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Paulsen B, Piechota S, Barrachina F, Giovannini A, Kats S, Potts KS, Rockwell G, Marchante M, Estevez SL, Noblett AD, Figueroa AB, Aschenberger C, Kelk DA, Forti M, Marcinyshyn S, Wiemer K, Sanchez M, Belchin P, Lee JA, Buyuk E, Slifkin RE, Smela MP, Fortuna PRJ, Chatterjee P, McCulloh DH, Copperman AB, Ordonez-Perez D, Klein JU, Kramme CC. Rescue in vitro maturation using ovarian support cells of human oocytes from conventional stimulation cycles yields oocytes with improved nuclear maturation and transcriptomic resemblance to in vivo matured oocytes. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024:10.1007/s10815-024-03143-4. [PMID: 38814543 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03143-4] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Determine if the gene expression profiles of ovarian support cells (OSCs) and cumulus-free oocytes are bidirectionally influenced by co-culture during in vitro maturation (IVM). METHODS Fertility patients aged 25 to 45 years old undergoing conventional ovarian stimulation donated denuded immature oocytes for research. Oocytes were randomly allocated to either OSC-IVM culture (intervention) or Media-IVM culture (control) for 24-28 h. The OSC-IVM culture condition was composed of 100,000 OSCs in suspension culture with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH), androstenedione, and doxycycline supplementation. The Media-IVM control lacked OSCs and contained the same supplementation. A limited set of in vivo matured MII oocytes were donated for comparative evaluation. Endpoints consisted of MII formation rate, morphological and spindle quality assessment, and gene expression analysis compared to in vitro and in vivo controls. RESULTS OSC-IVM resulted in a statistically significant improvement in MII formation rate compared to the Media-IVM control, with no apparent effect on morphology or spindle assembly. OSC-IVM MII oocytes displayed a closer transcriptomic maturity signature to IVF-MII controls than Media-IVM control MII oocytes. The gene expression profile of OSCs was modulated in the presence of oocytes, displaying culture- and time-dependent differential gene expression during IVM. CONCLUSION The OSC-IVM platform is a novel tool for rescue maturation of human oocytes, yielding oocytes with improved nuclear maturation and a closer transcriptomic resemblance to in vivo matured oocytes, indicating a potential enhancement in oocyte cytoplasmic maturation. These improvements on oocyte quality after OSC-IVM are possibly occurring through bidirectional crosstalk of cumulus-free oocytes and ovarian support cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Paulsen
- Gameto Inc., 430 E. 29th St Fl 14, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | | | | | | | - Simone Kats
- Gameto Inc., 430 E. 29th St Fl 14, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | | | | | | | - Samantha L Estevez
- Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marta Sanchez
- Ruber Juan Bravo University Hospital, Eugin Group, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Belchin
- Ruber Juan Bravo University Hospital, Eugin Group, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joseph A Lee
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erkan Buyuk
- Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rick E Slifkin
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Merrick Pierson Smela
- Wyss Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick R J Fortuna
- Wyss Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pranam Chatterjee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Alan B Copperman
- Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, NY, USA
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Machlin JH, Shikanov A. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of retrieved human oocytes and eggs in clinical practice and for human ovarian cell atlasing. Mol Reprod Dev 2022; 89:597-607. [PMID: 36264989 PMCID: PMC9805491 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23648] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
With the advancement of single-cell separation techniques and high-throughput sequencing platforms, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a vital technology for understanding tissue and organ systems at cellular resolution. Through transcriptional analysis, it is possible to characterize unique or rare cell types, interpret their interactions, and reveal novel functional states or shifts in developmental stages. As such, this technology is uniquely suited for studying the cells within the human ovary. The ovary is a cellularly heterogeneous organ that houses follicles, the reproductive and endocrine unit that consists of an oocyte surrounded by hormone-producing support cells, as well as many other cell populations constituting stroma, vasculature, lymphatic, and immune components. Here we review studies that have utilized scRNA-seq technology to analyze cells from healthy human ovaries and discuss the single-cell isolation techniques used. We identified two overarching applications for scRNA-seq in the human ovary. The first applies this technology to investigate transcriptional differences in oocytes/eggs from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments to ultimately improve clinical outcomes. The second utilizes scRNA-seq for the pursuit of creating a comprehensive single-cell atlas of the human ovary. The knowledge gained from these studies underscores the importance of scRNA-seq technologies in unlocking a new biological understanding of the human ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan H. Machlin
- Program in Cellular and Molecular BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Ariella Shikanov
- Program in Cellular and Molecular BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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Lee AWT, Ng JKW, Liao J, Luk AC, Suen AHC, Chan TTH, Cheung MY, Chu HT, Tang NLS, Zhao MP, Lian Q, Chan WY, Chan DYL, Leung TY, Chow KL, Wang W, Wang LH, Chen NCH, Yang WJ, Huang JY, Li TC, Lee TL. Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies molecular targets associated with poor in vitro maturation performance of oocytes collected from ovarian stimulation. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:1907-1921. [PMID: 34052851 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the transcriptome signature associated with poor performance of rescue IVM (rIVM) oocytes and how can we rejuvenate them? SUMMARY ANSWER The GATA-1/CREB1/WNT signalling axis was repressed in rIVM oocytes, particularly those of poor quality; restoration of this axis may produce more usable rIVM oocytes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY rIVM aims to produce mature oocytes (MII) for IVF through IVM of immature oocytes collected from stimulated ovaries. It is not popular due to limited success rate in infertility treatment. Genetic aberrations, cellular stress and the absence of cumulus cell support in oocytes could account for the failure of rIVM. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to capture the transcriptomes of human in vivo oocytes (IVO) (n = 10) from 7 donors and rIVM oocytes (n = 10) from 10 donors. The effects of maternal age and ovarian responses on rIVM oocyte transcriptomes were also studied. In parallel, we studied the effect of gallic acid on the maturation rate of mouse oocytes cultured in IVM medium with (n = 84) and without (n = 85) gallic acid. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Human oocytes were collected from donors aged 28-41 years with a body mass index of <30. RNA extraction, cDNA generation, library construction and sequencing were performed in one preparation. scRNA-seq data were then processed and analysed. Selected genes in the rIVM versus IVO comparison were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. For the gallic acid study, we collected immature oocytes from 5-month-old mice and studied the effect of 10-μM gallic acid on their maturation rate. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The transcriptome profiles of rIVM/IVO oocytes showed distinctive differences. A total of 1559 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, genes with at least 2-fold change and adjusted P < 0.05) were found to be enriched in metabolic processes, biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation. Among these DEGs, we identified a repression of WNT/β-catenin signalling in rIVM when compared with IVO oocytes. We found that oestradiol levels exhibited a significant age-independent correlation with the IVO mature oocyte ratio (MII ratio) for each donor. rIVM oocytes from women with a high MII ratio were found to have over-represented cellular processes such as anti-apoptosis. To further identify targets that contribute to the poor clinical outcomes of rIVM, we compared oocytes collected from young donors with a high MII ratio with oocytes from donors of advanced maternal age and lower MII ratio, and revealed that CREB1 is an important regulator. Thus, our study identified that GATA-1/CREB1/WNT signalling was repressed in both rIVM oocytes versus IVO oocytes and in rIVM oocytes of lower versus higher quality. Consequently we investigated gallic acid, as a potential antioxidant substrate in human rIVM medium, and found that it increased the mouse oocyte maturation rate by 31.1%. LARGE SCALE DATA Raw data from this study can be accessed through GSE158539. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In the rIVM oocytes of the high- and low-quality comparison, the number of samples was limited after data filtering with stringent selection criteria. For the oocyte stage identification, we were unable to predict the presence of oocyte spindle, so polar body extrusion was the only indicator. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study showed that GATA-1/CREB1/WNT signalling was repressed in rIVM oocytes compared with IVO oocytes and was further downregulated in low-quality rIVM oocytes, providing us the foundation of subsequent follow-up research on human oocytes and raising safety concerns about the clinical use of rescued oocytes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Collaborative Research Fund, Research Grants Council, C4054-16G, and Research Committee Funding (Research Sustainability of Major RGC Funding Schemes), The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- A W T Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - J K W Ng
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - J Liao
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - A C Luk
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - A H C Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - T T H Chan
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - M Y Cheung
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - H T Chu
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - N L S Tang
- Department of Chemical Pathology, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - M P Zhao
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Q Lian
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - W Y Chan
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - D Y L Chan
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - T Y Leung
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - K L Chow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China.,Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - W Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - L H Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology & Department of Medical Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - N C H Chen
- Department of Infertility and Reproductive Medicine, Taiwan IVF Group Center, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - W J Yang
- Department of Infertility and Reproductive Medicine, Taiwan IVF Group Center, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - J Y Huang
- Department of Infertility and Reproductive Medicine, Taiwan IVF Group Center, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - T C Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - T L Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
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Jie H, Zhao M, Alqawasmeh OAM, Chan CPS, Lee TL, Li T, Chan DYL. In vitro rescue immature oocytes - a literature review. HUM FERTIL 2021; 25:640-650. [PMID: 33508986 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2021.1876932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Immature oocytes retrieved from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and clinical in vitro maturation (IVM) is a common problem, especially in patients with advanced age, poor ovarian response (POR), or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Considering there is no common name to describe this group of oocytes, we suggest naming all of immature oocytes retrieved from IVF and clinical IVM cycles as 'Medical Unusable Oocytes' (MUO) as none of them will be used for subsequent treatment and will eventually be discarded. Scientists attempt to improve the clinical utilization rate of MUO instead of discarding them. Rescue IVM and mitochondria supplementation may be available approaches to mature MUO. We propose a specific definition of rescue IVM, namely the cultivation and maturation of immature oocytes in vitro collected from IVF cycles with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger. Rescue IVM is usually mixed up with clinical IVM. Clarification of the differences between rescue IVM and clinical IVM is necessary. This manuscript aims to clarify the rather confusing IVM procedures and review existing methods of improving rescue IVM, currently available information on the success rate, and explore the future possibility of rescue IVM serving as a promising tool in reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Jie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mingpeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Odai Ali Mohammad Alqawasmeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Carol Pui Shan Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tin Lap Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tinchiu Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - David Yiu Leung Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
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In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes in patients with resistant ovary syndrome and in patients with repeated deficient oocyte maturation. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:2161-2171. [PMID: 30238176 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1317-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the efficiency of IVM in patients with repeated ART failure due to resistant ovary syndrome or due to deficient oocyte maturation. METHODS Clinical and laboratory data were obtained retrospectively from 28 patients who underwent 49 cycles of IVM between 2010 and 2017; nine patients had resistant ovary syndrome and 19 patients had repeated deficient oocyte maturation. RESULTS Nine patients with resistant ovary syndrome underwent 24 IVM cycles. In those, an average of 11.5 ± 10.4 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) was retrieved, and IVM resulted in 3.4 ± 3.1 mature oocytes. After ICSI and transfer of 23 cleavage-stage embryos, eight pregnancies were obtained, resulting in five healthy live births. The live birth rate was 16.7% per started cycle and 33.3% per patient. Nineteen patients with a history of deficient oocyte maturation underwent 25 IVM cycles. An average of 10.6 ± 9.2 COC was retrieved, and after IVM, 1.3 ± 2.1 oocytes were mature. No mature oocytes were obtained in 11 cycles. In ten cycles with mature oocytes, none of them fertilized after ICSI. Out of four cycles with fertilized oocytes, only one good-quality embryo was obtained. No live births were obtained after IVM in patients with a history of deficient oocyte maturation. CONCLUSIONS Based on our experience, IVM is a valuable approach in patients with resistant ovary syndrome, but should not be recommended for patients with deficient oocyte maturation.
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Fesahat F, Kalantar SM, Sheikhha MH, Saeedi H, Montazeri F, Firouzabadi RD, Khalili MA. Developmental and cytogenetic assessments of preimplantation embryos derived from in-vivo or in-vitro matured human oocytes. Eur J Med Genet 2018; 61:235-241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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