scholarly journals Genetic merit for fertility traits in Holstein cows: VI. Oocyte developmental competence and embryo development

2019 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 4651-4661 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.G. Moore ◽  
S.B. Cummins ◽  
S. Mamo ◽  
P. Lonergan ◽  
T. Fair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence ◽  
Fertility Traits

271 EFFECT OF MARE AGE ON OOCYTE MORPHOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE AFTER INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
J. L. Altermatt ◽  
T. K. Suh ◽  
J. E. Stokes ◽  
L. F. Campos-Chillon ◽  
E. M. Carnevale
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Vitelline Membrane ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Oocyte Morphology ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence

Reduced fertility in aged mares is associated with delayed early embryo development and lower pregnancy rates, potentially related to oocyte developmental competence. Human oocyte morphology has been associated with developmental potential, although comparative evidence is lacking in the mare. Exogenous FSH may be beneficial in obtaining more oocytes; however, effects on oocyte morphology and competence are unknown. Objectives were to determine if zona pellucida thickness (ZPT), ooplasm volume (OV), and perivitelline space volume (PVSV) were related to mare age or FSH treatment and to cleavage, blastocyst, and pregnancy rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Cycles with and without eFSH treatment were alternated; eFSH treatments began in diestrus with a cohort of follicles ≥20 mm. Oocytes were collected by transvaginal aspiration from follicles >30 mm from young (4 to 9 years) and old (>20 years) mares at 20 to 24 h after administration of recombinant eLH. Oocytes were cultured for 18 h in TCM-199 at 38.5�C in 6% CO2 in air. Sperm were injected 40 � 1 h after eLH, using frozen sperm from a single ejaculate. Presumptive zygotes were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/F12 + 10% fetal calf serum at 38.5�C in 5% CO2, 5%O2, and 90% N2. Cleavage (≥2 cells) was recorded 48 h after ICSI. Blastocysts considered viable (formation before 9 d and good quality) were transferred nonsurgically into recipients 3 to 7 days after ovulation. Only pregnancies of fetuses with heart beats were included. Morphological parameters of oocytes (old, n = 40; young, n = 37) were obtained from photographic images taken at ICSI and analyzed by computer-assisted measurement using digital calipers (Spot Software, Diagnostic Instruments, Inc., Sterling Heights, MI, USA). Zona pellucida thickness was averaged from 2 measurements 90� to 180� apart. Ooplasm volume was calculated (4/3πr3) from the average of 2 diameters of the ooplasm 90� apart; and PVSV was calculated as the difference of the vitelline membrane volume and that of the volume at the inner volume of the ZP calculated as an oblate spheroid (4/3πa2b) from the average of 2 diameters. Zona pellucida thickness, OV, and PVSV were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA for main effects of age and treatment and 3-way ANOVA by adding cleavage as a factor. Zona pellucida thickness was less (P = 0.007) for old compared with young (least squares mean SEM of 11.4 � 0.2 and 12.3 � 0.2 µm, respectively) with no effect on cleavage, blastocyst, or pregnancy rates. Ooplasm volume was not different (P = 0.14) between old and young (309 036 � 5373 and 320 544 � 5639 µm3, respectively) and did not affect cleavage, blastocyst, or pregnancy rates. The PVSV was greater (P = 0.001) in old compared with young (157 505 � 10 853 and 102 161 � 11 388 µm3, respectively) and may be related to the lower cleavage (P = 0.03), blastocyst (P = 0.02), and pregnancy (P = 0.05) rates. Treatment with FSH had no effect (P > 0.1) on morphology or embryo development. In this study, ZPT and PVSV differed with mare age and could be of predictive value for oocyte developmental competence.

10 Pregnancy rates following artificial insemination or embryo transfer in lactating Holstein cows

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
M. Oliveira ◽  
R. Santos ◽  
R. Chebel ◽  
D. Demetrio
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Excessive Heat ◽  
The Difference ◽  
June July

Excessive heat affects the fertility of high production lactating cows, and reduced pregnancy rates (PR) are observed during summer and early fall. Embryo production programs are used to produce more calves from high genetic merit animals, but could it also increase fertility by bypassing all the negative variables affecting the embryo development before Day 7 (oocyte development, ovulation, fertilization, early embryo development)? The data from AIs and embryo transfers (ET) between June 2017 and May 2019 were analysed. June, July, August, September, and October were called critical months (first-service AI conception rate dropped below 44%). The cows were located at Maddox Dairy in Riverdale, CA, USA, a Holstein herd that milks 3500 cows with a 305-day mature-equivalent milk production of 12 800 kg. First- and second-lactation cows were enrolled in a Presynch-Ovsynch oestrus-synchronization program and scheduled for the first AI at 86 days after calving or to receive an embryo 7 or 8 days after the expected heat. The embryos were produced invivo or invitro from Holstein donors and were transferred fresh or frozen. Blood was sampled on Day 30 after expected heat day (23 days after embryo transfer), and pregnancy was detected by the IDEXX PAG Bovine Pregnancy Test. Table 1 summarises the results, where ET PR% is the number of pregnant cows divided by the number of cows that received and embryo. All the cows synchronized for AI were bred, but only cows with the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) on ET day received an embryo. The presence of a CL was not detected in 28.7% (471/1642) of the cows (32.2% in the critical months and 25.7% in the others). Unfortunately, we could not detect the presence of a CL by ultrasonography every time we transferred embryos, so the nonovulation rate might be overestimated. The cows without a CL were considered open and used to calculate the adjusted PR (AdjPR%). Embryo transfer PR is superior to that of AI, especially during the critical months. Fresh invivo embryos have the most impact. When the cows without CLs are considered open, the difference between AI and ET is still evident for fresh invivo embryos. Besides producing animals with higher genetic merit, depending on the type of embryo used, ET can increase fertility in lactating Holstein cows, especially during the critical months. The other benefit of using ET is that cows that do not ovulate are synchronized right away, which is not the case for AI cows. Table 1.AI×embryo transfer in lactating Holstein cows1 from June 2017 to May 20192 Item Critical months (June to October) Other months (November to May) All year %PR n Adj PR% n %PR n Adj PR% n %PR n Adj PR% n Artificial insemination 41.2% 896 41.2% 896 47.7% 1767 47.7% 1767 45.5% 2663 2663 Fresh invivo embryo 62.7% 373 47.5% 493 69.5% 262 55.3% 329 65.5% 635 50.6% 822 Frozen invivo embryo 59.3% 221 44.8% 292 59.4% 256 47.3% 322 59.3% 477 46.1% 614 IVF fresh embryo 47.9% 167 36.2% 221 54.0% 363 43.0% 456 52.1% 530 40.8% 677 Total embryos 58.5% 761 44.2% 1006 60.2% 881 47.9% 1107 59.4% 1642 46.1% 2113 1Lactating Holstein cows, first and second lactation, first service, Presynch-Ovsynch, 85 DIM. 2PR%=the number of pregnant cows divided by the number of cows that received and embryo; AdjPR%=adjusted pregnancy rate.

scholarly journals GLP is critical for oogenesis exhibiting a G9A-independent role in transcriptional repression

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Demond ◽  
Courtney W Hanna ◽  
Juan Castillo-Fernandez ◽  
Fatima Santos ◽  
Evangelina K Papachristou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Knockout Mouse ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence ◽  
Gene Dysregulation ◽  
Conditional Knockout Mouse

GLP (EHMT1) functions as an H3K9me1 and H3K9me2 methyltransferase through its reportedly obligatory dimerization with G9A (EHMT2). Here, we investigated the role of GLP in oocyte and embryo development in comparison to G9A using oocyte-specific conditional knockout mouse models (G9a cKO, Glp cKO, G9a-Glp cDKO). Loss of GLP in oogenesis severely impairs oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo development, resulting in lethality before embryonic day E12.5. In contrast, loss of G9A has a milder effect with a proportion of embryos producing viable offspring. The Glp cKO also showed loss of G9A protein and, hence, was phenotypically very similar to the G9a-Glp cDKO. H3K9me2 was equally depleted in all cKO genotypes, whereas H3K9me1 was decreased only in Glp cKO and G9a-Glp cDKO oocytes. Furthermore, the transcriptome, DNA methylome and proteome were markedly more affected in G9a-Glp cDKO than G9a cKO oocytes, demonstrating that in the absence of GLP there are widespread epigenetic and gene expression changes in the oocyte independent of H3K9me2. Gene dysregulation with coupled changes in DNA methylation suggest localised loss of chromatin repression, resulting in upregulated protein expression. Together, our findings demonstrate that GLP can function independently of G9A in the oocyte and is required for oocyte developmental competence.

313 PRE-IN VITRO MATURATION WITH CYCLIC AMP AND CYCLIC GMP MODULATORS IMPROVES DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE OF MOUSE OOCYTES

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. Santiquet ◽  
A. F. Greene ◽  
W. B. Schoolcraft ◽  
R. L. Krisher
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence ◽  
Oocyte Collection ◽  
Short Period

In vitro maturation (IVM) of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) results in oocytes with reduced quality and is still not as efficient as in vivo maturation in most species. One hypothesis that could explain the low developmental competence of oocytes following IVM is that the oocytes resume meiosis too quickly after being retrieved from the follicles. Studies in mice and bovine have shown that a short period of prematuration in the presence of cAMP modulators, before IVM, enhances oocyte developmental competence. Moreover, other studies have recently demonstrated that cGMP is also a crucial molecule involved in meiotic resumption. Here, our objective was to examine the effect of a cGMP modulator in combination with a cAMP modulator during a short period of prematuration on mouse oocyte nuclear maturation and subsequent embryo development following IVF. The COC were collected (6 replicates) from 2-month-old outbred CF1 mice 48 h after PMSG (5 IU) injection in the presence (pre-IVM) or absence (control) of cGMP and cAMP modulators. Pre-IVM COC (n = 184) were then placed in prematuration medium that also contained these cGMP and cAMP modulators. After 2 h, pre-IVM COC were washed and transferred to our in-house prepared, completely defined IVM medium (Paczkowski et al. 2014 Reprod.) for the remaining 16 h of culture; 10 oocytes per 50 µL drop under oil, at 37°C in 7.5% CO2 and 6.5% O2 due to the increased altitude at our location. Control COC (n = 161) were matured in the same IVM medium under identical conditions for 18 h, without prematuration. After IVM, oocytes were fixed for assessment of nuclear maturation, or fertilized and cultured in vitro and subsequent development (96 and 112 h) was recorded (Paczkowski et al. 2014 Reprod.). Results were analysed by ANOVA. A short 2-h prematuration period in the presence of cGMP and cAMP modulators had no impact on oocyte nuclear maturation to metaphase II after IVM or on embryo cleavage after IVF. However, pre-IVM treatment improved the developmental competence of the oocyte, as demonstrated by increased embryo development. More (P < 0.02) blastocysts (96 h of culture) and hatched blastocysts (112 h of culture) developed in the pre-IVM treatment compared to control (31.0 ± 3.4 v. 19.9 ± 3.2%; 31.5 ± 3.4 v. 19.9 ± 3.2%, respectively). In conclusion, a combination of cGMP and cAMP modulators during oocyte collection and a subsequent short pre-IVM improves oocyte developmental competence and could therefore be a potential tool to improve embryo yield following IVM.

scholarly journals Lipids and oocyte developmental competence: the role of fatty acids and β-oxidation

Reproduction ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. R15-R27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie R Dunning ◽  
Darryl L Russell ◽  
Rebecca L Robker
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence

Metabolism and ATP levels within the oocyte and adjacent cumulus cells are associated with quality of oocyte and optimal development of a healthy embryo. Lipid metabolism provides a potent source of energy and its importance during oocyte maturation is being increasingly recognised. The triglyceride and fatty acid composition of ovarian follicular fluid has been characterised for many species and is influenced by nutritional status (i.e. dietary fat, fasting, obesity and season) as well as lactation in cows. Lipid in oocytes is a primarily triglyceride of specific fatty acids which differ by species, stored in distinct droplet organelles that re-localise during oocyte maturation. The presence of lipids, particularly saturated vs unsaturated fatty acids, in in vitro maturation systems affects oocyte lipid content as well as developmental competence. Triglycerides are metabolised by lipases that have been localised to cumulus cells as well as oocytes. Fatty acids generated by lipolysis are further metabolised by β-oxidation in mitochondria for the production of ATP. β-oxidation is induced in cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) by the LH surge, and pharmacological inhibition of β-oxidation impairs oocyte maturation and embryo development. Promoting β-oxidation with l-carnitine improves embryo development in many species. Thus, fatty acid metabolism in the mammalian COC is regulated by maternal physiological and in vitro environmental conditions; and is important for oocyte developmental competence.

scholarly journals Genetic merit for fertility traits in Holstein cows: I. Production characteristics and reproductive efficiency in a pasture-based system

2012 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 1310-1322 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.B. Cummins ◽  
P. Lonergan ◽  
A.C.O. Evans ◽  
D.P. Berry ◽  
R.D. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Fertility Traits ◽  
Production Characteristics

scholarly journals Effects of different oocyte retrieval and in vitro maturation systems on bovine embryo development and quality

Zygote ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Milena Bernal ◽  
Julia Heinzmann ◽  
Doris Herrmann ◽  
Bernd Timmermann ◽  
Ulrich Baulain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Bovine Embryo ◽  
Global Methylation ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence

SummaryCyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulators have been used to avoid spontaneous oocyte maturation and concomitantly improve oocyte developmental competence. The current work evaluated the effects of the addition of cAMP modulators forskolin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and cilostamide during in vitro maturation on the quality and yields of blastocysts. The following experimental groups were evaluated: (i) slicing or (ii) aspiration and maturation in tissue culture medium (TCM)199 for 24 h (TCM24slicing and TCM24aspiration, respectively), (iii) aspiration and maturation in the presence of cAMP modulators for 30 h (cAMP30aspiration) and in vivo-produced blastocysts. In vitro-matured oocytes were fertilized and presumptive zygotes were cultured in vitro to assess embryo development. Cleavage, blastocyst formation, blastocyst cell number, mRNA abundance of selected genes and global methylation profiles were evaluated. Blastocyst rate/zygotes for the TCM24aspiration protocol was improved (32.2 ± 2.1%) compared with TCM24slicing and cAMP30aspiration (23.4 ± 1.2% and 23.3 ± 2.0%, respectively, P<0.05). No statistical differences were found for blastocyst cell numbers. The mRNA expression for the EGR1 gene was down-regulated eight-fold in blastocysts that had been produced in vitro compared with their in vivo counterparts. Gene expression profiles for IGF2R, SLC2A8, COX2, DNMT3B and PCK2 did not differ among experimental groups. Bovine testis satellite I and Bos taurus alpha satellite methylation profiles from cAMP30aspiration protocol-derived blastocysts were similar to patterns that were observed in their in vivo equivalents (P > 0.05), while those from the other groups were significantly elevated. It is concluded that retrieval, collection systems and addition of cAMP modulators can affect oocyte developmental competence, which is reflected not only in blastocyst rates but also in global DNA methylation and gene expression patterns.

179 INTRAFOLLICULAR CONCENTRATION OF FATTY ACIDS IN GOAT ACCORDING TO FOLLICLE DIAMETER AND AGE OF DONOR

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
M. Roura ◽  
M. G. Catalá ◽  
S. Hammami ◽  
M. Rodriguez ◽  
X. Moll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Linoleic Acid ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Chromatographic Analysis ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Oocyte Competence ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence ◽  
Fa Composition ◽  
Follicle Diameter

Oocytes from adult goats have better competence to develop up to blastocyst stage than those from prepubertal females. Previous results in our laboratory showed that oocyte developmental competence in prepubertal goats is positively related to follicle diameter, as oocytes from follicles larger than 3 mm have the same competence as adult goat ones, demonstrating that follicular environment affects oocyte competence for embryo development. Other studies concluded that fatty acids (FA) in follicular fluid (FF) play an important role in oocyte and embryo development. The aim of this study was to analyse FF composition regarding FA percentage comparing samples from adult (3 years old, forage diet) or prepubertal (1 month suckling) Murciano-Granadina goats. FF samples were recovered from follicles larger and smaller than 3 mm by laparoscopy (adult) or aspiration of ovaries collected at slaughterhouse (prepubertal). For the FA analysis, the Sukhija and Palmquist protocol was used with some modifications. Briefly, 200 μL of FF sample was vortexed for 60 s with 250 μL of toluene and 1 mL of HCL (5%) and then warmed in water bath for 1 h at 70°C. Subsequently, 1.25 mL of K2CO3 (12%) and 500 μL of toluene was added, vortexed for 30 s, and centrifuged for 5 min (3000 rpm). Finally the supernatant was recovered and dried with Na2SO4. The extracted samples were maintained at –20°C until gas chromatographic analysis (123–2362, Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, CA). The results are shown in Table 1. The analysis of FA composition in FF showed significantly higher concentrations of C15:0 (pentadecanoic), C16:0 (palmitic), C17:0 (margaric), C18:0 (stearic), linolenic acid (ALA), and EPA (eicosapentanoic) in adult goats compared to prepubertal goats, and C17:0, C18:0 linoleic acid (LA), and ALA in larger follicles of prepubertal females, showing some coincidences in follicular environment that could explain previous studies. These results are in agreement with those of Matoba et al. (2014; Rep. Fertil. Dev. 26, 337) who showed that FF associated with more competent oocytes had a significantly higher concentration in ALA than FF from incompetent oocytes in cattle. Table 1.Concentration of FA (%) in FF in adult and prepubertal goats (top) and in FF of large and small follicles (bottom) from prepubertal goat ovaries (3 replicates)

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