Relationship between dead cells and DNA fragmentation in bovine embryos produced in vitro and stored at 4 degrees C

The effect of L-carnitine supplementation during in vitro maturation on oocyte maturation and somatic cloned embryo development

The quality of the recipient cytoplasm was reported as a crucial factor in maintaining the vitality of SCNT embryos and SCNT efficiency for dairy cows. Compared with oocytes matured in vivo, oocytes matured in vitro showed abnormal accumulation and metabolism of cytoplasmic lipids. L-carnitine treatment was found to control fatty acid transport into the mitochondrial β-oxidation pathway, which improved the process of lipid metabolism. The results of this study show that 0.5 mg/ml L-carnitine significantly reduced the cytoplasmic lipid content relative to control. No significant difference was observed in the rate of oocyte nuclear maturation, but the in vitro developmental competence of SCNT embryos was improved in terms of increased blastocyst production and lower apoptotic index in the L-carnitine treatment group. In addition, the pregnancy rate with SCNT embryos in the treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that adding L-carnitine to the maturation culture medium could improve the developmental competence of SCNT embryos both in vitro and in vivo by reducing the lipid content of the recipient cytoplasm.

Curcumin supplementation in the maturation medium improves the maturation, fertilisation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing the maturation medium with the antioxidant curcumin on the in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilisation and development of porcine oocytes. Curcumin supplementation was performed at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 µM. At concentrations of 5-20 µM, curcumin had significant positive effects (P < 0.05) on maturation and fertilisation rates compared to the non-treated group. Of the groups cultured with 5-20 µM curcumin, the number of oocytes with DNA-fragmented nuclei after IVM was significantly lower than in groups matured without curcumin. Moreover, curcumin supplementation at 10 µM also gave a significantly higher rate of blastocyst formation compared with oocytes matured without curcumin. Increasing the curcumin concentration to 40 µM yielded negative effects on fertilisation and embryonic development compared with the groups treated with lower concentrations of curcumin. Supplementation with 10 µM curcumin had beneficial effects on the oocyte maturation rate and DNA fragmentation index compared to the non-treated group both in the presence and absence of hydrogen peroxide. These results indicate that curcumin supplementation at a suitable concentration (10 µM) is potentially useful for porcine oocyte culture systems, in terms of protecting oocytes from various forms of oxidative stress.

Effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) supplementation during in vitro maturation culture on the development and quality of porcine embryos with electroporation treatment after in vitro fertilization

Electroporation is the technique of choice to introduce an exogenous gene into embryos for transgenic animal production. Although this technique is practical and effective, embryonic damage caused by electroporation treatment remains a major problem. This study was conducted to evaluate the optimal culture system for electroporation-treated porcine embryos by supplementation of chlorogenic acid (CGA), a potent antioxidant, during in vitro oocyte maturation. The oocytes were treated with various concentrations of CGA (0, 10, 50, and 100 μmol/L) through the duration of maturation for 44 hr. The treated oocytes were then fertilized, electroporated at 30 V/mm with five 1 msec unipolar pulses, and subsequently cultured in vitro until development into the blastocyst stage. Without electroporation, the treatment with 50 μmol/L CGA had useful effects on the maturation rate of oocytes, the total cell number, and the apoptotic nucleus indices of blastocysts. When the oocytes were electroporated after in vitro fertilization, the treatment with 50 μmol/L CGA supplementation significantly improved the rate of oocytes that developed into blastocysts and reduced the apoptotic nucleus indices (4.7% and 7.6, respectively) compared with those of the untreated group (1.4% and 13.0, respectively). These results suggested that supplementation with 50 μmol/L CGA during maturation improves porcine embryonic development and quality of electroporation-treated embryos.

Effects of voltage strength during electroporation on the development and quality of in vitro-produced porcine embryos

This study was conducted to determine suitable conditions for an experimental method in which the CRISPR/Cas9 system is introduced into in vitro-produced porcine zygotes by electroporation. In the first experiment, when putative zygotes derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) were electroporated by either unipolar or bipolar pulses, keeping the voltage, pulse duration and pulse number fixed at 30 V/mm, 1 msec and five repeats, respectively, the rate of blastocyst formation from zygotes electroporated by bipolar pulses decreased compared to zygotes electroporated by unipolar pulses. In the second experiment, the putative zygotes were electroporated by electroporation voltages ranging from 20 V/mm-40 V/mm with five 1-msec unipolar pulses. The rate of cleavage and blastocyst formation of zygotes electroporated at 40 V/mm was significantly lower (p < .05) than that of zygotes electroporated at less than 30 V/mm. Moreover, the apoptotic nuclei indices of blastocysts derived from zygotes electroporated by voltages greater than 30 V/mm significantly increased compared with those from zygotes electroporated by voltages less than 25 V/mm (p < .05). When zygotes were electroporated with Cas9 mRNA and single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting site in the FGF10 exon 3, the proportions of blastocysts with targeted genomic sequences were 7.7% (2/26) and 3.6% (1/28) in the embryos derived from zygotes electroporated at 25 V/mm and 30 V/mm, respectively. Our results indicate that electroporation at 25 V/mm may be an acceptable condition for introducing Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA into pig IVF zygotes under which the viability of the embryos is not significantly affected.

Chlorogenic acid supplementation during in vitro maturation improves maturation, fertilization and developmental competence of porcine oocytes

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a quinic acid conjugate of caffeic acid, and a phytochemical found in many fruits and beverages that acts as an antioxidant. The present study investigated the effects of CGA supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM), on in vitro development of porcine oocytes, to improve the porcine in vitro production (IVP) system. Oocytes were matured either without (control) or with CGA (10, 50, 100 and 200 μM). Subsequently, the matured oocytes were fertilized and cultured in vitro for 7 day. The rates of maturation, fertilization and blastocyst formation of oocytes matured with 50 μM CGA were significantly (p < .05) higher than those of the control oocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) is one of the reactive oxygen species and induces DNA damage in porcine oocytes. When oocytes were matured with 1 mM H₂ O₂ to assess the protective effect of CGA, 50 μM CGA supplementation improved the maturation rate and the proportion of DNA-fragmented nuclei in oocytes compared with control oocytes matured without CGA. Moreover, when oocytes were matured with either 50 μM CGA (control) or caffeic acid (10, 50 and 100 μM), the rates of maturation, fertilization and the blastocyst formation of oocytes matured with 50 μM CGA were similar to those of oocytes matured with 10 and 50 μM caffeic acid. Our results suggest that CGA has comparable effects to caffeic acid, and IVM with 50 μM CGA is particularly beneficial to IVP of porcine embryos and protects oocytes from DNA damage induced by oxidative stress. Supplementation of CGA to the maturation medium has a potential to improve porcine IVP system.

Effects of duration of electric pulse on in vitro development of cloned cat embryos with human artificial chromosome vector

The current applications for cat cloning include production of models for the study of human and animal diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the optimal fusion protocol on in vitro development of transgenic cloned cat embryos by comparing duration of electric pulse. Cat fibroblast cells containing a human artificial chromosome (HAC) vector were used as genetically modified nuclear donor cells. Couplets were fused and activated simultaneously with a single DC pulse of 3.0 kV/cm for either 30 or 60 μs. Low rates of fusion and embryo development to the blastocyst stage were observed in the reconstructed HAC-transchromosomic embryos, when the duration of fusion was prolonged to 60 μs. In contrast, the prolongation of electric pulse duration improved the embryo development and quality in the reconstructed control embryos without HAC vector. Our results suggested that the optimal parameters of electric pulses for fusion in cat somatic cell nuclear transfer vary among the types used for donor cells.

Melatonin Supplementation During In Vitro Maturation and Development Supports the Development of Porcine Embryos

Melatonin has been reported to improve the in vitro development of embryos in some species. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of melatonin supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) and development culture on the development and quality of porcine embryos. In the first experiment, when the in vitro fertilized embryos were cultured with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml) for 8 days, the blastocyst formation rate of embryos cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin (10.7%) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control embryos cultured without melatonin (4.2%). The proportion of DNA-fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from embryos cultured with 50 ng/ml melatonin was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of embryos cultured without melatonin (2.1% vs 7.2%). In the second experiment, when oocytes were cultured in the maturation medium supplemented with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml), fertilized and then cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin for 8 days, there were no significant differences in the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation among the groups. However, the proportions (2.7-5.4%) of DNA-fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from oocytes matured with melatonin were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared to those (8.9%) from oocytes matured without melatonin, irrespective of the concentration of melatonin. Our results suggest that supplementation of the culture media with melatonin (25 ng/ml) during IVM and development has beneficial effects on the developmental competence and quality of porcine embryos.

Successful non-surgical deep uterine transfer of porcine morulae after 24 hour culture in a chemically defined medium

Excellent fertility and prolificacy have been reported after non-surgical deep uterine transfers of fresh in vivo-derived porcine embryos. Unfortunately, when this technology is used with vitrified embryos, the reproductive performance of recipients is low. For this reason and because the embryos must be stored until they are transferred to the recipient farms, we evaluated the potential application of non-surgical deep uterine transfers with in vivo-derived morulae cultured for 24 h in liquid stage. In Experiment 1, two temperatures (25 °C and 37 °C) and two media (one fully defined and one semi-defined) were assessed. Morulae cultured in culture medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin and fetal calf serum at 38.5 °C in 5% CO2 in air were used as controls. Irrespective of medium, the embryo viability after 24 h of culture was negatively affected (P<0.05) at 25 °C but not at 37 °C compared with the controls. Embryo development was delayed in all experimental groups compared with the control group (P<0.001). Most of the embryos (95.7%) cultured at 37 °C achieved the full or expanded blastocyst stage, and unlike the controls, none of them hatched at the end of culture. In Experiment 2, 785 morulae were cultured in the defined medium at 37 °C for 24 h, and the resulting blastocysts were transferred to the recipients (n = 24). Uncultured embryos collected at the blastocyst stage (n = 750) were directly transferred to the recipients and used as controls (n = 25). No differences in farrowing rates (91.7% and 92.0%) or litter sizes (9.0 ± 0.6 and 9.4 ± 0.8) were observed between the groups. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that high reproductive performance can be achieved after non-surgical deep uterine transfers with short-term cultured morulae in a defined medium, which opens new possibilities for the sanitary, safe national and international trade of porcine embryos and the commercial use of embryo transfer in pigs.

Short-term storage of tripronucleated human embryos

PURPOSE

To determine the survival and subsequent in vitro development of human cleavage stage embryos and hatched blastocysts following varying periods of short-term storage at 4 °C, using tripronucleated human embryos (TPN) as a model.

METHODS

TPN cleavage embryos and hatched blastocysts short-term stored at 4 °C for 0 h (control), 24 h and 48 h. The main outcome measures were: survival rates (SR) and in vitro developmental ability (blastocyst rate and blastocyst-re-expansion rate) in each of the groups after storage.

RESULTS

Cleavage-stage TPN survived at comparable rates to controls, regardless of storage time (average: 97.3 %). The in vitro development of cleavage-stage TPN stored for 24 h was comparable to that of controls (average 64.7 %), but was significantly impaired when storage lasted 48-h (20.8 %). After artificial shrinkage, SR was comparable in 24-h-stored and non-stored hatched blastocysts (85.7 %; p > 0.05), but was significantly impaired in the 48-h-stored group (20.0 %). Following 24-h storage, the re-expansion rate of hatched blastocysts was similar to that of controls (average: 57.1 %; p > 0.05), but was higher than that of the 48-h-stored group (15.0 %; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TPN human cleavage embryos and blastocysts can be successfully stored short-term for up to 24 h at 4 °C without using cryoprotectants without any significant negative impact on survival or subsequent in vitro development.

The in vitro culture supplements and selected aspects of canine oocytes maturation

The maturation of oocytes is one of the most important steps determining their developmental competence. Due to the low percentage of oocytes of bitches that reach the MII stage, searching for reagents that may stimulate the growth and maturation of oocytes is still present in this species of mammals. The most important media supplements include gonadotropins (LH, FSH, hCG), growth factors (IGF, TGF, EGF, FGF), progesterone and follicular fluid. It is suggested that the supplement of EGF, and/or follicular cells may have an important influence on the percentage of cells that reach the MII stage. Despite plenty of research based on the improvement of bitch oocytes in vitro culture, the results obtained are still unsatisfactory. Moreover, in the long stages of canine oocytes maturation many molecular and morphological modifications (including changes in mitochondria structure and configuration in the cytoplasm) are involved. In this article, the influence of selected media supplements on the efficiency of bitch oocytes in vitro maturation was described. The molecular and morphological modifications during canine oocytes maturation were also considered in the text.

Effect of sericin on preimplantation development of bovine embryos cultured individually

The silk protein sericin has been identified as a potent antioxidant in mammalian cells. This study was conducted to examine the effects of sericin on preimplantation development and quality of bovine embryos cultured individually. When two-cell-stage embryos were cultured individually for 7 days in CR1aa medium supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.5, or 1% sericin, rates of total blastocyst formation and development to expanded blastocysts from embryos cultured with 0.5% sericin were higher (P < 0.05) than those from embryos cultured with 0 or 1% sericin. When embryos were cultured individually for 7 days in the CR1aa medium supplemented with 0 or 0.5% sericin under two oxidative stress conditions (50 or 100 μm H(2)O(2)), the addition of sericin significantly improved the blastocyst formation rate of embryos exposed to 100 μm H(2)O(2). However, the protective effect of sericin was not observed in development of embryos exposed to 50 μm H(2)O(2). When embryos were exposed to 100 μm H(2)O(2) during culture, the DNA fragmentation index of total blastocysts from embryos cultured with 0.5% sericin was lower than blastocysts derived from embryos cultured without sericin (4.4 vs. 6.8%; P < 0.01). In conclusion, the addition of 0.5% sericin to in vitro culture medium improved preimplantation development and quality of bovine embryos cultured individually by preventing oxidative stress.

L-carnitine enhances oocyte maturation and development of parthenogenetic embryos in pigs

The objective was to determine whether adding L-carnitine in IVM/IVC medium enhanced maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes in vitro. Oocyte maturation rates did not differ significantly among groups supplemented with 0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/mL of L-carnitine added during IVM (although 2 mg/mL of L-carnitine reduced maturation rate). Compared with control oocytes, those treated with 0.5 mg/mL of L-carnitine during IVM had greater (P < 0.05) rates of blastocyst formation after parthenogenetic activation, and these blastocysts had less (P < 0.05) apoptosis. Adding 0.5 mg/mL of L-carnitine during IVM also significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increased glutathione (GSH) concentrations. With or without glucose supplementation, 0.5 mg/mL of L-carnitine in the IVM medium significantly hastened nuclear maturation of oocytes. Moreover, supplementing the IVM medium with either glucose or L-carnitine increased (P < 0.05) percentages of oocytes that reached the metaphase II (MII) stage, relative to a control group. Final maturation rates in IVM medium containing either glucose or L-carnitine were not significantly different. Adding L-carnitine (0 to 2 mg/mL) to IVC medium for activated porcine oocytes did not significantly affect development. However, 0.5 mg/mL of L-carnitine in IVC medium significantly reduced reactive oxygen species levels and apoptosis in activated blastocysts, although glutathione concentrations were not significantly altered. In conclusion, adding L-carnitine during IVM/IVC improved developmental potential of porcine oocytes, and also the quality of parthenogenetic embryos, probably by accelerating nuclear maturation, and preventing oxidative damage and apoptosis.

Early transcription from the maternal genome controlling blastomere integrity in mouse two-cell-stage embryos

Blastomere cytofragmentation in mammalian embryos poses a significant problem in applied and clinical embryology. Mouse two-cell-stage embryos display strain-dependent differences in the rate of cytofragmentation, with a high rate observed in C3H/HeJ embryos and a lower rate observed in C57BL/6 embryos. The maternally inherited genome exerts the strongest effect on the process, with lesser effects mediated by the paternally inherited genome and the ooplasm. The effect of the maternal genome is transcription dependent and independent of the mitochondrial strain of origin. To identify molecular mechanisms that underlie cytofragmentation, we evaluated transcriptional activities of embryos possessing maternal pronuclei (mPN) of different origins. The mPN from C57BL/6 and C3H/HeJ strains directed specific transcription at the two-cell stage of mRNAs corresponding to 935 and 864 Affymetrix probe set IDs, respectively. Comparing transcriptomes of two-cell-stage embryos with different mPN revealed 64 transcribed genes with differential expression (1.4-fold or greater). Some of these genes occupy molecular pathways that may regulate cytofragmentation via a combination of effects related to apoptosis and effects on the cytoskeleton. These results implicate specific molecular mechanisms that may regulate cytofragmentation in early mammalian embryos. The most striking effect of mPN strain of origin on gene expression was on adenylate cyclase 2 (Adcy2). Treatment with dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) elicits a high rate and severe form of cytofragmentation, and the effective dbcAMP concentration varies with maternal genotype. An activator of exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPACs, or RAPGEF 3 and 4) 8-pCPT-2'-O-methyl-cAMP, elicits a high level of fragmentation while the PKA-specific activator N6-benzoyl-cAMP does not. Inhibition of A kinase anchor protein activities with st-Ht31 induces fragmentation. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling also induces fragmentation. These results reveal novel mechanisms by which maternal genotype affects cytofragmentation, including a system of opposing signaling pathways that most likely operate by controlling cytoskeletal function.

Hybrid vigor and transgenerational epigenetic effects on early mouse embryo phenotype

Mouse embryos display a strain-dependent propensity for blastomere cytofragmentation at the two-cell stage. The maternal pronucleus exerts a predominant, transcription-dependent effect on this phenotype, with lesser effects of the ooplasm and the paternal pronucleus. A parental origin effect has been observed as an inequality in the cytofragmentation rate of embryos produced through genetic crosses of reciprocal F(1) hybrid females. To understand the basis for this, we conducted an extensive series of pronuclear transfer studies employing different combinations of inbred and F(1) hybrid maternal and paternal genotypes. We find that the parental origin effect is the result of a transgenerational epigenetic modification, whereby the inherited maternal grandpaternal contribution interacts with the fertilizing paternal genome and the ooplasm. This result indicates that some epigenetic information related to grandparental origins of chromosomes (i.e., imprinting of chromosomes in the mother) is retained through oogenesis and transmitted to progeny, where it affects gene expression from the maternal pronucleus and subsequent embryo phenotype. These results reveal for the first time that mammalian embryonic development can be affected by the epigenotype of at least three individuals. Additionally, we observe a significant suppression of fragmentation by F(1) hybrid ooplasm when it is separated from the F(1) hybrid maternal pronucleus. This latter effect is a striking example of heterosis in the early mammalian embryo, and it provides a new opportunity for examining the molecular mechanisms of heterosis. These results are relevant to our understanding of the mechanisms of epigenetic effects on development and the possible fertility effects of genetic and epigenetic interactions in reproductive medicine.

Oocyte quality and maternal control of development

The oocyte is a unique and highly specialized cell responsible for creating, activating, and controlling the embryonic genome, as well as supporting basic processes such as cellular homeostasis, metabolism, and cell cycle progression in the early embryo. During oogenesis, the oocyte accumulates a myriad of factors to execute these processes. Oogenesis is critically dependent upon correct oocyte-follicle cell interactions. Disruptions in oogenesis through environmental factors and changes in maternal health and physiology can compromise oocyte quality, leading to arrested development, reduced fertility, and epigenetic defects that affect long-term health of the offspring. Our expanding understanding of the molecular determinants of oocyte quality and how these determinants can be disrupted has revealed exciting new insights into the role of oocyte functions in development and evolution.

Improvement of transgenic cloning efficiencies by culturing recipient oocytes and donor cells with antioxidant vitamins in cattle

The present study was conducted to investigate effects of antioxidants during maturation culture of recipient oocytes and/or culture of gene-transfected donor cells on the meiotic competence of recipient oocytes, and the developmental competence and quality of the reconstructed embryos after nuclear transfer (NT) in cattle. Gene-transfected donor cells had negative effects on the proportions of blastocyst formation, total cell numbers, and DNA fragmentation indices of reconstructed embryos. Supplementation of either vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol: 100 microM) or vitamin C (ascorbic acid: 100 microM) during maturation culture significantly enhanced the cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes and subsequent development of embryos reconstructed with the oocytes and gene-transfected donor cells, but did not have synergistic effects. The supplementation of vitamin E during maturation culture of recipient oocytes increased the proportions of fusion and blastocyst formation of gene-transfected NT embryos, in which the proportions were similar to those of nontransfected NT embryos. When the gene-transfected donor cells that had been cultured with 0, 50, or 100 microM of vitamin E were transferred into recipient oocytes matured with vitamin E (100 microM), 50 microM of vitamin E increased the proportion of blastocyst formation and reduced the index of DNA fragmentation of blastocysts. In conclusion, gene-transfected donor cells have negatively influenced the NT outcome. Supplementation of vitamin E during both recipient oocyte maturation and donor cell culture enhanced the blastocyst formation and efficiently blocked DNA damage in transgenic NT embryos.

Effects of beta-mercaptoethanol and cycloheximide on survival and DNA damage of bovine embryos stored at 4 degrees C for 72 h

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of cycloheximide (CHX) and beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME) during storage of in vitro-produced (IVP) bovine blastocysts for 72 h at 4 degrees C on their survival, hatching capacity and DNA damage. In Experiment 1, when blastocysts were stored in a medium supplemented with 25, 50 or 100 microg/mL of CHX, or 25, 50 or 100 microM of beta-ME, the blastocysts stored with 25 microg/mL of CHX had a significantly higher survival rate than that of the blastocysts stored without CHX (79.5% versus 54.2%). In contrast, beta-ME had no apparent effects on the survival and hatching capacity of stored embryos. In Experiment 2, to investigate synergistic effects of CHX and beta-ME during storage of blastocysts on their developmental parameters and DNA damage, they were stored in the medium with CHX (25 microg/mL) and beta-ME (50 microM). The combination of CHX and beta-ME had no significant effects on the survival of blastocysts. The proportion (6.8%) of DNA-fragmented cells in the blastocysts stored with CHX was similar to that (5.4%) in the non-stored blastocysts (positive control) and significantly lower than that (9.7%) in the blastocysts stored without CHX and beta-ME (negative control). However, there were no significant differences among the proportions of dead cells of blastocysts in the storage groups. Therefore, the supplementation of CHX in the storage medium had a beneficial effect on the proportions of survival and DNA-fragmented cells in the stored embryos, whereas the beta-ME alone or in combination with CHX had no positive effects on either of these proportions.

Effects of ovary storage time and temperature on DNA fragmentation and development of porcine oocytes

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of storage time and temperature of porcine ovaries on the quality and nuclear maturation in vitro of oocytes obtained from stored ovaries and their subsequent development after in vitro fertilization. The ovaries were stored in physiological saline for 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h at various temperatures (4, 15, 25 and 35 C). The pH of follicular fluid obtained from the ovaries, DNA fragmentation of the oocyte nucleus and meiotic competence of oocytes were examined. Some oocytes from ovaries stored at 15, 25 and 35 C for 6 h were fertilized in vitro, and then cultured for 7 days to examine the ability of embryos to develop to the blastocyst stage. When the ovaries were stored at 35 C, the pH of follicular fluid decreased and the proportions of oocytes with DNA fragmented nuclei increased as the storage time was prolonged, and the storage of ovaries for 6, 9 and 12 h resulted in lower maturation rates of oocytes. When the ovaries were stored at 4, 15, 25 and 35 C for 6 h, the storage at higher temperatures (> or =15 C) decreased the pH of follicular fluid and induced nucleic DNA fragmentation in higher proportions of oocytes. None of the oocytes from ovaries stored at 4 C reached metaphase II. The storage of ovaries at 15 C reduced the rates of in vitro fertilized oocytes and subsequent embryo development, but there were no significant differences in the rates of fertilization and blastocyst formation between oocytes from ovaries stored at 25 C and 35 C. Our findings indicate that the storage of ovaries at 25-35 C for 6 h is effective for maintaining the developmental competence of porcine oocytes even though the development rates were lower than those of ovaries stored at 35 C for 3 h.

Effects of hexoses on in vitro oocyte maturation and embryo development in pigs

The objective was to determine the effects of supplementing hexoses in oocyte maturation and embryo culture medium on in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of porcine oocytes and in vitro development of in vitro produced (IVP) porcine embryos. In the first experiment, oocytes were matured in vitro in modified North Carolina State University (NCSU)-37 medium, supplemented with hexoses (glucose, fructose or galactose) at various concentrations: 0 (control), 2.5, 5.5 and 10 mM. Supplementing the maturation medium with either glucose or fructose (5.5 mM) increased the percentages of oocytes that matured to metaphase II (79.4 and 70.2%, respectively), as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). However, supplementing galactose had no effects on meiotic maturation and fertilization. In the second experiment, cleaved embryos were collected 3 days after IVF of oocytes matured in the maturation medium supplemented with 5.5 mM of glucose; they were cultured for an additional 4 days in modified NCSU-37 medium, supplemented with 5.5mM of glucose, fructose or galactose. The incidence of blastocyst formation was higher (P < 0.05) in the glucose and fructose groups (18.6 and 18.2%, respectively) than in the galactose group and non-supplemented control group (12.9 and 9.2%). Moreover, fructose supplementation increased the total cell number/blastocyst (48.0 versus 37.6) and reduced the index of DNA-fragmented nucleus in the blastocysts (7.6% versus 11.8%), as compared with glucose supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, fructose was a practical alternative to glucose for supporting IVM of porcine oocytes and fructose was superior to glucose for producing high-quality porcine embryos in vitro.

Temporary developmental arrest after storage of fertilized mouse oocytes at 4 degrees C: effects on embryonic development, maternal mRNA processing and cell cycle

The aim of this study was to examine whether fertilized mouse oocytes can survive after short-term incubation (for 6-48 h) at 4 degrees C. When fertilized oocytes of ICR and C57BL/6 (B6) strain were incubated at 4 degrees C and returned to normal culture conditions (37 degrees C), development of these 4 degrees C-treated embryos for up to 12 h (for ICR) to blastocyst stage did not differ from that of untreated oocytes. Even 4 degrees C-treated embryos for 48 h developed to blastocysts at relatively good rates (33.3% for ICR and 50.8% for B6). The in vivo development of 4 degrees C-treated embryos for 12, 24 and 36 h to fetal stage was similar to that of untreated ones. BrdU labelling assay revealed temporary cessation of DNA replication in 4 degrees C-treated fertilized oocytes. Post-fertilization events including cytoplasmic polyadenylation of maternal mRNAs, mRNA degradation of a cell cycle-related gene and elevated mRNA expression of zygotic gene activation-related genes were temporarily suppressed in 4 degrees C-treated embryos. These findings indicate that 4 degrees C-treatment of fertilized murine oocytes results in temporary cessation of molecular events. We also show that 4 degrees C-treated fertilized oocytes for 12 h can be used for preparation of transgenic mice.

Relationship between DNA fragmentation and nuclear status of in vitro-matured porcine oocytes: role of cumulus cells

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of the attachment of cumulus cells to oocytes and coculture with cumulus cells during maturation culture on the nuclear status and DNA fragmentation of porcine denuded oocytes (DOs). In the first experiment, cumulus cells were removed from cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) at 0, 8, 16, 24 or 32 h after the onset of maturation culture and the DOs were then cultured in their original droplets until 42 h of culture was reached. In the second experiment, all COCs were denuded before the onset of culture and the DOs were cocultured with their removed cumulus cells. The DOs were transferred into fresh medium at 0, 8, 16, 24 or 32 h after the onset of coculture with cumulus cells and then cultured until 42 h of culture was reached. After culture, DNA fragmentation and the nuclear status of oocytes were examined using the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP–digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) method. When the DOs were returned to the same droplets after removal of the cumulus cells, the removal of the cumulus cells after 16 h of culture significantly decreased the proportion of oocytes remaining at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage. However, coculture treatment of DOs in the presence of their removed cumulus cells had no significant effects on the GV breakdown (GVBD) of oocytes. There were no significant differences in the proportion maturing to MII oocytes among the groups following removal of cumulus cells after the onset of maturation culture; however, DOs cocultured with cumulus cells until the end of maturation culture exhibited an increased maturation rate compared with DOs cocultured for 8 and 16 h. The total proportion of TUNEL-positive oocytes of oocytes remaining at the GV stage was higher than that of oocytes reaching other stages, irrespective of the removal of cumulus cells and coculture treatments. However, coculture for more than 16 h decreased the total proportion of TUNEL-positive oocytes. Our results indicate that the attachment of cumulus cells to oocytes may have a critical role for oocytes undergoing GVBD and that coculture with cumulus cells promotes the ability of oocytes to complete maturation. Moreover, coculture with cumulus cells may assist the oocyte to avoid undergoing DNA fragmentation.

Development, DNA fragmentation and cell death in porcine embryos after 24 h storage under different conditions

For practical applications of porcine embryo transfer (ET) it is important to develop feasible embryo storage conditions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of short-term storage (24 h) on the quality of in vivo produced porcine embryos. Three temperatures 18, 25 and 38 degrees C and three different media: Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (DPBS), TCM199 and Emcare, were tested for two different embryo ages: D4 embryos (collected 144 h after hCG treatment) and D5 embryos (collected 168 h after hCG). After slaughter of the donor gilts, embryos were collected and transported at 25 degrees C to the lab where morulas and blastocyst were selected (D4 n = 222; D5 n = 167) and randomly used as controls or distributed over the treatment groups. Developmental stage and embryo diameter were assessed by normal light microscopy, while total number of cells and incidence of apoptosis were assessed using a fluorescent embryo quality staining technique that combines three different dyes: Ethidium Homodimer (EthD-1), TUNEL and Hoechst 33342. Following 24 h storage, D5 embryos had higher rates of hatching (24%) and degeneration (9%) compared to D4 embryos (10 and 4%, respectively; P < 0.05). Embryos stored at 38 degrees C had higher rates of hatching (37%) compared to those ones stored at 25 degrees C (13%) or 18 degrees C (0%; P < 0.01). More embryos hatched when stored in medium Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (DPBS) or in TCM199 compared to those stored in Emcare (P < 0.05). A higher percentage of embryos stored at 18 degrees C degenerated compared to those stored at 25 or 38 degrees C (P < 0.01). No significant increase in apoptosis was observed after storage compared to the rates of apoptosis at 0 h (controls) or between the different storage groups. Based on the results we conclude that D4 porcine embryos produced in vivo, selected under normal light microscopy and stored at 25 degrees C in a serum free medium for 24 h will have a suitable developmental stage for ET and a high embryo quality.

TUNEL analyses of bovine blastocysts after culture with EGF and IGF-I

Experiments were carried out to investigate the beneficial effects of IGF-I or EGF on bovine embryo development in chemically defined embryo culture media and resultant incidences of nuclear DNA fragmentation as an indication of embryo quality. Presumptive IVF zygotes were randomly cultured in either control (with no added growth factor) or treatment groups, i.e., with 50 ng/ml IGF-I (experiment 1) or 5 ng/ml EGF (experiment 2). IGF-I supplemented to culture media significantly improved proportions of blastocysts from oocytes inseminated compared to untreated controls (38.0% vs. 28.5%). Only embryos reaching the blastocyst stage on day 8 showed significant effects of IGF-I treatment by resulting in higher blastocyst cell numbers (162 vs. 141) and lower percentages of TUNEL positive nuclei (2.1% vs. 3.3%) when compared to controls. Blastocyst development from oocytes was also improved by EGF supplementation compared to untreated controls (38.5% vs. 30.7%). Cell numbers of either day 7 or day 8 blastocysts were not affected by EGF treatment, nor were percentages of TUNEL positive nuclei when compared with controls. Similar proportions of parthenogenetically activated oocytes developed to blastocysts as for inseminated oocytes (28.8%). Parthenogenetic blastocysts contained fewer cells (93) and an increased percentage of TUNEL positive nuclei (5.7%) than were found for IVF embryos.