Regulation of AMH, AMHR-II, and BMPs (2,6) Genes of Bovine Granulosa Cells Treated with Exogenous FSH and Their Association with Protein Hormones

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is an important reproductive marker of ovarian reserve produced by granulosa cells (GCs) of pre-antral and early-antral ovarian follicles in several species, including cattle. This hormone plays a vital role during the recruitment of primordial follicles and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-dependent follicular growth. However, the regulatory mechanism of AMH expression in follicles is still unclear. In this study, we compared the expression of AMH, AMHR-II, BMP2, BMP6, FSHR, and LHCGR genes during follicular development. In-vitro expression study was performed with and without FSH for AMH, AMHR-II, BMP2, and BMP6 genes in bovine GCs which were isolated from 3–8 mm follicles. Association among the mRNA expression and hormone level was estimated. GCs were collected from small (3–8 mm), medium (9–12 mm) and large size (13 to 24 mm) follicles before, during onset, and after deviation, respectively. Further, mRNA expression, hormones (AMH, FSH, and LH), apoptosis of GCs, and cell viability were detected by qRT-PCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, and spectrophotometry. AMH, AMHR-II, BMP2, and FSHR genes were highly expressed in small and medium follicles as compared to large ones. In addition, the highest level of AMH protein (84.14 ± 5.41 ng/mL) was found in medium-size follicles. Lower doses of FSH increased the viability of bovine GCs while higher doses repressed them. In-vitro cultured GCs treated with FSH significantly increased the AMH, AMHR-II, and BMP2 expression levels at lower doses, while expression levels decreased at higher doses. We found an optimum level of FSH (25 ng/mL) which can significantly enhance AMH and BMP2 abundance (p < 0.05). In summary, AMH, AMHR-II, and BMP2 genes showed a higher expression in follicles developed in the presence of FSH. However, lower doses of FSH demonstrated a stimulatory effect on AMH and BMP2 expression, while expression started to decline at the maximum dose. In this study, we have provided a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating AMH, AMHR II, and BMP2 signaling in GCs during folliculogenesis, which would improve the outcomes of conventional assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), such as superovulation and oestrus synchronization in bovines.

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Characterization of isolated bovine preantral follicles based on morphology, diameter and cell number

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199419000832 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 154-159

Author(s):

Juliana I. Candelaria ◽

Anna C. Denicol

Keyword(s):

Granulosa Cells ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Cell Number ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Preantral Follicles ◽

Secondary Stage

SummaryPreantral follicles are a potential reservoir of oocytes to be used in assisted reproductive technologies. With the increasing interest in developing techniques to grow preantral follicles in vitro, and as the bovine emerges as an appropriate model species to understand human folliculogenesis, the establishment of an accurate classification of developmental stages is needed. Classification of bovine preantral follicles has been mostly based on histological analysis and estimation models, which may not translate well to correctly characterize preantral follicles isolated from the ovary. In this study, we classified bovine preantral follicles by morphology upon isolation, determined diameter and number of granulosa cells by direct counting, and compared our results with previous studies reporting bovine preantral follicle classification. Follicles were isolated via homogenization of ovary tissue and classified into primary, early secondary and secondary stage based on morphology and number of layers of granulosa cells. Diameter was individually measured and Hoechst 33342 was used as a nuclear stain to count granulosa cells. We found that follicles classified by morphology into primary, early secondary, and secondary had different mean diameter and cell number (P < 0.01); cell number and diameter were positively correlated, as were cell density and cell number in each developmental stage (P < 0.01). Results obtained here were mostly in agreement with previous classifications based on histological sections and on isolated follicles, with some discrepancies. The present data add accuracy to classification of bovine preantral follicles that is critical to optimize culture conditions to produce developmentally competent oocytes.

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Expression of mRNAs for Pro-and Anti-Apoptotic Factors in Granulosa Cells and Follicular Fluid of Women Undergoing in Vitro Fertilization. A Pilot Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-330029/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jozsef Bodis ◽

Endre Sulyok ◽

Akos Varnagy ◽

Viktória Prémusz ◽

Krisztina Godony ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Granulosa Cells ◽

Follicular Fluid ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Expression Levels ◽

The Impact ◽

Apoptotic Factors

Abstract BackgroundThis observational clinical study evaluated the expression levels and predictive values of some apoptosis-related genes in granulosa cells (GCs) and follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).Methods GCs and FF were obtained at oocyte retrieval from 31 consecutive patients with heterogeneous infertility diagnosis (age: 34.3±5.8 years, body mass index: 24.02±3.12 kg/m2, duration of infertility: 4.2±2.1 years). mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic (BAX, CASP3, CASP8) and anti-apoptotic (BCL2, AMH, AMHR, FSHR, LHR, CYP19A1) factors was determined by quantitative RT-PCR using ROCHE LightCycler 480. Results No significant difference in GC or FF mRNA expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors could be demonstrated between IVF patients with (9 patients) or without (22 patients) clinical pregnancy. Each transcript investigated was detected in FF, but their levels were markedly reduced and independent of those in GCs. The number of retrieved oocytes was positively associated with GC AMHR (r=0.393, p=0.029), but the day of embryo transfer was negatively associated with GC LHR (r=-0.414, p=0.020) and GC FSHR transcripts (r=-0.535, p=0.002). When pregnancy positive group was analysed separately the impact of apoptosis- related gene expressions on some selected measures of IVF success could be observed. Strong positive relationship was found between gene expression levels of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors in GCs.ConclusionOur study provides only marginal evidences for the apoptosis dependence of IVF outcome and suggests that the apoptosis process induces adaptive increases of the anti-apoptotic gene expression to attenuate apoptosis and to protect cell survival.

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196 EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT IN VITRO MATURATION SYSTEMS ON BOVINE EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv24n1ab196 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 210

Author(s):

S. M. Bernal ◽

J. Heinzmann ◽

D. Herrmann ◽

A. Lucas-Hahn ◽

B. Timmermann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mrna Expression ◽

In Vitro Maturation ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Developmental Competence ◽

Bovine Embryo ◽

Blastocyst Quality

Bovine oocytes and embryos have been established as a valuable model for studying human early development, specifically after assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Efforts for the improvement of ART in the last years have focused on culture media and conditions. Recently, Albuz et al. (2010) reported that the culture of bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) with cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cAMP) modulators, before and during extended in vitro maturation (IVM), improved blastocyst quality and yields in mice and cattle. In this study, we investigated the influence of an extended IVM phase in combination with cAMP modulators on blastocyst yields and quality, the effects on mRNA expression profiles and epigenetic marks. We compared these results to the standard protocol (Wrenzycki et al., 2001) used in our laboratory with oocytes from different retrieval methods. Oocytes were retrieved from slaughterhouse ovaries either by slicing or follicular aspiration. The COC were either subjected directly to IVM using the standard TCM-based protocol for 24 h (TCM24-slicing and TCM24-aspiration, respectively) or oocytes that were retrieved by aspiration were treated with forskolin and IBMX for a 2-h pre-IVM period, followed by an extended IVM phase of 30 h in TCM, supplemented with cilostamide (cAMP30-aspiration). Statistical analyses were performed using 1-way ANOVA followed by the nonparametrical Kruskal–Wallis test. Maturation rates were 79.3 ± 2.6% in TCM24-aspiration, 74.2 ± 8.8% in cAMP30-aspiration and 70.4 ± 5.1% in TCM24-slicing oocytes. Matured oocytes were fertilized in vitro with semen from a bull previously proven to be suitable for IVF. Blastocyst rates from presumptive zygotes were significantly higher (P = 0.003) in the TCM24-aspiration group (32 ± 7%) compared to TCM24-slicing (23 ± 7%) and cAMP30-aspiration (22 ± 5%). Analysis revealed that cell numbers were rather similar in the 3 experimental groups (125 ± 19, 128 ± 15 and 129 ± 9), while in vivo-produced blastocysts possessed slightly more cells (134 ± 17; P ≥ 0.05). RT-qPCR analysis of mRNA expression for a panel of genes indicative of embryo quality including DNMT3a, SLC2A8, COX2 and PCK2, showed that blastocysts derived from both aspiration protocols were similar to in vivo embryos, but were different from blastocysts resulting from the ovary-slicing protocol. Specifically, the expression profile of COX2, which is involved in pregnancy outcome and in the response to growth factors, indicates an enhanced developmental competence of aspirated oocytes. However, the transcript level of EGR1 (early growth response) was significantly higher (P = 0.009) in in vivo-derived blastocysts in comparison to all in vitro treatments. The investigation of the epigenetic status of the in vitro-derived blastocysts based on bisulfite sequencing of 2 satellite repeat sequences is currently underway. Results so far indicate that the method of obtaining the oocytes (slicing vs aspiration) for in vitro production of bovine embryos is of greater influence on blastocyst quality than IVM conditions.

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Expression of mRNAs for pro-and anti-apoptotic factors in granulosa cells and follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization. A pilot study

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-03834-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

József Bódis ◽

Endre Sulyok ◽

Ákos Várnagy ◽

Viktória Prémusz ◽

Krisztina Gödöny ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Granulosa Cells ◽

Follicular Fluid ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Expression Levels ◽

The Impact ◽

Apoptotic Factors

Abstract Background This observational clinical study evaluated the expression levels and predictive values of some apoptosis-related genes in granulosa cells (GCs) and follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods GCs and FF were obtained at oocyte retrieval from 31 consecutive patients with heterogeneous infertility diagnosis (age: 34.3 ± 5.8 years, body mass index: 24.02 ± 3.12 kg/m2, duration of infertility: 4.2 ± 2.1 years). mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic (BAX, CASP3, CASP8) and anti-apoptotic (BCL2, AMH, AMHR, FSHR, LHR, CYP19A1) factors was determined by quantitative RT-PCR using ROCHE LightCycler 480. Results No significant difference in GC or FF mRNA expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors could be demonstrated between IVF patients with (9 patients) or without (22 patients) clinical pregnancy. Each transcript investigated was detected in FF, but their levels were markedly reduced and independent of those in GCs. The number of retrieved oocytes was positively associated with GC AMHR (r = 0.393, p = 0.029), but the day of embryo transfer was negatively associated with GC LHR (r = − 0.414, p = 0.020) and GC FSHR transcripts (r = − 0.535, p = 0.002). When pregnancy positive group was analysed separately the impact of apoptosis- related gene expressions on some selected measures of IVF success could be observed. Strong positive relationship was found between gene expression levels of pro- and anti-apoptotic factors in GCs. Conclusion Our study provides only marginal evidences for the apoptosis dependence of IVF outcome and suggests that the apoptosis process induces adaptive increases of the anti-apoptotic gene expression to attenuate apoptosis and to protect cell survival.

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Placental development during early pregnancy in sheep: effects of embryo origin on vascularization

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep-13-0663 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 147 (5) ◽

pp. 639-648 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Anna T Grazul-Bilska ◽

Mary Lynn Johnson ◽

Pawel P Borowicz ◽

Jerzy J Bilski ◽

Taylor Cymbaluk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Factor ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Vascular Development ◽

Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Angiogenic Factors ◽

Placental Development ◽

Neuropilin 1

Utero-placental growth and vascular development are critical for pregnancy establishment that may be altered by various factors including assisted reproductive technologies (ART), nutrition, or others, leading to compromised pregnancy. We hypothesized that placental vascularization and expression of angiogenic factors are altered early in pregnancies after transfer of embryos created using selected ART methods. Pregnancies were achieved through natural mating (NAT), or transfer of embryos from NAT (NAT-ET), or IVF orin vitroactivation (IVA). Placental tissues were collected on day 22 of pregnancy. In maternal caruncles (CAR), vascular cell proliferation was less (P<0.05) for IVA than other groups. Compared with NAT, density of blood vessels was less (P<0.05) for IVF and IVA in fetal membranes (FM) and for NAT-ET, IVF, and IVA in CAR. In FM, mRNA expression was decreased (P<0.01–0.08) in NAT-ET, IVF, and IVA compared with NAT for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptorFLT1, placental growth factor (PGF), neuropilin 1 (NP1) andNP2, angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1) andANGPT2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), hypoxia-inducible factor 1A (HIF1A), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and its receptorFGFR2. In CAR, mRNA expression was decreased (P<0.01–0.05) in NAT-ET, IVF, and IVA compared with NAT forVEGF,FLT1,PGF,ANGPT1, andTEK. Decreased mRNA expression for 12 of 14 angiogenic factors across FM and CAR in NAT-ET, IVF, and IVA pregnancies was associated with reduced placental vascular development, which would lead to poor placental function and compromised fetal and placental growth and development.

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Cellular basis for paracrine regulation of ovarian follicle development

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep.0.1210647 ◽

2001 ◽

pp. 647-653 ◽

Cited By ~ 310

Author(s):

DF Albertini ◽

CM Combelles ◽

E Benecchi ◽

MJ Carabatsos

Keyword(s):

Granulosa Cells ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Developmental Regulation ◽

Ovarian Follicle ◽

Somatic Cells ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Follicle Development ◽

Paracrine Factors ◽

Primordial Follicles ◽

Ovarian Follicle Development

Paracrine factors secreted by oocytes and somatic cells regulate many important aspects of early ovarian follicle development in mammals. From activation of dormant primordial follicles to selection of secondary follicles, locally acting factors have been identified that appear to exert important effects on the growth and differentiation of oocytes and granulosa cells. This article summarizes evidence to support a model for bi-directional paracrine communication that is based on developmental regulation of the delivery and reception of paracrine factors at the oocyte-granulosa cell interface. Transzonal projections that originate from granulosa cells and terminate at the oocyte plasma membrane provide a polarized means to orient the secretory organelles of somatic cells. Characterization of transzonal projections in follicles from normal and genetically modified mice reveals dynamic changes in the density and stability of transzonal projections. On the basis of new data analysing the orientation and cytoskeletal content of transzonal projections in mammalian oocytes, a model is proposed for regulation of paracrine growth factor secretion by follicle-stimulating hormone. These findings have immediate implications for ovarian hyperstimulation protocols and follicle culture models as related to the production of mammalian embryos by assisted reproductive technologies.

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Research Resource: Small RNA-seq of Human Granulosa Cells Reveals miRNAs in FSHR and Aromatase Genes

Molecular Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/me.2013-1058 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 27 (7) ◽

pp. 1128-1141 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Agne Velthut-Meikas ◽

Jaak Simm ◽

Timo Tuuri ◽

Juha S. Tapanainen ◽

Madis Metsis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Granulosa Cells ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Human Granulosa Cells ◽

Expression Studies

Abstract The granulosa cells in the mammalian ovarian follicle respond to gonadotropin signaling and are involved in the processes of folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation. Studies on gene expression and regulation in human granulosa cells are of interest due to their potential for estimating the oocyte viability and in vitro fertilization success. However, the posttranscriptional gene expression studies on micro-RNA (miRNA) level in the human ovary have been scarce. The current study determined the miRNA profile by deep sequencing of the 2 intrafollicular somatic cell types: mural and cumulus granulosa cells (MGCs and CGCs, respectively) isolated from women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation and in vitro fertilization. Altogether, 936 annotated and 9 novel miRNAs were identified. Ninety of the annotated miRNAs were differentially expressed between MGCs and CGCs. Bioinformatic prediction revealed that TGFβ, ErbB signaling, and heparan sulfate biosynthesis were targeted by miRNAs in both granulosa cell populations, whereas extracellular matrix remodeling, Wnt, and neurotrophin signaling pathways were enriched among miRNA targets in MGCs. Two of the nine novel miRNAs found were of intronic origin: one from the aromatase and the other from the FSH receptor gene. The latter miRNA was predicted to target the activin signaling pathway. In addition to revealing the genome-wide miRNA signature in human granulosa cells, our results suggest that posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression by miRNAs could play an important role in the modification of gonadotropin signaling. miRNA expression studies could therefore lead to new prognostic markers in assisted reproductive technologies.

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Thickness of endometrium: predictor of the effectiveness of IVF/ICSI programs (literature review)

GYNECOLOGY ◽

10.26442/2079-5696_20.1.113-116 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 113-116

Author(s):

L A Bagdasaryan ◽

I E Korneyeva

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Endometrial Thickness ◽

Molecular Genetic ◽

Uterine Cavity ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Genetic Characteristics ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Need To Evaluate ◽

The Relationship

The aim of the study is to systematically analyze the data available in the modern literature on the relationship between endometrial thickness and the frequency of pregnancy in the program of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Materials and methods. The review includes data from foreign and domestic articles found in PubMed on this topic. Results. The article presents data on the relationship between the thickness of the endometrium and the frequency of pregnancy in ART programs. The greatest number of studies is devoted to the evaluation of the relationship between the thickness of the endometrium and the frequency of pregnancy on the day of the ovulation trigger. Data are presented on the existence of a correlation between the thickness of the endometrium measured on the day of the ovulation trigger and the frequency of clinical pregnancy, as well as data on the need to evaluate the structure of the endometrium and the state of subendometric blood flow. The importance of multilayered (three-layered) endometrium as a prognostic marker of success in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection programs in the ovum is emphasized. The conclusion. The thickness of the endometrium can not be used as an argument for canceling the cycle or abolishing embryo transfer to the uterine cavity. Further studies in this direction are needed with a study of the morphological and molecular genetic characteristics of the endometrium, which in the future will allow us to evaluate the relationship between the thickness of the endometrium and the probability of pregnancy.

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Legal restrictions on pre-implantation genetic diagnostics in the framework of in vitro fertilization procedure: foreign experience and Russian perspective

10.21516/2413-1458-2019-18-2-162-168 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

N.A. Altinnik , S.S. Zenin , V.V. Komarova et all

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Genetic Diseases ◽

Genetic Diagnosis ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Legal Regulation ◽

Genetic Diagnostics ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Medical Indications

The article discusses the factors that determine the content of the legal limitations of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis in the framework of the in vitro fertilization procedure, taking into account international experience and modern domestic regulatory legal regulation of the field of assisted reproductive technologies. The authors substantiates the conclusion that it is necessary to legislate a list of medical indications for preimplantation genetic diagnosis, as well as the categories of hereditary or other genetic diseases diagnosed in the framework of this procedure.

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Prevalence of pathogenic copy number variants among children conceived by donor oocyte

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-86242-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Monfort ◽

Carmen Orellana ◽

Silvestre Oltra ◽

Mónica Rosello ◽

Alfonso Caro-Llopis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Copy Number ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Significant Excess ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Donor Oocyte ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractDevelopment of assisted reproductive technologies to address infertility has favored the birth of many children in the last years. The majority of children born with these treatments are healthy, but some concerns remain on the safety of these medical procedures. We have retrospectively analyzed both the fertilization method and the microarray results in all those children born between 2010 and 2019 with multiple congenital anomalies, developmental delay and/or autistic spectrum disorder (n = 486) referred for array study in our center. This analysis showed a significant excess of pathogenic copy number variants among those patients conceived after in vitro fertilization with donor oocyte with respect to those patients conceived by natural fertilization (p = 0.0001). On the other hand, no significant excess of pathogenic copy number variants was observed among patients born by autologous oocyte in vitro fertilization. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results and in order to identify the factors that may contribute to an increased risk of genomic rearrangements, as well as consider the screening for genomic alterations after oocyte donation in prenatal diagnosis.

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