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Li HJ, Sutton-McDowall ML, Wang X, Sugimura S, Thompson JG, Gilchrist RB. Extending prematuration with cAMP modulators enhances the cumulus contribution to oocyte antioxidant defence and oocyte quality via gap junctions. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:810-21. [PMID: 26908844 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can bovine oocyte antioxidant defence and oocyte quality be improved by extending the duration of pre-in vitro maturation (IVM) with cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate (cAMP) modulators? SUMMARY ANSWER Lengthening the duration of cAMP-modulated pre-IVM elevates intra-oocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) content and reduces hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via increased cumulus cell-oocyte gap-junctional communication (GJC), associated with an improvement in subsequent embryo development and quality. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Oocytes are susceptible to oxidative stress and the oocyte's most important antioxidant glutathione is supplied, at least in part, by cumulus cells. A temporary inhibition of spontaneous meiotic resumption in oocytes can be achieved by preventing a fall in cAMP, and cyclic AMP-modulated pre-IVM maintains cumulus-oocyte GJC and improves subsequent embryo development. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study consisted of a series of 10 experiments using bovine oocytes in vitro, each with multiple replicates. A range of pre-IVM durations were examined as the key study treatments which were compared with a control. The study was designed to examine if one of the oocyte's major antioxidant defences can be enhanced by pre-IVM with cAMP modulators, and to examine the contribution of cumulus-oocyte GJC on these processes. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Immature bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were treated in vitro without (control) or with the cAMP modulators; 100 µM forskolin (FSK) and 500 µM 3-isobutyl-1-methyxanthine (IBMX), for 0, 2, 4 or 6 h (pre-IVM phase) prior to IVM. Oocyte developmental competence was assessed by embryo development and quality post-IVM/IVF. Cumulus-oocyte GJC, intra-oocyte GSH and H2O2 were quantified at various time points during pre-IVM and IVM, in the presence and the absence of functional inhibitors: carbenoxolone (CBX) to block GJC and buthionine sulfoximide (BSO) to inhibit glutathione synthesis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Pre-IVM with FSK + IBMX increased subsequent blastocyst formation rate and quality compared with standard IVM (P < 0.05), regardless of pre-IVM duration. The final blastocyst yields (proportion of blastocysts/immature oocyte) were 26.3% for the control, compared with 39.2, 35.2 and 34.2%, for the 2, 4 and 6 h pre-IVM FSK + IBMX treatments, respectively. In contrast to standard IVM (control), pre-IVM with cAMP modulators maintained open gap junctions between cumulus cells and oocytes for the duration (6 h) of pre-IVM examined, and persisted for a further 8 h in the IVM phase. Cyclic AMP-modulated pre-IVM increased intra-oocyte GSH levels at the completion of both pre-IVM and IVM, in a pre-IVM duration-dependent manner (P < 0.05), which was ablated when GJC was blocked using CBX (P < 0.05). By 4 h of pre-IVM treatment with cAMP modulators, oocyte H2O2 levels were reduced compared the control (P < 0.05), although this beneficial effect was lost when oocytes were co-treated with BSO. Inhibiting glutathione synthesis with BSO during pre-IVM ablated any positive benefits of cAMP-mediated pre-IVM on oocyte developmental competence (P < 0.01). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION It is unclear if the improvement in oocyte antioxidant defence and developmental competence reported here is due to direct transfer of total and/or reduced glutathione from cumulus cells to the oocyte via gap junctions, or whether a GSH synthesis signal and/or amino acid substrates are supplied to the oocyte via gap junctions. Embryo transfer experiments are required to determine if the cAMP-mediated improvement in blastocyst rates leads to improved live birth rates. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS IVM offers significant benefits to infertile and cancer patients and has the potential to significantly alter ART practice, if IVM efficiency in embryo production could be improved closer to that of conventional IVF (using ovarian hyperstimulation). Pre-IVM with cAMP modulators is a simple and reliable means to improve IVM outcomes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by grants and fellowships from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (1007551, 627007, 1008137, 1023210) and by scholarships from the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) awarded to H.J.L. and the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research Abroad awarded to S.S. The Fluoview FV10i confocal microscope was purchased as part of the Sensing Technologies for Advanced Reproductive Research (STARR) facility, funded by the South Australian Premier's Science and Research Fund. We acknowledge partial support from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CE140100003). We declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Li
- Robinson Research Institute & School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - M L Sutton-McDowall
- Robinson Research Institute & School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Adelaide, Australia
| | - X Wang
- Robinson Research Institute & School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia
| | - S Sugimura
- Robinson Research Institute & School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia Department of Biological Production, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - J G Thompson
- Robinson Research Institute & School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Adelaide, Australia
| | - R B Gilchrist
- Robinson Research Institute & School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, School of Women's & Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2013, Australia
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Elahi F, Lee H, Lee Y, Park B, Lee J, Hyun SH, Lee E. Cilostazol Improves Developmental Competence of Pig Oocytes by Increasing Intraoocyte Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Level and Delaying Meiotic Resumption. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 51:220-6. [PMID: 26834044 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cilostazol (CLZ) is a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulator that influences the steady state of the meiotic stage. This study was conducted to determine the effects of CLZ treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) on developmental competence of pig oocytes. Immature oocytes were exposed to 0 (control), 0.5, 2 and 4 μm CLZ during the first 22 h of IVM. Nuclear maturation, intraoocyte glutathione content and embryo cleavage after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) were not influenced by CLZ at any concentrations. However, 4 μm CLZ significantly (p < 0.05) improved blastocyst formation after PA (52.1% vs 38.7-46.0%) and SCNT relative to other concentrations (40.8% vs 25.0-30.7%). The mean cell numbers of SCNT blastocysts were significantly increased by 4 μm CLZ compared to the control (42.6 cells vs 35.3 cells/blastocyst). CLZ treatment significantly increased the intraoocyte cAMP level and effectively arrested oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) and GV break down stages compared to the control (74.5% vs 45.4%). Our results demonstrated that improved developmental competence of PA and SCNT pig embryos occurred via better synchronization of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation induced by increased cAMP and delayed meiotic resumption after CLZ treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Elahi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - H Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Y Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - B Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - J Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - S-H Hyun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - E Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea.,Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
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Zhao HC, Ding T, Ren Y, Li TJ, Li R, Fan Y, Yan J, Zhao Y, Li M, Yu Y, Qiao J. Role of Sirt3 in mitochondrial biogenesis and developmental competence of human in vitro matured oocytes. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:607-22. [PMID: 26787646 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does Sirt3 dysfunction result in poor developmental outcomes for human oocytes after in vitro maturation (IVM)? SUMMARY ANSWER Inefficient Sirt3 expression induced decreased mitochondrial DNA copy number and biogenesis, and therefore impaired the developmental competence of human IVM oocytes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Cytoplasmic immaturity in IVM oocytes may lead to reduced developmental competence. Mitochondrial dysfunction results in the accumulation of free radicals and leads to DNA mutations, protein damage, telomere shortening and apoptosis. SIRT3 (in the Sirtuin protein family) has emerged as a mitochondrial fidelity protein that directs energy generation and regulates reactive oxygen species scavenging proteins. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION In vivo matured metaphase II (IVO-MII) oocytes and IVM-MII oocytes were donated by 324 infertile patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology cycles (12 patients for 60 IVO oocytes, and 312 patients for 403 IVM oocytes). Five oocytes each in the germinal vesicle (GV), IVM and IVO groups were compared with respect to mRNA levels for Sirt1-7 mRNA, and five samples at each developmental stage were analysed for Sirt3 mRNA. IVM-MII oocytes were injected with in vitro transcribed mRNA (n = 59) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) (n = 78). In human and mouse, IVM, mRNA-injection IVM, and siRNA-injection IVM groups (n = 5 each) were analysed for mitochondrial DNA copy number and abundance of Sirt3 and Pgc1α (an inducer of mitochondrial biogenesis) mRNAs. Human blastocysts in the IVO (n = 12), IVM (n = 9), mRNA-injection IVM (n = 13) and siRNA-injection IVM (n = 6) groups were used to generate embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In addition, 587 IVO-MII and 1737 IVM-MII oocytes from 83 mice were collected to compare the preliminary human oocyte data with another species. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS mRNA abundance was analysed by single-cell real-time PCR. Karyotyping of human embryos was performed with an array comparative genomic hybridization method, and that of ESCs by cytogenetic analysis. The function of the Sirt3 gene was investigated using siRNA and in vitro transcribed mRNA injection. Markers of ESCs were identified using immunofluorescence. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A retrospective analysis revealed a higher spontaneous abortion rate (P < 0.01) and decrease in high quality embryo rate (P < 0.01) in patients with IVM versus controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycles. A decrease in abundance of Sirt3 mRNA (P < 0.01) and mitochondrial biogenesis (P < 0.05) were identified in human IVM compared with IVO oocytes. The developmental potential of human IVM-MII oocytes to the blastocyst stage was significantly reduced when Sirt3 mRNA was inhibited by siRNA (P < 0.05 versus IVM-MII group) but could be up-regulated by injection of Sirt3 mRNAs. Compared with IVO-MII group, comparable generation efficiency of human ESCs can be obtained using blastocysts from IVM-MII oocytes with Sirt3 mRNA injection. Sirt3 mRNA was significantly increased in mouse zygotes after IVF (P < 0.001 versus MII oocytes) but gradually declined until the blastocyst stage. In mice, lower Sirt3 mRNA levels were observed IVM-MII oocytes and preimplantation embryos compared with in vivo controls, and mitochondrial biogenesis and the developmental efficiency from oocytes to blastocyst were affected by the abundance of Sirt3 mRNA in accordance with human. Therefore a similar role for Sirt3 mRNA in IVM-MII oocytes was observed in mouse and human. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The couples in the study had a variety of different simple and complex factors causing infertility. Additional studies with a larger number of oocytes are required to confirm the present results owing to the limited number of human oocytes in the present study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating a role of the Sirt3 gene in mitochondrial biogenesis and the developmental competence of human IVM-MII oocytes. The observation may help to improve clinical application of the IVM procedure. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of Key Program (31230047), Ministry of Science and Technology of China Grants (973 program; 2014CB943203), the National Natural Science Foundation of General Program (31371521 and 81571400), Beijing Nova Program (xxjh2015011), and Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (20120001130008) and the National Natural Science Foundation of Young Scholar (31501201). The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Cui Zhao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ting Ding
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yun Ren
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tian-Jie Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Rong Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yong Fan
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Mo Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
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Huang W, Kang SS, Nagai K, Yanagawa Y, Takahashi Y, Nagano M. Mitochondrial activity during pre-maturational culture in in vitro-grown bovine oocytes is related to maturational and developmental competences. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:349-56. [DOI: 10.1071/rd14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamics of mitochondrial activity in in vitro-grown (IVG) bovine oocytes during pre-maturational culture (pre-IVM) and its relationship to their developmental competence upon being subjected to different pre-IVM durations. After 12-day IVG culture, oocytes were cultured for 0, 10 or 20 h with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) as pre-IVM. Mitochondrial activity in IVG oocytes after 10 h pre-IVM was the highest among all the pre-IVM durations (P < 0.05). In addition, cleavage (79.4%) and blastocyst rates (38.9%) of embryos derived from IVG oocytes with 10 h pre-IVM were higher than those with 20 h pre-IVM (63.0 and 25.8%, respectively; P < 0.05) and similar to those of in vivo-grown oocytes (82.7 and 36.7%, respectively). To confirm the developmental ability of IVG oocytes with 10 h pre-IVM beyond the blastocyst stage in vivo, embryo transfer was attempted. Transferred embryos developed to the elongated embryonic stage (63.6%, 7/11) in the recipient uterus at Day 16 of oestrus, and a male calf was delivered (50%, 1/2). In conclusion, it was indicated that the mitochondrial activity of bovine IVG oocytes peaked at 10 h pre-IVM and was closely correlated with the nuclear maturation and developmental competences of IVG oocytes.
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55
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Ezoe K, Yabuuchi A, Tani T, Mori C, Miki T, Takayama Y, Beyhan Z, Kato Y, Okuno T, Kobayashi T, Kato K. Developmental Competence of Vitrified-Warmed Bovine Oocytes at the Germinal-Vesicle Stage is Improved by Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Modulators during In Vitro Maturation. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126801. [PMID: 25965267 PMCID: PMC4429023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation of mature oocytes and embryos has provided numerous benefits in reproductive medicine. Although successful cryopreservation of germinal-vesicle stage (GV) oocytes holds promise for further advances in reproductive biology and clinical embryology fields, reports regarding cryopreservation of immature oocytes are limited. Oocyte survival and maturation rates have improved since vitrification is being performed at the GV stage, but the subsequent developmental competence of GV oocytes is still low. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of the maturation medium with cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulators on the developmental competence of vitrified-warmed GV bovine oocytes. GV oocytes were vitrified-warmed and cultured to allow for oocyte maturation, and then parthenogenetically activated or fertilized in vitro. Our results indicate that addition of a cAMP modulator forskolin (FSK) or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) to the maturation medium significantly improved the developmental competence of vitrified-warmed GV oocytes. We also demonstrated that vitrification of GV oocytes led to a decline in cAMP levels and maturation-promoting factor (MPF) activity in the oocytes during the initial and final phases of maturation, respectively. Nevertheless, the addition of FSK or IBMX to the maturation medium significantly elevated cAMP levels and MPF activity during IVM. Taken together, our results suggest that the cryopreservation-associated meiotic and developmental abnormalities observed in GV oocytes may be ameliorated by an artificial increase in cAMP levels during maturation culture after warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Ezoe
- Kato Ladies Clinic, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiko Yabuuchi
- Kato Ladies Clinic, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: (AY); (KK)
| | - Tetsuya Tani
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Agriculture, Kinki University, Nara, Japan
| | - Chiemi Mori
- Kato Ladies Clinic, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Zeki Beyhan
- Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States of America
| | - Yoko Kato
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Agriculture, Kinki University, Nara, Japan
| | | | | | - Keiichi Kato
- Kato Ladies Clinic, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: (AY); (KK)
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Gilchrist RB, Zeng HT, Wang X, Richani D, Smitz J, Thompson JG. Reevaluation and evolution of the simulated physiological oocyte maturation system. Theriogenology 2015; 84:656-7. [PMID: 25958085 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R B Gilchrist
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - H T Zeng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - X Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George Public Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - D Richani
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - J Smitz
- Research Group Follicle Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J G Thompson
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Spits C, Guzman L, Mertzanidou A, Jacobs K, Ortega-Hrepich C, Gilchrist RB, Thompson JG, De Vos M, Smitz J, Sermon K. Chromosome constitution of human embryos generated after in vitro maturation including 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine in the oocyte collection medium. Hum Reprod 2014; 30:653-63. [PMID: 25475586 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do cleavage-stage embryos obtained from oocytes matured in vitro after pre-incubation with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (IBMX) carry more chromosomal abnormalities than those generated from oocytes matured in vivo? SUMMARY ANSWER The rate and type of chromosomal abnormalities in normally developing cleavage-stage embryos generated with an in vitro maturation (IVM) system including pre-incubation with IBMX are not different from those observed in supernumerary embryos obtained from oocytes matured in vivo. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Very limited information is available about the chromosomal constitution of IVM embryos. Previous studies were carried out using FISH on single biopsied blastomeres or arrested whole embryos and only provided fragmentary information on chromosomal abnormalities in IVM embryos. There is no systematic study of chromosomal abnormalities in all blastomeres of human Day 3 embryos with good morphology. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Between July 2012 and December 2012, 16 young (age <35 years old) egg donors underwent 18 IVM cycles for the generation of research embryos. Eighteen embryos developed to Day 3 and were analysed using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Immature oocytes were retrieved from 2 to 10 mm follicles after mild ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophins but without hCG ovulation trigger. At collection, oocytes were pre-incubated with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and matured in vitro. After IVM culture, mature oocytes were microinjected with sperm from a single donor. Embryos were cultured to Day 3 after ICSI and all blastomeres of 18 good-morphology embryos were collected individually for aCGH. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Oocyte maturation rate in vitro was 50.2% (120/239). The mean fertilization rate was 68.3% (82/120) and 30.5% (25/82) of fertilized oocytes developed into a morphologically good quality embryo on Day 3 after ICSI. Of these, 18 embryos that developed well up to Day 3 were analysed using aCGH. Eighty of the 123 blastomeres analysed showed at least one chromosomal abnormality. Three out of eighteen embryos had completely normal cells. A single embryo carried a meiotic abnormality, 11 embryos were mosaic and three were chaotic. Although the aneuploidy data of this study are too limited to allow statistical analysis, these data are comparable to our own published data on the chromosome constitution of whole day 3 and day 4 embryos after conventional ART. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Array CGH technology determines relative quantification of chromosomal domains but does not allow for the visualization of chromosomal rearrangements, assessment of ploidy or detection of uniparental isodisomy. Conclusions drawn on segmental abnormalities should be treated with caution. Although the limited number of embryos analysed here precludes firm conclusions, they provide valuable data on possible causes of the reduced potential of IVM embryos. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is the first study to describe the complete chromosome complement of all single blastomeres of good-morphology day 3 embryos obtained with IVM (including the presence of IBMX in a pre-incubation medium). The results demonstrate that a high proportion of good-morphology embryos are aneuploid and that there is no obvious increase in aneuploidies as a result of IVM which seems to suggest that the reduced efficiency of IVM technology compared with standard IVF may be accounted for by factors other than aneuploidy, such as cytoplasmic defects or reduced endometrial receptivity. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This study was funded by the TBM (Applied Biomedical Research with Societal Finality) programme of the IWT (Agency for Innovation through Science and Technology - Flanders, 110680) and by a Methusalem grant of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. C.S. is a post-doctoral fellow of the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO - Vlaanderen). K.J. is a PhD student funded by the FWO. The University of Adelaide owns a patent family associated with IVM technologies that is licensed to Cook Medical. R.B.G. and J.G.T. are inventors. The remaining authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Spits
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - L Guzman
- Research Group Follicle Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Mertzanidou
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - K Jacobs
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Ortega-Hrepich
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - R B Gilchrist
- Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, School of Women's & Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - J G Thompson
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - M De Vos
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium Research Group Follicle Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - J Smitz
- Research Group Follicle Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - K Sermon
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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Martino NA, Dell’Aquila ME, Filioli Uranio M, Rutigliano L, Nicassio M, Lacalandra GM, Hinrichs K. Effect of holding equine oocytes in meiosis inhibitor-free medium before in vitro maturation and of holding temperature on meiotic suppression and mitochondrial energy/redox potential. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014; 12:99. [PMID: 25306508 PMCID: PMC4209075 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-12-99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evaluation of mitochondrial function offers an alternative to evaluate embryo development for assessment of oocyte viability, but little information is available on the relationship between mitochondrial and chromatin status in equine oocytes. We evaluated these parameters in immature equine oocytes either fixed immediately (IMM) or held overnight in an Earle's/Hank's' M199-based medium in the absence of meiotic inhibitors (EH treatment), and in mature oocytes. We hypothesized that EH holding may affect mitochondrial function and that holding temperature may affect the efficiency of meiotic suppression. METHODS Experiment 1 - Equine oocytes processed immediately or held in EH at uncontrolled temperature (22 to 27°C) were evaluated for initial chromatin configuration, in vitro maturation (IVM) rates and mitochondrial energy/redox potential. Experiment 2 - We then investigated the effect of holding temperature (25°C, 30°C, 38°C) on initial chromatin status of held oocytes, and subsequently repeated mitochondrial energy/redox assessment of oocytes held at 25°C vs. immediately-evaluated controls. RESULTS EH holding at uncontrolled temperature was associated with advancement of germinal vesicle (GV) chromatin condensation and with meiotic resumption, as well as a lower maturation rate after IVM. Holding did not have a significant effect on mitochondrial distribution within chromatin configurations. Independent of treatment, oocytes having condensed chromatin had a significantly higher proportion of perinuclear/pericortical mitochondrial distribution than did other GV configurations. Holding did not detrimentally affect oocyte energy/redox parameters in viable GV-stage oocytes. There were no significant differences in chromatin configuration between oocytes held at 25°C and controls, whereas holding at higher temperature was associated with meiosis resumption and loss of oocytes having the condensed chromatin GV configuration. Holding at 25°C was not associated with progression of mitochondrial distribution pattern and there were no significant differences in oocyte energy/redox parameters between these oocytes and controls. CONCLUSIONS Mitochondrial distribution in equine GV-stage oocytes is correlated with chromatin configuration within the GV. Progression of chromatin configuration and mitochondrial status during holding are dependent on temperature. EH holding at 25°C maintains meiotic arrest, viability and mitochondrial potential of equine oocytes. This is the first report on the effects of EH treatment on oocyte mitochondrial energy/redox potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola A Martino
- Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions Unit–Dipartimento dell’Emergenza e Trapianti D’Organo (DETO), Università di Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3°, Valenzano, 70010 Bari Italy
| | - Maria E Dell’Aquila
- Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions Unit–Dipartimento dell’Emergenza e Trapianti D’Organo (DETO), Università di Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3°, Valenzano, 70010 Bari Italy
| | - Manuel Filioli Uranio
- Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions Unit–Dipartimento dell’Emergenza e Trapianti D’Organo (DETO), Università di Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3°, Valenzano, 70010 Bari Italy
| | - Lucia Rutigliano
- Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions Unit–Dipartimento dell’Emergenza e Trapianti D’Organo (DETO), Università di Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3°, Valenzano, 70010 Bari Italy
| | - Michele Nicassio
- Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions Unit–Dipartimento dell’Emergenza e Trapianti D’Organo (DETO), Università di Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3°, Valenzano, 70010 Bari Italy
| | - Giovanni M Lacalandra
- Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions Unit–Dipartimento dell’Emergenza e Trapianti D’Organo (DETO), Università di Bari Aldo Moro, Str. Prov. Casamassima Km 3°, Valenzano, 70010 Bari Italy
| | - Katrin Hinrichs
- Departments of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology and Large Animal Clinical Sciences, TAMU 4466, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466 USA
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Luciano AM, Franciosi F, Dieci C, Lodde V. Changes in large-scale chromatin structure and function during oogenesis: a journey in company with follicular cells. Anim Reprod Sci 2014; 149:3-10. [PMID: 25028181 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian oocyte nucleus or germinal vesicle (GV) exhibits characteristic chromatin configurations, which are subject to dynamic modifications through oogenesis. Aim of this review is to highlight how changes in chromatin configurations are related to both functional and structural modifications occurring in the oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. During the long phase of meiotic arrest at the diplotene stage, the chromatin enclosed within the GV is subjected to several levels of regulation. Morphologically, the chromosomes lose their individuality and form a loose chromatin mass. The decondensed configuration of chromatin then undergoes profound rearrangements during the final stages of oocyte growth that are tightly associated with the acquisition of meiotic and developmental competence. Functionally, the discrete stages of chromatin condensation are characterized by different level of transcriptional activity, DNA methylation and covalent histone modifications. Interestingly, the program of chromatin rearrangement is not completely intrinsic to the oocyte, but follicular cells exert their regulatory actions through gap junction mediated communications and intracellular messenger dependent mechanism(s). With this in mind and since oocyte growth mostly relies on the bidirectional interaction with the follicular cells, a connection between cumulus cells gene expression profile and oocyte developmental competence, according to chromatin configuration is proposed. This analysis can help in identifying candidate genes involved in the process of oocyte developmental competence acquisition and in providing non-invasive biomarkers of oocyte health status that can have important implications in treating human infertility as well as managing breeding schemes in domestic mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto M Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, ReDBiolab, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Federica Franciosi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, ReDBiolab, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Dieci
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, ReDBiolab, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Lodde
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, ReDBiolab, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Zeng HT, Richani D, Sutton-McDowall ML, Ren Z, Smitz JEJ, Stokes Y, Gilchrist RB, Thompson JG. Prematuration with cyclic adenosine monophosphate modulators alters cumulus cell and oocyte metabolism and enhances developmental competence of in vitro-matured mouse oocytes. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:47. [PMID: 24966394 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.118471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is an important assisted reproductive technology and research tool. The adoption of IVM into routine clinical practice has been hindered by its significantly lower success rates compared to conventional in vitro fertilization. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) modulation and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), independently, have long been known to improve IVM oocyte developmental competence. This study comprehensively examined the effects of FSH and cAMP/cGMP modulation, alone and in combination, on IVM oocyte metabolism and developmental outcomes. Mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were subjected to a 1 h prematuration phase ± the cAMP modulator forskolin and cAMP/cGMP modulator 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine followed by IVM ± FSH. Prematuration with these cyclic nucleotide modulators or IVM with FSH significantly improved oocyte developmental competence and reduced spindle abnormalities compared to spontaneous IVM (no treatment); however, these two treatments in combination endowed even greater developmental competence (improved subsequent blastocyst rates and quality; P < 0.05), albeit blastocyst yield and quality remained significantly lower than that of oocytes matured in vivo. A significant additive effect of combined IVM treatments was evident as increased COC lactate production and oxygen consumption and enhanced oocyte oxidative metabolism, ATP production, ATP:ADP ratio, and glutathione levels (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, IVM increased reactive oxygen species production, particularly as a consequence of FSH addition, relative to in vivo matured oocytes. In conclusion, improvements in the embryo yield following IVM is associated with increased COC oxygen consumption and oocyte oxidative metabolism, but these remain metabolically and developmentally less competent relative to in vivo derived oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tao Zeng
- Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Robinson Institute, and Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Center for Reproductive Medicine, Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Dulama Richani
- Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Robinson Institute, and Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Melanie L Sutton-McDowall
- Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Robinson Institute, and Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Zi Ren
- Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Robinson Institute, and Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Center for Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of Guangdong, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Johan E J Smitz
- Follicle Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine and Medical School, Free University Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yvonne Stokes
- School of Mathematical Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robert B Gilchrist
- Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Robinson Institute, and Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jeremy G Thompson
- Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Robinson Institute, and Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Richani D, Wang X, Zeng HT, Smitz J, Thompson JG, Gilchrist RB. Pre-maturation with cAMP modulators in conjunction with EGF-like peptides during in vitro maturation enhances mouse oocyte developmental competence. Mol Reprod Dev 2014; 81:422-35. [PMID: 24488930 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have independently shown that cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cAMP) modulation prior to in vitro maturation (IVM) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like peptide supplementation during IVM improve subsequent oocyte developmental outcomes. This study investigated the effects of an IVM system that incorporates these two concepts. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from pre-pubertal mice either 46 hr post-equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) (IVM) or post-eCG + post-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation (in vivo maturation; IVV). IVM COCs were treated with the cAMP modulators forskolin and IBMX for 1, 2, or 4 hr (pre-IVM phase) prior to IVM. COCs then underwent IVM with the EGF-like peptides amphiregulin or epiregulin, or with the common IVM stimulants follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or EGF. A pre-IVM phase increased the size of the subsequent blastocysts' inner-cell-mass compared to standard IVM, regardless of IVM treatment (P < 0.05). Unlike FSH or EGF, amphiregulin or epiregulin significantly increased blastocyst quality (trophectoderm and total cell numbers) and/or yield (P < 0.01) compared to standard IVM, and were the only treatments that produced blastocysts comparable to IVV-derived blastocysts. Forskolin acutely up-regulated EGF-like peptide mRNA expression after a 2-hr pre-IVM phase (P < 0.001), although EGF receptor and ERK1/2 activities were not significantly different than control. IVV-like levels of EGF-like peptide mRNA expression during IVM were maintained only by supplementing with EGF-like peptides and EGF, since expression levels induced by FSH were significantly lower in vitro than during IVV. However, EGF receptor and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels were not significantly different across treatment groups. In conclusion, a pre-IVM phase in conjunction with IVM in the presence of EGF-like peptides endows high oocyte developmental competence, as evidenced by increased embryo yield and/or quality relative to FSH and EGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Richani
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Robinson Institute, Research Centre for Reproductive Health, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Lodde V, Franciosi F, Tessaro I, Modina SC, Luciano AM. Role of gap junction-mediated communications in regulating large-scale chromatin configuration remodeling and embryonic developmental competence acquisition in fully grown bovine oocyte. J Assist Reprod Genet 2013; 30:1219-26. [PMID: 23881161 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-013-0061-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was aimed to test the hypothesis that gap junction mediated communications (GJC) are required to allow the progressive chromatin configuration remodeling (from GV1 to GV3) process to occur in fully grown oocytes in order to gain the final step of developmental competence acquisition, and that a premature disruption of GJC can alter this process. METHODS Bovine cumulus-oocytes complexes collected from medium antral follicles were cultured for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h in the presence of 10(-4) IU/ml of r-hFSH and with 2 mM of the non-selective PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX) to prevent meiotic resumption. GJC functionality and chromatin configuration were monitored during the culture period. After meiotic arrest, the developmental capability of oocytes was assessed after IVM and IVF. RESULTS IBMX was effective in significantly sustaining GJC up to 6 h and maintaining meiotic arrest, when compared to control group. Moreover, the percentage of oocytes with less condensed chromatin (GV1) decreased within 4 h of culture, while the proportion of GV2 oocytes gradually increased up to 6 h. Interestingly, a decline in the proportion of GV2 oocytes and an increase in the proportion of GV3 oocytes were observed after 6 h of culture, when the major drop of GJC occurred. On the contrary, when GJC were uncoupled by adding 3 mM of 1-heptanol or through cumulus cells removal, chromatin condensation occurred rapidly throughout the culture period, more promptly in denuded oocytes. Moreover, the maintenance of GJC during meiotic arrest was accompanied by a significant increase of developmental competence compared to the control, as indicated by a higher percentage of hatched blastocysts and blastocyst cell number. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our data indicate that both paracrine and junctional mechanisms are involved in modulating large-scale chromatin structure during the final phase of oocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lodde
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
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