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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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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.
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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.)
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Keane JA, Ealy AD. An Overview of Reactive Oxygen Species Damage Occurring during In Vitro Bovine Oocyte and Embryo Development and the Efficacy of Antioxidant Use to Limit These Adverse Effects. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:330. [PMID: 38275789 PMCID: PMC10812430 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020330] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos has gained popularity worldwide and in recent years and its use for producing embryos from genetically elite heifers and cows has surpassed the use of conventional superovulation-based embryo production schemes. There are, however, several issues with the IVP of embryos that remain unresolved. One limitation of special concern is the low efficiency of the IVP of embryos. Exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one reason why the production of embryos with IVP is diminished. These highly reactive molecules are generated in small amounts through normal cellular metabolism, but their abundances increase in embryo culture because of oocyte and embryo exposure to temperature fluctuations, light exposure, pH changes, atmospheric oxygen tension, suboptimal culture media formulations, and cryopreservation. When uncontrolled, ROS produce detrimental effects on the structure and function of genomic and mitochondrial DNA, alter DNA methylation, increase lipid membrane damage, and modify protein activity. Several intrinsic enzymatic pathways control ROS abundance and damage, and antioxidants react with and reduce the reactive potential of ROS. This review will focus on exploring the efficiency of supplementing several of these antioxidant molecules on oocyte maturation, sperm viability, fertilization, and embryo culture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan D. Ealy
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA;
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Chen Q, Tang S, Li Y, Cong Z, Lu D, Yang Q, Zhang X, Wu S. Multifunctional Metal-Organic Framework Exoskeletons Protect Biohybrid Sperm Microrobots for Active Drug Delivery from the Surrounding Threats. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:58382-58392. [PMID: 34860489 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c18597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Utilizing spermatozoa as the engine unit of robotic systems at a microscale has brought revolutionized inspirations and strategies to the biomedical community. However, the motility of sperms is impaired by the surrounding threats. For example, the antisperm antibody (AsA) can specifically bind with surface antigens on the sperm membrane and adversely affect their propulsion, hindering the operation of sperm-based microrobots in practical environments. In the present work, we report a biohybrid sperm microrobot by encapsulating sperm cells within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles (NPs) (ZIFSpermbot), capable of active drug delivery and cytoprotection from the biological threats of AsA. ZIF-8 NPs can be facilely coated on the sperm membrane through complexation with tannic acid. Such cell surface engineering has a negligible impact on sperm motility under optimized conditions. The selective permeability of the resulting porous ZIF-8 wrappings protects ZIFSpermbots from the specific binding of AsA, enabling the preservation of intrinsic propulsion of the sperm engine. Besides, ZIF-8 wrappings sustainably release zinc ions and attenuate the oxidative damage generated in sperm cells, allowing the maintenance of sperm movement. Combining the effective protection of sperm propulsion with the drug-loading capacity of ZIF-8 NPs provides new applicability to ZIFSpermbots in risky surroundings with AsA, exhibiting rapid migration in a microfluidic device for active drug delivery with enhanced therapeutic efficacy due to their retained effective propulsion. Imparting bioengine-based microrobots with multifunctional wrappings holds great promise for designing adaptive cell robots that endure harsh environments toward locally extended and diverse operations, facilitating their use in practical and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Chen
- Teaching Center of Shenzhen Luohu Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
| | - Songsong Tang
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoqing Cong
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
| | - Dongdong Lu
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
| | - Qingxin Yang
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
| | - Xueji Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Song Wu
- Teaching Center of Shenzhen Luohu Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, P. R. China
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518116, P. R. China
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