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Seong SY, Kang MK, Kang H, Lee HJ, Kang YR, Lee CG, Sohn DH, Han SJ. Low dose rate radiation impairs early follicles in young mice. Reprod Biol 2023; 23:100817. [PMID: 37890397 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100817] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Low-dose radiation is generally considered less harmful than high-dose radiation. However, its impact on ovaries remains debated. Since previous reports predominantly employed low-dose radiation delivered at a high dose rate on the ovary, the effect of low-dose radiation at a low dose rate on the ovary remains unknown. We investigated the effect of low-dose ionizing radiation delivered at a low dose rate on murine ovaries. Three- and ten-week-old mice were exposed to 0.1 and 0.5 Gy of radiation at a rate of 6 mGy/h and monitored after 3 and 30 days. While neither body weight nor ovarian area showed significant changes, ovarian cells were damaged, showing apoptosis and a decrease in cell proliferation after exposure to 0.1 and 0.5 Gy radiation. Follicle numbers decreased over time in both age groups proportionally to the radiation dose. Younger mice were more susceptible to radiation damage, as evidenced by decreased follicles in 3-week-old mice after 30 days of 0.1 Gy exposure, while 10-week-old mice showed reduced follicles only following 0.5 Gy exposure. Primordial or primary follicles were the most vulnerable to radiation. These findings suggest that even low-dose radiation, delivered at a low dose rate, can adversely affect ovarian function, particularly in the early follicles of younger mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Yoon Seong
- Institute for Digital Antiaging Healthcare, Inje University, Gimhae 50834, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Kook Kang
- Department of Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Busan 46033, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunju Kang
- Institute for Digital Antiaging Healthcare, Inje University, Gimhae 50834, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-June Lee
- Division of Radiation Biomedical Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, 75 Nowon-ro, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong-Rok Kang
- Department of Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Busan 46033, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Geun Lee
- Department of Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Busan 46033, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Sohn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Jin Han
- Institute for Digital Antiaging Healthcare, Inje University, Gimhae 50834, Republic of Korea; Department of Medical Biotechnology, Inje University, Gimhae 50834, Republic of Korea.
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Tola EN, Aslan Koşar P, Nal Sahin E, Sancer O. The association between age-related infertility and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity parameters of granulosa cells and lymphocytes. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2022; 42:2373-2380. [PMID: 35611871 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2054689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity parameters and advanced maternal age (AMA)-related infertility. The granulosa cells and the lymphocytes obtained from 119 infertile women were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups: the AMA group (≥35 years, n = 26) and the non-AMA group (<35 years, n = 93). The tail length, tail moment and tail DNA percentage were evaluated as the DNA integrity parameters using comet assay. Infertility duration (p=.001), luteinising hormone (p=.01) and progesterone levels (p<.0001) were higher and smoking was more prevalent in the AMA group (p=.001). AMA group was stimulated with higher gonadotropin doses (p=.04) and had decreased anti-mullerian hormone levels (p<.0001). All of DNA integrity parameters were distributed homogenously between the groups; however, the tail length of lymphocytes was higher (p=.02) in the AMA group. Fertilisation was lower (p=.02), oocyte quality was tended to be poor (p=.03) and blastocyst transfer was lower in the AMA group (p=.03). Embryo quality was distributed homogenously between the groups. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were similar between the groups. Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Advanced maternal age (AMA)-related infertility is associated with diminished ovarian reserve and alteration in follicular environment resulting in poor oocyte quality; however, the exact pathophysiologic mechanism is not clear.What do the results of this study add? Tail length, tail deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) percentage, tail moment of granulosa cells were nonsignificantly higher in the AMA group compared to younger patients. All of the DNA integrity parameters of lymphocytes were nonsignificantly higher; however, only tail length of lymphocytes was statistically higher in the AMA group than the non-AMA group. A positive correlation was observed between DNA integrity parameters of lymphocytes and body mass index. There were no correlations between DNA integrity parameters of granulosa cells and lymphocyte and infertility duration, gonadotropin dose, duration of ovarian stimulation, oocyte score, embryo score, basal hormone levels and anti-mullerian hormone levels.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our findings offer new insight for further understanding the role of granulosa cells in mediating the poor reproductive outcome of ageing patients. Understanding the mechanisms of ovarian ageing and poor oocyte quality in women with AMA may help to identify specific targets for improving oocyte quality with ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Nur Tola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Medipol University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pınar Aslan Koşar
- Department of Medical Biology, Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Esra Nal Sahin
- In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Suleyman Demirel University Hospital, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Okan Sancer
- Department of Medical Biology, Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey
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Vazharova R, Kremensky I. Individual capacity for DNA repair and maintenance of genomic integrity: a fertile ground for studies in the field of assisted reproduction. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2016.1159923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Radoslava Vazharova
- Department of Biology, Medical Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ivo Kremensky
- Center of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology “Maichin Dom”, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Zhang D, Zhang X, Zeng M, Yuan J, Liu M, Yin Y, Wu X, Keefe DL, Liu L. Increased DNA damage and repair deficiency in granulosa cells are associated with ovarian aging in rhesus monkey. J Assist Reprod Genet 2015; 32:1069-78. [PMID: 25957622 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-015-0483-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Ovarian aging is closely tied to the decline in ovarian follicular reserve and oocyte quality. During the prolonged reproductive lifespan of the female, granulosa cells connected with oocytes play critical roles in maintaining follicle reservoir, oocyte growth and follicular development. We tested whether double-strand breaks (DSBs) and repair in granulosa cells within the follicular reservoir are associated with ovarian aging. METHODS Ovaries were sectioned and processed for epi-fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. DNA damage was revealed by immunstaining of γH2AX foci and telomere damage by γH2AX foci co-localized with telomere associated protein TRF2. DNA repair was indicated by BRCA1 immunofluorescence. RESULTS DSBs in granulosa cells increase and DSB repair ability, characterized by BRCA1 foci, decreases with advancing age. γH2AX foci increase in primordial, primary and secondary follicles with advancing age. Likewise, telomere damage increases with advancing age. In contrast, BRCA1 foci in granulosa cells of primordial, primary and secondary follicles decrease with monkey age. BRCA1 positive foci in the oocyte nuclei also decline with maternal age. CONCLUSIONS Increased DSBs and reduced DNA repair in granulosa cells may contribute to ovarian aging. Discovery of therapeutics that targets these pathways might help maintain follicle reserve and postpone ovarian dysfunction with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology; Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
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Grøndahl ML, Yding Andersen C, Bogstad J, Nielsen FC, Meinertz H, Borup R. Gene expression profiles of single human mature oocytes in relation to age. Hum Reprod 2010; 25:957-68. [PMID: 20147335 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development competence of human oocytes declines with increasing age. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of age on gene expression profile in mature human oocytes. METHODS mRNA was isolated for whole genome gene expression microarray analysis from metaphase II (MII) oocytes donated by IVF or ICSI patients [10 women aged <36 years (younger) and five women aged 37-39 years (both inclusive) (older)] undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. The oocytes were donated and prepared immediately after recovery from the follicle. RT-PCR on additional four younger and two older oocytes confirmed the array analysis. RESULTS On the basis of 15 independent replicates of single MII oocytes, 7470 genes (10 428 transcripts) were identified as present in the MII oocytes. Of these, 342 genes showed a significantly different expression level between the two age groups; notably, genes annotated to be involved in cell cycle regulation, chromosome alignment (e.g. MAD2L1 binding protein), sister chromatid separation (e.g. separase), oxidative stress and ubiquitination. The top signaling network affected by age was 'cell cycle and organism development' (e.g. SMAD2 and activin B1 receptor). CONCLUSION There is a substantial difference between younger and older oocytes in the transcriptional level of genes involved in central biological functions of the oocytes, thus providing information on processes that may be associated with the ageing phenomenon and possibly contributing to decreased fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Grøndahl
- University Hospital Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Walter CA, Walter RB, McCarrey JR. Germline genomes--a biological fountain of youth? SCIENCE OF AGING KNOWLEDGE ENVIRONMENT : SAGE KE 2003; 2003:PE4. [PMID: 12844546 DOI: 10.1126/sageke.2003.8.pe4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The fusion of male- and female-derived gametes initiates the phenomenal process of producing a highly complex mammalian organism. Successful reproduction is so important that mammals invoke a battery of protective mechanisms for the germ cell lineages that function to maximize genetic integrity while still allowing genetic diversity and adaptation. Protective mechanisms likely include, but are not limited to, robust DNA repair to safeguard genetic integrity and apoptosis to remove cells with intolerable levels of DNA damage. Analyses of spontaneous mutant frequencies are generally consistent with germline DNA being stringently maintained relative to somatic tissues. Despite the rigorous protection afforded germ cells, genetic integrity is observed to decline with increased maternal and paternal age. It is not yet clear whether cells in the germ line truly age or whether other processes decline or become dysfunctional with age. For example, in a younger animal, the differentiation and/or utilization of germ cells with lower genetic integrity might be disallowed, whereas in an older animal, such cells might slip past these quality-control mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christi A Walter
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
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Abstract
Some evolutionary consequences of different rates and trends in DNA damage and repair are explained. Different types of DNA damaging agents cause nonrandom lesions along the DNA. The type of DNA sequence motifs to be preferentially attacked depends upon the chemical or physical nature of the assaulting agent and the DNA base composition. Higher-order chromatin structure, the nonrandom nucleosome positioning along the DNA, the absence of nucleosomes from the promoter regions of active genes, curved DNA, the presence of sequence-specific binding proteins, and the torsional strain on the DNA induced by an increased transcriptional activity all are expected to affect rates of damage of individual genes. Furthermore, potential Z-DNA, H-DNA, slippage, and cruciform structures in the regulatory region of some genes or in other genomic loci induced by torsional strain on the DNA are more prone to modification by genotoxic agents. A specific actively transcribed gene may be preferentially damaged over nontranscribed genes only in specific cell types that maintain this gene in active chromatin fractions because of (1) its decondensed chromatin structure, (2) torsional strain in its DNA, (3) absence of nucleosomes from its regulatory region, and (4) altered nucleosome structure in its coding sequence due to the presence of modified histones and HMG proteins. The situation in this regard of germ cell lineages is, of course, the only one to intervene in evolution. Most lesions in DNA such as those caused by UV or DNA alkylating agents tend to diminish the GC content of genomes. Thus, DNA sequences not bound by selective constraints, such as pseudogenes, will show an increase in their AT content during evolution as evidenced by experimental observations. On the other hand, transcriptionally active parts may be repaired at rates higher than inactive parts of the genome, and proliferating cells may display higher repair activities than quiescent cells. This might arise from a tight coupling of the repair process with both transcription and replication, all these processes taking place on the nuclear matrix. Repair activities differ greatly among species, and there is a good correlation between life span and repair among mammals. It is predicted that genes that are transcriptionally active in germ-cell lineages have a lower mutation rate than bulk DNA, a circumstance that is expected to be reflected in evolution. Exception to this rule might be genes containing potential Z-DNA, H-DNA, or cruciform structures in their coding or regulatory regions that appear to be refractory to repair.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- T Boulikas
- Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
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