1
|
Biswas D, Yoon JD, Mishra B, Hyun SH. Epigen enhances the developmental potential of in vitro fertilized embryos by improving cytoplasmic maturation. Theriogenology 2024; 218:16-25. [PMID: 38290231 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.020] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Numerous growth factors contribute to oocyte maturation and embryonic development in vivo; however, only a few are understood. One such factor is epigen, a new member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family that is secreted by the granulosa cells of immature oocytes. We hypothesized that epigen may play a role in oocyte maturation, specifically in the nuclear and cytoplasmic aspects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of epigen on porcine oocyte maturation and embryo development in vitro. In this study, three different concentrations of epigen (3, 6, and 30 ng/mL) were added to tissue culture medium-199 (TCM-199) during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes. A control group that did not receive epigen supplementation was also included. Mature porcine oocytes were fertilized, and the resulting zygotes were cultured until day 7. The levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured in the in vitro matured oocytes. At the same time, the expression patterns of genes related to apoptosis were detected in day 7 blastocysts (BLs) using real-time quantitative PCR Apoptosis was detected by annexin-V assays in mature oocytes. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan's test on SPSS, and results are presented as mean ± SEM. The group that received 6 ng/mL epigen had a significantly lower rate of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) than the control group without affecting the nuclear maturation among the experimental groups. Among the treatment groups, the 6 ng/mL epigen group showed significantly higher levels of intracellular GSH and lower ROS production. Supplementation with 6 ng/mL epigen significantly improved blastocyst (BL) formation rates compared to those in the control and 3 ng/mL groups. Additionally, the blastocyst expansion rate was significantly higher with epigen supplementation (6 ng/mL). In the fertilization experiment, the group supplemented with 6 ng/mL epigen exhibited significantly higher levels of monospermy and fertilization efficiency and lower levels of polyspermy than the control group. This study indicated that adding epigen at a concentration of 6 ng/mL can significantly enhance the developmental potential of porcine oocytes fertilized in vitro. Specifically, the study found that epigen improves cytoplasmic maturation, which helps prevent polyspermy and emulates monospermic penetration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dibyendu Biswas
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal Campus, Barisal, 8210, Bangladesh
| | - Junchul David Yoon
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Birendra Mishra
- Dept. of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, AgSci 216, 1955 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Sang Hwan Hyun
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Contreras-Méndez LA, Medrano JF, Thomas MG, Enns RM, Speidel SE, Luna-Nevárez G, López-Castro PA, Rivera-Acuña F, Luna-Nevárez P. The Anti-Müllerian Hormone as Endocrine and Molecular Marker Associated with Reproductive Performance in Holstein Dairy Cows Exposed to Heat Stress. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:213. [PMID: 38254382 PMCID: PMC10812537 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020213] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is proposed as a biomarker for fertility in cattle, yet this associative relationship appears to be influenced by heat stress (HS). The objective was to test serum AMH and AMH-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as markers potentially predictive of reproductive traits in dairy cows experiencing HS. The study included 300 Holstein cows that were genotyped using BovineSNP50 (54,000 SNP). A genome-wide association study was then executed. Nine intragenic SNPs within the pathways that influence the AMH gene were found important with multiple comparisons adjustment tests (p < 1.09 × 10-6). A further validation study was performed in an independent Holstein cattle population, which was divided into moderate (MH; n = 152) and severe heat-stressed (SH; n = 128) groups and then subjected to a summer reproductive management program. Serum AMH was confirmed as a predictor of fertility measures (p < 0.05) in MH but not in the SH group. Cows were genotyped, which revealed four SNPs as predictive markers for serum AMH (p < 0.01), reproductive traits (p < 0.01), and additional physiological variables (p < 0.05). These SNPs were in the genes AMH, IGFBP1, LGR5, and TLR4. In conclusion, serum AMH concentrations and AMH polymorphisms are proposed as predictive markers that can be used in conjunction with genomic breeding value approaches to improve reproductive performance in Holstein cows exposed to summer HS conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis A. Contreras-Méndez
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | - Juan F. Medrano
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - R. Mark Enns
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Scott E. Speidel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Guillermo Luna-Nevárez
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | - Pedro A. López-Castro
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | - Fernando Rivera-Acuña
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | - Pablo Luna-Nevárez
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|