1
|
Harasimov K, Gorry RL, Welp LM, Penir SM, Horokhovskyi Y, Cheng S, Takaoka K, Stützer A, Frombach AS, Taylor Tavares AL, Raabe M, Haag S, Saha D, Grewe K, Schipper V, Rizzoli SO, Urlaub H, Liepe J, Schuh M. The maintenance of oocytes in the mammalian ovary involves extreme protein longevity. Nat Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41556-024-01442-7. [PMID: 38902423 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01442-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Women are born with all of their oocytes. The oocyte proteome must be maintained with minimal damage throughout the woman's reproductive life, and hence for decades. Here we report that oocyte and ovarian proteostasis involves extreme protein longevity. Mouse ovaries had more extremely long-lived proteins than other tissues, including brain. These long-lived proteins had diverse functions, including in mitochondria, the cytoskeleton, chromatin and proteostasis. The stable proteins resided not only in oocytes but also in long-lived ovarian somatic cells. Our data suggest that mammals increase protein longevity and enhance proteostasis by chaperones and cellular antioxidants to maintain the female germline for long periods. Indeed, protein aggregation in oocytes did not increase with age and proteasome activity did not decay. However, increasing protein longevity cannot fully block female germline senescence. Large-scale proteome profiling of ~8,890 proteins revealed a decline in many long-lived proteins of the proteostasis network in the aging ovary, accompanied by massive proteome remodeling, which eventually leads to female fertility decline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Harasimov
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rebecca L Gorry
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Luisa M Welp
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Bioanalytics Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Mae Penir
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yehor Horokhovskyi
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shiya Cheng
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katsuyoshi Takaoka
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Laboratory of Embryology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Alexandra Stützer
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ann-Sophie Frombach
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ana Lisa Taylor Tavares
- Cell Biology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
- East Anglian Medical Genetics Service, Cambridge University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Monika Raabe
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sara Haag
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Translation Alliance Lower Saxony, Hannover, Braunschweig, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Debojit Saha
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Grewe
- Department for Neuro and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Vera Schipper
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- Department for Neuro and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
- Bioanalytics Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Juliane Liepe
- Quantitative and Systems Biology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Melina Schuh
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huang W, Li X, Yang H, Huang H. The impact of maternal age on aneuploidy in oocytes: Reproductive consequences, molecular mechanisms, and future directions. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 97:102292. [PMID: 38582380 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102292] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Age-related aneuploidy in human oocytes is a major factor contributing to decreased fertility and adverse reproductive outcomes. As females age, their oocytes are more prone to meiotic chromosome segregation errors, leading primarily to aneuploidy. Elevated aneuploidy rates have also been observed in oocytes from very young, prepubertal conceptions. A key barrier to developing effective treatments for age-related oocyte aneuploidy is our incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved. The challenge is becoming increasingly critical as more people choose to delay childbearing, a trend that has significant societal implications. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding the process of oocyte meiosis and folliculogenesis, highlighting the relationship between age and chromosomal aberrations in oocytes and embryos, and integrate proposed mechanisms of age-related meiotic disturbances across structural, protein, and genomic levels. Our goal is to spur new research directions and therapeutic avenues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Shanghai, China; Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU056), Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyuan Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Shanghai, China; Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU056), Shanghai, China
| | - Hongbo Yang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Shanghai, China; Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU056), Shanghai, China.
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Shanghai, China; Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU056), Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Institutes of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kalinderi K, Kalinderis M, Papaliagkas V, Fidani L. The Reproductive Lifespan of Ovarian Follicle. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01606-8. [PMID: 38816594 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01606-8] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The functional unit within mammalian ovaries is the ovarian follicle. The development of the ovarian follicle is a lengthy process beginning from the time of embryogenesis, passing through multiple different stages of maturation. The purpose of this review is to describe the most basic events in the journey of ovarian follicle development, discussing the importance of ovarian reserve and highlighting the role of several factors that affect oocyte quality and quantity during aging including hormonal, genetic and epigenetic factors. Novel, promising anti-aging strategies are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kallirhoe Kalinderi
- Laboratory of Medical Biology-Genetics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Greece.
| | - Michail Kalinderis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George's University Hospital NHS Trust, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London, SW17 0QT, UK
| | - Vasileios Papaliagkas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, 57400, Greece
| | - Liana Fidani
- Laboratory of Medical Biology-Genetics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sfakianoudis K, Zikopoulos A, Grigoriadis S, Seretis N, Maziotis E, Anifandis G, Xystra P, Kostoulas C, Giougli U, Pantos K, Simopoulou M, Georgiou I. The Role of One-Carbon Metabolism and Methyl Donors in Medically Assisted Reproduction: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4977. [PMID: 38732193 PMCID: PMC11084717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094977] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
One-carbon (1-C) metabolic deficiency impairs homeostasis, driving disease development, including infertility. It is of importance to summarize the current evidence regarding the clinical utility of 1-C metabolism-related biomolecules and methyl donors, namely, folate, betaine, choline, vitamin B12, homocysteine (Hcy), and zinc, as potential biomarkers, dietary supplements, and culture media supplements in the context of medically assisted reproduction (MAR). A narrative review of the literature was conducted in the PubMed/Medline database. Diet, ageing, and the endocrine milieu of individuals affect both 1-C metabolism and fertility status. In vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, and culture conditions in particular, have a direct impact on 1-C metabolic activity in gametes and embryos. Critical analysis indicated that zinc supplementation in cryopreservation media may be a promising approach to reducing oxidative damage, while female serum homocysteine levels may be employed as a possible biomarker for predicting IVF outcomes. Nonetheless, the level of evidence is low, and future studies are needed to verify these data. One-carbon metabolism-related processes, including redox defense and epigenetic regulation, may be compromised in IVF-derived embryos. The study of 1-C metabolism may lead the way towards improving MAR efficiency and safety and ensuring the lifelong health of MAR infants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Sfakianoudis
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, 14-16, Papanikoli, 15232 Athens, Greece; (K.S.); (K.P.)
| | - Athanasios Zikopoulos
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro TR1 3LJ, UK
| | - Sokratis Grigoriadis
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.G.); (E.M.); (P.X.)
| | - Nikolaos Seretis
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
| | - Evangelos Maziotis
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.G.); (E.M.); (P.X.)
| | - George Anifandis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece;
| | - Paraskevi Xystra
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.G.); (E.M.); (P.X.)
| | - Charilaos Kostoulas
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
| | - Urania Giougli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
| | - Konstantinos Pantos
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, 14-16, Papanikoli, 15232 Athens, Greece; (K.S.); (K.P.)
| | - Mara Simopoulou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.G.); (E.M.); (P.X.)
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ju W, Zhao Y, Yu Y, Zhao S, Xiang S, Lian F. Mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in ovarian aging and potential interventions. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1361289. [PMID: 38694941 PMCID: PMC11061492 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1361289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria plays an essential role in regulating cellular metabolic homeostasis, proliferation/differentiation, and cell death. Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in many age-related pathologies. Evidence supports that the dysfunction of mitochondria and the decline of mitochondrial DNA copy number negatively affect ovarian aging. However, the mechanism of ovarian aging is still unclear. Treatment methods, including antioxidant applications, mitochondrial transplantation, emerging biomaterials, and advanced technologies, are being used to improve mitochondrial function and restore oocyte quality. This article reviews key evidence and research updates on mitochondrial damage in the pathogenesis of ovarian aging, emphasizing that mitochondrial damage may accelerate and lead to cellular senescence and ovarian aging, as well as exploring potential methods for using mitochondrial mechanisms to slow down aging and improve oocyte quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhan Ju
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yuewen Zhao
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yi Yu
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shan Xiang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Fang Lian
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liang J, Huang F, Song Z, Tang R, Zhang P, Chen R. Impact of NAD+ metabolism on ovarian aging. Immun Ageing 2023; 20:70. [PMID: 38041117 PMCID: PMC10693113 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-023-00398-w] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a crucial coenzyme in cellular redox reactions, is closely associated with age-related functional degeneration and metabolic diseases. NAD exerts direct and indirect influences on many crucial cellular functions, including metabolic pathways, DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, cellular senescence, and immune cell functionality. These cellular processes and functions are essential for maintaining tissue and metabolic homeostasis, as well as healthy aging. Causality has been elucidated between a decline in NAD levels and multiple age-related diseases, which has been confirmed by various strategies aimed at increasing NAD levels in the preclinical setting. Ovarian aging is recognized as a natural process characterized by a decline in follicle number and function, resulting in decreased estrogen production and menopause. In this regard, it is necessary to address the many factors involved in this complicated procedure, which could improve fertility in women of advanced maternal age. Concerning the decrease in NAD+ levels as ovarian aging progresses, promising and exciting results are presented for strategies using NAD+ precursors to promote NAD+ biosynthesis, which could substantially improve oocyte quality and alleviate ovarian aging. Hence, to acquire further insights into NAD+ metabolism and biology, this review aims to probe the factors affecting ovarian aging, the characteristics of NAD+ precursors, and the current research status of NAD+ supplementation in ovarian aging. Specifically, by gaining a comprehensive understanding of these aspects, we are optimistic about the prominent progress that will be made in both research and therapy related to ovarian aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Feiling Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhaoqi Song
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Ruiyi Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Rare Disease Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, 100045, China.
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Klutstein M, Gonen N. Epigenetic aging of mammalian gametes. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:785-803. [PMID: 37997675 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23717] [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: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The process of aging refers to physiological changes that occur to an organism as time progresses and involves changes to DNA, proteins, metabolism, cells, and organs. Like the rest of the cells in the body, gametes age, and it is well established that there is a decline in reproductive capabilities in females and males with aging. One of the major pathways known to be involved in aging is epigenetic changes. The epigenome is the multitude of chemical modifications performed on DNA and chromatin that affect the ability of chromatin to be transcribed. In this review, we explore the effects of aging on female and male gametes with a focus on the epigenetic changes that occur in gametes throughout aging. Quality decline in oocytes occurs at a relatively early age. Epigenetic changes constitute an important part of oocyte aging. DNA methylation is reduced with age, along with reduced expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Histone deacetylases (HDAC) expression is also reduced, and a loss of heterochromatin marks occurs with age. As a consequence of heterochromatin loss, retrotransposon expression is elevated, and aged oocytes suffer from DNA damage. In sperm, aging affects sperm number, motility and fecundity, and epigenetic changes may constitute a part of this process. 5 methyl-cytosine (5mC) methylation is elevated in sperm from aged men, but methylation on Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE) elements is reduced. Di and trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2/3) is reduced in sperm from aged men and trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) is elevated. The protamine makeup of sperm from aged men is also changed, with reduced protamine expression and a misbalanced ratio between protamine proteins protamine P1 and protamine P2. The study of epigenetic reproductive aging is recently gaining interest. The current status of the field suggests that many aspects of gamete epigenetic aging are still open for investigation. The clinical applications of these investigations have far-reaching consequences for fertility and sociological human behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Klutstein
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nitzan Gonen
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chu B, Liu Z, Liu Y, Jiang H. The Role of Advanced Parental Age in Reproductive Genetics. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:2907-2919. [PMID: 37171772 PMCID: PMC10556127 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01256-2] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The increase of parental reproductive age is a worldwide trend in modern society in recent decades. In general, older parents have a significant impact on reproductive genetics and the health of offspring. In particular, advanced parental age contributes to the increase in the risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. However, it is currently under debate how and to what extent the health of future generations was affected by the parental age. In this review, we aimed to (i) provide an overview of the effects of age on the fertility and biology of the reproductive organs of the parents, (ii) highlight the candidate biological mechanisms underlying reproductive genetic alterations, and (iii) discuss the relevance of the effect of parental age on offspring between animal experiment and clinical observation. In addition, we think that the impact of environmental factors on cognitive and emotional development of older offspring will be an interesting direction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boling Chu
- Department of Biobank, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, 629000, China
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Pathology, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, 629000, China
| | - Yihong Liu
- College of Humanities And Management, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Biobank, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, 629000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Huang J, Chen P, Jia L, Li T, Yang X, Liang Q, Zeng Y, Liu J, Wu T, Hu W, Kee K, Zeng H, Liang X, Zhou C. Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Translational Landscapes and Regulations in Mouse and Human Oocyte Aging. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301538. [PMID: 37401155 PMCID: PMC10502832 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal resumption of meiosis and decreased oocyte quality are hallmarks of maternal aging. Transcriptional silencing makes translational control an urgent task during meiosis resumption in maternal aging. However, insights into aging-related translational characteristics and underlying mechanisms are limited. Here, using multi-omics analysis of oocytes, it is found that translatomics during aging is related to changes in the proteome and reveals decreased translational efficiency with aging phenotypes in mouse oocytes. Translational efficiency decrease is associated with the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of transcripts. It is further clarified that m6A reader YTHDF3 is significantly decreased in aged oocytes, inhibiting oocyte meiotic maturation. YTHDF3 intervention perturbs the translatome of oocytes and suppress the translational efficiency of aging-associated maternal factors, such as Hells, to affect the oocyte maturation. Moreover, the translational landscape is profiled in human oocyte aging, and the similar translational changes of epigenetic modifications regulators between human and mice oocyte aging are observed. In particular, due to the translational silence of YTHDF3 in human oocytes, translation activity is not associated with m6A modification, but alternative splicing factor SRSF6. Together, the findings profile the specific translational landscapes during oocyte aging in mice and humans, and uncover non-conservative regulators on translation control in meiosis resumption and maternal aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiana Huang
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Peigen Chen
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Lei Jia
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Tingting Li
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Xing Yang
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Qiqi Liang
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Yanyan Zeng
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Jiawen Liu
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Taibao Wu
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Wenqi Hu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Kehkooi Kee
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Haitao Zeng
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Xiaoyan Liang
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Chuanchuan Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility PreservationGuangzhou510610China
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mc Auley MT. An evolutionary perspective of lifespan and epigenetic inheritance. Exp Gerontol 2023; 179:112256. [PMID: 37460026 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade epigenetics has come to the fore as a discipline which is central to biogerontology. Age associated epigenetic changes are routinely linked with pathologies, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease; moreover, epigenetic clocks are capable of correlating biological age with chronological age in many species including humans. Recent intriguing empirical observations also suggest that inherited epigenetic effects could influence lifespan/longevity in a variety of organisms. If this is the case, an imperative exists to reconcile lifespan/longevity associated inherited epigenetic processes with the evolution of ageing. This review will critically evaluate inherited epigenetic effects from an evolutionary perspective. The overarching aim is to integrate the evidence which suggests epigenetic inheritance modulates lifespan/longevity with the main evolutionary theories of ageing.
Collapse
|
11
|
Sgueglia G, Longobardi S, Valerio D, Campitiello MR, Colacurci N, Di Pietro C, Battaglia R, D'Hooghe T, Altucci L, Dell'Aversana C. The impact of epigenetic landscape on ovarian cells in infertile older women undergoing IVF procedures. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:76. [PMID: 37143127 PMCID: PMC10161563 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01490-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The constant decline in fertility and older reproductive age is the major cause of low clinical pregnancy rates in industrialised countries. Epigenetic mechanisms impact on proper embryonic development in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) protocols. Here, we describe the main epigenetic modifications that may influence female reproduction and could affect IVF success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Sgueglia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Programma di Epigenetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Valerio
- Outpatient Fertility Unit, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Campitiello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, ASL Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Nicola Colacurci
- Outpatient Fertility Unit, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', 80138, Naples, Italy
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Special Surgery, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Di Pietro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics "Giovanni Sichel", University of Catania, 95123, Catania, CT, Italy
| | - Rosalia Battaglia
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics "Giovanni Sichel", University of Catania, 95123, Catania, CT, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Programma di Epigenetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Naples, Italy.
- BIOGEM, Ariano Irpino, Italy.
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology 'Gaetano Salvatore' (IEOS)-National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy.
| | - Carmela Dell'Aversana
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Programma di Epigenetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Naples, Italy.
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology 'Gaetano Salvatore' (IEOS)-National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Czajkowska K, Ajduk A. Mitochondrial activity and redox status in oocytes from old mice: The interplay between maternal and postovulatory aging. Theriogenology 2023; 204:18-30. [PMID: 37031516 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Maternal aging has been reported to reduce oocyte quality and, in turn, lower the developmental potential of the resulting embryos. Here, we show that maternally aged oocytes display two strikingly different phenotypes: some have normal morphology, whereas others have significantly shrunk cytoplasm. The latter phenotype usually prevails in aged females. Our objective was to characterize both types of maternally aged oocytes and investigate the origins of this diversity. Importantly, our experiments indicate that shrunk maternally aged oocytes are severely compromised in terms of mitochondrial functionality as compared to their young or morphologically normal maternally aged counterparts: they display significantly decreased mitochondrial activity and lower amounts of ROS. In contrast, morphologically normal maternally aged oocytes had the same mitochondrial activity as young ones, while their ROS levels were higher. Surprisingly, the shrunk phenotype was completely absent in maternally aged oocytes that matured in vitro, suggesting that it is not caused inherently by maternal aging, but may be related to other factors, like postovulatory aging. Indeed, an additional culture of in vitro matured young and old oocytes (i.e., in vitro postovulatory aging) significantly decreased their mitochondrial activity and led to cytoplasm shrinkage. In vivo postovulatory aging had a similar effect on oocytes from both young and old females. Finally, we examined the developmental potential of oocytes obtained from aged females. Shrunk (i.e., most likely postovulatory aged) oocytes failed to become fertilized, whereas morphologically normal ones (i.e., most likely not subjected to postovulatory aging) underwent fertilization and subsequent cleavage divisions, although they achieved the 2-cell stage less frequently than morphologically normal oocytes from young females. Importantly, the quality of blastocysts as well as the live birth rate for morphologically normal oocytes from old and young females were similar. In summary, our data clearly indicate that two pools of oocytes present in oviducts of aged females differ significantly in their quality and developmental potential and that the more severely affected phenotype results most likely from a synergistic action of maternal and postovulatory aging.
Collapse
|
13
|
Qin M, Chen W, Hua L, Meng Y, Wang J, Li H, Yang R, Yan L, Qiao J. DNA methylation abnormalities induced by advanced maternal age in villi prime a high-risk state for spontaneous abortion. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:44. [PMID: 36945044 PMCID: PMC10029192 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01432-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced maternal age (AMA) has increased in many high-income countries in recent decades. AMA is generally associated with a higher risk of various pregnancy complications, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In the current study, we profiled the DNA methylome of 24 human chorionic villi samples (CVSs) from early pregnancies in AMA and young maternal age (YMA), 11 CVSs from early spontaneous abortion (SA) cases using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS), and the transcriptome of 10 CVSs from AMA and YMA pregnancies with mRNA sequencing(mRNA-seq). Single-cell villous transcriptional atlas presented expression patterns of targeted AMA-/SA-related genes. Trophoblast cellular impairment was investigated through the knockdown of GNE expression in HTR8-S/Vneo cells. RESULTS AMA-induced local DNA methylation changes, defined as AMA-related differentially methylated regions (DMRs), may be derived from the abnormal expression of genes involved in DNA demethylation, such as GADD45B. These DNA methylation changes were significantly enriched in the processes involved in NOTCH signaling and extracellular matrix organization and were reflected in the transcriptional alterations in the corresponding biological processes and specific genes. Furthermore, the DNA methylation level of special AMA-related DMRs not only significantly changed in AMA but also showed more excessive defects in CVS from spontaneous abortion (SA), including four AMA-related DMRs whose nearby genes overlapped with AMA-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (CDK11A, C19orf71, COL5A1, and GNE). The decreased DNA methylation level of DMR near GNE was positively correlated with the downregulated expression of GNE in AMA. Single-cell atlas further revealed comparatively high expression of GNE in the trophoblast lineage, and knockdown of GNE in HTR8-S/Vneo cells significantly impaired cellular proliferation and migration. CONCLUSION Our study provides valuable resources for investigating AMA-induced epigenetic abnormalities and provides new insights for explaining the increased risks of pregnancy complications in AMA pregnancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng Qin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lingyue Hua
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yan Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100096, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hanna Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Liying Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Center for Healthcare Quality Management in Obstetrics, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing, 100871, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
- Research Units of Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment of Oocyte Maturation Arrest, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang J, Sun X, Yang Z, Li S, Wang Y, Ren R, Liu Z, Yu D. Epigenetic regulation in premature ovarian failure: A literature review. Front Physiol 2023; 13:998424. [PMID: 36685174 PMCID: PMC9846267 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.998424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Premature ovarian failure (POF), or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), is a multifactorial and heterogeneous disease characterized by amenorrhea, decreased estrogen levels and increased female gonadotropin levels. The incidence of POF is increasing annually, and POF has become one of the main causes of infertility in women of childbearing age. The etiology and pathogenesis of POF are complex and have not yet been clearly elucidated. In addition to genetic factors, an increasing number of studies have revealed that epigenetic changes play an important role in the occurrence and development of POF. However, we found that very few papers have summarized epigenetic variations in POF, and a systematic analysis of this topic is therefore necessary. In this article, by reviewing and analyzing the most relevant literature in this research field, we expound on the relationship between DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA expression and the development of POF. We also analyzed how environmental factors affect POF through epigenetic modulation. Additionally, we discuss potential epigenetic biomarkers and epigenetic treatment targets for POF. We anticipate that our paper may provide new therapeutic clues for improving ovarian function and maintaining fertility in POF patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Changchun, China
| | | | | | - Sijie Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Changchun, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Public Research Platform, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Ruoxue Ren
- Public Research Platform, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Ziyue Liu
- Public Research Platform, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Dehai Yu
- Public Research Platform, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China,*Correspondence: Dehai Yu,
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Charalambous C, Webster A, Schuh M. Aneuploidy in mammalian oocytes and the impact of maternal ageing. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:27-44. [PMID: 36068367 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00517-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
During fertilization, the egg and the sperm are supposed to contribute precisely one copy of each chromosome to the embryo. However, human eggs frequently contain an incorrect number of chromosomes - a condition termed aneuploidy, which is much more prevalent in eggs than in either sperm or in most somatic cells. In turn, aneuploidy in eggs is a leading cause of infertility, miscarriage and congenital syndromes. Aneuploidy arises as a consequence of aberrant meiosis during egg development from its progenitor cell, the oocyte. In human oocytes, chromosomes often segregate incorrectly. Chromosome segregation errors increase in women from their mid-thirties, leading to even higher levels of aneuploidy in eggs from women of advanced maternal age, ultimately causing age-related infertility. Here, we cover the two main areas that contribute to aneuploidy: (1) factors that influence the fidelity of chromosome segregation in eggs of women from all ages and (2) factors that change in response to reproductive ageing. Recent discoveries reveal new error-causing pathways and present a framework for therapeutic strategies to extend the span of female fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Charalambous
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexandre Webster
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Melina Schuh
- Department of Meiosis, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhu Z, Xu W, Liu L. Ovarian aging: mechanisms and intervention strategies. MEDICAL REVIEW (BERLIN, GERMANY) 2022; 2:590-610. [PMID: 37724254 PMCID: PMC10471094 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2022-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian reserve is essential for fertility and influences healthy aging in women. Advanced maternal age correlates with the progressive loss of both the quantity and quality of oocytes. The molecular mechanisms and various contributing factors underlying ovarian aging have been uncovered. In this review, we highlight some of critical factors that impact oocyte quantity and quality during aging. Germ cell and follicle reserve at birth determines reproductive lifespan and timing the menopause in female mammals. Accelerated diminishing ovarian reserve leads to premature ovarian aging or insufficiency. Poor oocyte quality with increasing age could result from chromosomal cohesion deterioration and misaligned chromosomes, telomere shortening, DNA damage and associated genetic mutations, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetic alteration. We also discuss the intervention strategies to delay ovarian aging. Both the efficacy of senotherapies by antioxidants against reproductive aging and mitochondrial therapy are discussed. Functional oocytes and ovarioids could be rejuvenated from pluripotent stem cells or somatic cells. We propose directions for future interventions. As couples increasingly begin delaying parenthood in life worldwide, understanding the molecular mechanisms during female reproductive aging and potential intervention strategies could benefit women in making earlier choices about their reproductive health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengmao Zhu
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wanxue Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Union Medical Center, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Dvoran M, Nemcova L, Kalous J. An Interplay between Epigenetics and Translation in Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Development: Assisted Reproduction Perspective. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071689. [PMID: 35884994 PMCID: PMC9313063 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cell quality is a key prerequisite for successful fertilization and early embryo development. The quality is determined by the fine regulation of transcriptomic and proteomic profiles, which are prone to alteration by assisted reproduction technology (ART)-introduced in vitro methods. Gaining evidence shows the ART can influence preset epigenetic modifications within cultured oocytes or early embryos and affect their developmental competency. The aim of this review is to describe ART-determined epigenetic changes related to the oogenesis, early embryogenesis, and further in utero development. We confront the latest epigenetic, related epitranscriptomic, and translational regulation findings with the processes of meiotic maturation, fertilization, and early embryogenesis that impact the developmental competency and embryo quality. Post-ART embryo transfer, in utero implantation, and development (placentation, fetal development) are influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors. The review is emphasizing their epigenetic and ART contribution to fetal development. An epigenetic parallel among mouse, porcine, and bovine animal models and human ART is drawn to illustrate possible future mechanisms of infertility management as well as increase the awareness of the underlying mechanisms governing oocyte and embryo developmental complexity under ART conditions.
Collapse
|
18
|
Bilmez Y, Talibova G, Ozturk S. Expression of the histone lysine methyltransferases SETD1B, SETDB1, SETD2, and CFP1 exhibits significant changes in the oocytes and granulosa cells of aged mouse ovaries. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 158:79-95. [PMID: 35445296 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02102-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Histone methylation is one of the main epigenetic mechanisms by which methyl groups are dynamically added to the lysine and arginine residues of histone tails in nucleosomes. This process is catalyzed by specific histone methyltransferase enzymes. Methylation of these residues promotes gene expression regulation through chromatin remodeling. Functional analysis and knockout studies have revealed that the histone lysine methyltransferases SETD1B, SETDB1, SETD2, and CFP1 play key roles in establishing the methylation marks required for proper oocyte maturation and follicle development. As oocyte quality and follicle numbers progressively decrease with advancing maternal age, investigating their expression patterns in the ovaries at different reproductive periods may elucidate the fertility loss occurring during ovarian aging. The aim of our study was to determine the spatiotemporal distributions and relative expression levels of the Setd1b, Setdb1, Setd2, and Cxxc1 (encoding the CFP1 protein) genes in the postnatal mouse ovaries from prepuberty to late aged periods. For this purpose, five groups based on their reproductive periods and histological structures were created: prepuberty (3 weeks old; n = 6), puberty (7 weeks old; n = 7), postpuberty (18 weeks old; n = 7), early aged (52 weeks old; n = 7), and late aged (60 weeks old; n = 7). We found that Setd1b, Setdb1, Setd2, and Cxxc1 mRNA levels showed significant changes among postnatal ovary groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, SETD1B, SETDB1, SETD2, and CFP1 proteins exhibited different subcellular localizations in the ovarian cells, including oocytes, granulosa cells, stromal and germinal epithelial cells. In general, their levels in the follicles, oocytes, and granulosa cells as well as in the germinal epithelial and stromal cells significantly decreased in the aged groups when compared the other groups (P < 0.05). These decreases were concordant with the reduced numbers of the follicles at different stages and the luteal structures in the aged groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these findings suggest that altered expression of the histone methyltransferase genes in the ovarian cells may be associated with female fertility loss in advancing maternal age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Bilmez
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Gunel Talibova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wasserzug‐Pash P, Rothman R, Reich E, Zecharyahu L, Schonberger O, Weiss Y, Srebnik N, Cohen‐Hadad Y, Weintraub A, Ben‐Ami I, Holzer H, Klutstein M. Loss of heterochromatin and retrotransposon silencing as determinants in oocyte aging. Aging Cell 2022; 21:e13568. [PMID: 35166017 PMCID: PMC8920445 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian oocyte quality reduces with age. We show that prior to the occurrence of significant aneuploidy (9M in mouse), heterochromatin histone marks are lost, and oocyte maturation is impaired. This loss occurs in both constitutive and facultative heterochromatin marks but not in euchromatic active marks. We show that heterochromatin loss with age also occurs in human prophase I-arrested oocytes. Moreover, heterochromatin loss is accompanied in mouse oocytes by an increase in RNA processing and associated with an elevation in L1 and IAP retrotransposon expression and in DNA damage and DNA repair proteins nuclear localization. Artificial inhibition of the heterochromatin machinery in young oocytes causes an elevation in retrotransposon expression and oocyte maturation defects. Inhibiting retrotransposon reverse-transcriptase through azidothymidine (AZT) treatment in older oocytes partially rescues their maturation defects and activity of the DNA repair machinery. Moreover, activating the heterochromatin machinery via treatment with the SIRT1 activating molecule SRT-1720, or overexpression of Sirt1 or Ezh2 via plasmid electroporation into older oocytes causes an upregulation in constitutive heterochromatin, downregulation of retrotransposon expression, and elevated maturation rates. Collectively, our work demonstrates a significant process in oocyte aging, characterized by the loss of heterochromatin-associated chromatin marks and activation of specific retrotransposons, which cause DNA damage and impair oocyte maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peera Wasserzug‐Pash
- Institute of Dental SciencesFaculty of Dental MedicineThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Rachel Rothman
- Institute of Dental SciencesFaculty of Dental MedicineThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Eli Reich
- Institute of Dental SciencesFaculty of Dental MedicineThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Lital Zecharyahu
- Institute of Dental SciencesFaculty of Dental MedicineThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Oshrat Schonberger
- IVF UnitDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyShaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Yifat Weiss
- IVF UnitDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyShaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Naama Srebnik
- IVF UnitDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyShaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Yaara Cohen‐Hadad
- IVF UnitDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyShaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Amir Weintraub
- IVF UnitDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyShaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Ido Ben‐Ami
- IVF UnitDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyShaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Hananel Holzer
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterKiryat HadassahJerusalemIsrael
| | - Michael Klutstein
- Institute of Dental SciencesFaculty of Dental MedicineThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bebbere D, Coticchio G, Borini A, Ledda S. Oocyte aging: looking beyond chromosome segregation errors. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:793-800. [PMID: 35212880 PMCID: PMC9051005 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02441-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The age-associated decline in female fertility is largely ascribable to a decrease in oocyte quality. This phenomenon is multifaceted and influenced by numerous interconnected maternal and environmental factors. An increase in the rate of meiotic errors is the major cause of the decline in oocyte developmental competence. However, abnormalities in the ooplasm accumulating with age - including altered metabolism, organelle dysfunction, and aberrant gene regulation - progressively undermine oocyte quality. Stockpiling of maternal macromolecules during folliculogenesis is crucial, as oocyte competence to achieve maturation, fertilization, and the earliest phases of embryo development occur in absence of transcription. At the same time, crucial remodeling of oocyte epigenetics during oogenesis is potentially exposed to interfering factors, such as assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) or environmental changes, whose impact may be enhanced by reproductive aging. As the effects of maternal aging on molecular mechanisms governing the function of the human oocyte remain poorly understood, studies in animal models are essential to deepen current understanding, with translational implications for human ARTs. The present mini review aims at offering an updated and consistent view of cytoplasmic alterations occurring in oocytes during aging, focusing particularly on gene and epigenetic regulation. Appreciation of these mechanisms could inspire solutions to mitigate/control the phenomenon, and thus benefit modern ARTs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bebbere
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
| | | | | | - Sergio Ledda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Potabattula R, Trapphoff T, Dittrich M, Fic K, Ptak GE, Dieterle S, Haaf T. Ribosomal DNA methylation in human and mouse oocytes increases with age. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:1214-1232. [PMID: 35157611 PMCID: PMC8876901 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An age-dependent increase in ribosomal DNA (rDNA) methylation has been observed across a broad spectrum of somatic tissues and the male mammalian germline. Bisulfite pyrosequencing (BPS) was used to determine the methylation levels of the rDNA core promoter and the rDNA upstream control element (UCE) along with two oppositely genomically imprinted control genes (PEG3 and GTL2) in individual human germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes from 90 consenting women undergoing fertility treatment because of male infertility. Apart from a few (4%) oocytes with single imprinting defects (in either PEG3 or GTL2), the analyzed GV oocytes displayed correct imprinting patterns. In 95 GV oocytes from 42 younger women (26-32 years), the mean methylation levels of the rDNA core promoter and UCE were 7.4±4.0% and 9.3±6.1%, respectively. In 79 GV oocytes from 48 older women (33-39 years), methylation levels increased to 9.3±5.3% (P = 0.014) and 11.6±7.4% (P = 0.039), respectively. An age-related increase in oocyte rDNA methylation was also observed in 123 mouse GV oocytes from 29 4-16-months-old animals. Similar to the continuously mitotically dividing male germline, ovarian aging is associated with a gain of rDNA methylation in meiotically arrested oocytes. Oocytes from the same woman can exhibit varying rDNA methylation levels and, by extrapolation, different epigenetic ages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Potabattula
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Marcus Dittrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Bioinformatics, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kinga Fic
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology (MCB), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grazyna E. Ptak
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology (MCB), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Stefan Dieterle
- Fertility Center, Dortmund, Germany
- Division of Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Witten/Herdecke University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Thomas Haaf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Adhikari D, Lee IW, Yuen WS, Carroll J. Oocyte mitochondria – Key regulators of oocyte function and potential therapeutic targets for improving fertility. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:366-377. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The development of oocytes and early embryos is dependent on mitochondrial ATP production. This reliance on mitochondrial activity, together with the exclusively maternal inheritance of mitochondria in development, places mitochondria as central regulators of both fertility and transgenerational inheritance mechanisms. Mitochondrial mass and mtDNA content massively increase during oocyte growth. They are highly dynamic organelles and oocyte maturation is accompanied by mitochondrial trafficking around subcellular compartments. Due to their key roles in generation of ATP and reactive oxygen species, oocyte mitochondrial defects have largely been linked with energy deficiency and oxidative stress. Pharmacological treatments and mitochondrial supplementation have been proposed to improve oocyte quality and fertility by enhancing ATP generation and reducing reactive oxygen species levels. More recently, the role of mitochondria-derived metabolites in controlling epigenetic modifiers has provided a mechanistic basis for mitochondria-nuclear crosstalk, allowing adaptation of gene expression to specific metabolic states. Here, we discuss the multi-faceted mechanisms by which mitochondrial function influence oocyte quality, as well as longer-term developmental events within and across generations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - In-won Lee
- Development and Stem Cell Program and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Wai Shan Yuen
- Development and Stem Cell Program and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - John Carroll
- Development and Stem Cell Program and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Advanced maternal age perturbs mouse embryo development and alters the phenotype of derived embryonic stem cells. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 13:395-405. [PMID: 34193331 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174421000325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Advanced maternal age (AMA) is known to reduce fertility, increases aneuploidy in oocytes and early embryos and leads to adverse developmental consequences which may associate with offspring lifetime health risks. However, investigating underlying effects of AMA on embryo developmental potential is confounded by the inherent senescence present in maternal body systems further affecting reproductive success. Here, we describe a new model for the analysis of early developmental mechanisms underlying AMA by the derivation and characterisation of mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC-like) lines from naturally conceived embryos. Young (7-8 weeks) and Old (7-8 months) C57BL/6 female mice were mated with young males. Preimplantation embryos from Old dams displayed developmental retardation in blastocyst morphogenesis. mESC lines established from these blastocysts using conventional techniques revealed differences in genetic, cellular and molecular criteria conserved over several passages in the standardised medium. mESCs from embryos from AMA dams displayed increased incidence of aneuploidy following Giemsa karyotyping compared with those from Young dams. Moreover, AMA caused an altered pattern of expression of pluripotency markers (Sox2, OCT4) in mESCs. AMA further diminished mESC survival and proliferation and reduced the expression of cell proliferation marker, Ki-67. These changes coincided with altered expression of the epigenetic marker, Dnmt3a and other developmental regulators in a sex-dependent manner. Collectively, our data demonstrate the feasibility to utilise mESCs to reveal developmental mechanisms underlying AMA in the absence of maternal senescence and with reduced animal use.
Collapse
|
24
|
Li CJ, Lin LT, Tsai HW, Chern CU, Wen ZH, Wang PH, Tsui KH. The Molecular Regulation in the Pathophysiology in Ovarian Aging. Aging Dis 2021; 12:934-949. [PMID: 34094652 PMCID: PMC8139203 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2020.1113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The female reproductive system is of great significance to women’s health. Aging of the female reproductive system occurs approximately 10 years prior to the natural age-associated functional decline of other organ systems. With an increase in life expectancy worldwide, reproductive aging has gradually become a key health issue among women. Therefore, an adequate understanding of the causes and molecular mechanisms of ovarian aging is essential towards the inhibition of age-related diseases and the promotion of health and longevity in women. In general, women begin to experience a decline in ovarian function around the age of 35 years, which is mainly manifested as a decrease in the number of ovarian follicles and the quality of oocytes. Studies have revealed the occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced DNA repair, epigenetic changes, and metabolic alterations in the cells within the ovaries as age increases. In the present work, we reviewed the possible factors of aging-induced ovarian insufficiency based on its clinical diagnosis and performed an in-depth investigation of the relevant molecular mechanisms and potential targets to provide novel approaches for the effective improvement of ovarian function in older women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Jung Li
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,2Institute of BioPharmaceutical sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Te Lin
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,2Institute of BioPharmaceutical sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Wen Tsai
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,2Institute of BioPharmaceutical sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chyi-Uei Chern
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Hong Wen
- 4Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Peng-Hui Wang
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,6Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,7Female Cancer Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Hao Tsui
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,2Institute of BioPharmaceutical sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,8Department of Pharmacy and Master Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Care, Tajen University, Pingtung County, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ansere VA, Ali-Mondal S, Sathiaseelan R, Garcia DN, Isola JVV, Henseb JD, Saccon TD, Ocañas SR, Tooley KB, Stout MB, Schneider A, Freeman WM. Cellular hallmarks of aging emerge in the ovary prior to primordial follicle depletion. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 194:111425. [PMID: 33383072 PMCID: PMC8279026 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Decline in ovarian reserve with advancing age is associated with reduced fertility and the emergence of metabolic disturbances, osteoporosis, and neurodegeneration. Recent studies have provided insight into connections between ovarian insufficiency and systemic aging, although the basic mechanisms that promote ovarian reserve depletion remain unknown. Here, we sought to determine if chronological age is linked to changes in ovarian cellular senescence, transcriptomic, and epigenetic mechanisms in a mouse model. Histological assessments and transcriptional analyses revealed the accumulation of lipofuscin aggresomes and senescence-related transcripts (Cdkn1a, Cdkn2a, Pai-1 and Hmgb1) significantly increased with advancing age. Transcriptomic profiling and pathway analyses following RNA sequencing, revealed an upregulation of genes related to pro-inflammatory stress and cell-cycle inhibition, whereas genes involved in cell-cycle progression were downregulated; which could be indicative of senescent cell accumulation. The emergence of these senescence-related markers preceded the dramatic decline in primordial follicle reserve observed. Whole Genome Oxidative Bisulfite Sequencing (WGoxBS) found no genome-wide or genomic context-specific DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation changes with advancing age. These findings suggest that cellular senescence may contribute to ovarian aging, and thus, declines in ovarian follicular reserve. Cell-type-specific analyses across the reproductive lifespan are needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms that promote ovarian insufficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor A Ansere
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Center for Geroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Samim Ali-Mondal
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Roshini Sathiaseelan
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Driele N Garcia
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - José V V Isola
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jéssica D Henseb
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Tatiana D Saccon
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Sarah R Ocañas
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Center for Geroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Kyla B Tooley
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Center for Geroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Michael B Stout
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Augusto Schneider
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Willard M Freeman
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Castillo‐Fernandez J, Herrera‐Puerta E, Demond H, Clark SJ, Hanna CW, Hemberger M, Kelsey G. Increased transcriptome variation and localised DNA methylation changes in oocytes from aged mice revealed by parallel single-cell analysis. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13278. [PMID: 33201571 PMCID: PMC7744954 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancing maternal age causes a progressive reduction in fertility. The decline in developmental competence of the oocyte with age is likely to be a consequence of multiple contributory factors. Loss of epigenetic quality of the oocyte could impair early developmental events or programme adverse outcomes in offspring that manifest only later in life. Here, we undertake joint profiling of the transcriptome and DNA methylome of individual oocytes from reproductively young and old mice undergoing natural ovulation. We find reduced complexity as well as increased variance in the transcriptome of oocytes from aged females. This transcriptome heterogeneity is reflected in the identification of discrete sub‐populations. Oocytes with a transcriptome characteristic of immature chromatin configuration (NSN) clustered into two groups: one with reduced developmental competence, as indicated by lower expression of maternal effect genes, and one with a young‐like transcriptome. Oocytes from older females had on average reduced CpG methylation, but the characteristic bimodal methylation landscape of the oocyte was preserved. Germline differentially methylated regions of imprinted genes were appropriately methylated irrespective of age. For the majority of differentially expressed transcripts, the absence of correlated methylation changes suggests a post‐transcriptional basis for most age‐related effects on the transcriptome. However, we did find differences in gene body methylation at which there were corresponding changes in gene expression, indicating age‐related effects on transcription that translate into methylation differences. Interestingly, oocytes varied in expression and methylation of these genes, which could contribute to variable competence of oocytes or penetrance of maternal age‐related phenotypes in offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Erika Herrera‐Puerta
- Epigenetics Programme Babraham Institute Cambridge UK
- Science and Biotechnology Faculty, Biology Program CES University Medellin Colombia
| | - Hannah Demond
- Epigenetics Programme Babraham Institute Cambridge UK
| | | | - Courtney W. Hanna
- Epigenetics Programme Babraham Institute Cambridge UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Myriam Hemberger
- Epigenetics Programme Babraham Institute Cambridge UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics Cumming School of Medicine University of Calgary Calgary AL Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of Calgary Calgary AL Canada
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme Babraham Institute Cambridge UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Uysal F, Ozturk S. The loss of global DNA methylation due to decreased DNMT expression in the postnatal mouse ovaries may associate with infertility emerging during ovarian aging. Histochem Cell Biol 2020; 154:301-314. [PMID: 32514790 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-020-01890-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian aging is one of the main causes of female infertility, and its molecular background is still largely unknown. As DNA methylation regulates many oogenesis/folliculogenesis-related genes, the expression levels and cellular localizations of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) playing key roles in this process is important in the ovaries from early to aged terms. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the spatial and temporal expression of the Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, and Dnmt3l genes as well as global DNA methylation levels in the mouse ovaries during aging. For this purpose, the following groups were created: young (1- and 2-week old; n = 3 from each week), prepubertal (3- and 4-week-old; n = 3 from each week), pubertal (5- and 6-week-old; n = 3 from each week), postpubertal (16- and 18-week-old; n = 3 from each week), and aged (52-, 60- and 72-week-old; n = 3 from each week). We found here that Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3l genes' expression at mRNA and protein levels as well as global DNA methylation profiles were gradually and significantly decreased in the postnatal ovaries from young to aged groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, there was a remarkable increase of Dnmt3b expression in the pubertal, postpubertal and aged groups (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that the significantly altered DNMT expression and global DNA methylation levels during ovarian aging may contribute to female infertility development at the later terms of lifespan. Also, new researches are required to determine the molecular biological mechanism(s) that how altered DNMT expression and decreased DNA methylation lead to ovarian aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Uysal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ankara University School of Medicine, 06100, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, 07070, Antalya, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Harvey AJ. Mitochondria in early development: linking the microenvironment, metabolism and the epigenome. Reproduction 2020; 157:R159-R179. [PMID: 30870807 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria, originally of bacterial origin, are highly dynamic organelles that have evolved a symbiotic relationship within eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria undergo dynamic, stage-specific restructuring and redistribution during oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryo development, necessary to support key developmental events. Mitochondria also fulfil a wide range of functions beyond ATP synthesis, including the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and calcium regulation, and are active participants in the regulation of signal transduction pathways. Communication between not only mitochondria and the nucleus, but also with other organelles, is emerging as a critical function which regulates preimplantation development. Significantly, perturbations and deficits in mitochondrial function manifest not only as reduced quality and/or poor oocyte and embryo development but contribute to post-implantation failure, long-term cell function and adult disease. A growing body of evidence indicates that altered availability of metabolic co-factors modulate the activity of epigenetic modifiers, such that oocyte and embryo mitochondrial activity and dynamics have the capacity to establish long-lasting alterations to the epigenetic landscape. It is proposed that preimplantation embryo development may represent a sensitive window during which epigenetic regulation by mitochondria is likely to have significant short- and long-term effects on embryo, and offspring, health. Hence, mitochondrial integrity, communication and metabolism are critical links between the environment, the epigenome and the regulation of embryo development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Harvey
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Effects of resveratrol, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor or dichloroacetic acid in the culture media on embryonic development and pregnancy rates in aged mice. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:2659-2669. [PMID: 32028268 PMCID: PMC7041760 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The success rate of assisted reproductive technology is closely correlated with maternal age. Reproductive aging pathologies are frequently caused by impaired DNA repair, genomic instability, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Several reports have shown that resveratrol can prevent age-related diseases by improving mitochondrial function. Improved blastocyst development and mitochondrial output by dichloroacetic acid (DCA) supplementation were reported in aged mice. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has significant effects on implantation rates in women with previous miscarriages. Therefore, this study was conducted to observe how those compounds influence the developmental and the reproductive potential of aged oocytes. BDF1 female mice at 58-62 weeks old were used for this study. MII oocytes were fertilized and cultured in MRC media supplemented with or without resveratrol (0.5 μM), GM-CSF (2 ng/ml) or DCA (1.0 mM). The addition of resveratrol, GM-CSF or DCA tended to increase blastocyst development and pregnancy rates. Supplementation with resveratrol significantly increased the pregnancy and implantation rates (p < 0.05). Moreover, resveratrol decreased reactive oxygen species production and increased mitochondrial membrane potential. These results suggest that the addition of resveratrol can increase pregnancy outcomes in women of advanced maternal age.
Collapse
|
30
|
Kindsfather AJ, Czekalski MA, Pressimone CA, Erisman MP, Mann MRW. Perturbations in imprinted methylation from assisted reproductive technologies but not advanced maternal age in mouse preimplantation embryos. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:162. [PMID: 31767035 PMCID: PMC6878706 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0751-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over the last several decades, the average age of first-time mothers has risen steadily. With increasing maternal age comes a decrease in fertility, which in turn has led to an increase in the use of assisted reproductive technologies by these women. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), including superovulation and embryo culture, have been shown separately to alter imprinted DNA methylation maintenance in blastocysts. However, there has been little investigation on the effects of advanced maternal age, with or without ARTs, on genomic imprinting. We hypothesized that ARTs and advanced maternal age, separately and together, alter imprinted methylation in mouse preimplantation embryos. For this study, we examined imprinted methylation at three genes, Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, and H19, which in humans are linked to ART-associated methylation errors that lead to imprinting disorders. Results Our data showed that imprinted methylation acquisition in oocytes was unaffected by increasing maternal age. Furthermore, imprinted methylation was normally acquired when advanced maternal age was combined with superovulation. Analysis of blastocyst-stage embryos revealed that imprinted methylation maintenance was also not affected by increasing maternal age. In a comparison of ARTs, we observed that the frequency of blastocysts with imprinted methylation loss was similar between the superovulation only and the embryo culture only groups, while the combination of superovulation and embryo culture resulted in a higher frequency of mouse blastocysts with maternal imprinted methylation perturbations than superovulation alone. Finally, the combination of increasing maternal age with ARTs had no additional effect on the frequency of imprinted methylation errors. Conclusion Collectively, increasing maternal age with or without superovulation had no effect of imprinted methylation acquisition at Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, and H19 in oocytes. Furthermore, during preimplantation development, while ARTs generated perturbations in imprinted methylation maintenance in blastocysts, advanced maternal age did not increase the burden of imprinted methylation errors at Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, and H19 when combined with ARTs. These results provide cautious optimism that advanced maternal age is not a contributing factor to imprinted methylation errors in embryos produced in the clinic. Furthermore, our data on the effects of ARTs strengthen the need to advance clinical methods to reduce imprinted methylation errors in in vitro-produced embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey J Kindsfather
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Megan A Czekalski
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Catherine A Pressimone
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Margaret P Erisman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Mellissa R W Mann
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. .,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhao J, Li FZ, Wu J, Yang H, Zheng J, Pang J, Meng FX, Wang F, Zhang YL. Effect of CREB1 promoter non-CpG island methylation on its differential expression profile on sheep ovaries associated with prolificacy. Tissue Cell 2019; 58:61-69. [PMID: 31133247 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of different methylated regions of cyclic-AMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1) by comparing the high prolificacy (HP) group and low prolificacy (LP) group, which was detected in our previous study. The expression level of CREB1 mRNA in the ovaries of the HP group was higher than in the LP group (P < 0.05). The differential methylated region (DMR) had 4 methylated CG dinucleotides(CGs): -1546, -1544, -1494 and -1464. The DNA methylation levels of -1546 CGs and -1464 CGs were significantly higher in the HP group than in the LP group (P < 0.05). The activity from -1296 to +26 (without DMR) was significantly higher than the activity from -1598 to +26 (with DMR) (P < 0.05). The result of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment indicated that the inhibition DNA methylation of DMR reduced the transcription of CREB1. The bioinformatics predictive analysis were found that the -1546 CG site was located in the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) binding site and the -1464 CG site was located in the Sp1 binding site. Finally, this study revealed the relationship between the methylation of non-CpG sites of the promoter and transcription of CREB1. This study will provide a theoretical basis of the Hu sheep ovaries associated with DNA methylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhao
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Feng-Zhe Li
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Lang Fang Polytechnic Institute, Hebei, 065001, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jian Zheng
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jing Pang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Fan-Xing Meng
- National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yan-Li Zhang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Epigenetic changes in mammalian gametes throughout their lifetime: the four seasons metaphor. Chromosoma 2019; 128:423-441. [DOI: 10.1007/s00412-019-00704-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
|
33
|
Moore AM, Xu Z, Kolli RT, White AJ, Sandler DP, Taylor JA. Persistent epigenetic changes in adult daughters of older mothers. Epigenetics 2019; 14:467-476. [PMID: 30879397 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1595299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Women of advanced maternal age account for an increasing proportion of live births in many developed countries across the globe. Offspring of older mothers are at an increased risk for a variety of subsequent health outcomes, including outcomes that do not manifest until childhood or adulthood. The molecular underpinnings of the association between maternal aging and offspring morbidity remain elusive. However, one possible mechanism is that maternal aging produces specific alterations in the offspring's epigenome in utero, and these epigenetic alterations persist into adulthood. We conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of the effect of a mother's age on blood DNA methylation in 2,740 adult daughters using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 array. A false discovery rate (FDR) q-value threshold of 0.05 was used to identify differentially methylated CpG sites (dmCpGs). We identified 87 dmCpGs associated with increased maternal age. The majority (84%) of the dmCpGs had lower methylation in daughters of older mothers, with an average methylation difference of 0.6% per 5-year increase in mother's age. Thirteen genomic regions contained multiple dmCpGs. Most notably, nine dmCpGs were found in the promoter region of the gene LIM homeobox 8 (LHX8), which plays a pivotal role in female fertility. Other dmCpGs were found in genes associated with metabolically active brown fat, carcinogenesis, and neurodevelopmental disorders. We conclude that maternal age is associated with persistent epigenetic changes in daughters at genes that have intriguing links to health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Moore
- a Epidemiology Branch , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | - Zongli Xu
- a Epidemiology Branch , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | - Ramya T Kolli
- b Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | - Alexandra J White
- a Epidemiology Branch , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- a Epidemiology Branch , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| | - Jack A Taylor
- a Epidemiology Branch , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA.,b Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park , NC , USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Chamani IJ, Keefe DL. Epigenetics and Female Reproductive Aging. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:473. [PMID: 31551923 PMCID: PMC6736555 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
With more women than ever waiting until a more advanced age to have children, there exists a newfound urgency to identify the various implications aging has on human reproduction, and understand the disrupted biological processes that result in these changes. In this review, we focus on one recent area of study: the age related epigenetic changes that have been found in female reproductive organs, and the effect these changes may contribute to reproductive outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - David L. Keefe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: David L. Keefe
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Marshall KL, Wang J, Ji T, Rivera RM. The effects of biological aging on global DNA methylation, histone modification, and epigenetic modifiers in the mouse germinal vesicle stage oocyte. Anim Reprod 2018; 15:1253-1267. [PMID: 34221140 PMCID: PMC8203117 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2018-0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A cultural trend in developed countries is favoring a delay in maternal age at first childbirth.
In mammals fertility and chronological age show an inverse correlation. Oocyte quality is
a contributing factor to this multifactorial phenomenon that may be influenced by age-related
changes in the oocyte epigenome. Based on previous reports, we hypothesized that advanced
maternal age would lead to alterations in the oocyte’s epigenome. We tested our hypothesis
by determining protein levels of various epigenetic modifications and modifiers in fully-grown
(≥70 µm), germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes of young (10-13 weeks) and aged
(69-70 weeks) mice. Our results demonstrate a significant increase in protein amounts of
the maintenance DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 (P = 0.003) and a trend toward increased global
DNA methylation (P = 0.09) with advanced age. MeCP2, a methyl DNA binding domain protein, recognizes
methylated DNA and induces chromatin compaction and silencing. We hypothesized that chromatin
associated MeCP2 would be increased similarly to DNA methylation in oocytes of aged female
mice. However, we detected a significant decrease (P = 0.0013) in protein abundance of MeCP2
between GV stage oocytes from young and aged females. Histone posttranslational modifications
can also alter chromatin conformation. Di-methylation of H3K9 (H3K9me2) is associated with
permissive heterochromatin while acetylation of H4K5 (H4K5ac) is associated with euchromatin.
Our results indicate a trend toward decreasing H3K9me2 (P = 0.077) with advanced female age
and no significant differences in levels of H4K5ac. These data demonstrate that physiologic
aging affects the mouse oocyte epigenome and provide a better understanding of the mechanisms
underlying the decrease in oocyte quality and reproductive potential of aged females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kira Lynn Marshall
- Division of Animal Sciences.,Reproductive Sciences, San Diego Zoo Global Institute for Conservation Research, San Pasqual Valley Rd
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Potabattula R, Dittrich M, Böck J, Haertle L, Müller T, Hahn T, Schorsch M, Hajj NE, Haaf T. Allele-specific methylation of imprinted genes in fetal cord blood is influenced by cis-acting genetic variants and parental factors. Epigenomics 2018; 10:1315-1326. [PMID: 30238782 PMCID: PMC6240887 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2018-0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To examine the effects of genetic variation, parental age and BMI on parental allele-specific methylation of imprinted genes in fetal cord blood samples. Methodology: We have developed SNP genotyping and deep bisulphite sequencing assays for six imprinted genes to determine parental allele-specific methylation patterns in diploid somatic tissues. Results: Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed a negative correlation of paternal age with paternal MEG3 allele methylation in fetal cord blood. Methylation of the maternal PEG3 allele showed a positive correlation with maternal age. Paternal BMI was positively correlated with paternal MEST allele methylation. In addition to parental origin, allele-specific methylation of most imprinted genes was largely dependent on the underlying SNP haplotype. Conclusion: Our study supports the idea that parental factors can have an impact, although of small effect size, on the epigenome of the next generation, providing an additional layer of complexity to phenotypic diversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Potabattula
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Dittrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Bioinformatics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Böck
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Larissa Haertle
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Bioinformatics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Nady El Hajj
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Haaf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Han Y, Luo H, Zhang Y. Congenital anomalies in infants conceived by infertile women through assisted reproductive technology: A cohort study 2004-2014. Exp Ther Med 2018; 16:3179-3185. [PMID: 30214541 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyse the risk of congenital anomalies (CAs) in infants conceived by infertile women through assisted reproductive technology (ART). A total of 9,013 clinical pregnancy cycles resulting in 9,101 live births between 2004 and 2014 were analysed. Congenital anomalies were evaluated and compared with spontaneous pregnancies in infertile women. A total of 9,101 infants were born following ART. Three subgroups were established: In vitro fertilisation fresh embryo transfer (IVF-ET), n=2,919, intracytoplasmic sperm injection fresh embryo transfer (ICSI), n=1,996 and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), n=4,186. No significant differences in perinatal outcomes were observed between the three subgroups. A total of 105 (1.15%) infants were born with CAs. The birth defect rate was slightly higher in the IVF-ET subgroup compared with the other subgroups. Among infants in the IVF-ET and ICSI-ET subgroup, the probability of birth defects increased with increased maternal age (>35 years), male factors and diminished ovarian reserve. In the FET group, the risk of birth defects was significantly increased with multiple births and maternal age >35 years. The risk of congenital anomalies following ART was not significantly different compared with spontaneous conceptions within the infertile study population. The results of the present study may provide guidance for patients who are considering treatment for infertility in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Han
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
| | - Haining Luo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin 300100, P.R. China
| | - Yunshan Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin 300100, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Marshall KL, Rivera RM. The effects of superovulation and reproductive aging on the epigenome of the oocyte and embryo. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:90-105. [PMID: 29280527 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A societal preference of delaying maternal age at first childbirth has increased reliance on assisted reproductive technologies/therapies (ART) to conceive a child. Oocytes that have undergone physiologic aging (≥35 years for humans) are now commonly used for ART, yet evidence is building that suboptimal reproductive environments associated with aging negatively affect oocyte competence and embryo development-although the mechanisms underlying these relationship are not yet well understood. Epigenetic programming of the oocyte occurs during its growth within a follicle, so the ovarian stimulation protocols that administer exogenous hormones, as part of the first step for all ART procedures, may prevent the gamete from establishing an appropriate epigenetic state. Therefore, understanding how oocyte. Therefore, understanding how hormone stimulation and oocyte physiologic age independently and synergistically physiologic age independently and synergistically affect the epigenetic programming of these gametes, and how this may affect their developmental competence, are crucial to improved ART outcomes. Here, we review studies that measured the developmental outcomes affected by superovulation and aging, focusing on how the epigenome (i.e., global and imprinted DNA methylation, histone modifications, and epigenetic modifiers) of gametes and embryos acquired from females undergoing physiologic aging and exogenous ovarian stimulation is affected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kira L Marshall
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Whidden L, Martel J, Rahimi S, Chaillet JR, Chan D, Trasler JM. Compromised oocyte quality and assisted reproduction contribute to sex-specific effects on offspring outcomes and epigenetic patterning. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 25:4649-4660. [PMID: 28173052 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies have revealed an increased incidence of growth and genomic imprinting disorders in children conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), and aberrant DNA methylation has been implicated. We propose that compromised oocyte quality associated with female infertility may make embryos more susceptible to the induction of epigenetic defects by ART. DNA methylation patterns in the preimplantation embryo are dependent on the oocyte-specific DNA methyltransferase 1o (DNMT1o), levels of which are decreased in mature oocytes of aging females. Here, we assessed the effects of maternal deficiency in DNMT1o (Dnmt1Δ1o/+) in combination with superovulation and embryo transfer on offspring DNA methylation and development. We demonstrated a significant increase in the rates of morphological abnormalities in offspring collected from Dnmt1Δ1o/+ females only when combined with ART. Together, maternal oocyte DNMT1o deficiency and ART resulted in an accentuation of placental imprinting defects and the induction of genome-wide DNA methylation alterations, which were exacerbated in the placenta compared to the embryo. Significant sex-specific trends were also apparent, with a preponderance of DNA hypomethylation in females. Among genic regions affected, a significant enrichment for neurodevelopmental pathways was observed. Taken together, our results demonstrate that oocyte DNMT1o-deficiency exacerbates genome-wide DNA methylation abnormalities induced by ART in a sex-specific manner and plays a role in mediating poor embryonic outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Whidden
- Montreal Children's Hospital and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Montreal Children's Hospital and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sophia Rahimi
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - J Richard Chaillet
- Department of OB/GYN and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Donovan Chan
- Montreal Children's Hospital and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquetta M Trasler
- Montreal Children's Hospital and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Denham J. Exercise and epigenetic inheritance of disease risk. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 222. [PMID: 28371392 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics is the study of gene expression changes that occur in the absence of altered genotype. Current evidence indicates a role for environmentally induced alterations to epigenetic modifications leading to health and disease changes across multiple generations. This phenomenon is called intergenerational or transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of health or disease. Environmental insults, in the form of toxins, plastics and particular dietary interventions, perturb the epigenetic landscape and influence the health of F1 through to F4 generations in rodents. There is, however, the possibility that healthy lifestyles and environmental factors, such as exercise training, could lead to favourable, heritable epigenetic modifications that augment transcriptional programmes protective of disease, including metabolic dysfunction, heart disease and cancer. The health benefits conferred by regular physical exercise training are unquestionable, yet many of the molecular changes may have heritable health implications for future generations. Similar to other environmental factors, exercise modulates the epigenome of somatic cells and researchers are beginning to study exercise epigenetics in germ cells. The germ cell epigenetic modifications affected by exercise offer a molecular mechanism for the inheritance of health and disease risk. The aims of this review are to: (i) provide an update on the expanding field of exercise epigenetics; (ii) offer an overview of data on intergenerational/transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of disease by environmental insults; (iii) to discuss the potential of exercise-induced intergenerational inheritance of health and disease risk; and finally, outline potential mechanisms and avenues for future work on epigenetic inheritance through exercise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Denham
- School of Science and Technology; University of New England; Armidale NSW Australia
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Banik A, Kandilya D, Ramya S, Stünkel W, Chong YS, Dheen ST. Maternal Factors that Induce Epigenetic Changes Contribute to Neurological Disorders in Offspring. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E150. [PMID: 28538662 PMCID: PMC5485514 DOI: 10.3390/genes8060150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that the regulation of epigenetic factors, including chromatic reorganization, histone modifications, DNA methylation, and miRNA regulation, is critical for the normal development and functioning of the human brain. There are a number of maternal factors influencing epigenetic pathways such as lifestyle, including diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking, as well as age and infections (viral or bacterial). Genetic and metabolic alterations such as obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and thyroidism alter epigenetic mechanisms, thereby contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs) such as embryonic neural tube defects (NTDs), autism, Down's syndrome, Rett syndrome, and later onset of neuropsychological deficits. This review comprehensively describes the recent findings in the epigenetic landscape contributing to altered molecular profiles resulting in NDs. Furthermore, we will discuss potential avenues for future research to identify diagnostic markers and therapeutic epi-drugs to reverse these abnormalities in the brain as epigenetic marks are plastic and reversible in nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avijit Banik
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117594, Singapore.
| | - Deepika Kandilya
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117594, Singapore.
| | - Seshadri Ramya
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117594, Singapore.
| | - Walter Stünkel
- Singapore Institute of Clinical Sciences, A*STAR, Singapore 117609, Singapore.
| | - Yap Seng Chong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore.
| | - S Thameem Dheen
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117594, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Lestari SW, Rizki MD. Epigenetic: A new approach to etiology of infertility. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF INDONESIA 2017. [DOI: 10.13181/mji.v25i4.1504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a complex disease which could be caused by male and female factors. The etiology from both factors needs further study. There are some approaches to understanding the etiology of infertility, one of them is epigenetic. Epigenetic modifications consist of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodelling. Male and female germinal cells undergo epigenetic modifications dynamically during differentiation into matured sperm and oocyte cells. In a male, the alteration of DNA methylation in spermatogenesis will cause oligo/asthenozoospermia. In addition, the histone methylation, acetylation, or other histone modification may lead sperm lose its ability to fertilize oocyte. Similarly, in a female, the alteration of DNA methylation and histone modification affects oogenesis, created aneuploidy in fertilized oocytes and resulted in embryonic death in the uterus. Alteration of these epigenetic modification patterns will cause infertility, both in male and female.
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in properly occurring mammalian oogenesis. One of these mechanisms is DNA methylation adding a methyl group to the fifth carbon atom of the cytosine residues using S-adenosyl-L-methionine as a methyl donor. DNA methylation generally takes place at cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) dinucleotide sites and rarely occurs at cytosine-phosphate-thymine (CpT), cytosine-phosphate-adenine (CpA), or cytosine-phosphate-cytosine sites, known as non-CpG sites. Basically, two different DNA methylation processes are identified: de novo methylation and maintenance methylation. While the de novo methylation functions in methylation of unmethylated DNA strands, maintenance methylation is capable of methylating hemi-methylated DNA strands following DNA replication. Both DNA methylation processes are catalyzed by special DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes. To date, five different DNMTs have been identified: DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, DNMT3L, and DNMT2. In this chapter, we focus particularly on temporal and spatial expression of DNMTs in mammalian oocytes and granulosa cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Uysal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Desmet KLJ, Van Hoeck V, Gagné D, Fournier E, Thakur A, O'Doherty AM, Walsh CP, Sirard MA, Bols PEJ, Leroy JLMR. Exposure of bovine oocytes and embryos to elevated non-esterified fatty acid concentrations: integration of epigenetic and transcriptomic signatures in resultant blastocysts. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:1004. [PMID: 27931182 PMCID: PMC5146907 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3366-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Metabolic stress associated with negative energy balance in high producing dairy cattle and obesity in women is a risk factor for decreased fertility. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are involved in this pathogenesis as they jeopardize oocyte and embryo development. Growing evidence indicates that maternal metabolic disorders can disturb epigenetic programming, such as DNA methylation, in the offspring. Oocyte maturation and early embryo development coincide with methylation changes and both are sensitive to adverse environments. Therefore, we investigated whether elevated NEFA concentrations affect establishment and maintenance of DNA methylation in oocytes and embryos, subsequently altering transcriptomic profiles and developmental competence of resultant blastocysts. Results Bovine oocytes and embryos were exposed to different NEFA concentrations in separate experiments. In the first experiment, oocytes were matured in vitro for 24 h in medium containing: 1) physiological (“BASAL”) concentrations of oleic (OA), palmitic (PA) and stearic (SA) acid or 2) pathophysiological (“HIGH COMBI”) concentrations of OA, PA and SA. In the second experiment, zygotes were cultivated in vitro for 6.5 days under BASAL or HIGH COMBI conditions. Developmental competence was evaluated by assessing cleavage and blastocyst rate. Overall gene expression and DNA methylation of resultant blastocysts were analyzed using microarray. DNA methylation data were re-evaluated by pyrosequencing. HIGH COMBI-exposed oocytes and embryos displayed a lower competence to develop into blastocysts compared to BASAL-exposed counterparts (19.3% compared to 23.2% and 18.2% compared to 25.3%, respectively) (P < 0.05). HIGH COMBI-exposed oocytes and embryos resulted in blastocysts with altered DNA methylation and transcriptomic fingerprints, compared to BASAL-exposed counterparts. Differences in gene expression and methylation were more pronounced after exposure during culture compared to maturation suggesting that zygotes are more susceptible to adverse environments. Main gene networks affected were related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, cell death, immune response and metabolic disorders. Conclusions Overall, high variation in methylation between blastocysts made it difficult to draw conclusions concerning methylation of individual genes, although a clear overview of affected pathways was obtained. This may offer clues regarding the high rate of embryonic loss and metabolic diseases during later life observed in offspring from mothers displaying lipolytic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K L J Desmet
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - V Van Hoeck
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - D Gagné
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction (CRBR), Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - E Fournier
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction (CRBR), Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - A Thakur
- British Columbia Cancer Agency, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - A M O'Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C P Walsh
- Centre for Molecular Biosciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK
| | - M A Sirard
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction (CRBR), Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - P E J Bols
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - J L M R Leroy
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Zhang T, Shen W, De Felici M, Zhang XF. Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate: Adverse effects on folliculogenesis that cannot be neglected. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2016; 57:579-588. [PMID: 27530864 DOI: 10.1002/em.22037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Primordial follicle formation and the subsequent transition of follicles through primary and secondary stages constitute crucial events of oogenesis. In particular, in mammals, defects in the processes that precede and accompany the formation of the primordial follicle pool can affect the size of this population significantly, while alterations in follicle activation, growth and maturation can result in premature depletion of the follicle reserve or cause follicle arrest at immature stages. Over the last decade, in vitro and in vivo approaches have been used to provide evidence that exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP), the most widely used plasticizer, has a deleterious effect on various stages of folliculogenesis in rodents. There is growing concern, supported by epidemiological and experimental data, that DEHP may have similar effects in women. This article reviews the evidence, with particular reference to our own findings, that DEHP may actually exert a variety of adverse effects on mammalian folliculogenesis from early to final stages of oogenesis, including altered development of the primordial germ cells, impaired fetal oocyte survival and meiotic progression, reduced oocyte nest breakdown, acceleration of primordial follicle activation, altered follicle steroidogenesis and increased follicle atresia. These effects can cause serious complications for reproductive and nonreproductive women's health. In addition, emerging data indicate that phthalates, including DEHP, may cause subtle epigenetic changes in germ cells that can be transmitted to subsequent generations, with potential negative effects on human health. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:589-604, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teng Zhang
- College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata,", Rome, 00133, Italy.
| | - Xi-Feng Zhang
- College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, 430023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Mattern F, Herrmann D, Heinzmann J, Hadeler KG, Bernal-Ulloa SM, Haaf T, Niemann H. DNA methylation and mRNA expression of developmentally important genes in bovine oocytes collected from donors of different age categories. Mol Reprod Dev 2016; 83:802-814. [PMID: 27567027 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic changes are critical for the acquisition of developmental potential by oocytes and embryos, yet these changes may be sensitive to maternal ageing. Here, we investigated the impact of maternal ageing on DNA methylation and mRNA expression in a panel of eight genes that are critically involved in oocyte and embryo development. Bovine oocytes were collected from donors of three different age categories-prepubertal (9-12 months old), mature (3-7 years old), and aged (8-11 years old)-and were analyzed for gene-specific DNA methylation (bTERF2, bREC8, bBCL-XL, bPISD, bBUB1, bDNMT3Lo, bH19, and bSNRPN) and mRNA expression (bTERF2, bBCL-XL, bPISD, and bBUB1). A total of 1,044 alleles with 88,740 CpGs were amplified and sequenced from 362 bovine oocytes. Most of the detected molecules were either fully methylated or completely unmethylated. Only 9 out of 1,044 alleles (<1%) were abnormally methylated (>50% of CpGs with an aberrant methylation status), and seven of the nine abnormally methylated alleles were within only two candidate genes (bDNMT3Lo and bH19). No significant differences were detected with regard to mRNA expression between oocytes from the three groups of donors. These results suggest that genes predominantly important for early embryo development (bH19 and bDNMT3Lo) are less resistant to abnormal methylation than genes critically involved in oocyte development (bTERF2, bBCL-XL, bPISD, bBUB1, and bSNRPN). Establishment of DNA methylation in bovine oocytes seems to be largely resistant to changes caused by maternal ageing, irrespective of whether the genes are critical to achieve developmental competence in oocytes or early embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 802-814, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Mattern
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Doris Herrmann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics (FLI), Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Julia Heinzmann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics (FLI), Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | | | | | - Thomas Haaf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Heiner Niemann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics (FLI), Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Uysal F, Akkoyunlu G, Ozturk S. DNA methyltransferases exhibit dynamic expression during spermatogenesis. Reprod Biomed Online 2016; 33:690-702. [PMID: 27687053 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2016.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is one of the epigenetic marks and plays critically important functions during spermatogenesis in mammals. DNA methylation is catalysed by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes, which are responsible for the addition of a methyl group to the fifth carbon atom of the cytosine residues within cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) and non-CpG dinucleotide sites. Structurally and functionally five different DNMT enzymes have been identified in mammals, including DNMT1, DNMT2, DNMT3A, DNMT3B and DNMT3L. These enzymes mainly play roles in two DNA methylation processes: maintenance and de novo. While DNMT1 is primarily responsible for maintenance methylation via transferring methyl groups to the hemi-methylated DNA strands following DNA replication, both DNMT3A and DNMT3B are capable of methylating unmodified cytosine residues, known as de novo methylation. However, DNMT3L indirectly participates in de novo methylation, and DNMT2 carries out methylation of the cytosine 38 in the anticodon loop of aspartic acid transfer RNA. To date, many studies have been performed to determine spatial and temporal expression levels and functional features of the DNMT in the male germ cells. This review article comprehensively discusses dynamic expression of the DNMT during spermatogenesis and their relationship with male infertility development in the light of existing investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Uysal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University, School of Medicine, Campus 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Akkoyunlu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University, School of Medicine, Campus 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University, School of Medicine, Campus 07070, Antalya, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Velazquez MA, Smith CGC, Smyth NR, Osmond C, Fleming TP. Advanced maternal age causes adverse programming of mouse blastocysts leading to altered growth and impaired cardiometabolic health in post-natal life. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:1970-80. [PMID: 27402911 PMCID: PMC4991661 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does advanced maternal age (AMA) in mice affect cardiometabolic health during post-natal life in offspring derived from an assisted reproduction technology (ART) procedure? SUMMARY ANSWER Offspring derived from blastocysts collected from aged female mice displayed impaired body weight gain, blood pressure, glucose metabolism and organ allometry during post-natal life compared with offspring derived from blastocysts from young females; since all blastocysts were transferred to normalized young mothers, this effect is independent of maternal pregnancy conditions. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although studies in mice have shown that AMA can affect body weight and behaviour of offspring derived from natural reproduction, data on the effects of AMA on offspring cardiometabolic health during post-natal development are not available. Given the increasing use of ART to alleviate infertility in women of AMA, it is pivotal to develop ART-AMA models addressing the effects of maternal aging on offspring health. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Blastocysts from old (34-39 weeks) or young (8-9 weeks) C57BL/6 females mated with young CBA males (13-15 weeks) were either subjected to differential cell staining (inner cell mass and trophectoderm) or underwent embryo transfer (ET) into young MF1 surrogates (8-9 weeks) to produce young (Young-ET, 9 litters) and old (Old-ET, 10 litters) embryo-derived offspring. Offspring health monitoring was carried out for 30 weeks. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS All animals were fed with standard chow. Blood pressure was measured at post-natal Weeks 9, 15 and 21, and at post-natal Week 30 a glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed. Two days after the GTT mice were killed for organ allometry. Blastocyst cell allocation variables were evaluated by T-test and developmental data were analysed with a multilevel random effects regression model. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The total number of cells in blastocysts from aged mice was decreased (P < 0.05) relative to young mice due to a lower number of cells in the trophectoderm (mean ± SEM: 34.5 ± 2.1 versus 29.6 ± 1.0). Weekly body weight did not differ in male offspring, but an increase in body weight from Week 13 onwards was observed in Old-ET females (final body weight at post-natal Week 30: 38.5 ± 0.8 versus 33.4 ± 0.8 g, P < 0.05). Blood pressure was increased in Old-ET offspring at Weeks 9-15 in males (Week 9: 108.5 ± 3.13 versus 100.8 ± 1.5 mmHg, Week 15: 112.9 ± 3.2 versus 103.4 ± 2.1 mmHg) and Week 15 in females (115.9 ± 3.7 versus 102.8 ± 0.7 mmHg; all P < 0.05 versus Young-ET). The GTT results and organ allometry were not affected in male offspring. In contrast, Old-ET females displayed a greater (P < 0.05) peak glucose concentration at 30 min during the GTT (21.1 ± 0.4 versus 17.8 ± 1.16 mmol/l) and their spleen weight (88.2 ± 2.6 ± 105.1 ± 4.6 mg) and several organ:body weight ratios (g/g × 10(3)) were decreased (P < 0.05 versus Young-ET), including the heart (3.7 ± 0.06 versus 4.4 ± 0.08), lungs (4.4 ± 0.1 versus 5.0 ± 0.1), spleen (2.4 ± 0.06 versus 3.2 ± 0.1) and liver (36.4 ± 0.6 versus 39.1 ± 0.9). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Results from experimental animal models cannot be extrapolated to humans. Nevertheless, they are valuable to develop conceptual models that can produce hypotheses for eventual testing in the target species (i.e. humans). WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our data show that offspring from mouse embryos from aged mothers can develop altered phenotypes during post-natal development compared with embryos from young mothers. Because all embryos were transferred into young mothers for the duration of pregnancy to normalize the maternal in vivo environment, our findings indicate that adverse programming via AMA is already established at the blastocyst stage. Whilst human embryos display increased aneuploidy compared with mouse, we believe our data have implications for women of AMA undergoing assisted reproduction, including surrogacy programmes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported through the European Union FP7-CP-FP Epihealth programme (278418) to T.P.F. and the BBSRC (BB/F007450/1) to T.P.F. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M A Velazquez
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK School of Agriculture, Food & Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - C G C Smith
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - N R Smyth
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - C Osmond
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - T P Fleming
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Markunas CA, Wilcox AJ, Xu Z, Joubert BR, Harlid S, Panduri V, Håberg SE, Nystad W, London SJ, Sandler DP, Lie RT, Wade PA, Taylor JA. Maternal Age at Delivery Is Associated with an Epigenetic Signature in Both Newborns and Adults. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156361. [PMID: 27383059 PMCID: PMC4934688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Offspring of older mothers are at increased risk of adverse birth outcomes, childhood cancers, type 1 diabetes, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The underlying biologic mechanisms for most of these associations remain obscure. One possibility is that maternal aging may produce lasting changes in the epigenetic features of a child’s DNA. To test this, we explored the association of mothers’ age at pregnancy with methylation in her offspring, using blood samples from 890 Norwegian newborns and measuring DNA methylation at more than 450,000 CpG sites across the genome. We examined replication of a maternal-age finding in an independent group of 1062 Norwegian newborns, and then in 200 US middle-aged women. Older maternal age was significantly associated with reduced methylation at four adjacent CpGs near the 2nd exon of KLHL35 in newborns (p-values ranging from 3x10-6 to 8x10-7). These associations were replicated in the independent set of newborns, and replicated again in women 40 to 60 years after their birth. This study provides the first example of parental age permanently affecting the epigenetic profile of offspring. While the specific functions of the affected gene are unknown, this finding opens the possibility that a mother’s age at pregnancy could affect her child’s health through epigenetic mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina A. Markunas
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Allen J. Wilcox
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Zongli Xu
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Bonnie R. Joubert
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sophia Harlid
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Vijayalakshmi Panduri
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | | | - Stephanie J. London
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rolv T. Lie
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Paul A. Wade
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jack A. Taylor
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Mainigi MA, Sapienza C, Butts S, Coutifaris C. A Molecular Perspective on Procedures and Outcomes with Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2016; 6:a023416. [PMID: 26747835 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The emerging association of assisted reproductive technologies with adverse perinatal outcomes has prompted the in-depth examination of clinical and laboratory protocols and procedures and their possible effects on epigenetic regulatory mechanism(s). The application of various approaches to study epigenetic regulation to problems in reproductive medicine has the potential to identify relative risk indicators for particular conditions, diagnostic biomarkers of disease state, and prognostic indicators of outcome. Moreover, when applied genome-wide, these techniques are likely to find novel pathways of disease pathogenesis and identify new targets for intervention. The analysis of DNA methylation, histone modifications, transcription factors, enhancer binding and other chromatin proteins, DNase-hypersensitivity and, micro- and other noncoding RNAs all provide overlapping and often complementary snapshots of chromatin structure and resultant "gene activity." In terms of clinical application, the predictive power and utility of epigenetic information will depend on the power of individual techniques to discriminate normal levels of interindividual variation from variation linked to a disease state. At present, quantitative analysis of DNA methylation at multiple loci seems likely to hold the greatest promise for achieving the level of precision, reproducibility, and throughput demanded in a clinical setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica A Mainigi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Carmen Sapienza
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140
| | - Samantha Butts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Christos Coutifaris
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| |
Collapse
|