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Read CC, Edwards JL, Schrick FN, Rhinehart JD, Payton RR, Campagna SR, Castro HF, Klabnik JL, Moorey SE. Preovulatory serum estradiol concentration is positively associated with oocyte ATP and follicular fluid metabolite abundance in lactating beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6620784. [PMID: 35772749 PMCID: PMC9246671 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle induced to ovulate a small, physiologically immature preovulatory follicle had reduced oocyte developmental competence that resulted in decreased embryo cleavage and day 7 embryo quality compared with animals induced to ovulate a more advanced follicle. RNA-sequencing was performed on oocytes and their corresponding cumulus cells approximately 23 h after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration to induce the preovulatory gonadotropin surge suggested reduced capacity for glucose metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation in the cumulus cells and oocytes from follicles ≤11.7 mm, respectively. We hypothesized that induced ovulation of a small, physiologically immature preovulatory follicle results in a suboptimal follicular microenvironment and reduced oocyte metabolic capacity. We performed a study with the objective to determine the impact of preovulatory follicle diameter and serum estradiol concentration at GnRH administration on oocyte metabolic competence and follicular fluid metabolome profiles. We synchronized the development of a preovulatory follicle and collected the follicle contents via transvaginal aspiration approximately 19 h after GnRH administration in lactating beef cows (n = 319). We determined ATP levels and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in 110 oocytes and performed ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry metabolomic studies on 45 follicular fluid samples. Intraoocyte ATP and the amount of ATP produced per mtDNA copy number were associated with serum estradiol concentration at GnRH and time from GnRH administration to follicle aspiration (P < 0.05). mtDNA copy number was not related to follicle diameter at GnRH, serum estradiol concentration at GnRH, or any potential covariates (P > 0.10). We detected 90 metabolites in the aspirated follicular fluid. We identified 22 metabolites associated with serum estradiol concentration at GnRH and 63 metabolites associated with follicular fluid progesterone concentration at the time of follicle aspiration (FDR < 0.10). Pathway enrichment analysis of significant metabolites suggested altered proteinogenesis, citric acid cycle, and pyrimidine metabolism in follicles of reduced estrogenic capacity pre-gonadotropin surge or reduced progesterone production by the time of follicle aspiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey C Read
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - J Lannett Edwards
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - F Neal Schrick
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Justin D Rhinehart
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Rebecca R Payton
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Shawn R Campagna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Hector F Castro
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Jessica L Klabnik
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Sarah E Moorey
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
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2
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Moorey SE, Hessock EA, Edwards JL. Preovulatory follicle contributions to oocyte competence in cattle: importance of the ever-evolving intrafollicular environment leading up to the luteinizing hormone surge. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6620792. [PMID: 35772757 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The preovulatory intrafollicular environment plays a major role in determining oocyte competence. The basis of this review is to highlight the importance of the preovulatory follicle's physiological status prior to the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and onset of oocyte maturation to promote an optimal follicular microenvironment and optimal oocyte developmental competence in cattle. While the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and are likely multifactorial, the preovulatory follicle's physiological status prior to the preovulatory LH surge is highly influential on the oocyte's capacity to undergo postfertilization embryo development. Changes in the intrafollicular environment of the preovulatory follicle including steroid hormone production, metabolome profiles, and proteome profiles likely support the oocyte's developmental and metabolic competency. This review focuses on the relationship between bovine oocyte developmental competency and antral follicle progression to the preovulatory phase, the role of the preovulatory follicle in improving oocyte developmental competence in cattle, and the importance of the ever-evolving preovulatory intrafollicular environment for optimal fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Moorey
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Emma A Hessock
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - J Lannett Edwards
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
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3
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Savy V, Stein P, Shi M, Williams CJ. Superovulation Does Not Alter Calcium Oscillations Following Fertilization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:762057. [PMID: 34805168 PMCID: PMC8601230 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.762057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Superovulation is a common approach to maximize the number of eggs available for either clinical assisted reproductive technologies or experimental animal studies. This procedure provides supraphysiological amounts of gonadotropins to promote continued growth and maturation of ovarian follicles that otherwise would undergo atresia. There is evidence in mice, cows, sheep, and humans that superovulation has a detrimental impact on the quality of the resulting ovulated eggs or embryos. Here we tested the hypothesis that eggs derived from superovulation have a reduced capacity to support calcium oscillations, which are a critical factor in the success of embryo development. Eggs were obtained from mice that were either naturally cycling or underwent a standard superovulation protocol. The eggs were either parthenogenetically activated using strontium or fertilized in vitro while undergoing monitoring of calcium oscillatory patterns. Following parthenogenetic activation, superovulated eggs had a slightly delayed onset and longer duration of the first calcium transient, but no differences in oscillation persistence, frequency, or total calcium signal. However, in vitro fertilized superovulated eggs had no differences in any of these measures of calcium oscillatory behavior relative to spontaneously ovulated eggs. These findings indicate that although subtle differences in calcium signaling can be detected following parthenogenetic activation, superovulation does not disrupt physiological calcium signaling at fertilization, supporting the use of this method for both clinical and experimental purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Savy
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Paula Stein
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Min Shi
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Carmen J Williams
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Durham, NC, United States
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4
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Hyttel P, de Figueiredo Pessôa LV, Secher JBM, Dittlau KS, Freude K, Hall VJ, Fair T, Assey RJ, Laurincik J, Callesen H, Greve T, Stroebech LB. Oocytes, embryos and pluripotent stem cells from a biomedical perspective. Anim Reprod 2019; 16:508-523. [PMID: 32435294 PMCID: PMC7234146 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2019-0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The veterinary and animal science professions are rapidly developing and their inherent and historical connection to agriculture is challenged by more biomedical and medical directions of research. While some consider this development as a risk of losing identity, it may also be seen as an opportunity for developing further and more sophisticated competences that may ultimately feed back to veterinary and animal science in a synergistic way. The present review describes how agriculture-related studies on bovine in vitro embryo production through studies of putative bovine and porcine embryonic stem cells led the way to more sophisticated studies of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using e.g. gene editing for modeling of neurodegeneration in man. However, instead of being a blind diversion from veterinary and animal science into medicine, these advanced studies of human iPSC-derived neurons build a set of competences that allowed us, in a more competent way, to focus on novel aspects of more veterinary and agricultural relevance in the form of porcine and canine iPSCs. These types of animal stem cells are of biomedical importance for modeling of iPSC-based therapy in man, but in particular the canine iPSCs are also important for understanding and modeling canine diseases, as e.g. canine cognitive dysfunction, for the benefit and therapy of dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poul Hyttel
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Katarina Stoklund Dittlau
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristine Freude
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vanessa J Hall
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trudee Fair
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Remmy John Assey
- Department of Anatomy and Pathology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
| | - Jozef Laurincik
- Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia.,The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Henrik Callesen
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
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5
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Abstract
AbstractThe reduced fertility that is becoming more evident in high yielding dairy cows may be related to many factors including changes in milk production, food intake and fluctuations in body condition. Metabolic and production markers have been studied as a way of predicting success to a particular artificial insemination. Successful conception to a particular service was not associated with milk production, body condition or plasma concentrations of several indicators of metabolic state around the time if insemination. This highlights the importance of time of information collection in fertility management programmes. Increased food intake may reduce systemic progesterone concentrations. This is more evident in sheep than cattle, but a positive relationship between systemic progesterone early post mating and establishment of pregnancy in cattle has been reported. However, progesterone concentrations in the ovarian vein and endometrium are not strongly correlated with systemic progesterone. Thus, the significance of modest changes in systemic progesterone in affecting oocyte and embryo development must be questioned. Blood urea concentrations can be altered by diet, and reduced pregnancy rates have been reported in cows with high urea concentrations. However, in other recent studies, no difference was reported in serum urea in cows that conceived and those that failed to conceive. Pregnancy rate was equally high in heifers when in-vitro produced embryos were transferred to heifers on high and low urea diets. When embryos were produced in sheep on high and low dietary urea, the effects on embryo development appear to occur early in the developmental process, suggesting a substantial effect on the development of the oocyte. The developmental capacity of oocytes and quality of embryos is reduced in cattle maintained on extremely high dietary intakes. Oocyte developmental capacity is reduced in cows of higher genetic merit and embryo quality can be substantially reduced in the early postpartum period. Collectively, these results suggest that high dietary intake or high metabolic load is deleterious to normal oocyte development and establishment of pregnancy. This highlights the importance of further studies on the effect of dietary intake on metabolic state and follicle, oocyte and embryo development. In a practical context, these results highlight the importance of nutritional management and avoiding changes in the amount or type of diet around the time of mating in high-production dairy cows.
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6
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Sood P, Zachut M, Dekel I, Dube H, Jacoby S, Moallem U. Preovulatory follicle characteristics and oocyte competence in repeat breeder dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:9372-9381. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-12973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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7
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Lee M, Ahn JI, Lee AR, Ko DW, Yang WS, Lee G, Ahn JY, Lim JM. Adverse Effect of Superovulation Treatment on Maturation, Function and Ultrastructural Integrity of Murine Oocytes. Mol Cells 2017; 40:558-566. [PMID: 28756654 PMCID: PMC5582302 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2017.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Regular monitoring on experimental animal management found the fluctuation of ART outcome, which showed a necessity to explore whether superovulation treatment is responsible for such unexpected outcome. This study was subsequently conducted to examine whether superovulation treatment can preserve ultrastructural integrity and developmental competence of oocytes following oocyte activation and embryo culture. A randomized study using mouse model was designed and in vitro development (experiment 1), ultrastructural morphology (experiment 2) and functional integrity of the oocytes (experiment 3) retrieved after PMSG/hCG injection (superovulation group) or not (natural ovulation; control group) were evaluated. In experiment 1, more oocytes were retrieved following superovulation than following natural ovulation, but natural ovulation yielded higher (p < 0.0563) maturation rate than superovulation. The capacity of mature oocytes to form pronucleus and to develop into blastocysts in vitro was similar. In experiment 2, a notable (p < 0.0186) increase in mitochondrial deformity, characterized by the formation of vacuolated mitochondria, was detected in the superovulation group. Multivesicular body formation was also increased, whereas early endosome formation was significantly decreased. No obvious changes in other microorganelles, however, were detected, which included the formation and distribution of mitochondria, cortical granules, microvilli, and smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum. In experiment 3, significant decreases in mitochondrial activity, ATP production and dextran uptake were detected in the superovulation group. In conclusion, superovulation treatment may change both maturational status and functional and ultrastuctural integrity of oocytes. Superovulation effect on preimplantation development can be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myungook Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Jong Il Ahn
- Research Institutes of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Ah Ran Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Dong Woo Ko
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Woo Sub Yang
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Gene Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080,
Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Ahn
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Jeong Mook Lim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
- Research Institutes of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
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8
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Nutritional effects on ovulation, embryo development and the establishment of pregnancy in ruminants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1017/s1357729800050311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe effects of high and low dietary dietary intake on reproduction in female cattle and sheep will be considered at the level of the pituitary gland, ovary and uterus. In sheep, increased dietary intake for a relatively short time will increase ovulation rate, by increasing gonadotropin secretion. Dietary intake can affect steroids such as progesterone and also intra-follicular concentrations of some growth factors such as IGF-1 and IGF-2. The effects of altered energy intake on gonadotropins and steroids in cattle are not as repeatable as those in sheep but follicular growth rates can be altered. High nutrition has a negative effect on oocyte quality, with animals onad-libitumhigh energy diets particularly at risk. Overfeeding can decrease embryo quality in both sheep and cattle and it appears that this results from changes primarily at the level of the follicle or oocyte. Restricted nutrition for a short time will enhance pregnancy rates in cattle; most of this benefit appears to occur if food is restricted before insemination. Thus feeding levels before mating are particularly important to subsequent reproductive success. High dietary crude protein may decrease pregnancy rate in lactating cows. In ewes and heifers supplementation with urea failed to have any effect on pregnancy rates when good quality embryos were transferred to recipient animals exposed to high dietary crude protein. In donor ewes there were adverse effects on early embryo development following urea treatment, suggesting that the mechanism affecting the reproductive process was primarily operating at the level of the oocyte. Collectively, these data identify the overall deleterious effects of high dietary intake and excess crude protein on fertility and highlight the importance of dietary intake before ovulation on the likelihood of establishing a viable pregnancy.
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9
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Padilha LC, Teixeira PPM, Pires-Buttler EA, Apparício M, Motheo TF, Savi PAP, Nakaghi EYO, Alves AE, Vicente WRR. In vitroMaturation of Oocytes from Santa Ines Ewes Subjected to Consecutive Sessions of Follicular Aspiration by Laparoscopy. Reprod Domest Anim 2013; 49:243-8. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- LC Padilha
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal; FCAV; UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista; Jaboticabal SP Brazil
| | - PPM Teixeira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal; FCAV; UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista; Jaboticabal SP Brazil
| | - EA Pires-Buttler
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal; FCAV; UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista; Jaboticabal SP Brazil
| | - M Apparício
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal; FCAV; UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista; Jaboticabal SP Brazil
| | - TF Motheo
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal; FCAV; UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista; Jaboticabal SP Brazil
| | - PAP Savi
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal; FCAV; UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista; Jaboticabal SP Brazil
| | - EYO Nakaghi
- Coordenadoria de Defesa Agropecuária do Estado de São Paulo (CDA/SAA-SP); Jaboticabal SP Brazil
| | - AE Alves
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal; FCAV; UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista; Jaboticabal SP Brazil
| | - WRR Vicente
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal; FCAV; UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista; Jaboticabal SP Brazil
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10
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Biochemical and steroid concentrations in follicular fluid and blood plasma in different follicular waves of the estrous cycle from normal and superovulated beef cows. Anim Reprod Sci 2013; 142:113-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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11
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Arias-Alvarez M, García-García R, Rebollar P, Gutiérrez-Adán A, López-Béjar M, Lorenzo P. Ovarian response and embryo gene expression patterns after nonsuperovulatory gonadotropin stimulation in primiparous rabbits does. Theriogenology 2013; 79:323-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Revised: 09/15/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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12
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Arias-Álvarez M, García-García R, Torres-Rovira L, González-Bulnes A, Rebollar P, Lorenzo P. Influence of hormonal and nonhormonal estrus synchronization methods on follicular and oocyte quality in primiparous lactating does at early postpartum period. Theriogenology 2010; 73:26-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2009] [Revised: 07/10/2009] [Accepted: 07/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Blondin P, Coenen K, Guilbault LA, Sirard MA. In vitro production of bovine embryos: developmental competence is acquired before maturation. Theriogenology 2007; 47:1061-75. [PMID: 16728056 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(97)00063-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/1995] [Accepted: 11/05/1996] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have examined the importance of the time during which oocytes are left in the ovaries following animal slaughter. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal time for retrieving oocytes after slaughter and to ascertain if superovulating cows in association with this optimal time could increase the developmental competence of bovine oocytes. In Experiment 1, oocytes were left in the postmortem ovaries for 2,3,4,5,6 or 7 h and were then transported to the laboratory at approximately 30 degrees C. Recovered oocytes were processed in vitro using standard techniques. In Experiment 2, cyclic heifers (n = 18) were superovulated between Days 8 and 12 of the estrous cycle with 8 constant doses (4 mg each, twice daily) or 8 decreasing doses (2 injections of 4,3,2 and 1 mg every 12 h) of FSH-P +/- 1 mg prostaglandin 24 or 48 h before slaughter. Oocytes were left in the ovaries for 4 h and were classified according to the state of their cumulus and cytoplasm. The results indicated that oocytes aspirated from ovaries collected 4 h after slaughter produced significantly more > or =64-cell embryos after 7 d of in vitro development than those collected 2, 6 or 7 h postslaughter. Oocytes (87%) from superovulated animals had numerous layers of cumulus cells and originated from medium (2.7 to 8 mm) and large (> or =8 mm) follicles. Significantly more oocytes developed from large follicles than from medium follicles. Although individual culture of the oocytes negatively affected the percentage of embryos produced, group culture of oocytes from animals that were superovulated and left in the postmortem ovaries for 4 h resulted in exceptionally high rates of embryos after 5 d of IVD. On average, 60 to 80% of 16-cell embryos were produced, indicating that under the proper conditions, developmental competence is acquired before in vitro maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Blondin
- Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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14
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Nagano M, Hishinuma M, Katagiri S, Takahashi Y. The relationship between oocyte morphology and ovarian status in cattle. J Reprod Dev 2007; 53:953-8. [PMID: 17510530 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.19022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the relationships between oocyte morphology, follicular size and follicular waves using bovine ovaries derived from local abattoirs. Ovaries at the recruitment and selection phases contained larger numbers of oocytes with good developmental ability, although ovaries at the recruitment phase contained the largest numbers of follicles compared with ovaries at the selection and dominant phases. Dominant phase ovaries contained a high percentage of oocytes with as good developmental ability as selection phase ovaries; however, they contained the lowest total number of oocytes with good developmental ability. Small follicles under 3.0 mm in diameter contained large numbers of small and degenerating oocytes. In contrast, follicles more than 3.0 mm in diameter contained a higher percentage of oocytes with good developmental ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Nagano
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
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15
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Khatir H, Anouassi A, Tibary A. Quality and Developmental Ability of Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) Embryos Obtained by IVM/IVF,In VivoMatured/IVF orIn VivoMatured/Fertilized Oocytes. Reprod Domest Anim 2007; 42:263-70. [PMID: 17506804 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00775.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The effect of source of cumulus-oocytes-complexes (COCs), maturation and fertilization conditions on developmental competence of dromedary embryos was examined. Thirty-six adult females were superovulated with equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) injection (3500 IU, IM) and divided in three groups of 12 females each. Group 1 provided 138 COC's collected from follicles >or= 5 mm 10 days after stimulation prior hCG treatment and matured in vitro for 30 h. Group 2 provided 120 in vivo matured oocytes which were aspirated from their follicles 20 h after hCG (3000 IU, IV) given on day 10 follow eCG injection. Group 3 provided 65 in vivo matured/fertilized oocytes. Females in Group 3 received hCG on day 10 following eCG treatment and then were mated 24 h later. Fertilized oocytes were collected from the oviducts of females 48-h post-mating. Quality of the oocytes was assessed after in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) of COCs. All cultures were performed in three replicates (n = 3) at 38.5 degrees C, under 5% CO(2) and high humidity (>95%). Only COCs with cumulus and homogenous (dark) cytoplasm were used. Nuclear maturation rate for Groups 1 and 2 was determined by epifluorescence microscopy in a sample of COCs (n = 30) denuded, fixed and stained with Hoechst 33342. To study the viability of obtained embryos, hatched blastocysts from each group were transferred to recipients followed by pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasonography at 15, 60 and 90 days. The percentage of COCs reaching metaphase II (MII) after 30 h of maturation was slightly but not significantly higher for in vivo matured oocytes (28/30; 93%) than those in vitro matured (25/30; 84%). The total rate of cleavage (2 cells to blastocyst stage) was not different for the three groups. However, significantly (p < 0.05) more blastocyst and hatched blastocysts were obtained from in vivo matured and in vivo fertilized oocytes (Group 3; 52% and 73%) than from in vitro fertilized oocytes whether they were matured in vitro (Group 1; 35% and 32%) or in vivo (Group 2; 32% and 45%). Pregnancy rates were not significantly different amongst all groups for the three first months following embryo transfer. All pregnancies were lost after day 90 follow transfer except for in vivo matured and in vivo matured/fertilized groups. Only in vivo matured/in vitro fertilized and in vivo matured/fertilized produced embryos continued normal development until term and resulted in the birth of normal and healthy live calves. Six claves (29%; 6/21) were born from Group 3 and one (8%; 1/13) calf was born from Group 2. This study shows that the IVC system used is able to support camel embryo development. However, developmental competence and viability of dromedary embryos may be directly related to the intrinsic quality (cytoplasmic maturation) of oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Khatir
- Veterinary Research Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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16
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Berlinguer F, Gonzalez-Bulnes A, Succu S, Leoni GG, Veiga-Lopez A, Mossa F, Garcia-Garcia RM, Bebbere D, Galioto M, Cocero MJ, Naitana S. GnRH antagonist enhance follicular growth in FSH-treated sheep but affect developmental competence of oocytes collected by ovum pick-up. Theriogenology 2006; 65:1099-109. [PMID: 16182356 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2005] [Revised: 07/11/2005] [Accepted: 07/31/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluates the in vitro developmental competence of oocytes collected by ovum pick up (OPU) from sheep treated with GnRH antagonists (GnRHa) and high doses of FSH. Eighteen Sarda ewes were treated with progestagen sponges (day 0). On day 7, 10 ewes received 3 mg of GnRHa s.c., while 8 served as control receiving saline. On day 10, all animals were treated with 96 IU of ovine FSH in four equal doses given i.m. every 12 h. We monitored follicular development by ultrasonography, twice daily from day 7 to 11, and found that GnRHa induced a significant increase in the number of total follicles in 72 h (11.7+/-0.9 to 21+/-2.4, r(2)=0.598, P<0.0001), while this number remained stable in control sheep. We found that FSH induced a significant rise in the number of follicles in both groups; but always higher (P<0.05) in GnRHa treated sheep, confirming that GnRHa enhances ovarian response to exogenous FSH stimulation. Twelve hours after the last FSH dose, oocytes were collected by OPU. Recovery percentage, morphological quality, ability to resume meiosis, fertilization and cleavage were similar in oocytes from treated and untreated sheep. However, the final blastocysts output was lower in GnRHa group (10.1% versus 27.4% in control group; P<0.05). In addition, re-expansion rates after vitrification, thawing and in vitro culture were lower in GnRHa treated ewes, although differences did not reach statistical significance (55.5% versus 74.1% in GnRHa treated and in control sheep, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- F Berlinguer
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100-Sassari, Italy.
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17
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Ikeda S, Kitagawa M, Imai H, Yamada M. The Roles of Vitamin A for Cytoplasmic Maturation of Bovine Oocytes. J Reprod Dev 2005; 51:23-35. [PMID: 15750294 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.51.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin A is one of the micronutrients which have been implicated in cattle reproduction. In cattle, ingested vitamin A, mainly as beta-carotene (BC) from forages and retinol ester from formula feed, is metabolized and transported to the oocytes and cumulus-granulosa cells in ovarian follicles through binding to various interacting molecules. The active form of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), functions as a regulator of gene expression in these targets. Early research showed the positive effects of vitamin A supplementation on bovine fertility in artificial insemination, and several studies on effects of vitamin A metabolites used in other artificial reproductive techniques (ART), including superovulation, ovum pick up, and in vitro maturation culture have provided evidence for the specific roles of vitamin A in oocyte cytoplasmic maturation (acquisition of developmental competence of oocytes during their meiotic maturation period for the embryonic development after fertilization). BC may enhance cytoplasmic maturation by its antioxidant properties which cannot be replaced by RA. Furthermore, RA may promote cytoplasmic maturation of bovine oocytes via its modulatory effects on the gene expression of gonadotrophin receptors, midkine, cyclooxygenase-2, and nitric oxide synthase in cumulus-granulosa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuntaro Ikeda
- Livestock Farm, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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18
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Evans ACO, O'Keeffe P, Mihm M, Roche JF, Macmillan KL, Boland MP. Effect of oestradiol benzoate given after prostaglandin at two stages of follicle wave development on oestrus synchronisation, the LH surge and ovulation in heifers. Anim Reprod Sci 2003; 76:13-23. [PMID: 12559717 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(02)00238-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Oestrus synchronization following prostaglandin-induced luteolysis is variable and dependent on follicle wave status in cattle. Oestradiol benzoate (ODB) has been used following prostaglandin to reduce the interval to oestrus and ovulation, but the effect of follicle wave status at the time of ODB administration is not clear. The aim of this study was to characterize the endocrine and follicular responses following ODB after luteolysis at different stages of the follicle wave. Prostaglandin was administered at either emergence or dominance of the second follicle wave. Twenty-four hours later animals received either 0.5mg ODB in oil or a control oil injection. Follicular development was monitored daily by ultrasonography, oestrous behavior was determined and blood samples were collected. In animals treated with ODB at emergence, there was a reduction (P<0.05) in the maximum diameter of the ovulatory follicle (11.7+/-1.2 mm versus 13.1+/-0.1 mm) and in the interval from prostaglandin to oestrus (52.0+/-2.3 h versus 88.0+/-9.6h), to the LH surge (53.3+/-3.5 h versus 89.1+/-6.5 h) and to ovulation (96+/-0.0 h versus 129.6+/-9.6h), compared with controls. In animals treated with ODB at dominance, there was a reduction (P<0.05) in the interval from prostaglandin to the LH surge (54.0+/-3.1 h versus 70.9+/-4.8 h), but not in the interval from prostaglandin to oestrus (53.3+/-2.7 h versus 65.7+/-4.5 h; P=0.11), to ovulation (96.0+/-0.0 h versus 110.4+/-4.8 h; P=0.12) or the maximum diameter of the ovulatory follicle (12.7+/-0.3 mm versus 13.6+/-0.4 mm; P=0.12), compared with controls. Treatment did not affect (P>0.05) the length of the subsequent oestrous cycle or corpus luteum size. In conclusion, the use of ODB advanced, but did not alter the temporal relationships among oestrus, the LH surge and ovulation, regardless of stage of follicle development at treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C O Evans
- Department of Animal Science and Production, Faculty of Agriculture, The Center for Integrative Biology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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19
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Lafri M, Ponsart C, Nibart M, Durand M, Morel A, Jeanguyot N, Badinand F, De Mari K, Humblot P. Influence of CIDR treatment during superovulation on embryo production and hormonal patterns in cattle. Theriogenology 2002; 58:1141-51. [PMID: 12240917 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)00637-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
One of the major sources of success in embryo transfer is timing of AI relative to the LH surge and ovulation. The aim of this study was to compare the embryo production following superovulation during a PGF2alpha (control cycle) or a CIDR-B synchronized cycle (CIDR-B cycle). CIDR-B (CIDR-B ND, Virbac, Carros, France) was inserted on Day 11 of a previously synchronized cycle and left for 5 days. A total dose of 350 microg FSH was administered (eight injections i.m. for 4 days; first on Day 13, decreasing doses) and PGFalpha analog (750 microg i.m.: Uniandine ND, Schering-Plough, Levallois-Perret, France) injected at the time of third FSH injection. Artificial inseminations were performed 12 and 24 h after standing estrus (Day 0). Embryos were collected on Day 7. Luteinizing hormone was measured by EIA (Reprokit Sanofi, Libourne, France) from blood samples collected every 3 h for 36 h, starting 24 h after PGF2alpha (control cycle) or 12 h after CIDR-B removal (CIDR-B cycle). The effects of treatment group and interval between the LH peak and AI (two classes, < 10 and > or = 10 h) on embryo production and quality were analyzed by ANOVA. No effect of treatment was observed on embryo production variables. The intervals between the end of treatment and onset of estrus and between end of treatment and LH surge were greater in heifers treated during a control than a CIDR-B cycle, respectively (45.5 +/- 1.4 versus 31.9 +/- 0.7; 42.0 +/- 1.6 versus 31.0 +/- 1.5; P < 0.05), but maximal LH and estradiol concentrations, at the preovulatory surge were similar in control and CIDR-B synchronized heifers. The numbers of viable and Grade I embryos were significantly increased (P < 0.01) when animals had an interval from LH peak to first AI > or = 10 h (7.2 +/- 0.9 and 3.5 +/- 0.6) when compared to shorter intervals (4.2 +/- 1.1 and 2.0 +/- 0.7) whereas total number of embryos was unchanged (11.8 +/- 1.4 versus 10.3 +/- 1.8). It is concluded that late occurrence of LH peaks in relation to estrous behavior is associated with a lower embryo quality when first AIs are performed systematically 12 h after standing estrus. Further studies are needed to know if results may be improved when making AI at a later time after standing estrus or if LH assays are useful to better monitor AI time.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lafri
- UNCEIA Services Techniques, Maisons-Alfort, France
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20
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Rizos D, Ward F, Duffy P, Boland MP, Lonergan P. Consequences of bovine oocyte maturation, fertilization or early embryo development in vitro versus in vivo: implications for blastocyst yield and blastocyst quality. Mol Reprod Dev 2002; 61:234-48. [PMID: 11803560 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 589] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine the effect of bovine oocyte maturation, fertilization or culture in vivo or in vitro on the proportion of oocytes reaching the blastocyst stage, and on blastocyst quality as measured by survival following vitrification. In Experiment 1, 4 groups of oocytes were used: (1) immature oocytes from 2-6 mm follicles; (2) immature oocytes from > 6 mm follicles; (3) immature oocytes recovered in vivo just before the LH surge; and (4) in vivo matured oocytes. Significantly more blastocysts developed from oocytes matured in vivo than those recovered just before the LH surge or than oocytes from 2-6 mm follicles. Results from > 6 mm follicles were intermediate. All blastocysts had low survival following vitrification. In Experiment 2, in vivo matured oocytes were either (1) fertilized in vitro or (2) fertilized in vivo by artificial insemination and the resulting presumptive zygotes recovered on day 1. Both groups were then cultured in vitro. In vivo fertilized oocytes had a significantly higher blastocyst yield than those fertilized in vitro. Blastocyst quality was similar between the groups. Both groups had low survival following vitrification. In Experiment 3a, presumptive zygotes produced by in vitro maturation (IVM)/fertilization (IVF) were cultured either in vitro in synthetic oviduct fluid, or in vivo in the ewe oviduct. In Experiment 3b, in vivo matured/in vivo fertilized zygotes were either surgically recovered on day 1 and cultured in vitro in synthetic oviduct fluid, or were nonsurgically recovered on day 7. There was no difference in blastocyst yields between groups of zygotes originating from the same source (in vivo or in vitro fertilization) irrespective of whether culture took place in vivo or in vitro. However, there was a dramatic effect on blastocyst quality with those blastocysts produced following in vivo culture surviving vitrification at significantly higher rates than their in vitro cultured counterparts. Collectively, these results indicate that the intrinsic quality of the oocyte is the main factor affecting blastocyst yields, while the conditions of embryo culture have a crucial role in determining blastocyst quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Rizos
- Department of Animal Science and Production and Conway Institute for Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Lyons Research Farm, Newcastle, County Dublin, Ireland
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21
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Boland MP, Lonergan P, O'Callaghan D. Effect of nutrition on endocrine parameters, ovarian physiology, and oocyte and embryo development. Theriogenology 2001; 55:1323-40. [PMID: 11327687 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00485-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive efficiency in high yielding dairy cows has decreased over the past 50 years, despite significant gains in genetic selection for increased milk output. One possible reason for this decline has been a change in the nutritional intake to meet the increased energy and protein demands for higher milk production. Excess energy intake in sheep will lead to significant reductions in progesterone concentrations; the effects in cattle are not so clear. Nutrition, unless radically changed, will have little effect on gonadotropin concentrations in ruminants, and this is in contrast to the situation for pigs and for primates, where very short-term nutritional changes manifest themselves in altered gonadotropin secretion. Cattle with reduced energy intake have smaller dominant follicles and more three-wave cycles, compared with animals on higher feed intakes. One of the main areas where nutrition influences reproductive efficiency is at the level of embryo production. Several studies indicate that excess energy intake reduces the response to superovulation and also decrease the yield of embryos and alters expression of some gene constructs within the developing embryo. The mechanism of this effect is not clear but indications are that the quality of the oocytes may be compromised. Indeed recent data indicate that nutritional changes around the time of mating may have detrimental effects on the establishment of pregnancy in heifers. Thus, nutritional balancing is critical for high-yielding dairy cows, in particular. The challenge remains to modify nutritional and management strategies in such cows to maintain the levels of production made possible by genetic selection and still maintain an acceptable level of fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Boland
- Department of Animal Science & Production, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
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22
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23
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van de Leemput EE, Vos PL, Zeinstra EC, Bevers MM, van der Weijden GC, Dieleman SJ. Improved in vitro embryo development using in vivo matured oocytes from heifers superovulated with a controlled preovulatory LH surge. Theriogenology 1999; 52:335-49. [PMID: 10734399 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(99)00133-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In bovine in vitro embryo production, the IVM step is rather successful with 80% of the oocytes reaching the MII stage. However, the extent to which the process limits the yield of viable embryos is still largely unknown. Therefore, we compared embryonic developmental capacity during IVC of IVF oocytes which had been matured in vitro with those matured in vivo. In vitro maturation was carried out for 22 h using oocytes (n = 417) obtained from 2- to 8-mm follicles of ovaries collected from a slaughterhouse in M199 with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), 0.01 IU/mL LH, and 0.01 IU/mL FSH. In vivo matured oocytes (n = 219) were aspirated from preovulatory follicles in eCG/PG/anti-eCG-superovulated heifers 22 h after a fixed time GnRH-induced LH surge; endogenous release of the LH surge was suppressed by a Norgestomet ear implant. This system allowed for the synchronization of the in vitro and in vivo maturation processes and thus for simultaneous IVF of both groups of oocytes. The in vitro developmental potential of in vivo matured oocytes was twice as high (P < 0.01) as that of in vitro matured oocytes, with blastocyst formation and hatching rates 11 d after IVC of 49.3 +/- 6.1 (SEM; n = 10 heifers) vs 26.4 +/- 1.0% (n = 2 replicates), and 39.1 +/- 5.1% vs 20.6 +/- 1.4%, respectively. It is concluded that IVM is a major factor limiting in the in vitro production of viable embryos, although factors such as the lack of normal preovulatory development of IVM oocytes contributed to the observed differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- E E van de Leemput
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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24
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Eberhardt DM, Will WA, Godkin JD. Retinol administration to superovulated ewes improves in vitro embryonic viability. Biol Reprod 1999; 60:1483-7. [PMID: 10330109 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod60.6.1483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinol and its metabolites, all-trans retinoic acid and 9-cis retinoid acid, are regulators of cellular growth, differentiation, and development and have been implicated in reproductive processes including folliculogenesis and embryonic survival. Three experiments were conducted to identify effects of retinoid treatment of superovulated ewes upon subsequent in vitro embryonic development. Ewes were treated with all-trans retinol (ROH), all-trans retinoic acid (RA), 9-cis retinoic acid (CIS), or vehicle (Control) on the first and last day of FSH treatment. Embryos were recovered at the morula stage, cultured in vitro for 96 h, and observed for blastocyst formation. Embryos from ROH-treated animals had a higher (p < 0.01) incidence of blastocyst formation than RA-, CIS-, or vehicle-treated animals (72% vs. 27%, 33% and 32%, respectively). In experiment 2, ewes were given ROH or vehicle and treated as above. ROH treatment resulted in an increased percentage of embryos forming blastocysts (70% vs. 22%, p < 0.05). In experiment 3, ewes were treated with ROH or vehicle, and embryos were collected at the 1- to 4-cell stage and cultured for 7 days. ROH treatment resulted in increased blastocyst formation (79% vs. 5%, p < 0.05). The majority of embryos (60% vs. 6%; p < 0.01)) from vehicle-treated animals failed to develop beyond the 8-cell stage in comparison with those from ROH animals. ROH treatment of superovulated ewes increased embryonic viability and positively impacted embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Eberhardt
- Department of Animal Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37901, USA
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25
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Yaakub H, O'Callaghan D, Boland MP. Effect of type and quantity of concentrates on superovulation and embryo yield in beef heifers. Theriogenology 1999; 51:1259-66. [PMID: 10729090 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(99)00070-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Embryo yield and quality can be decreased following superovulation of cattle on high levels of concentrates. Concentrate type can alter rumen fermentation patterns and so affect energy availability and thus embryo quality. The objectives of this experiment were to examine the effect of 2 levels and 2 types of concentrate on superovulatory response and embryo quality in beef heifers. Beef heifers received grass silage as a basal diet and barley at 3 kg (n = 20) or ad-libitum (n = 19), or citrus/beet pulp at 3 kg (n = 18) or ad-libitum (n = 19) as the source of concentrate supplement. Silage was available ad-libitum for heifers offered 3 kg but was restricted to 1 kg DM/day for heifers on ad-libitum concentrate intake. Both concentrates contained 14% crude protein. After 100 d, heifers were treated with an intravaginal progesterone releasing device (CIDR) for 7 d, and superovulation was initiated 60 h before CIDR withdrawal. Heifers received pFSH (a total of 265 mg NIH-FSH-P1 equivalent) administered over 8 injections at 12 h intervals with the last 2 injections administered at 12 and 24 h after CIDR withdrawal; they were inseminated at 56 and 72 h after CIDR withdrawal without reference to estrus. Heifers were slaughtered 6, 7 or 8 d after the first insemination, and embryos were flushed from the uterus with PBS and were graded morphologically. Statistical analyses were performed using analysis of variance. There was no interaction between level and type of diet, and thus data for the main effects are presented separately. Final live weights at the end of the experiment and carcass weights for heifers offered ad-libitum concentrate (643.8+/-6.9 kg; 354+/-8 kg, respectively) were higher (P<0.01) than those of heifers offered 3 kg concentrate (613.1+/-7.5 kg; 338.4+/-3.2 kg, respectively) while live weights and carcass weights of heifers offered barley (625.6+/-8.1 and 345.4+/-4.1 kg, respectively) or citrus/beet pulp concentrate (631.4+/-7.0 and 348.0+/-3.1 kg, respectively) were not different (P>0.05). Superovulatory responses (number of corpora lutea at slaughter) was greater (P<0.06) when heifers were offered 3 kg (15.5+/-1.6) than when offered ad-libitum concentrates (12.3+/-1.4). However, the superovulatory response for both citrus/beet pulp (14.4+/-1.5) and barley (13.4+/-1.5) diets were not different (P>0.05). Heifers offered 3 kg concentrates produced greater (P<0.05) numbers of transferable embryos (4.8+/-0.7) compared with heifers fed ad-libitum concentrates (2.8+/-0.4). Heifers offered citrus/beet pulp produced greater (P<0.05) numbers of transferable embryos (4.8+/-0.7) than heifers offered barley (2.9+/-0.5). These data indicate that high concentrate intake has a negative effect on embryo yield and quality and that a barley compared with citrus/beet pulp based concentrate has a negative effect on embryo quality following superovulation in beef heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Yaakub
- Faculty of Agriculture, University College Dublin, Ireland
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Yaakub H, O'Callaghan D, Boland MP. Effect of roughage type and concentrate supplementation on follicle numbers and in vitro fertilisation and development of oocytes recovered from beef heifers. Anim Reprod Sci 1999; 55:1-12. [PMID: 10099674 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(99)00002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Increasing dietary energy tends to decrease the ovulatory response and produce fewer viable embryos following superovulation of beef cattle. Data in sheep indicate that high energy intake can decrease progesterone concentrations (P4), although effects in cattle are not as clear. The objectives were to evaluate the effects of roughage type and concentrate supplementation on P4 concentrations, follicle growth and subsequent oocyte fertilisation and embryo development in vitro. Forty-two beef heifers were allocated to 3 treatment groups: (i) silage ad libitum plus 6 kg concentrates (silage + conc.; n = 14); (ii) silage ad libitum (silage; n = 14) or (iii) hay ad libitum (hay; n = 14) for 40 days. Oestrus was synchronised using a controlled intravaginal progesterone releasing device (CIDR) for 7 days plus prostaglandin F2 alpha (15 mg luprostiol) administered 2 days before CIDR withdrawal. Ovaries were stimulated with 600 i.u. of follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH) administered in 6 equal doses at 12-h intervals, starting 12 days after CIDR withdrawal. Daily blood samples were collected from 3 days after CIDR insertion until CIDR withdrawal, and for another 3 days prior to pFSH, for P4 determination. Oocytes were recovered postmortem 12 h after the last pFSH injection, matured, fertilised and cultured in vitro. There was no overall effect of diet (P > 0.05) on P4 concentrations. The number of follicles grown in heifers on silage + conc (18.8 +/- 3.3), silage (23.5 +/- 3.4) or hay (18.1 +/- 2.6) were not affected by the dietary treatment (P > 0.05). The percentage of oocytes fertilised from heifers on hay (88%) was higher compared to oocytes from heifers on silage (79%; P < 0.05), but was not different (P > 0.05) compared to the proportion of oocytes from heifers on silage + conc. (86%). The percentage of fertilised oocytes that cleaved was higher from heifers on silage (94%; P < 0.01) compared with oocytes from heifers on hay (82%) or silage + conc. (86%). The proportion of embryos that developed to blastocyst was not different (P > 0.05) between groups of oocytes from heifers on silage + conc. (8%), silage (14%) or hay (15%). Heifers on silage produced numerically more blastocysts (silage: 19 from 14 heifers; silage + conc.: 8 from 14 heifers; hay: 12 from 14 heifers). These results suggest that dietary treatment used prior to oocyte recovery did not significantly influence the developmental competence of the oocytes in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Yaakub
- Faculty of Agriculture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
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27
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Nolan R, O'Callaghan D, Duby RT, Lonergan P, Boland MP. The influence of short-term nutrient changes on follicle growth and embryo production following superovulation in beef heifers. Theriogenology 1998; 50:1263-74. [PMID: 10734440 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(98)00225-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Acute decreases in nutrient intake can improve embryo quality in sheep, although reductions in ovulation rate can also occur. In cattle, short-term nutrient restriction prior to ovulation has been shown to increase subsequent pregnancy rates. Thus, the objective was to determine the effect of a severe reduction in food intake on follicle growth and embryo quantity and quality in heifers superovulated with FSH. Beef heifers (n = 61) were offered a diet of grass silage and concentrates (ratio of 5:1, on a fresh weight basis), which was adjusted to provide a predicted intake of 28.6 Mcal/kg ME/d (H) or 9.6 Mcal/kg ME/d (L). Heifers were synchronized with a progesterone-releasing device for 7 d. They were allocated to oocyte recovery (n = 16/treatment) after 3 (225 IU) or 8 (600 IU) injections of FSH given at 12-h intervals. Oocytes were matured, fertilized and cultured individually in vitro. The remaining heifers (n = 14/treatment) were superovulated using FSH (600 IU), and embryos were recovered 7 d after breeding. The embryos were morphologically graded and subsequently cultured for 24 h before differential staining to determine inner cell mass and trophectoderm cell numbers. Follicle numbers increased following 8 (16.6 +/- 2.0) compared with 3 (6.7 +/- 0.6) injections of FSH (P < 0.0001). Heifers on the L diet had more follicles than those on the H diet (13.5 +/- 2.4 vs 9.6 +/- 1.2; P < 0.06), which was predominantly due to an increase in the number of 7- to 10-mm follicles. However, this effect was only evident after 8 injections of FSH. There was no nutritional effect on cleavage rates in vitro (55.6 +/- 8.1 vs 53.8 +/- 9.0 for H vs L diets, respectively). However, cleavage rates were lower in oocytes collected after 8 than after 3 injections of FSH (31.3 vs 69.2%; P < 0.0001). There was no significant effect of nutrition on ovulation rate after FSH (14.4 +/- 1.9 vs 16.3 +/- 3.0 for H vs L diet, respectively). The number of embryos recovered was not different between heifers on H (10.4 +/- 1.3) and L (11.3 +/- 2.4) diets. Following culture for 24 h, a significantly higher proportion of embryos from heifers on the L diet developed to the blastocyst stage (72.9 vs 41.5%; P < 0.01). Total cell numbers on Day 8 were greater in embryos from heifers on the L diet (98.3 vs 75.4; P < 0.0001); yet the inner cell mass as a percentage of total cells was not different (21 vs 20%). These data indicate that low energy intake prior to and during superovulation resulted in more follicles and in improved embryo quality, as evident from the increased number of blastocysts formed and higher cell numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Nolan
- Faculty of Agriculture, University College Dublin, Ireland
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28
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D'Occhio MJ, Sudha G, Jillella D, Whyte T, Maclellan LJ, Walsh J, Trigg TE, Miller D. Close synchrony of ovulation in superstimulated heifers that have a downregulated anterior pituitary gland and are induced to ovulate with exogenous LH. Theriogenology 1998; 49:637-44. [PMID: 10732042 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(98)00014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The synchrony of ovulation was examined in superstimulated heifers that had a downregulated pituitary gland and which were induced to ovulate by injection of exogenous LH. The pituitary was downregulated and desensitized to GnRH by treatment with the GnRH agonist deslorelin. Nulliparous heifers (3.5 yr old) at random stages of the estrous cycle were assigned to 1 of 3 groups, and on Day -7 received the following treatments: Group 1 (control, n = 8), 1 norgestomet ear implant; Group 2 (GnRH agonist, n = 8); Group 3 (GnRH agonist-LH protocol, n = 8), 2 deslorelin ear implants. Ovarian follicle growth in all heifers was superstimulated with twice-daily intramuscular injections of FSH (Folltropin-V): Day O, 40 mg (80 mg total dose); Day 1, 30 mg; Day 2; 20 mg; Day 3, 10 mg. On Day 2, all heifers were given a luteolytic dose of PGF (7 A.M.), Norgestomet implants were removed from heifers in Group 1 (6 P.M.). Heifers in Group 3 were given an injection of 25 mg, i.m. porcine LH (Lutropin) on Day 4 (4 P.M.). Ovarian follicle status was monitored at 8-h intervals from Day 3 (8 A.M.) to Day 6 (4 P.M.) using an Aloka Echo Camera and 7.5 MHz transducer. Heifers in Groups 2 and 3 exhibited estrus earlier (P < 0.05) than heifers in Group 1. Heifers in Group 2 did not have a preovulatory LH surge and they did not ovulate. Individual control heifers in Group 1 ovulated between 12 A.M. on Day 5 and 8 A.M. on Day 6. Heifers with deslorelin implants and injected with LH in Group 3 ovulated between 4 P.M. on Day 5 and 8 A.M. on Day 6. It was confirmed that superstimulated heifers with GnRH agonist implants can be induced to ovulate with LH. It was also demonstrated that ovulation is closely synchronized after injection of LH. Thus, a single, fixed-time insemination schedule could be used in a GnRH agonist-LH superovulation protocol, with significant practical and economic advantages for superovulation and embryo transfer programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J D'Occhio
- CSIRO Tropical Agriculture, Tropical Beef Centre, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
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Blondin P, Guilbault LA, Sirard MA. The time interval between FSH-P administration and slaughter can influence the developmental competence of beef heifer oocytes. Theriogenology 1997; 48:803-13. [PMID: 16728173 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(97)00303-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/1997] [Accepted: 05/23/1997] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Superovulation alone may not be enough to result in developmentally competent oocytes. The objective of this study was to determine if a time interval between FSH administration and slaughter and between slaughter and oocyte recovery could increase the percentage of embryos. Beef heifers (n = 20) were superovulated with 1 bolus injection of 25 mg, im FSH-P diluted in saline and then slaughtered at 24, 48 or 72 h after FSH injection and the ovaries transported to the laboratory at 30 degrees C. For 6 of the heifers that received FSH-P and were then culled at 48 h post treatment, oocytes were recovered 1 to 2 h post slaughter from the first ovary and 4 to 5 h from the second ovary. Ovaries from untreated cows were collected and served as controls. The results indicated that FSH-P and culling at 48 h produced 35% >/= 32-cell embryos, significantly more than FSH-P and culling at 24 and 72 h (19 and 14%, respectively; P < 0.05). Furthermore, FSH-P and culling at 48 h produced 25% >/= 64-cell embryos, significantly more than FSH-P and culling at 24 and 72 h and the nontreatment control group (5, 7 and 15%, respectively; P < 0.05). The FSH-P group culled at 48 h produced more >/= 32-cell embryos, with an average of 84 +/- 5 cells/embryo, than the treated groups culled at 24 and 72 h and the untreated group (52 +/- 6, 60 +/- 5 and 63 +/- 3, respectively; P < 0.01). Finally, oocytes left in the postmortem ovaries for 4 to 5 h resulted in higher rates (51% and 41%) of >/= 32- and >/= 64-cell embryos, respectively, compared with that of the untreated control animals (29 and 18%; P < 0.05), but these rates were not different from oocytes left in ovaries for 1 to 2 h (33 and 24%). It is concluded that culling at 48 h after FSH treatment, as well as the conditioning effect on oocytes in warm postmortem ovaries for 4 to 5 h, increases the number of competent oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Blondin
- Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval Québec, Canada
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Bordignon V, Morin N, Durocher J, Bousquet D, Smith LC. GnRH improves the recovery rate and the in vitro developmental competence of oocytes obtained by transvaginal follicular aspiration from superstimulated heifers. Theriogenology 1997; 48:291-8. [PMID: 16728128 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(97)84076-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/1996] [Accepted: 04/07/1997] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study we assessed the effect of GnRH on the recovery rate, meiotic synchronization and in vitro developmental competence of oocytes recovered close to the expected time of ovulation. Twenty-three heifers were superstimulated with FSH, and luteolysis was induced by PGF(2alpha) injection 48 h after the start of treatment Twelve heifers received 200 microg GnRH at 34 h after PGF(2alpha) treatment, Blood samples were collected between 35 to 47 h after PGF(2alpha) administration to determine the time of the LH surge. Transvaginal follicular aspiration was performed at 60 h after PGF(2alpha), and the recovered oocytes were fertilized or fixed either immediately or after 24 h of maturation in vitro. GnRH-treated heifers showed an LH surge within 3 h after treatment, while only 4 of the 10 heifers in the control group exhibited an LH surge by 47 h after treatment with PGF(2alpha). The average number of large follicles (> 10 mm) was 21.3 +/- 2.3 and 19.3 +/- 2.4 for GnRH-treated and control heifers, respectively. The oocyte recovery rate was 87.7 and 63.1% (P < 0.05), respectively, and most of the cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COC) recovered from the 2 groups had an expanded cumulus (80.4 and 80.5%, respectively). Oocytes with an expanded cumulus from the GnRH group had completed meiotic maturation at higher rate than the controls (97 vs 20%;P < 0.05). In vitro development to the blastocyst stage of cumulus-expanded oocytes fertilized immediately after recovery was higher in GnRH-treated than in control heifers (60.3 vs 40.0%; P < 0.05). No difference was observed when oocytes with compact or expanded cumulus were matured in vitro for 24 h before fertilization. These results indicate that GnRH injections improve the oocyte recovery rate and that oocytes have a higher development competence than those obtained from non-GnRH-treated animals. We propose that this higher in vitro developmental competence may result from a more synchronous or further advanced meiotic maturation. However, due to the small number of oocytes in our study, we must emphasize that our findings on meiotic resumption are of preliminary nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Bordignon
- Centre de recherche en reproduction animale (CRRA), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, PQ, J2S7C6, Canada
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D'Occhio MJ, Sudha G, Jillella D, Whyte T, Maclellan LJ, Walsh J, Trigg TE, Miller D. Use of a GnRH agonist to prevent the endogenous LH surge and injection of exogenous LH to induce ovulation in heifers superstimulated with FSH: A new model for superovulation. Theriogenology 1997; 47:601-13. [PMID: 16728012 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(97)00018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/1996] [Accepted: 11/05/1996] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
A new protocol for superovulating cattle which allows for control of the timing of ovulation after superstimulation with FSH was developed. The preovulatory LH surge was blocked with the GnRH agonist deslorelin, and ovulation was induced by injection of LH. In Experiment 1, heifers (3-yr-old) were assigned to a control group (Group 1A, n = 4) or a group with deslorelin implants (Group 1B, n = 5). On Day -7, heifers in Group 1A received a progestagen CIDR-B((R))device, while heifers in Group 1B received a CIDR-B((R))device + deslorelin implants. Both groups were superstimulated with twice daily injections of FSH (Folltropin((R))-V): Day 0, 40 mg (80 mg total dose on Day 0); Day 1, 30 mg; Day 2, 20 mg; Day 3, 10 mg. On Day 2, heifers were given PGF (a.m.) and CIDR-B((R)) devices were removed (p.m.). Three heifers in Group 1A had a LH surge and ovulated, whereas neither of these events occurred in Group 1B (with deslorelin implants) heifers. In Experiment 2, heifers (3-yr-old) were assigned to 1 of 4 equal groups (n = 6). On Day -7, heifers in Group 2A received a norgestomet implant, while heifers in Groups 2B, 2C and 2D received norgestomet + deslorelin implants. Heifers were superstimulated with FSH starting on Day 0 as in Experiment 1. On Day 2, heifers were given PGF (a.m.) and norgestomet implants were removed (p.m.). Heifers in Groups 2B to 2D were given 25 mg LH (Lutropin((R))): Group 2B, Day 4 (a.m.); Group 2C, Day 4 (p.m.); Group 2D, Day 5 (a.m.). Heifers in Group 2A were inseminated at estrus and 12 and 24 h later, while heifers in Groups 2B to 2D were inseminated at the time of respective LH injection and 12 and 24 h later. Injection of LH induced ovulation in heifers in Groups 2B to 2D. Heifers in Group 2C had similar total ova and embryos (15.2 +/- 1.4) as heifers in Group 2A (11.0 +/- 2.8) but greater (P < 0.05) numbers than heifers in Group 2B (7.0 +/- 2.3) and Group 2D (6.3 +/- 2.0). The number of transferable embryos was similar for heifers in Group 2A (5.8 +/- 1.8) and Group 2C (7.3 +/- 2.1) but lower (P < 0.05) for heifers in Group 2B (1.2 +/- 0.8) and Group 2D (1.3 +/- 1.0). The new GnRH agonist-LH protocol does not require observation of estrus, and induces ovulation in superstimulated heifers that would not have an endogenous LH surge.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J D'Occhio
- CSIRO Tropical Agriculture, Tropical Beef Centre, Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia
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Damiani P, Fissore RA, Cibelli JB, Long CR, Balise JJ, Robl JM, Duby RT. Evaluation of developmental competence, nuclear and ooplasmic maturation of calf oocytes. Mol Reprod Dev 1996; 45:521-34. [PMID: 8956291 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199612)45:4<521::aid-mrd15>3.0.co;2-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study we evaluated nuclear and ooplasmic maturation of prepuberal calf oocytes to determine a possible cause for their low developmental competency. Calf oocytes resumed meiosis and arrested at the MII stage at rates similar to that of adult animals; however, zygotes derived from calf oocytes cleaved and developed at significantly lower rates. Ooplasmic maturation was assessed during oocyte maturation and fertilization. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that a majority of calf oocytes exhibited some delay in organelle migration and redistribution following maturation. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that following IVF, a higher percentage of calf oocytes had abnormal chromatin and microtubule configurations than those of adult cattle. These anomalies were characterized by delayed formation of sperm aster and asynchronous pronuclear formation. Microfluorometry was used to characterize the Ca2+ responses of calf oocytes to the addition of agonists or after IVF. The addition of thimerosal demonstrated the presence of Ca2+ stores in calf oocytes. Injection of near threshold concentrations of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), used to test the sensitivity of the InsP3R, released significantly less Ca2+ in calf than in cow oocytes, whereas higher concentrations of InsP3 (500 microM) released maximal [Ca2+]i in both oocytes. These results suggested that the Ca2+ content of intracellular stores was similar, but the sensitivity of the InsP3R may be different. Following insemination, calf oocytes exhibiting [Ca2+]i oscillations displayed comparable amplitude and intervals to cow oocytes; however, a significantly higher number of fertilized calf oocytes failed to show oscillations. Our findings suggest that the low developmental competence of calf oocytes can be attributed, at least in part, to incomplete or delayed ooplasmic maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Damiani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA
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Roberge S, Rieger D, Rawlings N. Periovulatory LH, FSH and steroid hormone profiles in superovulated and unstimulated holstein heifers. Theriogenology 1995. [DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(95)00148-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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34
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Greve T, Callesen H, Hyttel P, Høier R, Assey R. The effects of exogenous gonadotropins on oocyte and embryo quality in cattle. Theriogenology 1995. [DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(94)00013-k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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