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Feng Y, Zhao X, Ruan Z, Li Z, Mo H, Lu F, Shi D. Zinc improves the developmental ability of bovine in vitro fertilization embryos through its antioxidative action. Theriogenology 2024; 221:47-58. [PMID: 38554613 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.03.013] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Zinc, an essential trace mineral, exerts a pivotal influence in various biological processes. Through zinc concentration analysis, we found that the zinc concentration in the bovine embryo in vitro culture (IVC) medium was significantly lower than that in bovine follicular fluid. Therefore, this study explored the impact of zinc sulfate on IVC bovine embryo development and investigated the underlying mechanism. The results revealed a significant decline in zygote cleavage and blastocyst development rates when zinc deficiency was induced using zinc chelator N, N, N', N'-Tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN) in culture medium during embryo in vitro culture. The influence of zinc-deficiency was time-dependent. Conversely, supplementing 0.8 μg/mL zinc sulfate to culture medium (CM) increased the cleavage and blastocyst formation rate significantly. Moreover, this supplementation reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, elevated the glutathione (GSH) levels in blastocysts, upregulated the mRNA expression of antioxidase-related genes, and activated the Nrf2-Keap1-ARE signaling pathways. Furthermore, 0.8 μg/mL zinc sulfate enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential, maintained DNA stability, and enhanced the quality of bovine (in vitro fertilization) IVF blastocysts. In conclusion, the addition of 0.8 μg/mL zinc sulfate to CM could enhance the antioxidant capacity, activates the Nrf2-Keap1-ARE signaling pathways, augment mitochondrial membrane potential, and stabilizes DNA, ultimately improving blastocyst quality and in vitro bovine embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, China; Reproductive Medicine Center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530003, China
| | - Ziyun Ruan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Zhengda Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Hongfang Mo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, China
| | - Fenghua Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, China.
| | - Deshun Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, China.
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2
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Camp OG, Bembenek JN, Goud PT, Awonuga AO, Abu-Soud HM. The Implications of Insufficient Zinc on the Generation of Oxidative Stress Leading to Decreased Oocyte Quality. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:2069-2078. [PMID: 36920672 PMCID: PMC11047769 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01212-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Zinc is a transition metal that displays wide physiological implications ranging from participation in hundreds of enzymes and proteins to normal growth and development. In the reproductive tract of both sexes, zinc maintains a functional role in spermatogenesis, ovulation, fertilization, normal pregnancy, fetal development, and parturition. In this work, we review evidence to date regarding the importance of zinc in oocyte maturation and development, with emphasis on the role of key zinc-binding proteins, as well as examine the effects of zinc and reactive oxygen species (ROS) on oocyte quality and female fertility. We summarize our current knowledge about the participation of zinc in the developing oocyte bound to zinc finger proteins as well as loosely bound zinc ion in the intracellular and extracellular environments. These include aspects related to (1) the impact of zinc deficiency and overwhelming production of ROS under inflammatory conditions on the offset of the physiological antioxidant machinery disturbing biomolecules, proteins, and cellular processes, and their role in contributing to further oxidative stress; (2) the role of ROS in modulating damage to proteins containing zinc, such as zinc finger proteins and nitric oxide synthases (NOS), and expelling the zinc resulting in loss of protein function; and (3) clarify the different role of oxidative stress and zinc deficiency in the pathophysiology of infertility diseases with special emphasis on endometriosis-associated infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia G Camp
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 275 E. Hancock, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Joshua N Bembenek
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 275 E. Hancock, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Pravin T Goud
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility & California IVF Fertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95833, USA
- Laurel Fertility Care, San Francisco, CA, 94109, USA
- California Northstate University Medical College, Elk Grove, CA, 95757, USA
| | - Awoniyi O Awonuga
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 275 E. Hancock, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Husam M Abu-Soud
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 275 E. Hancock, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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3
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The Therapeutic and Diagnostic Potential of Phospholipase C Zeta, Oocyte Activation, and Calcium in Treating Human Infertility. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030441. [PMID: 36986540 PMCID: PMC10056371 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Oocyte activation, a fundamental event during mammalian fertilisation, is initiated by concerted intracellular patterns of calcium (Ca2+) release, termed Ca2+ oscillations, predominantly driven by testis-specific phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ). Ca2+ exerts a pivotal role in not just regulating oocyte activation and driving fertilisation, but also in influencing the quality of embryogenesis. In humans, a failure of Ca2+ release, or defects in related mechanisms, have been reported to result in infertility. Furthermore, mutations in the PLCζ gene and abnormalities in sperm PLCζ protein and RNA, have been strongly associated with forms of male infertility where oocyte activation is deficient. Concurrently, specific patterns and profiles of PLCζ in human sperm have been linked to parameters of semen quality, suggesting the potential for PLCζ as a powerful target for both therapeutics and diagnostics of human fertility. However, further to PLCζ and given the strong role played by Ca2+ in fertilisation, targets down- and up-stream of this process may also present a significantly similar level of promise. Herein, we systematically summarise recent advancements and controversies in the field to update expanding clinical associations between Ca2+-release, PLCζ, oocyte activation and human fertility. We discuss how such associations may potentially underlie defective embryogenesis and recurrent implantation failure following fertility treatments, alongside potential diagnostic and therapeutic avenues presented by oocyte activation for the diagnosis and treatment of human infertility.
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4
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Cabeza JP, Cámera J, Briski O, Felipe MY, Salamone DF, Gambini A. Preimplantation Developmental Competence of Bovine and Porcine Oocytes Activated by Zinc Chelation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243560. [PMID: 36552480 PMCID: PMC9774810 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
After sperm-oocyte fusion, intracytoplasmic rises of calcium (Ca) induce the release of zinc (Zn) out of the oocyte (Zn sparks). Both phenomena are known to play an essential role in the oocyte activation process. Our work aimed to explore different protocols for activating bovine and porcine oocytes using the novel zinc chelator 1,10-phenanthroline (PHEN) and to compare developmental rates and quality to bovine IVF and parthenogenetic ionomycin-induced embryos in both species. Different incubation conditions for the zinc chelator were tested, including its combination with ionomycin. Embryo quality was assessed by immunofluorescence of SOX2, SOX17, OCT4, and CDX2 and total cell number at the blastocyst stage. Even though blastocyst development was achieved using a zinc chelator in bovine, bypassing calcium oscillations, developmental rates, and blastocyst quality were compromised compared to embryos generated with sperm-induced or ionomycin calcium rise. On the contrary, zinc chelation is sufficient to trigger oocyte activation in porcine. Additionally, we determined the optimal exposure to PHEN for this species. Zinc chelation and artificial induction of calcium rise combined did not improve developmental competence. Our results contribute to understanding the role of zinc during oocyte activation and preimplantation embryo development across different mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P. Cabeza
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Juan Cámera
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Olinda Briski
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Minerva Yauri Felipe
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Daniel F. Salamone
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Andrés Gambini
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1417DSE, Argentina
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Uh K, Hay A, Chen P, Reese E, Lee K. Design of novel oocyte activation methods: The role of zinc. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:264-273. [PMID: 34935887 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab235] [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] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oocyte activation occurs at the time of fertilization and is a series of cellular events initiated by intracellular Ca2+ increases. Consequently, oocytes are alleviated from their arrested state in meiotic metaphase II (MII), allowing for the completion of meiosis. Oocyte activation is also an essential step for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and an important tool to overcome clinical infertility. Traditional artificial activation methods aim to mimic the intracellular Ca2+ changes which occur during fertilization. Recent studies emphasize the importance of cytoplasmic Zn2+ on oocyte maturation and the completion of meiosis, thus suggesting artificial oocyte activation approaches that are centered around the concentration of available Zn2+in oocytes. Depletion of intracellular Zn2+ in oocytes with heavy metal chelators leads to successful oocyte activation in the absence of cellular Ca2+ changes, indicating that successful oocyte activation does not always depends on intracellular Ca2+ increases. Current findings lead to new approaches to artificially activate mammalian oocytes by reducing available Zn2+ contents, and the approaches improve the outcome of oocyte activation when combined with existing Ca2+ based oocyte activation methods. Here, we review the important role of Ca2+ and Zn2+ in mammalian oocyte activation and development of novel oocyte activation approaches based on Zn2+ availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungjun Uh
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - Alayna Hay
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Paula Chen
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - Emily Reese
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - Kiho Lee
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
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Garner TB, Hester JM, Carothers A, Diaz FJ. Role of zinc in female reproduction. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:976-994. [PMID: 33598687 PMCID: PMC8599883 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc is a critical component in a number of conserved processes that regulate female germ cell growth, fertility, and pregnancy. During follicle development, a sufficient intracellular concentration of zinc in the oocyte maintains meiotic arrest at prophase I until the germ cell is ready to undergo maturation. An adequate supply of zinc is necessary for the oocyte to form a fertilization-competent egg as dietary zinc deficiency or chelation of zinc disrupts maturation and reduces the oocyte quality. Following sperm fusion to the egg to initiate the acrosomal reaction, a quick release of zinc, known as the zinc spark, induces egg activation in addition to facilitating zona pellucida hardening and reducing sperm motility to prevent polyspermy. Symmetric division, proliferation, and differentiation of the preimplantation embryo rely on zinc availability, both during the oocyte development and post-fertilization. Further, the fetal contribution to the placenta, fetal limb growth, and neural tube development are hindered in females challenged with zinc deficiency during pregnancy. In this review, we discuss the role of zinc in germ cell development, fertilization, and pregnancy with a focus on recent studies in mammalian females. We further detail the fundamental zinc-mediated reproductive processes that have only been explored in non-mammalian species and speculate on the role of zinc in similar mechanisms of female mammals. The evidence collected over the last decade highlights the necessity of zinc for normal fertility and healthy pregnancy outcomes, which suggests zinc supplementation should be considered for reproductive age women at risk of zinc deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Bruce Garner
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Integrative and Biomedical Physiology Program, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - James Malcolm Hester
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Integrative and Biomedical Physiology Program, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Allison Carothers
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Integrative and Biomedical Physiology Program, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Francisco J Diaz
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Integrative and Biomedical Physiology Program, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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7
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Jiao Y, Zhu S, Li J, Jam Zaheer A, Li M, Huang B. PS48 promotes in vitro maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes through activating PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:1678-1687. [PMID: 32946622 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Oocyte maturation plays a vitally important role in porcine reproduction. Regrettably, the quality of oocytes matured in vitro is weaker than that of in vivo matured oocytes. We collected and cultivated porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) in vitro with phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) activator 5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3-phenyl-pent-2-enoic acid (PS48), whose concentrations were 0, 2, 5, 10 and 20 µM to investigate whether the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signalling pathway would impact the oocyte quality. The results showed that 10 µM PS48 increased the oocyte proportion of metaphase II (MII) stage and improved the expansion of cumulus cells (CCs). What's more, the activation of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway could regulate the expression of maturation-related genes and proteins. The results of quantitative real-time PCR showed that 10 µM PS48 increased the mRNA and protein levels of Akt and regulated maturation-related genes, including cyclin B1, MOS, BMP15, GDF9, CDC2, mTOR, BAX, BCL2 and caspase-3. The results of Western blot indicated that 10µM PS48 increased the protein abundance of Akt, phosphorylation of Akt Thr308 (p-AktThr308 ) and cyclin B1, but decreased the protein abundance of pro-apoptotic BAX. These results suggested that adding 10 µM PS48 to mature culture medium could promote the maturation of porcine oocytes, potentially through activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Jiao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.,School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Shaoqian Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.,School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiaojiao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.,School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Ahmed Jam Zaheer
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.,School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Mengmei Li
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Ben Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.,School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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8
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Influence of oocyte selection, activation with a zinc chelator and inhibition of histone deacetylases on cloned porcine embryo and chemically activated oocytes development. ZYGOTE 2020; 28:286-290. [PMID: 32285760 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199419000856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alternative protocols to improve oocyte selection, embryo activation and genomic reprogramming on in vitro development of porcine embryos cloned by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In Experiment 1, in vitro-matured oocytes were selected by exposure to a hyperosmotic sucrose solution prior to micromanipulation. In Experiment 2, an alternative chemical activation protocol using a zinc chelator as an adjuvant (ionomycin + N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) + N-6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP)) was compared with a standard protocol (ionomycin + 6-DMAP) for the activation of porcine oocytes or SCNT embryos. In Experiment 3, presumptive cloned zygotes were incubated after chemical activation in a histone deacetylase inhibitor (Scriptaid) for 15 h, with the evaluation of embryo yield and total cell number in day 7 blastocysts. In Experiment 1, cleavage rates tended to be higher in sucrose-treated oocytes than controls (123/199, 61.8% vs. 119/222, 53.6%, respectively); however, blastocyst rates were similar between groups. In Experiment 2, cleavage rates were higher in zygotes treated with TPEN than controls but no difference in blastocyst rates between groups occurred. For Experiment 3, the exposure to Scriptaid did not improve embryo development after cloning. Nevertheless, the total number of cells was higher in cloned zygotes treated with Scriptaid than SCNT controls. In conclusion, oocyte selection by sucrose as well as treatments with zinc chelator and an inhibitor of histone deacetylases did not significantly improve blastocyst yield in cloned and parthenotes. However, the histone deacetylases inhibitor produced a significant improvement in the blastocyst quality.
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9
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Que EL, Duncan FE, Lee HC, Hornick JE, Vogt S, Fissore RA, O'Halloran TV, Woodruff TK. Bovine eggs release zinc in response to parthenogenetic and sperm-induced egg activation. Theriogenology 2018; 127:41-48. [PMID: 30639695 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Upon fertilization or parthenogenesis, zinc is released into the extracellular space through a series of exocytic events termed zinc sparks, which are tightly coordinated with intracellular calcium transients. The zinc spark reduces the total amount of intracellular zinc, and this reduction is necessary and sufficient to induce egg activation even in the absence of calcium transients. In addition, this zinc release contributes to the block to polyspermy through modification of the zona pellucida. The zinc spark has been documented in all organisms examined to date including the mouse, two species of nonhuman primates, and human. Here we determined whether zinc sparks occur in the bovine, an important model of gamete development in mono-ovulatory mammalian species. We obtained metaphase II-arrested (MII) bovine eggs following in vitro maturation. Total zinc, assessed in single cells using X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy, was significantly more abundant in the bovine egg compared to iron and copper. Studies with intracellular fluorescent probes revealed that labile zinc pools are localized to discrete cytoplasmic punctae enriched at the cortex. To determine whether zinc undergoes dynamic fluxes during egg activation, we parthenogenetically activated bovine eggs using two approaches: ionomycin or bovine phospholipase C zeta (bPlcζ). Both these methods induced zinc sparks coordinately with intracellular calcium transients. The zinc spark was also observed in bovine eggs following intracytoplasmic sperm injection. These results establish that zinc is the most abundant transition metal in the bovine egg, and zinc flux during egg activation - induced by chemical activation or sperm - is a highly conserved event across mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Que
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Hoi Chang Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jessica E Hornick
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Stefan Vogt
- X-ray Sciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Rafael A Fissore
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Thomas V O'Halloran
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA; Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA; Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
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10
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Li J, Huang D, Sun X, Li X, Cheng CHK. Zinc mediates the action of androgen in acting as a downstream effector of luteinizing hormone on oocyte maturation in zebrafish†. Biol Reprod 2018; 100:468-478. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Duo Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Xuehui Li
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Christopher H K Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
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11
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Liu L, Li S, Li H, Yu D, Li C, Li G, Cao Y, Feng C, Deng X. Protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) involved in the regulation of pAkt1 (Ser473) on the release of mouse oocytes from diplotene arrest. Cell Biochem Funct 2018; 36:221-227. [PMID: 29774951 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Liu
- Department of Physiology; Basic Medical Scientific Research College, CMU; Shenyang PR China
- Central Laboratory of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital; China Medical University (CMU); Shenyang PR China
| | - Sen Li
- Department of Neurology; the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, CMU; Shenyang PR China
| | - Hanwen Li
- Department of Anorectum; the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, CMU; Shenyang PR China
| | - Dahai Yu
- IVF Center; Affiliated Shengjing Hospital, CMU; Shenyang PR China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Department of Anorectum; the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, CMU; Shenyang PR China
| | - Gensong Li
- Department of Physiology; Basic Medical Scientific Research College, CMU; Shenyang PR China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Physiology; Basic Medical Scientific Research College, CMU; Shenyang PR China
| | - Chen Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; CMU; Shenyang PR China
| | - Xin Deng
- Department of Physiology; Basic Medical Scientific Research College, CMU; Shenyang PR China
- Central Laboratory of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital; China Medical University (CMU); Shenyang PR China
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12
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Que EL, Duncan FE, Bayer AR, Philips SJ, Roth EW, Bleher R, Gleber SC, Vogt S, Woodruff TK, O'Halloran TV. Zinc sparks induce physiochemical changes in the egg zona pellucida that prevent polyspermy. Integr Biol (Camb) 2017; 9:135-144. [PMID: 28102396 DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00212a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
During fertilization or chemically-induced egg activation, the mouse egg releases billions of zinc atoms in brief bursts known as 'zinc sparks.' The zona pellucida (ZP), a glycoprotein matrix surrounding the egg, is the first structure zinc ions encounter as they diffuse away from the plasma membrane. Following fertilization, the ZP undergoes changes described as 'hardening', which prevent multiple sperm from fertilizing the egg and thereby establish a block to polyspermy. A major event in zona hardening is cleavage of ZP2 proteins by ovastacin; however, the overall physiochemical changes contributing to zona hardening are not well understood. Using X-ray fluorescence microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and biological function assays, we tested the hypothesis that zinc release contributes to ZP hardening. We found that the zinc content in the ZP increases by 300% following activation and that zinc exposure modulates the architecture of the ZP matrix. Importantly, zinc-induced structural changes of the ZP have a direct biological consequence; namely, they reduce the ability of sperm to bind to the ZP. These results provide a paradigm-shifting model in which fertilization-induced zinc sparks contribute to the polyspermy block by altering conformations of the ZP matrix. This adds a previously unrecognized factor, namely zinc, to the process of ZP hardening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Que
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Lurie 10-121, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Amanda R Bayer
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Steven J Philips
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Eric W Roth
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Reiner Bleher
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sophie C Gleber
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Stefan Vogt
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street, Lurie 10-121, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Thomas V O'Halloran
- The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 North Campus Drive, Silverman 4611, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. and Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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13
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Yan Z, Wang J, Li J, Jiang N, Zhang R, Yang W, Yao W, Wu W. Oxidative stress and endocytosis are involved in upregulation of interleukin-8 expression in airway cells exposed to PM2.5. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2016; 31:1869-1878. [PMID: 26303504 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Inhaled PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less) can induce lung inflammation through released inflammatory mediators from airway cells, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). However, the mechanisms underlying PM2.5-induced IL-8 gene expression have not been fully characterized. BEAS-2B cells (a human bronchial epithelial cell line) and THP-1 cells (a human macrophage-like cell line) were used as the in vitro models to investigate the underlying mechanism in this study. IL-8 expression was increased in the cells treated with PM2.5 in a dose-dependent manner. The water-soluble and insoluble fractions of PM2.5 suspension were both shown to induce IL-8 expression. PM2.5 exposure could obviously induce ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation, indicative of oxidative stress. Pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) potently inhibited PM2.5-induced IL-8 expression. Employment of the transition metal chelators including TPEN (N,N,N',N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine) or DFO (desferrioxamine) inhibited IL-8 expression induced by PM2.5 by over 20% in BEAS-2B cells, but had minimal effect in THP-1 cells. Pretreatment with the endocytosis inhibitor CytD markedly blocked IL-8 expression induced by PM2.5 in both BEAS-2B and THP-1 cells. In summary, exposure to PM2.5 induced IL-8 gene expression through oxidative stress induction and endocytosis in airway cells. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1869-1878, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yan
- Department of Industrial Health and Occupational Diseases, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Environmental Science, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Industrial Health and Occupational Diseases, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Environmental Science, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ruiqin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute of Environmental Science, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Weichao Yang
- Department of Industrial Health and Occupational Diseases, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wu Yao
- Department of Industrial Health and Occupational Diseases, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weidong Wu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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14
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Kong BY, Duncan FE, Que EL, Xu Y, Vogt S, O'Halloran TV, Woodruff TK. The inorganic anatomy of the mammalian preimplantation embryo and the requirement of zinc during the first mitotic divisions. Dev Dyn 2015; 244:935-47. [PMID: 25903945 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zinc is the most abundant transition metal in the mammalian oocyte, and dynamic fluxes in intracellular concentration are essential for regulating both meiotic progression and fertilization. Whether the defined pathways of zinc utilization in female meiosis directly translate to mitotic cells, including the mammalian preimplantation embryo, has not been studied previously. RESULTS We determined that zinc is the most abundant transition metal in the preimplantation embryo, with levels an order of magnitude higher than those of iron or copper. Using a zinc-specific fluorescent probe, we demonstrated that labile zinc is distributed in vesicle-like structures in the cortex of cells at all stages of preimplantation embryo development. To test the importance of zinc during this period, we induced zinc insufficiency using the heavy metal chelator N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (TPEN). Incubation of embryos in media containing TPEN resulted in a developmental arrest that was specific to zinc chelation and associated with compromised mitotic parameters. The developmental arrest due to zinc insufficiency was associated with altered chromatin structure in the blastomere nuclei and decreased global transcription. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate for the first time that the preimplantation embryo requires tight zinc regulation and homeostasis for the initial mitotic divisions of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Y Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Emily L Que
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Yuanming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Stefan Vogt
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois
| | - Thomas V O'Halloran
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, Evanston, Illinois
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15
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Lee K, Davis A, Zhang L, Ryu J, Spate LD, Park KW, Samuel MS, Walters EM, Murphy CN, Machaty Z, Prather RS. Pig oocyte activation using a Zn²⁺ chelator, TPEN. Theriogenology 2015; 84:1024-32. [PMID: 26143360 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Artificial oocyte activation is a critical step during SCNT. Most current activation protocols focus on inducing an increase in the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration of the oocyte. Here, we have used a zinc chelator, TPEN, to enhance the efficiency of oocyte activation during SCNT. TPEN treatment of matured pig oocytes resulted in the reduction of available Zn(2+) in pig oocytes; however, the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration in the oocytes was not affected by the TPEN treatment. When various concentrations (100-250 μM) and incubation durations (45 minutes-2.5 hours) of TPEN were used to activate oocytes, the efficiency of oocyte activation was not different from conventional activation methods. When oocytes that were activated by conventional activation methods were incubated with a lower concentration of TPEN (5-10 μM), a significant increase in embryos developing to the blastocyst stage was observed. In addition, when oocytes receiving a small Ca(2+) stimulus were further activated by higher concentration of TPEN (100-200 μM), a significant increase in the frequency of blastocyst formation was observed, compared to a conventional activation method. This result indicated that TPEN can be a main reagent in oocyte activation. No increase in the cytosolic Ca(2+) level was detected when oocytes were exposed to various concentrations of TPEN, indicating the ability of TPEN to induce oocyte activation is independent of an intracellular Ca(2+) increase. We were able to produce clones through SCNT by using the TPEN-assisted activation procedure, and the piglets produced through the process did not show any signs of abnormality. In this study, we have developed an efficient way to use TPEN to increase the developmental potential of cloned embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiho Lee
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA; Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
| | - Alyssa Davis
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Junghyun Ryu
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
| | - Lee D Spate
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Kwang-Wook Park
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA; Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Melissa S Samuel
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA; National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Eric M Walters
- National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Clifton N Murphy
- National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Zoltan Machaty
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Randall S Prather
- Division of Animal Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA; National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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