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Butkiewicz AF, Amaral A, Cerveira-Pinto M, Kordowitzki P. Assessing the Influence of Maternal Age in Bovine Embryos and Oocytes: A Model for Human Reproductive Aging. Aging Dis 2024:AD.2024.0305. [PMID: 38916737 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In the first weeks after fertilization, embryo mortality in cattle is significantly higher. It is well known that the age of the dam is one of the crucial factors affecting the quality of embryos and oocytes in many mammalian species. In older cattle, there are several evidences that embryo quality decreases, due to a decrease in ovarian reserve, a decrease in mtDNA and ATP, a decrease in progesterone levels, and due to susceptibility to genetic mutations. Herein, we intend to provide an updated summary of recent research on the effects of maternal age on embryos and oocytes of domestic cattle which are a widely used model species for human oocytes and early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander Franciszek Butkiewicz
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Ana Amaral
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Cerveira-Pinto
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pawel Kordowitzki
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
- Department of Gynaecology, European Competence Center for Ovarian Cancer, Charité, Berlin, Germany
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Ezoe K, Onogi S, Sawado A, Amagai A, Kato K. Maternal and obstetric outcomes following the transfer of embryos warmed with fatty acid-supplemented solutions. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:343. [PMID: 38704546 PMCID: PMC11069166 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06546-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitrification procedures decrease intracytoplasmic lipid content and impair developmental competence. Adding fatty acids (FAs) to the warming solution has been shown to recover the lipid content of the cytoplasm and improve developmental competence and pregnancy outcomes. However, the influence of the FA supplementation on live birth rates after embryo transfers and perinatal outcomes remains unknown. In the present study, we examined the influence of FA-supplemented warming solutions on live birth rates, pregnancy complications, and neonatal outcomes after single vitrified-warmed cleavage-stage embryo transfers (SVCTs). METHODS The clinical records of 701 treatment cycles in 701 women who underwent SVCTs were retrospectively analyzed. Vitrified embryos were warmed using solutions (from April 2022 to June 2022, control group) or FA-supplemented solutions (from July 2022 to September 2022, FA group). The live birth rate, pregnancy complications, and perinatal outcomes were compared between the control and FA groups. RESULTS The live birth rate per transfer was significantly higher in the FA group than in the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis further demonstrated a higher probability of live births in the FA group than in the control group. Miscarriage rates, the incidence and types of pregnancy complications, the cesarean section rate, gestational age, incidence of preterm delivery, birth length and weight, incidence of low birth weight, infant sex, and incidence of birth defects were all comparable between the control and FA groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis further demonstrated no adverse effects of FA-supplemented warming solutions. CONCLUSIONS FA-supplemented warming solutions improved live birth rates after SVCTs without exerting any adverse effects on maternal and obstetric outcomes. Therefore, FA-supplemented solutions can be considered safe and effective for improving clinical outcomes and reducing patient burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Ezoe
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Sachie Onogi
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Ayano Sawado
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Ayumi Amagai
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Keiichi Kato
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
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Sawado A, Ezoe K, Miki T, Ohata K, Amagai A, Shimazaki K, Okimura T, Kato K. Fatty acid supplementation during warming improves pregnancy outcomes after frozen blastocyst transfers: a propensity score-matched study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9343. [PMID: 38653766 PMCID: PMC11039611 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60136-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the viability of human blastocysts after warming with fatty acids (FAs) using an in vitro outgrowth model and to assess pregnancy outcomes after a single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (SVBT). For the experimental study, we used 446 discarded vitrified human blastocysts donated for research purposes by consenting couples. The blastocysts were warmed using FA-supplemented (FA group) or non-FA-supplemented (control group) solutions. The outgrowth area was significantly larger in the FA group (P = 0.0428), despite comparable blastocyst adhesion rates between the groups. Furthermore, the incidence of outgrowth degeneration was significantly lower in the FA group than in the control group (P = 0.0158). For the clinical study, we retrospectively analyzed the treatment records of women who underwent SVBT in natural cycles between January and August 2022. Multiple covariates that affected the outcomes were used for propensity score matching as follows: 1342 patients in the FA group were matched to 2316 patients in the control group. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between the groups. The rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy significantly increased in the FA group after SVBTs (P = 0.0091-0.0266). These results indicate that warming solutions supplemented with FAs improve blastocyst outgrowth and pregnancy outcomes after SVBTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayano Sawado
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Kenji Ezoe
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Miki
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Kazuki Ohata
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Ayumi Amagai
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Kiyoe Shimazaki
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Tadashi Okimura
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Keiichi Kato
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
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Hong T, Park S, An G, Bazer FW, Song G, Lim W. Norflurazon causes cell death and inhibits implantation-related genes in porcine trophectoderm and uterine luminal epithelial cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 186:114559. [PMID: 38432436 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Norflurazon, an inhibitor of carotenoid synthesis, is a pre-emergent herbicide that prevents growth of weeds. The norflurazon is known to hamper embryo development in non-mammals. However, specific toxic effects of norflurazon on mammalian maternal and fetal cells have not been elucidated. Thus, the hypothesis of this study is that norflurazon may influence the toxic effects between maternal and fetal cells during early pregnancy in pigs. We aimed to examine the toxic effects of norflurazon in porcine trophectoderm (Tr) and uterine luminal epithelium (LE) cells. Norflurazon, administered at 0, 20, 50 or 100 μM for 48 h was used to determine its effects on cell proliferation and cell-cycle arrest. For both uterine LE and Tr cell lines, norflurazone caused mitochondrial dysfunction by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration and ATP production, and down-regulated expression of mRNAs of mitochondrial complex genes. Norflurazon increased cell death by increasing intracellular calcium and regulating PI3K and MAPK cell signaling pathways, as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, ER-mitochondrial contact, and autophagy-related target proteins. Norflurazone also inhibited expression of genes required for implantation of blastocysts, including SMAD2, SMAD4, and SPP1. These findings indicate that norflurazon may induce implantation failure in pigs and other mammals through adverse effects on both Tr and uterine LE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeyeon Hong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunwoo Park
- Department of Plant & Biomaterials Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-si, Gyeongnam, 52725, Republic of Korea
| | - Garam An
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Fuller W Bazer
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2471, USA
| | - Gwonhwa Song
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Whasun Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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Pinto S, Guerra-Carvalho B, Crisóstomo L, Rocha A, Barros A, Alves MG, Oliveira PF. Metabolomics Integration in Assisted Reproductive Technologies for Enhanced Embryo Selection beyond Morphokinetic Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:491. [PMID: 38203668 PMCID: PMC10778973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryo quality evaluation during in vitro development is a crucial factor for the success of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). However, the subjectivity inherent in the morphological evaluation by embryologists can introduce inconsistencies that impact the optimal embryo choice for transfer. To provide a more comprehensive evaluation of embryo quality, we undertook the integration of embryo metabolomics alongside standardized morphokinetic classification. The culture medium of 55 embryos (derived from 21 couples undergoing ICSI) was collected at two timepoints (days 3 and 5). Samples were split into Good (n = 29), Lagging (n = 19), and Bad (n = 10) according to embryo morphokinetic evaluation. Embryo metabolic performance was assessed by monitoring the variation in specific metabolites (pyruvate, lactate, alanine, glutamine, acetate, formate) using 1H-NMR. Adjusted metabolite differentials were observed during the first 3 days of culture and found to be discriminative of embryo quality at the end of day 5. Pyruvate, alanine, glutamine, and acetate were major contributors to this discrimination. Good and Lagging embryos were found to export and accumulate pyruvate and glutamine in the first 3 days of culture, while Bad embryos consumed them. This suggests that Bad embryos have less active metabolic activity than Good and Lagging embryos, and these two metabolites are putative biomarkers for embryo quality. This study provides a more comprehensive evaluation of embryo quality and can lead to improvements in ARTs by enabling the selection of the best embryos. By combining morphological assessment and metabolomics, the selection of high-quality embryos with the potential to result in successful pregnancies may become more accurate and consistent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraia Pinto
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Alberto Barros, 4100-012 Porto, Portugal; (S.P.); (A.B.)
| | | | - Luís Crisóstomo
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland;
| | - António Rocha
- CECA/ICETA–Centro de Estudos de Ciência Animal, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Alberto Barros
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Alberto Barros, 4100-012 Porto, Portugal; (S.P.); (A.B.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marco G. Alves
- Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Pedro F. Oliveira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
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He SY, Liu RP, Wang CR, Wang XQ, Wang J, Xu YN, Kim NH, Han DW, Li YH. Improving the developmental competences of porcine parthenogenetic embryos by Notoginsenoside R1-induced enhancement of mitochondrial activity and alleviation of proapoptotic events. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:1583-1594. [PMID: 37696770 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), derived from the Panax notoginseng root and rhizome, exhibits diverse pharmacological influences on the brain, neurons, and osteoblasts, such as antioxidant effects, mitochondrial function protection, energy metabolism regulation, and inhibition of oxygen radicals, apoptosis, and cellular autophagy. However, its effect on early porcine embryonic development remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated NGR1's effects on blastocyst quality, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, glutathione (GSH) levels, mitochondrial function, and embryonic development-related gene expression in porcine embryos by introducing NGR1 during the in vitro culture (IVC) of early porcine embryos. Our results indicate that an addition of 1 μM NGR1 significantly increased glutathione (GSH) levels, blastocyst formation rate, and total cell number and proliferation capacity; decreased ROS levels and apoptosis rates in orphan-activated porcine embryos; and improved intracellular mitochondrial distribution, enhanced membrane potential, and reduced autophagy. In addition, pluripotency-related factor levels were elevated (NANOG and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 [OCT4]), antioxidant-related genes were upregulated (nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 [NRF2]), and apoptosis- (caspase 3 [CAS3]) and autophagy-related genes (light chain 3 [LC3B]) were downregulated. These results indicate that NGR1 can enhance early porcine embryonic development by protecting mitochondrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Yan He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Rong-Ping Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Chao-Rui Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Xin-Qin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Yong-Nan Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Nam-Hyung Kim
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Dong-Wook Han
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Ying-Hua Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China
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Gu Y, Xu J, Sun F, Cheng J. Elevated intracellular pH of zygotes during mouse aging causes mitochondrial dysfunction associated with poor embryo development. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023:111991. [PMID: 37336488 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.111991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The mortality of preimplantation embryos is positively correlated with maternal age. However, the underlying mechanism for the poor quality of embryos remains unclear. Here, we found that aging caused elevated intracellular pH (pHi) in zygotes, which could trigger aberrant mitochondrial membrane potential, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and poor embryo development. Moreover, single-cell transcriptome sequencing of mouse zygotes identified 120 genes that were significantly differentially expressed (DE) between young and older zygotes. These include genes such as Slc14a1, Fxyd5, CD74, and Bst, which are related to cell division, ion transporter, and cell differentiation. Further analysis indicated that these DE genes were enriched in apoptosis, the NF-kappa B signaling pathway, and the chemokine signaling pathway, which might be the key regulatory pathway affecting the quality of zygotes and subsequent embryo development. Taken together, our study helps elucidate the poor quality and development of older preimplantation embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Gu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 7, Taiyuan, 030001, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Jinmei Cheng
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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