1
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Riera-Escamilla A, Vockel M, Nagirnaja L, Xavier MJ, Carbonell A, Moreno-Mendoza D, Pybus M, Farnetani G, Rosta V, Cioppi F, Friedrich C, Oud MS, van der Heijden GW, Soave A, Diemer T, Ars E, Sánchez-Curbelo J, Kliesch S, O’Bryan MK, Ruiz-Castañe E, Azorín F, Veltman JA, Aston KI, Conrad DF, Tüttelmann F, Krausz C. Large-scale analyses of the X chromosome in 2,354 infertile men discover recurrently affected genes associated with spermatogenic failure. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1458-1471. [PMID: 35809576 PMCID: PMC9388793 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the evolutionary history of the X chromosome indicates its specialization in male fitness, its role in spermatogenesis has largely been unexplored. Currently only three X chromosome genes are considered of moderate-definitive diagnostic value. We aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of all X chromosome-linked protein-coding genes in 2,354 azoospermic/cryptozoospermic men from four independent cohorts. Genomic data were analyzed and compared with data in normozoospermic control individuals and gnomAD. While updating the clinical significance of known genes, we propose 21 recurrently mutated genes strongly associated with and 34 moderately associated with azoospermia/cryptozoospermia not previously linked to male infertility (novel). The most frequently affected prioritized gene, RBBP7, was found mutated in ten men across all cohorts, and our functional studies in Drosophila support its role in germ stem cell maintenance. Collectively, our study represents a significant step towards the definition of the missing genetic etiology in idiopathic severe spermatogenic failure and significantly reduces the knowledge gap of X-linked genetic causes of azoospermia/cryptozoospermia contributing to the development of future diagnostic gene panels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Matthias Vockel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Liina Nagirnaja
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Miguel J. Xavier
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Albert Carbonell
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona, CSIC, Baldiri Reixac, 4, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Daniel Moreno-Mendoza
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain,Department of Urology, Hospital del Oriente de Asturias, Arriondas, 33540 Asturias, Spain
| | - Marc Pybus
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ginevra Farnetani
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Viktoria Rosta
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Francesca Cioppi
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Manon S. Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen 6525, the Netherlands
| | | | - Armin Soave
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Thorsten Diemer
- Clinic for Urology, Paediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Gießen 35392, Germany
| | - Elisabet Ars
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Josvany Sánchez-Curbelo
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Moira K. O’Bryan
- The School of BioScience that the Bio21 Institute, The Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Eduard Ruiz-Castañe
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau, Barcelona, 08025 Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Fernando Azorín
- Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona, CSIC, Baldiri Reixac, 4, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain,Institute for Research in Biomedicine, IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, Barcelona, 08028 Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joris A. Veltman
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Kenneth I. Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Donald F. Conrad
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA,Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences Mario Serio, University of Florence, Florence 50139, Italy,Corresponding author
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2
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Davalieva K, Rusevski A, Velkov M, Noveski P, Kubelka-Sabit K, Filipovski V, Plaseski T, Dimovski A, Plaseska-Karanfilska D. Comparative proteomics analysis of human FFPE testicular tissues reveals new candidate biomarkers for distinction among azoospermia types and subtypes. J Proteomics 2022; 267:104686. [PMID: 35914715 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2022.104686] [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: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding molecular mechanisms that underpin azoospermia and discovery of biomarkers that could enable reliable, non-invasive diagnosis is highly needed. Using label-free data-independent LC-MS/MS acquisition coupled with ion mobility, we compared the FFPE testicular proteome of patients with obstructive (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) subtypes hypospermatogenesis (Hyp) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCO). Out of 2044 proteins identified based on ≥2 peptides, 61 proteins had the power to quantitatively discriminate OA from NOA and 30 to quantitatively discriminate SCO from Hyp and OA. Among these, H1-6, RANBP1 and TKTL2 showed superior potential for quantitative discrimination among OA, Hyp and SCO. Integrin signaling pathway, adherens junction, planar cell polarity/convergent extension pathway and Dectin-1 mediated noncanonical NF-kB signaling were significantly associated with the proteins that could discriminate OA from NOA. Comparison with 2 transcriptome datasets revealed 278 and 55 co-differentially expressed proteins/genes with statistically significant positive correlation. Gene expression analysis by qPCR of 6 genes (H1-6, RANBP1, TKTL2, TKTL1, H2BC1, and ACTL7B) with the highest discriminatory power on protein level and the same regulation trend with transcriptomic datasets, confirmed proteomics results. In summary, our results suggest some underlying pathways in azoospermia and broaden the range of potential novel candidates for diagnosis. SIGNIFICANCE: Using a comparative proteomics approach on testicular tissue we have identified several pathways associated with azoospermia and a number of testis-specific and germ cell-specific proteins that have the potential to pinpoint the type of spermatogenesis failure. Furthermore, comparison with transcriptomics datasets based on genome-wide gene expression analyses of human testis specimens from azoospermia patients identified proteins that could discriminate between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia subtypes on both protein and mRNA levels. Up to our knowledge, this is the first integrated comparative analysis of proteomics and transcriptomics data from testicular tissues. We believe that the data from our study contributes significantly to increase the knowledge of molecular mechanisms of azoospermia and pave the way for new investigations in regards to non-invasive diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Davalieva
- Research Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology "Georgi D Efremov", Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia.
| | - Aleksandar Rusevski
- Research Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology "Georgi D Efremov", Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia
| | - Milan Velkov
- Research Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology "Georgi D Efremov", Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia
| | - Predrag Noveski
- Research Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology "Georgi D Efremov", Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia
| | - Katerina Kubelka-Sabit
- Laboratory for Histopathology, Clinical Hospital "Sistina", 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia
| | - Vanja Filipovski
- Laboratory for Histopathology, Clinical Hospital "Sistina", 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia
| | - Toso Plaseski
- Faculty of Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders Clinic, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia
| | - Aleksandar Dimovski
- Research Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology "Georgi D Efremov", Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia; Faculty of Pharmacy, University "St. Cyril and Methodius", 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia
| | - Dijana Plaseska-Karanfilska
- Research Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology "Georgi D Efremov", Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia, Macedonia.
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3
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Wu X, Zhou L, Shi J, Cheng CY, Sun F. Multiomics analysis of male infertility. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:118-134. [PMID: 35639635 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects 8-12% of couples globally, and the male factor is a primary cause in approximately 50% of couples. Male infertility is a multifactorial reproductive disorder, which can be caused by paracrine and autocrine factors, hormones, genes, and epigenetic changes. Recent studies in rodents and most notably in humans using multiomics approach have yielded important insights into understanding the biology of spermatogenesis. Nonetheless, the etiology and pathogenesis of male infertility are still largely unknown. In this review, we summarized and critically evaluated findings based on the use of advanced technologies to compare normal and obstructive azoospermia (OA) versus non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) men, including whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), whole exome sequencing (WES), and ATAC-seq. It is obvious that the multiomics approach is the method of choice for basic research and clinical studies including clinical diagnosis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Liwei Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Urology & Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China.,Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
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4
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Abstract
Mitochondrial fusion and fission (mitochondrial dynamics) are homeostatic processes that safeguard normal cellular function. This relationship is especially strong in tissues with constitutively high energy demands, such as brain, heart and skeletal muscle. Less is known about the role of mitochondrial dynamics in developmental systems that involve changes in metabolic function. One such system is spermatogenesis. The first mitochondrial dynamics gene, Fuzzy onions (Fzo), was discovered in 1997 to mediate mitochondrial fusion during Drosophila spermatogenesis. In mammals, however, the role of mitochondrial fusion during spermatogenesis remained unknown for nearly two decades after discovery of Fzo Mammalian spermatogenesis is one of the most complex and lengthy differentiation processes in biology, transforming spermatogonial stem cells into highly specialized sperm cells over a 5-week period. This elaborate differentiation process requires several developmentally regulated mitochondrial and metabolic transitions, making it an attractive model system for studying mitochondrial dynamics in vivo We review the emerging role of mitochondrial biology, and especially its dynamics, during the development of the male germ line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigor Varuzhanyan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - David C Chan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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5
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Vockel M, Riera-Escamilla A, Tüttelmann F, Krausz C. The X chromosome and male infertility. Hum Genet 2019; 140:203-215. [PMID: 31875237 PMCID: PMC7864851 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-02101-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The X chromosome is a key player in germ cell development, as has been highlighted for males in previous studies revealing that the mammalian X chromosome is enriched in genes expressed in early spermatogenesis. In this review, we focus on the X chromosome’s unique biology as associated with human male infertility. Male infertility is most commonly caused by spermatogenic defects to which X chromosome dosage is closely linked; for example, any supernumerary X chromosome as in Klinefelter syndrome will lead to male infertility. Furthermore, because males normally only have a single X chromosome and because X-linked genetic anomalies are generally only present in a single copy in males, any loss-of-function mutations in single-copy X-chromosomal genes cannot be compensated by a normal allele. These features make X-linked genes particularly attractive for studying male spermatogenic failure. However, to date, only very few genetic causes have been identified as being definitively responsible for male infertility in humans. Although genetic studies of germ cell-enriched X-chromosomal genes in mice suggest a role of certain human orthologs in infertile men, these genes in mice and humans have striking evolutionary differences. Furthermore, the complexity and highly repetitive structure of the X chromosome hinder the mutational analysis of X-linked genes in humans. Therefore, we conclude that additional methodological approaches are urgently warranted to advance our understanding of the genetics of X-linked male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Vockel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Antoni Riera-Escamilla
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB- Sant Pau), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Vesaliusweg 12-14, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sant Pau (IIB- Sant Pau), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. .,Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Centre of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Viale PIeraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
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6
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Wang M, Liu X, Chang G, Chen Y, An G, Yan L, Gao S, Xu Y, Cui Y, Dong J, Chen Y, Fan X, Hu Y, Song K, Zhu X, Gao Y, Yao Z, Bian S, Hou Y, Lu J, Wang R, Fan Y, Lian Y, Tang W, Wang Y, Liu J, Zhao L, Wang L, Liu Z, Yuan R, Shi Y, Hu B, Ren X, Tang F, Zhao XY, Qiao J. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analysis Reveals Sequential Cell Fate Transition during Human Spermatogenesis. Cell Stem Cell 2018; 23:599-614.e4. [PMID: 30174296 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis generates mature male gametes and is critical for the proper transmission of genetic information between generations. However, the developmental landscapes of human spermatogenesis remain unknown. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis for 2,854 testicular cells from donors with normal spermatogenesis and 174 testicular cells from one nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) donor. A hierarchical model was established, which was characterized by the sequential and stepwise development of three spermatogonia subtypes, seven spermatocyte subtypes, and four spermatid subtypes. Further analysis identified several stage-specific marker genes of human germ cells, such as HMGA1, PIWIL4, TEX29, SCML1, and CCDC112. Moreover, we identified altered gene expression patterns in the testicular somatic cells of one NOA patient via scRNA-seq analysis, paving the way for further diagnosis of male infertility. Our work allows for the reconstruction of transcriptional programs inherent to sequential cell fate transition during human spermatogenesis and has implications for deciphering male-related reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wang
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, PRC; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 510515, PRC
| | - Xixi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Gang Chang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Genome Instability and Human Disease Prevention, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, PRC
| | - Yidong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC
| | - Geng An
- Reproductive Medicine Center of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, PRC
| | - Liying Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Shuai Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Yanwen Xu
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, PRC; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 510515, PRC
| | - Yueli Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Ji Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Yuhan Chen
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, PRC; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 510515, PRC
| | - Xiaoying Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Yuqiong Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC
| | - Ke Song
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, PRC; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 510515, PRC
| | - Xiaohui Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Yun Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Zhaokai Yao
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, PRC; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 510515, PRC
| | - Shuhui Bian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC
| | - Yu Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Jiahao Lu
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, PRC; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 510515, PRC
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Yong Fan
- Reproductive Medicine Center of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, PRC
| | - Ying Lian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Wenhao Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Yapeng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Jianqiao Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, PRC
| | - Lianming Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Luyu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Zhaoting Liu
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, PRC; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 510515, PRC
| | - Renpei Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Yujia Shi
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, PRC; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 510515, PRC
| | - Boqiang Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Xiulian Ren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PRC; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC.
| | - Xiao-Yang Zhao
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, PRC; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong 510515, PRC.
| | - Jie Qiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, College of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC; Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, PRC; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PRC.
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7
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Okutman O, Muller J, Skory V, Garnier JM, Gaucherot A, Baert Y, Lamour V, Serdarogullari M, Gultomruk M, Röpke A, Kliesch S, Herbepin V, Aknin I, Benkhalifa M, Teletin M, Bakircioglu E, Goossens E, Charlet-Berguerand N, Bahceci M, Tüttelmann F, Viville ST. A no-stop mutation in MAGEB4 is a possible cause of rare X-linked azoospermia and oligozoospermia in a consanguineous Turkish family. J Assist Reprod Genet 2017; 34:683-694. [PMID: 28401488 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-017-0900-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify mutations that cause non-syndromic male infertility using whole exome sequencing of family cases. METHODS We recruited a consanguineous Turkish family comprising nine siblings with male triplets; two of the triplets were infertile as well as one younger infertile brother. Whole exome sequencing (WES) performed on two azoospermic brothers identified a mutation in the melanoma antigen family B4 (MAGEB4) gene which was confirmed via Sanger sequencing and then screened for on control groups and unrelated infertile subjects. The effect of the mutation on messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels was tested after in vitro cell transfection. Structural features of MAGEB4 were predicted throughout the conserved MAGE domain. RESULTS The novel single-base substitution (c.1041A>T) in the X-linked MAGEB4 gene was identified as a no-stop mutation. The mutation is predicted to add 24 amino acids to the C-terminus of MAGEB4. Our functional studies were unable to detect any effect either on mRNA stability, intracellular localization of the protein, or the ability to homodimerize/heterodimerize with other MAGE proteins. We thus hypothesize that these additional amino acids may affect the proper protein interactions with MAGEB4 partners. CONCLUSION The whole exome analysis of a consanguineous Turkish family revealed MAGEB4 as a possible new X-linked cause of inherited male infertility. This study provides the first clue to the physiological function of a MAGE protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Okutman
- Département Génomique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 7292, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, UF3472-génétique de l'infertilité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean Muller
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, INSERM U1112, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valerie Skory
- Département Génomique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Jean Marie Garnier
- Biologie du développement et cellules souches, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Angeline Gaucherot
- Médecine translationnelle et neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Yoni Baert
- Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Valérie Lamour
- Département Biologie structurale intégrative, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | | | | | - Albrecht Röpke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Isabelle Aknin
- Reproductive Biology Unit, CHU-Hôpital Nord, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Moncef Benkhalifa
- Médecine de la Reproduction et Cytogénétique Médicale CHU et Faculté de Médecine, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80000, Amiens, France
| | - Marius Teletin
- Département Génomique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | | | - Ellen Goossens
- Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Charlet-Berguerand
- Médecine translationnelle et neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | | | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - STéphane Viville
- Département Génomique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 7292, Fédération de Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, UF3472-génétique de l'infertilité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Laboratoire de diagnostic génétique, UF3472-génétique de l'infertilité, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67091, Strasbourg cedex, France.
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Velarde MC, Menon R. Positive and negative effects of cellular senescence during female reproductive aging and pregnancy. J Endocrinol 2016; 230:R59-76. [PMID: 27325241 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a phenomenon occurring when cells are no longer able to divide even after treatment with growth stimuli. Because senescent cells are typically associated with aging and age-related diseases, cellular senescence is hypothesized to contribute to the age-related decline in reproductive function. However, some data suggest that senescent cells may also be important for normal physiological functions during pregnancy. Herein, we review the positive and negative effects of cellular senescence on female reproductive aging and pregnancy. We discuss how senescent cells accelerate female reproductive aging by promoting the decline in the number of ovarian follicles and increasing complications during pregnancy. We also describe how cellular senescence plays an important role in placental and fetal development as a beneficial process, ensuring proper homeostasis during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Velarde
- Institute of BiologyUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Buck Institute for Research on AgingNovato, California, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA Department of Clinical Medicine and Obstetrics and GynecologyAarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Honorato TC, Henningsen AA, Haadsma ML, Land JA, Pinborg A, Lidegaard Ø, Groen H, Hoek A. Follicle pool, ovarian surgery and the risk for a subsequent trisomic pregnancy. Hum Reprod 2015; 30:717-22. [PMID: 25586783 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there an association between trisomic pregnancy, a marker for decreased oocyte quality, and the reduced oocyte quantity that follows ovarian surgery? SUMMARY ANSWER Previous ovarian surgery is not associated with an increased risk for a subsequent trisomic pregnancy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Ovarian surgery diminishes the number of oocytes. The risk for a trisomic pregnancy is suggested to be higher in women with fewer oocytes, independent of their chronological age. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is a matched case-control study. Cases are women with a confirmed trisomic pregnancy occurring between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2010 regardless of pregnancy outcome and controls are women that had a live born child without a trisomy. In total, there were 8573 participants in the study; 1723 cases and 6850 controls. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Data were obtained from Danish medical registries. Matching criteria were maternal age and year of conception. Number of controls matched per case ranged from one to four. Among cases and controls with a trisomic pregnancy, 2.7% (46/1723) versus 2.5% (172/6850) had undergone ovarian surgery before pregnancy. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE History of ovarian surgery is not associated with a higher risk for a subsequent trisomic pregnancy (odds ratio = 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.99-1.01). Subgroup analyses by indication of surgery and interval between ovarian surgery and pregnancy do not show an effect on trisomic pregnancy risk. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The medical registries used to select cases and controls did not contain information on surgical technique nor volume of ovarian tissue resected, previous trisomic pregnancy prior to the ovarian surgery or long-term use of oral contraceptives. Therefore, correction for these factors was not performed. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS We did not confirm the hypothesis that ovarian surgery, a marker for decreased oocyte quantity, is related to trisomic pregnancy, a marker for decreased oocyte quality. This suggests that ovarian surgery, which has a direct reductive effect on the size of the follicle pool, may affect oocyte quality differently when compared with the reduction in follicle pool size due to ageing. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS The study was supported by grants from the Gratama Stichting, University of Groningen and the University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands. Ø.L. has within the last 3 years received honoraria for speeches in pharmacoepidemiological issues, not related to this study. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology receives unrestricted educational grants from Ferring Pharmaceuticals. A.H. received a grant from ZonMW (i.e. National Dutch Scientific funding) for a RCT not related to this publication. Dr A.H. received speakers fee from MSD for an educational presentation. All other authors have no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Honorato
- Department of Epidemiology, HPC FA40, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - A A Henningsen
- Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - M L Haadsma
- Department of Clinical Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J A Land
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - A Pinborg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - Ø Lidegaard
- Gynecological Clinic, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - H Groen
- Department of Epidemiology, HPC FA40, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - A Hoek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Hemmings KE, Maruthini D, Vyjayanthi S, Hogg JE, Balen AH, Campbell BK, Leese HJ, Picton HM. Amino acid turnover by human oocytes is influenced by gamete developmental competence, patient characteristics and gonadotrophin treatment. Hum Reprod 2013; 28:1031-44. [PMID: 23335609 PMCID: PMC3600837 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can amino acid profiling differentiate between human oocytes with differing competence to mature to metaphase II (MII) in vitro? SUMMARY ANSWER Oocytes which remained arrested at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage after 24 h of in vitro maturation (IVM) displayed differences in the depletion/appearance of amino acids compared with oocytes which progressed to MII and patient age, infertile diagnosis and ovarian stimulation regime significantly affected oocyte amino acid turnover during IVM. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Amino acid profiling has been proposed as a technique which can distinguish between human pronucleate zygotes and cleavage stage embryos with the potential to develop to the blastocyst stage and implant to produce a pregnancy and those that arrest. Most recently, the amino acid turnover by individual bovine oocytes has been shown to be predictive of oocyte developmental competence as indicated by the gamete's capacity to undergo fertilization and early cleavage divisions in vitro. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The study was conducted between March 2005 and March 2010. A total of 216 oocytes which were at the GV or metaphase I (MI) stages at the time of ICSI were donated by 67 patients. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS The research was conducted in university research laboratories affiliated to a hospital-based infertility clinic. Oocytes were cultured for 24 h and the depletion/appearance of amino acids was measured during the final 6 h of IVM. Amino acid turnover was analysed in relation to oocyte meiotic progression, patient age, disease aetiology and controlled ovarian stimulation regime. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The depletion/appearance of key amino acids was linked to the maturation potential of human oocytes in vitro. Oocytes which arrested at the GV stage (n = 9) depleted significantly more valine and isoleucine than those which progressed to MI (n = 32) or MII (n = 107) (P < 0.05). Glutamate, glutamine, arginine and valine depletion or appearance differed in MII versus degenerating oocytes (n = 20) (P < 0.05). Glutamine, arginine, methionine, phenylalanine, total depletion and total turnover all differed in oocytes from patients aged < 35 years versus patients ≥35 years (P < 0.05). MII oocytes obtained following ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH depleted more isoleucine (P < 0.05) and more alanine and lysine (P < 0.05) appeared than oocytes from hMG-stimulated cycles. MII oocytes from patients with a polycystic ovary (PCO) morphology (n = 33) depleted more serine (P < 0.05) than oocytes from women with normal ovaries (n = 61). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Immature oocytes collected at the time of ICSI were used as the model for human oocyte maturation. These oocytes have therefore failed to respond to the ovulatory hCG trigger in vivo (they are meiotically incompetent), and have limited capacity to support embryo development in vitro. The lack of cumulus cells and stress of the conditions in vitro may have influenced turnover of amino acids, and owing to the small sample sizes further studies are required to confirm these findings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The findings provide support for the hypothesis that oocyte metabolism reflects oocyte quality. Longitudinal studies are required to link these functional metabolic indices of human oocyte quality with embryo developmental competence. Oocyte amino acid profiling may be a useful tool to quantify the impact of new assisted reproduction technologies (ART) on oocyte quality. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This project was funded by the UK Biology and Biotechnology Research Council (BB/C007395/1) and the Medical Research Council (G 0800250). K.E.H was in receipt of a British Fertility Society/Merck Serono studentship. H.J.L. is a shareholder in Novocellus Ltd, a company which seeks to devise a non-invasive biochemical test of embryo health.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Hemmings
- Division of Reproduction and Early Development, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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Stouffs K, Lissens W. X chromosomal mutations and spermatogenic failure. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2012; 1822:1864-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2011] [Revised: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Forman EJ, Treff NR, Stevens JM, Garnsey HM, Katz-Jaffe MG, Scott RT, Schoolcraft WB. Embryos whose polar bodies contain isolated reciprocal chromosome aneuploidy are almost always euploid. Hum Reprod 2012; 28:502-8. [PMID: 23169867 PMCID: PMC3545638 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION When a chromosome aneuploidy is detected in the first polar body and a reciprocal loss or gain of the same chromosome is detected in the second polar body, is the resulting embryo usually aneuploid for that chromosome? SUMMARY ANSWER When reciprocal aneuploidy occurs in polar bodies, the resulting embryo is usually normal for that chromosome, indicating that premature separation of sister chromatids (PSSC)—not non-disjunction—likely occurred in meiosis I. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Single-nucleotide polymorphism-based microarray analysis can be used to accurately determine the chromosomal status of polar bodies and embryos. Sometimes, the only abnormality found is a reciprocal gain or loss of one or two chromosomes in the two polar bodies. Prediction of the status of the resulting embryo in these cases is problematic. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Blinded microarray analysis of previously diagnosed aneuploid embryos that had reciprocal polar body aneuploidy. MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS IVF cycles were performed between 2008 and 2011 in patients aged 40 ± 3 years (range 35–47 years) with an indication for polar body-based aneuploidy screening. Thirty-five aneuploid vitrified Day 3 embryos were warmed, cultured to Day 5 and biopsied for microarray analysis. Predictions were made for the ploidy status of the embryo if PSSC or non-disjunction had occurred. The signal intensity for the aneuploid chromosome in the first polar body was compared between those that resulted in euploid and aneuploid embryos. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Among 34 embryos with evaluable results, 31 were euploid on re-analysis. Of 43 chromosomes that had reciprocal aneuploidy in the polar bodies, 41 were disomic in the embryo, indicating that PSSC was likely to have occurred 95% (95% confidence interval 85–99%) of the time. The log 2 ratio signal intensity from the chromosomes that underwent non-disjunction, resulting in unbalanced embryos, were outliers when compared with those that underwent PSSC. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Although most embryos with reciprocal aneuploid polar bodies were euploid, it is unknown whether they maintain equivalent reproductive potential when transferred. Further study is needed to determine whether these embryos should be re-biopsied and considered for transfer. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study is consistent with increasing evidence that PSSC is the primary cause of meiosis I errors in embryos from women of advanced reproductive age. Clinicians should be cautious in interpreting results from polar body aneuploidy screening, especially when only the first polar body is tested. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) None.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Forman
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, Morristown, NJ 07960, USA.
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Carnes BA, Riesch R, Schlupp I. The delayed impact of parental age on offspring mortality in mice. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2011; 67:351-7. [PMID: 21835807 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glr116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The certitude of death makes reproduction the foundation upon which all life-history strategies are based. Plasticity in the reproductive biology of organisms is an essential adaptive response to the capricious and hazardous environments of earth. In this article, we use data from a breeding colony for laboratory mice to examine the mortality risks of offspring born at the outer boundaries of their Dam's reproductive plasticity. Our results suggest that the mortality/survival characteristics of offspring are affected by both litter parity and offspring gender. Females born to young Dams have consistently longer life spans than females born to older Dams. Conversely, males are either not affected by parental age or have longer life spans when born to older Dams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Carnes
- Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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Fragouli E, Alfarawati S, Goodall NN, Sanchez-Garcia JF, Colls P, Wells D. The cytogenetics of polar bodies: insights into female meiosis and the diagnosis of aneuploidy. Mol Hum Reprod 2011; 17:286-95. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gar024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Alvarez Sedó C, Schatten H, Combelles CM, Rawe VY. The nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein: localization and dynamics in human oocytes, fertilization and early embryos. Mol Hum Reprod 2011; 17:392-8. [PMID: 21297155 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gar009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The oocyte's meiotic spindle is a dynamic structure that relies on microtubule organization and regulation by centrosomes. Disorganization of centrosomal proteins, including the nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein and the molecular motor complex dynein/dynactin, can lead to chromosomal instability and developmental abnormalities. The present study reports the distribution and function of these proteins in human oocytes, zygotes and early embryos. A total of 239 oocytes, 90 zygotes and discarded embryos were fixed and analyzed with confocal microscopy for NuMA and dynactin distribution together with microtubules and chromatin. Microtubule-associated dynein-dependent transport functions were explored by inhibiting phosphatase and ATPase activity with sodium-orthovanadate (SOV). At germinal vesicle (GV) stages, NuMA was dispersed across the nucleoplasm. After GV breaks down, NuMA became cytoplasmic before localizing at the spindle poles in metaphase I and II oocytes. Aberrant NuMA localization patterns were found during oocyte in vitro maturation. After fertilization, normal and abnormal pronuclear stage zygotes and embryos displayed translocation of NuMA to interphase nuclei. SOV treatment for up to 2 h induced lower maturation rates with chromosomal scattering and ectopic localization of NuMA. Accurate distribution of NuMA is important for oocyte maturation, zygote and embryo development in humans. Proper assembly of NuMA is likely necessary for bipolar spindle organization and human oocyte developmental competence.
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Fragouli E, Alfarawati S, Daphnis DD, Goodall NN, Mania A, Griffiths T, Gordon A, Wells D. Cytogenetic analysis of human blastocysts with the use of FISH, CGH and aCGH: scientific data and technical evaluation. Hum Reprod 2010; 26:480-90. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Garcia-Cruz R, Brieño MA, Roig I, Grossmann M, Velilla E, Pujol A, Cabero L, Pessarrodona A, Barbero JL, Garcia Caldés M. Dynamics of cohesin proteins REC8, STAG3, SMC1 beta and SMC3 are consistent with a role in sister chromatid cohesion during meiosis in human oocytes. Hum Reprod 2010; 25:2316-27. [PMID: 20634189 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sister chromatid cohesion is essential for ordered chromosome segregation at mitosis and meiosis. This is carried out by cohesin complexes, comprising four proteins, which seem to form a ring-like complex. Data from animal models suggest that loss of sister chromatid cohesion may be involved in age-related non-disjunction in human oocytes. Here, we describe the distribution of cohesins throughout meiosis in human oocytes. METHODS We used immunofluorescence in human oocytes at different meiotic stages to detect cohesin subunits REC8, STAG3, SMC1 beta and SMC3, [also synaptonemal complex (SC) protein 3 and shugoshin 1]. Samples from euploid fetuses and adult women were collected, and 51 metaphase I (MI) and 113 metaphase II (MII) oocytes analyzed. SMC1 beta transcript levels were quantified in 85 maturing germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes from 34 women aged 19-43 years by real-time PCR. RESULTS At prophase I, cohesin subunits REC8, STAG3, SMC1 beta and SMC3 overlapped with the lateral element of the SC. Short cohesin fibers are observed in the oocyte nucleus during dictyate arrest. All four subunits are observed at centromeres and along chromosomal arms, except at chiasmata, at MI and are present at centromeric domains from anaphase I to MII. SMC1 beta transcripts were detected (with high inter-sample variability) in GV oocytes but no correlation between SMC1 beta mRNA levels and age was found. CONCLUSIONS The dynamics of cohesins REC8, STAG3, SMC1 beta and SMC3 suggest their participation in sister chromatid cohesion throughout the whole meiotic process in human oocytes. Our data do not support the view that decreased levels of SMC1 beta gene expression in older women are involved in age-related non-disjunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Garcia-Cruz
- Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular i Genètica Mèdica, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
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Fragouli E, Bianchi V, Patrizio P, Obradors A, Huang Z, Borini A, Delhanty JDA, Wells D. Transcriptomic profiling of human oocytes: association of meiotic aneuploidy and altered oocyte gene expression. Mol Hum Reprod 2010; 16:570-82. [PMID: 20444854 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaq033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to identify oocytes with the greatest potential for producing a viable embryo would be of great benefit to assisted reproductive treatments. One of the most important defects affecting oocytes is aneuploidy. Aneuploidy is also closely related with advancing maternal age, a phenomenon not well understood. This study combined a comprehensive cytogenetic investigation of 21 oocytes with a detailed assessment of their transcriptome. The first polar body was removed from all oocytes and aneuploidy assessed using comparative genomic hybridization. Preliminary mRNA transcript data were produced with the use of microarrays for seven of the corresponding oocytes (three normal and four aneuploid). The results obtained for normal and aneuploid oocytes were compared and 327 genes were found to display statistically (P < 0.05) significant differences in transcript levels. Ninety-six of these genes were further assessed in seven aneuploid and seven normal oocytes using real-time PCR. The results indicated that aneuploidy is associated with altered transcript levels affecting a subset of genes. A link between mRNA transcript numbers and age was also observed. The possibility that different transcript levels in the oocyte have an impact on cellular pathways remains to be proven. However, it may be significant that some of the highlighted genes produce proteins involved in spindle assembly and chromosome alignment. Additionally, several genes with altered amounts of transcript produce cell surface or excretory molecules, and could potentially serve as targets for non-invasive oocyte aneuploidy assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Fragouli
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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19
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Garcia-Cruz R, Casanovas A, Brieno-Enriquez M, Robles P, Roig I, Pujol A, Cabero L, Durban M, Garcia Caldes M. Cytogenetic analyses of human oocytes provide new data on non-disjunction mechanisms and the origin of trisomy 16. Hum Reprod 2009; 25:179-91. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dep347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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20
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Stouffs K, Tournaye H, Liebaers I, Lissens W. Male infertility and the involvement of the X chromosome. Hum Reprod Update 2009; 15:623-37. [PMID: 19515807 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmp023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male infertility is a worldwide problem, keeping many researchers puzzled. Besides environmental factors, much attention is paid to single gene defects. In this view, the sex chromosomes are particularly interesting since men only have a single copy of these chromosomes. The involvement of the Y chromosome in male infertility is obvious since the detection of Yq microdeletions. The role of the X chromosome, however, remains less understood. METHODS Articles were obtained by searching PubMed until December 2008. A first search attempted to identify genes located on the X chromosome potentially important for spermatogenesis. A second part of the study was focused on those genes for which the role has already been studied in infertile patients. RESULTS Multiple genes located on the X chromosome are expressed in testicular tissues. The function of many genes, especially the cancer-testis genes, has not been studied so far. There were striking differences between mouse and human genes. In the second part of the study, the results of mutation analyses of seven genes (AR, SOX3, USP26, NXF2, TAF7L, FATE and AKAP4) are described. Except for AR, no infertility causing mutations have, thus far, been described. It cannot be excluded that some of the observed changes should be considered as risk factors for impaired spermatogenesis. CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that, so far, the mutation analysis of X-linked genes in humans, presumed to be crucial for spermatogenesis or sperm quality, has been disappointing. Other approaches to learn more about male infertility are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Stouffs
- Department of Embryology and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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21
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Wells D, Alfarawati S, Fragouli E. Use of comprehensive chromosomal screening for embryo assessment: microarrays and CGH. Mol Hum Reprod 2008; 14:703-10. [PMID: 18957518 PMCID: PMC2639447 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gan062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2008] [Revised: 10/17/2008] [Accepted: 10/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most important factors influencing embryo viability is chromosome imbalance (aneuploidy). Embryos derived from aneuploid gametes have little potential for forming a viable pregnancy, but cannot be distinguished from normal embryos using standard morphological evaluation. For more than a decade, preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) has been used to assist in the identification of aneuploid embryos. However, current strategies, based upon cell biopsy followed by fluorescent in situhybridization, allow less than half of the chromosomes to be screened. In this review, we discuss methods that overcome the limitations of earlier PGS strategies and provide screening of the entire chromosome complement in oocytes and embryos. In recent months, there has been a rapid growth in the number of PGS cycles utilizing one such method, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Data from IVF cycles utilizing CGH must be considered preliminary, but appear to indicate a dramatic increase in embryo implantation following comprehensive chromosomal screening. It is expected that methods based upon microarrays will yield similar clinical results and may be sufficiently rapid to permit comprehensive screening without the need for embryo cryopreservation. Some microarray platforms also offer the advantage of embryo fingerprinting and the potential for combined aneuploidy and single gene disorder diagnosis. However, more data concerning accuracy and further reductions in the price of tests will be necessary before microarrays can be widely applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagan Wells
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
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22
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Abstract
Cohesin is a chromosome-associated multisubunit protein complex that is highly conserved in eukaryotes and has close homologs in bacteria. Cohesin mediates cohesion between replicated sister chromatids and is therefore essential for chromosome segregation in dividing cells. Cohesin is also required for efficient repair of damaged DNA and has important functions in regulating gene expression in both proliferating and post-mitotic cells. Here we discuss how cohesin associates with DNA, how these interactions are controlled during the cell cycle; how binding of cohesin to DNA may mediate sister chromatid cohesion, DNA repair, and gene regulation; and how defects in these processes can lead to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Michael Peters
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
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23
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Hardarson T, Hanson C, Lundin K, Hillensjö T, Nilsson L, Stevic J, Reismer E, Borg K, Wikland M, Bergh C. Preimplantation genetic screening in women of advanced maternal age caused a decrease in clinical pregnancy rate: a randomized controlled trial. Hum Reprod 2008; 23:2806-12. [PMID: 18583331 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/den217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced maternal age (AMA) is an important parameter that negatively influences the clinical pregnancy rate in IVF, in particular owing to the increased embryo aneuploidy rate. It has thus been suggested that only transferring euploid embryos in this patient group would improve the pregnancy rate. The purpose of this study was to test whether employing preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) in AMA patients would increase the clinical pregnancy rate. METHODS We conducted a two-center, randomized controlled trial (RCT) to analyze the outcome of embryo transfers in AMA patients (>or=38 years of age) after PGS using FISH analysis for chromosomes X, Y, 13, 16, 18, 21 and 22. The PGS group was compared with a control group. The primary outcome measure was clinical pregnancy rate after 6-7 weeks of gestation per randomized patient. RESULTS The study was terminated early as an interim analysis showed a very low conditional power of superiority for the primary outcome. Of the 320 patients calculated to be included in the study, 56 and 53 patients were randomized into the PGS and control groups, respectively. The clinical pregnancy rate in the PGS group was 8.9% (95% CI, 2.9-19.6%) compared with 24.5% (95% CI, 13.8-38.3%) in the control group, giving a difference of 15.6% (95% CI, 1.8-29.4%, P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS Although the study was terminated early, this RCT study provides evidence against the use of PGS for AMA patients when performing IVF. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN38014610.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Hardarson
- Fertility Centre Scandinavia, Carlanderska Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
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24
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Storlazzi A, Tesse S, Ruprich-Robert G, Gargano S, Pöggeler S, Kleckner N, Zickler D. Coupling meiotic chromosome axis integrity to recombination. Genes Dev 2008; 22:796-809. [PMID: 18347098 DOI: 10.1101/gad.459308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
During meiosis, DNA events of recombination occur in direct physical association with underlying chromosome axes. Meiotic cohesin Rec8 and cohesin-associated Spo76/Pds5 are prominent axis components. Two observations indicate that recombination complexes can direct the local destabilization of underlying chromosome axes. First, in the absence of Rec8, Spo76/Pds5 is lost locally at sites of late-persisting Msh4 foci, with a concomitant tendency for loosening of intersister and interhomolog connectedness at the affected sites. This loss is dependent on initiation of recombination. Second, in wild-type prophase, local separation of sister axes is seen at sites of synaptonemal complex-associated recombination nodules. Additional findings reveal that Rec8 localizes to both axis and bulk chromatin and is required for chromatin compactness. Further, Rec8 is essential for maintenance of sister cohesion, along arms and centromeres, during the pachytene-to-diplotene transition, revealing an intrinsic tendency for destabilization of sister cohesion during this period. This finding shows how the loss of sister connectedness, in arm and/or centric regions, could lead to the segregation defects that are seen in the human "maternal age effect" and how Rec8 could be a target of that effect. Finally, Rec8 plays related, but synergistic roles with Spo76/Pds5, indicating auxiliary roles for meiotic and mitotic cohesion-associated components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Storlazzi
- Institut de Génétique et Microbiologie, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France
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25
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Jones GM, Cram DS, Song B, Kokkali G, Pantos K, Trounson AO. Novel strategy with potential to identify developmentally competent IVF blastocysts. Hum Reprod 2008; 23:1748-59. [PMID: 18477572 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/den123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently there are no markers fully predictive of developmental competence of human IVF embryos. The present study investigated a novel strategy involving blastocyst biopsy and DNA fingerprinting to link developmental competence with gene expression patterns. METHODS Patient's blastocysts were biopsied to remove 8-20 trophectoderm (TE) cells for molecular analysis prior to transfer. Biopsy samples were amplified and gene expression was evaluated using microarrays. Sibling TE biopsies and cells from resulting offspring were subjected to DNA fingerprinting to identify which blastocyst(s) in the transfer cohort developed to term. RESULTS Blastocyst biopsy did not appear to impair developmental competence. Comparative microarray analysis of cDNA from pooled 'viable' and 'non-viable' TE samples identified over 7000 transcripts expressed exclusively in 'viable' blastocysts. The most significant of these included transcripts involved in cell adhesion and cell communication, key processes that have been associated with mammalian implantation. DNA fingerprinting of three cohorts of sibling blastocysts identified those blastocyst(s) that produced term pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS The combination of blastocyst biopsy, microarray gene expression profiling and DNA fingerprinting is a powerful tool to identify diagnostic markers of competence to develop to term. This strategy may be used to develop a rapid diagnostic assay or for refining existing criteria for the selection of the single most viable blastocyst among a cohort developing in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayle M Jones
- Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories (MISCL), Monash University, Level 3-STRIP Building 75, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Malhi PS, Adams GP, Mapletoft RJ, Singh J. Oocyte developmental competence in a bovine model of reproductive aging. Reproduction 2007; 134:233-9. [PMID: 17660233 DOI: 10.1530/rep-07-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The study was designed to test the hypothesis that aging in cattle is associated with reduced developmental competence of oocytes. The hypothesis was tested by comparing embryo production and pregnancy rates between 13- to 16-year-old cows (n = 6 in Year 1 and n = 9 in Year 2) and their 3- to 6-year-old young daughters (n = 8 in Year 1 and n = 9 in Year 2) after superovulation and transfer of embryos into an unrelated group of young recipients. Embryos were transferred into 2- to 5-year-old recipient cows (n = 99) as singletons (n = 45) or in pairs (n = 54 pairs). Embryo survival in recipients was determined by ultrasonography and by the number of calves born. Between old versus young cows, the number of ovulations (31 ± 4 vs 38 ± 3; P = 0.2) and the number of corpora lutea (25 ± 3 vs 29 ± 2; P = 0.3) did not differ, but fewer (P = 0.04) embryos were recovered from old cows (6 ± 2) than their daughters (12 ± 2). A higher proportion (P < 0.0001) of unfertilized oocytes/uncleaved zygotes were recovered from old cows (222/312, 71%) than their daughters (119/316, 38%). Among the embryos recovered, the proportion of International Embryo Transfer Society Grades 1–2 embryos was similar (P = 0.9) between old (59/90, 66%) and young cows (130/194, 67%). The survival of embryos after transfer into recipients, and the proportion of calves born were also similar between old and young cows. In conclusion, recovery of fewer embryos and a greater proportion of unfertilized oocytes/uncleaved zygotes suggest reduced developmental competence of oocytes from old cows, but there was no difference between age groups in embryo survival after the morula/blastocyst stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritpal S Malhi
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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Christensen GL, Wooding SP, Ivanov IP, Atkins JF, Carrell DT. Sequencing and haplotype analysis of the Activator of CREM in the Testis (ACT) gene in populations of fertile and infertile males. Mol Hum Reprod 2006; 12:257-62. [PMID: 16687568 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gal006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) is a key transcription factor in the differentiation of round spermatids into mature spermatozoa. During spermiogenesis, CREM is regulated in part by activator of CREM in the testis (ACT), which activates CREM in a phosphorylation-independent fashion. We hypothesized that the ACT gene, which is expressed exclusively in the testis, could be involved in male factor infertility in patients with idiopathic-impaired spermatogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we sequenced the coding regions and flanking intronic regions of the ACT gene in 96 azoo- or oligospermic patients and 69 fertile controls. A total of 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was identified, and four of them leading to amino acid substitutions. An association study was performed based on calculated haplotype frequencies, and statistically significant differences were found between the patient and control populations for some haplotypes. To help establish the evolutionary relationships between the haplotypes, the coding regions of both the chimpanzee and the gorilla ACT gene were sequenced and evaluated. To test whether the different haplotypes conferred a functional change to the ACT protein, a yeast two-hybrid assay was designed to test the interaction between the two most divergent ACT haplotypes and their known binding partners, CREM and KIF17b. We identified one ACT haplotype that had a 45% reduction in its interaction with CREM. Our results suggest that different haplotypes within the ACT gene may contribute to male factor subfertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg L Christensen
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, 84108, USA
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