scholarly journals Analysis of Protein Oxidative Modifications in Follicular Fluid from Fertile Women: Natural Versus Stimulated Cycles

Antioxidants ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irantzu Pérez-Ruiz ◽  
Susana Meijide ◽  
María-Luisa Hérnandez ◽  
Rosaura Navarro ◽  
Zaloa Larreategui ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress is associated with obstetric complications during ovarian hyperstimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. The follicular fluid contains high levels of proteins, which are the main targets of free radicals. The aim of this work was to determine specific biomarkers of non-enzymatic oxidative modifications of proteins from follicular fluid in vivo, and the effect of ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins on these biomarkers. For this purpose, 27 fertile women underwent both a natural and a stimulated cycle. The biomarkers, glutamic semialdehyde (GSA), aminoadipic semialdehyde (AASA), Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), and Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), were measured by gas-liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Results showed that follicular fluid contained products of protein modifications by direct metal-catalyzed oxidation (GSA and AASA), glycoxidation (CML and CEL), and lipoxidation (CML). GSA was the most abundant biomarker (91.5%). The levels of CML amounted to 6% of the total lesions and were higher than AASA (1.3%) and CEL (1.2%). In the natural cycle, CEL was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in the stimulated cycle, suggesting that natural cycles are more protected against protein glycoxidation. These findings are the basis for further research to elucidate the possible relevance of this follicular biomarker of advanced glycation end product in fertility programs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sweta Ravisankar ◽  
Kelsey E. Brooks ◽  
Melinda J. Murphy ◽  
Nash Redmayne ◽  
Junghyun Ryu ◽  
...  

AbstractGonadotropin administration during infertility treatment stimulates the growth and development of multiple ovarian follicles, yielding heterogeneous oocytes with variable capacity for fertilization, cleavage, and blastocyst formation. To determine how the intrafollicular environment affects oocyte competency, 74 individual rhesus macaque follicles were aspirated and the corresponding oocytes classified as failed to cleave, cleaved but arrested prior to blastulation, or those that formed blastocysts following in vitro fertilization. Metabolomics analysis of the follicular fluid (FF) identified 60 unique metabolites that were significantly different between embryo classifications, of which a notable increase in the intrafollicular ratio of cortisol to cortisone was observed in the blastocyst group. Immunolocalization of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR, NR3C1) revealed translocation from the cytoplasm to nucleus with oocyte maturation in vitro and, correlation to intrafollicular expression of the 11-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenases that interconvert these glucocorticoids was detected upon an ovulatory stimulus in vivo. While NR3C1 knockdown in oocytes had no effect on their maturation or fertilization, expansion of the associated cumulus granulosa cells was inhibited. Our findings indicate an important role for NR3C1 in the regulation of follicular processes via paracrine signaling. Further studies are required to define the means through which the FF cortisol:cortisone ratio determines oocyte competency.


Author(s):  
Razieh Doroudi ◽  
Zohre Changizi ◽  
Seyed Noureddin Nematollahi-Mahani

Background: Vitrification as the most efficient method of cryopreservation, enables successful storage of oocytes for couples who undergo specific procedures including surgery and chemotherapy. However, the efficacy of in vitro maturation (IVM) methods with vitrified germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes could be improved. Objective: As melatonin and follicular fluid (FF) might enhance IVM conditions, we used these supplements to assess the maturation rate of vitrified GV oocytes and their artificial fertilization rate. Materials and Methods: Four hundred mouse GV oocytes were harvested, vitrified, and assigned into control (C-Vit-GV) and treatment groups of melatonin (M-Vit-GV), human follicular fluid (HFF-Vit-GV), and a combination (M + HFF-Vit-GV). A non-vitrified group of GV oocytes (non-Vit-GV) and a group of in vivo matured metaphase II (Vivo-MII) oocytes served as control groups to evaluate the vitrification and IVM conditions, respectively. Maturation of GV oocytes to MII and further development to two-cell-stage embryos were determined in the different groups. Results: Development to two-cell embryos was comparable between the Vivo-MII and non-Vit-GV groups. IVM and in vitro fertilization (IVF) results in the non-Vit-GV group were also comparable with the C-Vit-GV oocytes. In addition, the IVM and IVF outcomes were similar across the different treatment groups including the M-Vit-GV, HFF-Vit-GV, M + HFF-Vit-GV, and C-Vit-GV oocytes. Conclusion: Employing an appropriate technique of vitrification followed by suitable IVM conditions can lead to reasonable IVF outcomes which may not benefit from extra supplementations. However, whether utilizing other supplementation formulas could improve the outcome requires further investigation. Key words: Vitrification, Germinal vesicle, In vitro oocyte maturation, Melatonin, Follicular fluid.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
A. P. Oliveira ◽  
R. C. Leite ◽  
M. B. Heinmam ◽  
L. G. B. Siqueira ◽  
A. Maciel ◽  
...  

The world market for bovine embryos has increased in the past few years. However, sanitary problems such as foot and mouth disease in Brazil, vesicular stomatitis in South America, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in North America and Europe have increased concerns regarding the risk of introducing exotic diseases and/or more virulent serotypes of endemic diseases by embryo transfer. Many countries are trying to develop and/or improve new techniques for infectious disease detection, with the scientific basis to support the import and export of animal germplasm. Therefore, the epidemiology of the diseases and the interaction between pathogens and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs), embryos, and semen must be investigated. Despite the many studies that have been carried out to evaluate the possibility of transmission of infectious agents by the embryo, few data are available regarding COC susceptibility (Tsuboi et al. 1992 J. Vet. Med. Sci. 54, 1179–1181). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of bovine herpes virus serotype 1 (BHV-1) in COCs and follicular fluid (FF) collected from naturally infected animals in a low stress condition. Blood samples of non-lactating Gyr breed (Bos indicus) cows were collected and evaluated for BHV-1 antibodies by the serum neutralization microplate test, performed as described in the Manual for Standards for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines (OIE, 1992). The cows were diagnosed as serologically positive (n = 38) or serologically negative (n = 8), and kept under grazing in Brachiaria decumbens pasture with mineral supplementation. The cows considered as positive showed titers greater than 1/4. COCs and follicular fluid (FF) were obtained by ovum pick-up (OPU) using sterile and disposable materials for each animal. Virus detection was performed by the PCR technique. PCR sensitivity was made using COCs and FF recovered from eight BHV-1 serologically negative animals. These samples were either artificially infected on plates with 106.5 TCID in 50 µL of IBR Colorado 1 reference serotype (ATCC, VR-864) or used as a negative control. The PCR analitical sensitivity was 100.5 TCID. The presence of BHV-1 in COCs and FF was not detected in any of the animals, despite the high sensitivity of the PCR technique. In the present in vivo model, results show that COCs collected from serologically BHV-1 positive cows presenting no clinical signs of the illness and managed in a low stress condition could be used as donors for in vitro fertilization procedures with minimal sanitary risks. Also, the absence of the virus in COCs and FF cannot be used as a predictor of BHV-1 infection status in bovine herds.


GYNECOLOGY ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 36-40
Author(s):  
Anna G. Burduli ◽  
Natalia A. Kitsilovskaya ◽  
Yuliya V. Sukhova ◽  
Irina A. Vedikhina ◽  
Tatiana Y. Ivanets ◽  
...  

The review presents data on metabolites in the follicular fluid (FF) from the perspective of reproductive medicine and their use in order to predict outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs. It considers various components of this biological medium (hormones, lipids, melatonin, etc.) with an assessment of their predictive value in prognosis of the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs. The data on experimental directions in this field and the prospects for their use in clinical practice are presented. The article emphasizes that the growing clinical need and the unsolved problem of increasing the effectiveness of ART programs determine the need for further studies of the FF composition. Materials and methods. The review includes data related to this topic from foreign and Russian articles found in PubMed which were published in recent years. Results. Given the established fact of a direct effect of FF composition on growth and maturation of oocytes, and further, on the fertilization process, various FF metabolites are actively investigated as non-invasive markers of quality of oocytes/embryos. The article provides data on the experimental directions in this field and the prospects for their use in clinical practice. However, clinical studies of a relation between various FF metabolites levels and outcomes of IVF programs are contradictory. Conclusion. Owing large economic cost for treatment of infertility with IVF, there is need for expansion and intensification of studies to identify and use reliable predictors in prognosis of ART programs outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4368
Author(s):  
Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez ◽  
Emilio A. Martinez ◽  
Juan J. Calvete ◽  
Fernando J. Peña Vega ◽  
Jordi Roca

Seminal plasma (SP), the non-cellular component of semen, is a heterogeneous composite fluid built by secretions of the testis, the epididymis and the accessory sexual glands. Its composition, despite species-specific anatomical peculiarities, consistently contains inorganic ions, specific hormones, proteins and peptides, including cytokines and enzymes, cholesterol, DNA and RNA—the latter often protected within epididymis- or prostate-derived extracellular vesicles. It is beyond question that the SP participates in diverse aspects of sperm function pre-fertilization events. The SP also interacts with the various compartments of the tubular genital tract, triggering changes in gene function that prepares for an eventual successful pregnancy; thus, it ultimately modulates fertility. Despite these concepts, it is imperative to remember that SP-free spermatozoa (epididymal or washed ejaculated) are still fertile, so this review shall focus on the differences between the in vivo roles of the SP following semen deposition in the female and those regarding additions of SP on spermatozoa handled for artificial reproduction, including cryopreservation, from artificial insemination to in vitro fertilization. This review attempts, including our own results on model animal species, to critically summarize the current knowledge of the reproductive roles played by SP components, particularly in our own species, which is increasingly affected by infertility. The ultimate goal is to reconcile the delicate balance between the SP molecular concentration and their concerted effects after temporal exposure in vivo. We aim to appraise the functions of the SP components, their relevance as diagnostic biomarkers and their value as eventual additives to refine reproductive strategies, including biotechnologies, in livestock models and humans.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 547
Author(s):  
Marina Ramal-Sanchez ◽  
Antonella Fontana ◽  
Luca Valbonetti ◽  
Alessandra Ordinelli ◽  
Nicola Bernabò ◽  
...  

Since its discovery, graphene and its multiple derivatives have been extensively used in many fields and with different applications, even in biomedicine. Numerous efforts have been made to elucidate the potential toxicity derived from their use, giving rise to an adequate number of publications with varied results. On this basis, the study of the reproductive function constitutes a good tool to evaluate not only the toxic effects derived from the use of these materials directly on the individual, but also the potential toxicity passed on to the offspring. By providing a detailed scientometric analysis, the present review provides an updated overview gathering all the research studies focused on the use of graphene and graphene-based materials in the reproductive field, highlighting the consequences and effects reported to date from experiments performed in vivo and in vitro and in different animal species (from Archea to mammals). Special attention is given to the oxidized form of graphene, graphene oxide, which has been recently investigated for its ability to increase the in vitro fertilization outcomes. Thus, the potential use of graphene oxide against infertility is hypothesized here, probably by engineering the spermatozoa and thus manipulating them in a safer and more efficient way.


Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Budani ◽  
Gian Mario Tiboni

Nitric oxide (NO) is formed during the oxidation of L-arginine to L-citrulline by the action of multiple isoenzymes of NO synthase (NOS): neuronal NOS (nNOS), endotelial NOS (eNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS). NO plays a relevant role in the vascular endothelium, in central and peripheral neurons, and in immunity and inflammatory systems. In addition, several authors showed a consistent contribution of NO to different aspects of the reproductive physiology. The aim of the present review is to analyse the published data on the role of NO within the ovary. It has been demonstrated that the multiple isoenzymes of NOS are expressed and localized in the ovary of different species. More to the point, a consistent role was ascribed to NO in the processes of steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis, and oocyte meiotic maturation in in vitro and in vivo studies using animal models. Unfortunately, there are few nitric oxide data for humans; there are preliminary data on the implication of nitric oxide for oocyte/embryo quality and in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET) parameters. NO plays a remarkable role in the ovary, but more investigation is needed, in particular in the context of human ovarian physiology.


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