Coenzyme Q10 supplement rescues postovulatory oocyte aging by regulating SIRT4 expression

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xupeng Xing ◽  
Jinjing Zhang ◽  
Jingcheng Zhang ◽  
Yongsheng Wang ◽  
Jingyi Wang ◽  
...  

Background: High-quality of the oocyte is crucial for embryo development and the success of human assisted reproduction. The postovulatory aged oocytes lose the developmental competence with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is widely distributed in the membranes of cells, and has an important role in the mitochondrial respiration chain, against oxidative stress and modulation of gene expression. Objective: To investigate the functions and mechanisms of CoQ10 on delaying postovulatory oocyte aging. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR and Immunofluorescence staining were used to determine the expression patterns of the biogenesis genes of CoQ10 in postovulatory aged oocytes compared with fresh oocytes. The mitochondrial function, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and spindle abnormalities were investigated after treatment with 10 μM CoQ10 in aged groups. SIRT4 siRNA or capped RNA was injected into oocytes to investigate the function of SIRT4 on postovulatory oocyte aging and the relationship between CoQ10 and SIRT4. Results: Multiple CoQ10 biosynthesis enzymes are insufficient, and supplement of CoQ10 can improve oocyte quality and elevate the development competency of postovulatory aged oocytes. CoQ10 can attenuate the aging-induced abnormalities including mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS accumulation, spindle abnormalities, and apoptosis in postovulatory aged oocytes. Furthermore, SIRT4, which was first found to be up-regulated in postovulatory aged oocytes, decreased following CoQ10 treatment. Finally, knockdown of SIRT4 can rescue aging-induced dysfunction of mitochondria, and the efficiency of CoQ10 rescuing dysfunction of mitochondria can be weakened by SIRT4 overexpression. Conclusion: Supplement of CoQ10 protects oocytes from postovulatory aging by inhibiting SIRT4increase.

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingling Yang ◽  
Shanjun Dai ◽  
Xiaoyan Luo ◽  
Jing Zhu ◽  
Fangyuan Li ◽  
...  

The quality of postovulatory metaphase II oocytes undergoes a time-dependent deterioration as a result of the aging process. Melatonin is considered to be an anti-aging agent. However, the underlying mechanisms of how melatonin improves the quality of postovulatory aged oocytes remain largely unclear. In this study, by using mouse model, we found that there were elevated reactive oxygen species levels and impaired mitochondrial function demonstrated by reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mitochondrial aggregation in oocytes aged 24 h, accompanied by an increased number of meiotic errors, unregulated autophagy-related proteins and early apoptosis, which led to decreased oocyte quality and disrupted developmental competence. However, all of these events can be largely prevented by supplementing the oocyte culture medium with 10−3 M melatonin. Additionally, we found that the expression of sirtuin family members (SIRT1, 2 and 3) was dramatically reduced in aged oocytes. In addition,in vitrosupplementation with melatonin significantly upregulated the expression of SIRT1 and antioxidant enzyme MnSOD, but this action was not observed for SIRT2 and SIRT3. Furthermore, the protective effect of melatonin on the delay of oocyte aging vanished when the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 was used to simultaneously treat the oocytes with melatonin. Consistent with this finding, we found that the postovulatory oocyte aging process was markedly attenuated when the oocytes were treated with the SIRT1 activator SRT1720. In conclusion, our data strongly indicate that melatonin delays postovulatory mouse oocyte aging via a SIRT1–MnSOD-dependent pathway, which may provide a molecular mechanism support for the further application of melatonin in the assisted reproductive technology field.


Author(s):  
Sicong Yu ◽  
Lepeng Gao ◽  
Yang Song ◽  
Xin Ma ◽  
Shuang Liang ◽  
...  

Abstract Mitochondria play an important role in controlling oocyte developmental competence. Our previous studies showed that glycine can regulate mitochondrial function and improve oocyte maturation in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which glycine affects mitochondrial function during oocyte maturation in vitro have not been fully investigated. In this study, we induced a mitochondrial damage model in oocytes with the Bcl-2-specific antagonist ABT-199. We investigated whether glycine could reverse the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ABT-199 exposure and whether it is related to calcium regulation. Our results showed that ABT-199 inhibited cumulus expansion, decreased the oocyte maturation rate and the intracellular glutathione (GSH) level, caused mitochondrial dysfunction, induced oxidative stress, which was confirmed by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ⍦m) and the expression of mitochondrial function-related genes (PGC-1α), and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the expression of apoptosis-associated genes (Bax, caspase-3, CytC). More importantly, ABT-199-treated oocytes showed an increase in the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+]i) and had impaired cortical type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R1) distribution. Nevertheless, treatment with glycine significantly ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptosis, glycine also regulated [Ca 2+]i levels and IP3R1 cellular distribution, which further protects oocyte maturation in ABT-199-induced porcine oocytes. Taken together, our results indicate that glycine has a protective action against ABT-199-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in porcine oocytes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 217
Author(s):  
T. Wakai ◽  
N. Zhang ◽  
R. A. Fissore

Numerous studies have demonstrated that postovulatory aging of oocytes prior to fertilization has detrimental effects on oocyte quality and developmental competence. Oocyte aging is accompanied by abnormal oocyte activation and subsequent development, suggesting a disruption of Ca2+ oscillations after fertilization. The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R1) in mammals is responsible for the majority of Ca2+ release during fertilization (Miyazaki S et al. 1993 Dev. Biol.). Previously, we reported that phosphorylation of IP3R1 at an MPM-2 epitope may play an important role in facilitating the induction of Ca2+ oscillations at the MII stage (Lee B et al. 2006 Development), indicating that IP3R1 phosphorylation may be a good indicator of the health of the oocyte. However, few studies have investigated the alteration of the Ca2+ signaling and IP3R1 function associated with oocyte aging. On the other hand, a previous report showed that caffeine increased MPF activity and suppressed fragmentation after parthenogenetic activation of aged oocytes (Kikuchi K et al. 2000 Biol. Reprod.). Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine whether and how Ca2+ oscillatory activity changes during oocyte aging and to test if caffeine prevents the negative effects of oocyte aging. MII mouse oocytes were collected 14 h after hCG injection and cultured in vitro for 8, 24 or 48 h with or without caffeine (5 or 10 mm). Oocyte quality was assessed by the occurrence of spontaneous fragmentation, monitoring of Ca2+ oscillations after exposure to 10 mm strontium chloride, Western blot analysis of IP3R1 phosphorylation and immunostaining of IP3R1. In oocytes in vitro aged for 8 h, the duration of the first Ca2+ rise was significantly decreased compared with fresh MII oocytes, although this reduction was not observed in MII oocytes treated with 5 mm caffeine. The phosphorylation of IP3R1 at the MPM-2 epitope was slightly decreased during oocyte aging in both caffeine and noncaffeine treatment. Importantly, whereas IP3R1 in MII oocytes treated for 8 h with 5 mm caffeine displayed the typical cortical cluster organization, IP3R1 in aged oocytes without caffeine became dispersed in the cytoplasm. In addition, caffeine significantly suppressed the spontaneous fragmentation that is normally observed by 48 h of in vitro culture. These results suggest that the Ca2+ oscillatory activity is compromised during oocyte aging and caffeine prevents the loss of integrity of Ca2+ signaling possibly by keeping the cortical distribution of IP3R1.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 274 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Tessaro ◽  
F. Franciosi ◽  
V. Lodde ◽  
D. Corbani ◽  
A. M. Luciano ◽  
...  

In dairy cattle, oocytes isolated from ovaries with a reduced antral follicle count (AFC) have a low embryonic developmental competence. This may be related to oxidative stress, as indicated by our recent finding that ovaries with reduced AFC show a defective endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide system. To further test this hypothesis, we evaluated whether the poor developmental competence of these oocytes was possibly due 1) to an imbalance of the reduced glutathione (GSH) system, because GSH is the major antioxidant compound stored within the oocyte and protects the zygote and early embryos from oxidative damage, and 2) to reduced mitochondrial activity. Ovaries were obtained from the abattoir, and oocytes were collected from ovaries with reduced AFC, with fewer than 10 follicles of 2 to 6 mm in diameter, and aged-matched controls, with more than 10 follicles of 2 to 6 mm in diameter. Oocyte GSH content was evaluated using the 5,5′-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)-GSH reductase recycling micro-GSH assay before and after in vitro maturation (IVM) in the presence or absence of 100 µM cysteamine, a GSH precursor. At the same time the developmental competence after IVF was assessed. Moreover, the mitochondrial activity during IVM was evaluated in additional oocytes from the two ovarian categories by specific MitoTracker dyes (MitoTracker FM Green and MitoTracker Orange CMTMRos, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) and subsequent image analysis (ImageJ software). All data were analysed by ANOVA followed by Fisher’s least significant differences test, and P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Experiments were repeated at least three times. Oocytes isolated from ovaries with a low AFC had a similar GSH content compared with oocytes isolated from control ovaries (n = 65 and 85, respectively; 4.31 ± 0.41 v. 4.51 ± 0.42 pmol oocyte–1). After IVM, oocytes from ovaries with reduced AFC showed a significantly lower GSH content compared with control oocytes (n = 55 and 65, respectively; 4.36 ± 0.31 v. 6.59 ± 0.39 pmol oocyte–1); however, cysteamine supplementation during IVM induced GSH accumulation similar to the control (n = 80 and 85, respectively; 9.88 ± 0.77 v. 10.45 ± 0.88 pmol oocyte–1). It is interesting that the increase in intracellular GSH content significantly improved the developmental competence of oocytes from ovaries with a reduced AFC (n = 196 and 201, respectively; 20.1 ± 2.9% v. 6.2 ± 1.6%), although the blastocyst rate remained lower than the control either with or without cysteamine (n = 218 and 212, respectively; 33.3 ± 3.8% and 34.2 ± 2.4%). Further, immature oocytes from ovaries with a low AFC showed a reduced mitochondrial membrane potential compared with control oocytes (n = 13 and 18, respectively; 1.74 ± 1.19 v. 2.22 ± 1.72, calculated as the ratio between the fluorescence of active and total mitochondria), whereas at the end of IVM, it declined in both categories at a comparable level (n = 17 and 24, respectively; 1.19 ± 0.10 and 1.30 ± 0.06). Our data confirmed the hypothesis that both the GSH imbalance and defective mitochondrial activity contribute to the limited developmental competence of oocytes from ovaries with a reduced AFC. This work was supported by Dote ricerca applicata-FSE, Regione Lombardia, Italy (VL, IT).


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yonghui Jiang ◽  
Huangcong Shi ◽  
Yue Liu ◽  
Shigang Zhao ◽  
Han Zhao

Oxidative stress has been recognized as one of the causal mediators of female infertility by affecting the oocyte quality and early embryo development. Improving oxidative stress is essential for reproductive health. Melatonin, a self-secreted antioxidant, has a wide range of effects by improving mitochondrial function and reducing the damage of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This minireview illustrates the applications of melatonin in reproduction from four aspects: physiological ovarian aging, vitrification freezing, in vitro maturation (IVM), and oxidative stress homeostasis imbalance associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), emphasising the role of melatonin in improving the quality of oocytes in assisted reproduction and other adverse conditions.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1886
Author(s):  
Elisa Serra ◽  
Sergio Domenico Gadau ◽  
Giovanni Giuseppe Leoni ◽  
Salvatore Naitana ◽  
Sara Succu

The reproductive seasonality of domestic animals is often manipulated in order to have more reproductive periods for commercial purposes related to the production of milk and meat. It is scientifically proven that such an alteration of the reproductive activity in sheep entails a deterioration in oocyte quality, leading to an inability to generate embryos. Since oocytes obtained from prepubertal ewes can be incorporated into an in vitro embryo production system and considering that their quality is crucial to the success of in vitro procedures, the aim of this work was to investigate the effect of seasons on the quality of prepubertal ovine oocytes collected in autumn and spring. Ovaries were collected from a local slaughterhouse from 30–40-day-old suckling lambs during both seasons. Following 24 h of in vitro maturation, oocytes developmental competence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) intracellular levels, and mitochondrial activity were evaluated, and a tubulin assessment was performed. The results on embryo production, as a percentage of first divisions and number of blastocysts obtained, were significantly higher in oocytes collected in the spring. Mitochondrial activity in oocytes was higher, and ROS production significantly lower, in spring than in autumn. Tubulin PTMs (tyrosinated and acetylated α-tubulin) showed a higher immunoreactivity in oocytes collected in spring compared with autumn sampling. Our data showed that seasons may affect the developmental competence, energetic status, and tubulin assessment of oocytes recovered from prepubertal ewes. Therefore, special care should be taken when choosing the period of the year for prepuberal ovine oocytes collection aimed at in vitro embryo reproduction programs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5790
Author(s):  
Min Ju Kim ◽  
Hyo-Jin Park ◽  
Sanghoon Lee ◽  
Hyo-Gu Kang ◽  
Pil-Soo Jeong ◽  
...  

Triclosan (TCS) is included in various healthcare products because of its antimicrobial activity; therefore, many humans are exposed to TCS daily. While detrimental effects of TCS exposure have been reported in various species and cell types, the effects of TCS exposure on early embryonic development are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine if TCS exerts toxic effects during early embryonic development using porcine parthenogenetic embryos in vitro. Porcine parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in in vitro culture medium with 50 or 100 µM TCS for 6 days. Developmental parameters including cleavage and blastocyst formation rates, developmental kinetics, and the number of blastomeres were assessed. To determine the toxic effects of TCS, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction were assessed. TCS exposure resulted in a significant decrease in 2-cell rate and blastocyst formation rate, as well as number of blastomeres, but not in the cleavage rate. TCS also increased the number of apoptotic blastomeres and the production of reactive oxygen species. Finally, TCS treatment resulted in a diffuse distribution of mitochondria and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. Our results showed that TCS exposure impaired porcine early embryonic development by inducing DNA damage, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 119 (24) ◽  
pp. 5859-5870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Perez-Sanchez ◽  
Patricia Ruiz-Limon ◽  
Maria Angeles Aguirre ◽  
Maria Laura Bertolaccini ◽  
Munther A. Khamashta ◽  
...  

Abstract The exact mechanisms underlying the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and the prothrombotic or proinflammatory status of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) remain unknown. Here, we investigate the role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the proatherothrombotic status of APS patients induced by IgG-antiphospholipid antibodies and the beneficial effects of supplementing cells with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). A significant increase in relevant prothrombotic and inflammatory parameters in 43 APS patients was found compared with 38 healthy donors. Increased peroxide production, nuclear abundance of Nrf2, antioxidant enzymatic activity, decreased intracellular glutathione, and altered mitochondrial membrane potential were found in monocytes and neutrophils from APS patients. Accelerated atherosclerosis in APS patients was found associated with their inflammatory or oxidative status. CoQ10 preincubation of healthy monocytes before IgG-antiphospholipid antibody treatment decreased oxidative stress, the percentage of cells with altered mitochondrial membrane potential, and the induced expression of tissue factor, VEGF, and Flt1. In addition, CoQ10 significantly improved the ultrastructural preservation of mitochondria and prevented IgG-APS–induced fission mediated by Drp-1 and Fis-1 proteins. In conclusion, the oxidative perturbation in APS patient leukocytes, which is directly related to an inflammatory and pro-atherothrombotic status, relies on alterations in mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism that may be prevented, reverted, or both by treatment with CoQ10.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
L. L. Y. Wu ◽  
X. Yang ◽  
K. R. Dunning ◽  
R. J. Norman ◽  
R. L. Robker

In obesity, accumulation of lipid in non-adipose tissues, a process termed lipotoxicity, is associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and ultimately apoptosis . We have previously shown that diet-induced obesity in mice causes impaired oocyte developmental competence, but whether this is due to activation of lipotoxicity pathways in the ovary is not known. The present study examined the hypothesis that diet-induced lipid accumulation in the cumulus oocyte complex (COC) disrupts ER homeostasis and mitochondrial membrane potential which leads to apoptosis. COCs and mural granulosa cells were collected from ovaries of adult mice fed a high fat (HFD) or control diet for 4 weeks. ER homeostasis was assessed by measuring expression of known ER stress marker genes, GRP78, ATF4 and CHOP. COCs from mice fed HFD showed significantly increased expression of GRP78 and ATF4. There was a similar trend towards increased expression in granulosa cells. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring membrane potential using the dual emission probe JC-1. In COCs from mice fed HFD there were reduced numbers of active mitochondria but instead large aggregated clusters of inactive mitochondria. Apoptosis in granulosa cells was determined by DNA laddering assay which showed significantly increased DNA fragmentation in cells from mice fed HFD. Apoptosis was also assessed by TUNEL staining of paraffin embedded ovaries from identical treatment groups. Ovaries from HFD mice appeared to have increased TUNEL positivity in both granulosa and cumulus cells. Our results demonstrate that the ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis are markedly increased in granulosa cells and COCs from mice fed HFD, suggesting that lipotoxicity contributes to the impaired oocyte quality and reduced fertility observed in response to obesity.


Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Chan Hee Lee ◽  
Min Kook Kang ◽  
Dong Hyun Sohn ◽  
Hye Min Kim ◽  
Juri Yang ◽  
...  

Summary Oxidative stress causes several diseases and dysfunctions in cells, including oocytes. Clearly, oxidative stress influences oocyte quality during in vitro maturation and fertilization. Here we tested the ability of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improve mouse oocyte quality during in vitro culture. Treatment with 50 μM CoQ10 efficiently reduced ROS levels in oocytes cultured in vitro. The fertilizable form of an oocyte usually contains a cortical granule-free domain (CGFD). CoQ10 enhanced the ratio of CGFD–oocytes from 35% to 45%. However, the hardening of the zona pellucida in oocytes was not affected by CoQ10 treatment. The in vitro maturation capacity of oocytes, which was determined by the first polar body extrusion, was enhanced from 48.9% to 75.7% by the addition of CoQ10 to the culture medium. During the parthenogenesis process, the number of two-cell embryos was increased by CoQ10 from 43.5% to 67.3%. Additionally, treatment with CoQ10 increased the expression of Bcl2 and Sirt1 in cumulus cells. These results suggested that CoQ10 had a positive effect on ROS reduction, maturation rate and two-cell embryo formation in mouse oocyte culture.


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