) oocytes were matured for 72 h in base medium (BM) with 10 IU mL–1 human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), 1 μg mL–1 progesterone (P4) and 1 μg mL–1 oestradiol (E2); in bi-phasic System B oocytes were matured for 48 h in BM with hCG and for 24 h in BM with P4; in bi-phasic System C oocytes were matured for 48 h in BM with hCG, P4 and E2, and for 24 h in BM with P4; in System D, oocytes were cultured in BM without hormonal supplementation. Data were analysed by ANOVA. There was a positive effect of the bi-phasic systems on germinal vesicle breakdown, metaphase I and metaphase II rates, irrespective of reproductive status (P < 0.05). Bi-phasic systems were also beneficial for cortical granule distribution (an indication of cytoplasmic maturation) and its relationship to nuclear status: 74.5% of the oocytes cultured in System B and 85.4% of those cultured in System C presented both nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation (P < 0.001). The stage of the oestrous cycle did not influence maturation rates.

scholarly journals Ca2+cyt negatively regulates the initiation of oocyte maturation

2004 ◽  
Vol 165 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Sun ◽  
Khaled Machaca
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Oocyte Meiosis ◽  
Kinase Cascade ◽  
Cell Cycle Machinery

Ca2+ is a ubiquitous intracellular messenger that is important for cell cycle progression. Genetic and biochemical evidence support a role for Ca2+ in mitosis. In contrast, there has been a long-standing debate as to whether Ca2+ signals are required for oocyte meiosis. Here, we show that cytoplasmic Ca2+ (Ca2+cyt) plays a dual role during Xenopus oocyte maturation. Ca2+ signals are dispensable for meiosis entry (germinal vesicle breakdown and chromosome condensation), but are required for the completion of meiosis I. Interestingly, in the absence of Ca2+cyt signals oocytes enter meiosis more rapidly due to faster activation of the MAPK-maturation promoting factor (MPF) kinase cascade. This Ca2+-dependent negative regulation of the cell cycle machinery (MAPK-MPF cascade) is due to Ca2+cyt acting downstream of protein kinase A but upstream of Mos (a MAPK kinase kinase). Therefore, high Ca2+cyt delays meiosis entry by negatively regulating the initiation of the MAPK-MPF cascade. These results show that Ca2+ modulates both the cell cycle machinery and nuclear maturation during meiosis.

Premature condensation of chromatin induced in goat (Capra hircus) oocytes after gonadotrophin treatment

1990 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 661 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Kumar ◽  
JC Osborn ◽  
AW Cameron ◽  
PA Batt ◽  
AO Trounson
Keyword(s):  
Chromatin Condensation ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Capra Hircus ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Expected Time ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Incidence

In comparison with ovine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), superovulation of goats with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) produced premature ovulations within 48 h of drug administration. To test the hypothesis that this may be associated with a differential effect of the two drugs on oocyte maturation, we have compared the meiotic status of oocytes obtained at three different time intervals from animals treated with 1200 i.u. PMSG or 12 mg ovine FSH and from untreated control animals. Significantly more oocytes from PMSG-treated, compared with control and FSH-treated, animals showed premature condensation of chromatin at both the time of sponge withdrawal and 20 h later. The chromatin condensation was, however, not associated with germinal vesicle breakdown. In contrast, when oocytes were examined 6 h before the expected time of ovulation following human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection, no significant difference was found in the proportion of oocytes undergoing germinal vesicle breakdown between the three treatment groups, with most oocytes being at the metaphase I or II stage of meiosis. We conclude that superovulation of goats with PMSG at a dose resulting in a high incidence of premature ovulations is associated with premature activation of the initial stages of nuclear maturation in oocytes. In contrast, although treatment with 12 mg ovine FSH did not cause premature ovulations, it was not totally devoid of premature chromatin-condensing activity in oocytes.

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