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Hansen PJ. The incompletely fulfilled promise of embryo transfer in cattle-why aren't pregnancy rates greater and what can we do about it? J Anim Sci 2020; 98:skaa288. [PMID: 33141879 PMCID: PMC7608916 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Typically, bovine embryos are transferred into recipient females about day 7 after estrus or anticipated ovulation, when the embryo has reached the blastocyst stage of development. All the biological and technical causes for failure of a female to produce a blastocyst 7 d after natural or artificial insemination (AI) are avoided when a blastocyst-stage embryo is transferred into the female. It is reasonable to expect, therefore, that pregnancy success would be higher for embryo transfer (ET) recipients than for inseminated females. This expectation is not usually met unless the recipient is exposed to heat stress or is classified as a repeat-breeder female. Rather, pregnancy success is generally similar for ET and AI. The implication is that either one or more of the technical aspects of ET have not yet been optimized or that underlying female fertility that causes an embryo to die before day 7 also causes it to die later in pregnancy. Improvements in pregnancy success after ET will depend upon making a better embryo, improving uterine receptivity, and forging new tools for production and transfer of embryos. Key to accelerating progress in improving pregnancy rates will be the identification of phenotypes or phenomes that allow the prediction of embryo competence for survival and maternal capacity to support embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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2
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Qu P, Luo S, Du Y, Zhang Y, Song X, Yuan X, Lin Z, Li Y, Liu E. Extracellular vesicles and melatonin benefit embryonic develop by regulating reactive oxygen species and 5-methylcytosine. J Pineal Res 2020; 68:e12635. [PMID: 32012354 PMCID: PMC7154726 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Embryo culture conditions are crucial as they can affect embryo quality and even offspring. Oviductal extracellular vesicles (EVs) long been considered a major factor influencing interactions between the oviduct and embryos, and thus its absence is associated with inferior embryonic development in in vitro culture. Herein, we demonstrated that melatonin is present in oviduct fluids and oviduct fluid-derived EVs. Addition of either EVs (1.87 × 1011 particles/mL) or melatonin (340 ng/mL) led to a significant downregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), as well as an increase in the blastocyst rate of embryos, which was inhibited by the addition of luzindole-a melatonin receptor agonist. A combination of EVs (1.87 × 1010 particles/mL) and melatonin (at 34.3 pg/mL) led to the same results as well as a significant decrease in the apoptosis index and increase in the inner cell mass (ICM)/trophectoderm (TE) index. These results suggest that an EV-melatonin treatment benefits embryonic development. Our findings provide insights into the role of EVs and melatonin during cell communication and provide new evidence of the communication between embryos and maternal oviduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiang Qu
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Shiwei Luo
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Yue Du
- NDCLSRadcliff Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Yanru Zhang
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Xiaojie Song
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Xuetao Yuan
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Zujie Lin
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Yuchen Li
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
| | - Enqi Liu
- Laboratory Animal CentreXi’an Jiaotong University Health Science CentreXi’anShaanxiChina
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Orazov MR, Radzinsky VY, Ivanov II, Khamoshina MB, Shustova VB. Oocyte quality in women with infertility associated endometriosis. Gynecol Endocrinol 2019; 35:24-26. [PMID: 31532315 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1632088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of endometriosis-related infertility remain still unknown. Endometriosis and clinical markers of oocyte quality are a very important problem of reproduction. The purpose of the study is to assess the quality of oocytes in women with infertility associated with endometriosis. The study included infertile reproductive aged women, between 29 and 40 years who underwent IVF and ICSI procedures. The patients were divided into three groups: group I involved 50 (n = 50) patients with recurrent unilateral endometriomas, group II included 50 patients (n = 50) unilateral endometriomas after surgical treatment and control group with 30 (n = 30) patients with tubal factor infertility. Clinical and morphological assessment of oocyte quality was performed in all IVF/ICSI cycles. The results of the study demonstrate a statistically significant increase in the number of immature oocytes of metaphase MI and immature oocytes at the GV germinal vesicle stage in patients with infertility associated with endometriosis, compared with the control group (p<.005). There is deterioration in the quality of the obtained oocytes in patients with the presence of endometrioma more than 3 cm in diameter. The results of this study allow to conclude that endometriomas negatively affect quality of oocyte and ovarian reserve, whereas endometriomas after cystectomy, have a deleterious and sustained effect on ovarian reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mekan Rakhimberdievich Orazov
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with Course of Perinatology of the Medical Faculty, Medical Institute of the Russian University of Friendship of Peoples , Moscow , Russian Federation
| | - Victor Yevseyevich Radzinsky
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with Course of Perinatology of the Medical Faculty, Medical Institute of the Russian University of Friendship of Peoples , Moscow , Russian Federation
| | - Igor Isaakovich Ivanov
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Academy Named S. I. Georgievskiy of Vernadsky Crimean Federal University , Simferopol , Republic of Crimea, Russian Federation
| | - Marina Borisovna Khamoshina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with Course of Perinatology of the Medical Faculty, Medical Institute of the Russian University of Friendship of Peoples , Moscow , Russian Federation
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Are computational applications the "crystal ball" in the IVF laboratory? The evolution from mathematics to artificial intelligence. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:1545-1557. [PMID: 30054845 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1266-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mathematics rules the world of science. Innovative technologies based on mathematics have paved the way for implementation of novel strategies in assisted reproduction. Ascertaining efficient embryo selection in order to secure optimal pregnancy rates remains the focus of the in vitro fertilization scientific community and the strongest driver behind innovative approaches. This scoping review aims to describe and analyze complex models based on mathematics for embryo selection, devices, and software most widely employed in the IVF laboratory and algorithms in the service of the cutting-edge technology of artificial intelligence. Despite their promising nature, the practicing embryologist is the one ultimately responsible for the success of the IVF laboratory and thus the one to approve embracing pioneering technologies in routine practice. Applied mathematics and computational biology have already provided significant insight into the selection of the most competent preimplantation embryo. This review describes the leap of evolution from basic mathematics to bioinformatics and investigates the possibility that computational applications may be the means to foretell a promising future for the IVF clinical practice.
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Sirard MA. 40 years of bovine IVF in the new genomic selection context. Reproduction 2018; 156:R1-R7. [PMID: 29636405 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The development of a complex technology such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) requires years of experimentation, sometimes comparing several species to learn how to create the right in vitro environment for oocytes, spermatozoa and early embryos. At the same time, individual species characteristics such as gamete physiology and gamete interaction are recently evolved traits and must be analysed within the context of each species. In the last 40 years since the birth of Louise Brown, IVF techniques progressed and are now used in multiple domestic and non-domestic animal species around the world. This does not mean that the technology is completely matured or satisfactory; a number of problems remain to be solved and several procedures still need to be optimized. The development of IVF in cattle is particularly interesting since agriculture practices permitted the commercial development of the procedure and it is now used at a scale comparable to human IVF (millions of newborns). The genomic selection of young animals or even embryos combined with sexing and freezing technologies is driving a new era of IVF in the dairy sector. The time has come for a retrospective analysis of the success and pitfalls of the last 40 years of bovine IVF and for the description of the challenges to overcome in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-André Sirard
- Centre de Recherche en ReproductionDéveloppement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Département des Sciences Animales, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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Sanchez AM, Vanni VS, Bartiromo L, Papaleo E, Zilberberg E, Candiani M, Orvieto R, Viganò P. Is the oocyte quality affected by endometriosis? A review of the literature. J Ovarian Res 2017; 10:43. [PMID: 28701212 PMCID: PMC5508680 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-017-0341-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory condition that affects women in their reproductive period causing infertility and pelvic pain. The disease, especially at the ovarian site has been shown to have a detrimental impact on ovarian physiology. Indeed, sonographic and histologic data tend to support the idea that ovarian follicles of endometriosis patients are decreased in number and more atretic. Moreover, the local intrafollicular environment of patients affected is characterized by alterations of the granulosa cell compartment including reduced P450 aromatase expression and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. However, no comprehensive evaluation of the literature addressing the effect of endometriosis on oocyte quality from both a clinical and a biological perspective has so far been conducted. Based on this systematic review of the literature, oocytes retrieved from women affected by endometriosis are more likely to fail in vitro maturation and to show altered morphology and lower cytoplasmic mitochondrial content compared to women with other causes of infertility. Results from meta-analyses addressing IVF outcomes in women affected would indicate that a reduction in the number of mature oocytes retrieved is associated with endometriosis while a reduction in fertilization rates is more likely to be associated with minimal/mild rather than with moderate/severe disease. However, evidence in this field is still far to be conclusive, especially with regards to the effects of different stages of the disease and to the impact of patients’ previous medical/surgical treatment(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Sanchez
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Stella Vanni
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ludovica Bartiromo
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Papaleo
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Eran Zilberberg
- Infertility and IVF unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Massimo Candiani
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vita Salute San Raffaele University School of Medicine, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Raoul Orvieto
- Infertility and IVF unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,The Tarnesby-Tarnowsky Chair for Family Planning and Fertility Regulation, at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Paola Viganò
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
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Le Gac S, Nordhoff V. Microfluidics for mammalian embryo culture and selection: where do we stand now? Mol Hum Reprod 2016; 23:213-226. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaw061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Mallol A, Piqué L, Santaló J, Ibáñez E. Morphokinetics of cloned mouse embryos treated with epigenetic drugs and blastocyst prediction. Reproduction 2015; 151:203-14. [PMID: 26621919 DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Time-lapse monitoring of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos may help to predict developmental success and increase birth and embryonic stem cells (ESC) derivation rates. Here, the development of ICSI fertilized embryos and of SCNT embryos, non-treated or treated with either psammaplin A (PsA) or vitamin C (VitC), was monitored, and the ESC derivation rates from the resulting blastocysts were determined. Blastocyst rates were similar among PsA-treated and VitC-treated SCNT embryos and ICSI embryos, but lower for non-treated SCNT embryos. ESC derivation rates were higher in treated SCNT embryos than in non-treated or ICSI embryos. Time-lapse microscopy analysis showed that non-treated SCNT embryos had a delayed development from the second division until compaction, lower number of blastomeres at compaction and longer compaction and cavitation durations compared with ICSI ones. Treatment of SCNT embryos with PsA further increased this delay whereas treatment with VitC slightly reduced it, suggesting that both treatments act through different mechanisms, not necessarily related to their epigenetic effects. Despite these differences, the time of completion of the third division, alone or combined with the duration of compaction and/or the presence of fragmentation, had a strong predictive value for blastocyst formation in all groups. In contrast, we failed to predict ESC derivation success from embryo morphokinetics. Time-lapse technology allows the selection of SCNT embryos with higher developmental potential and could help to increase cloning outcomes. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to find reliable markers for full-term development and ESC derivation success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mallol
- Unitat de Biologia Cel.lularDepartament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Laia Piqué
- Unitat de Biologia Cel.lularDepartament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Josep Santaló
- Unitat de Biologia Cel.lularDepartament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Elena Ibáñez
- Unitat de Biologia Cel.lularDepartament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Urrego R, Rodriguez-Osorio N, Niemann H. Epigenetic disorders and altered gene expression after use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in domestic cattle. Epigenetics 2014; 9:803-15. [PMID: 24709985 DOI: 10.4161/epi.28711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) in modern cattle breeding is an important tool for improving the production of dairy and beef cattle. A frequently employed ART in the cattle industry is in vitro production of embryos. However, bovine in vitro produced embryos differ greatly from their in vivo produced counterparts in many facets, including developmental competence. The lower developmental capacity of these embryos could be due to the stress to which the gametes and/or embryos are exposed during in vitro embryo production, specifically ovarian hormonal stimulation, follicular aspiration, oocyte in vitro maturation in hormone supplemented medium, sperm handling, gamete cryopreservation, and culture of embryos. The negative effects of some ARTs on embryo development could, at least partially, be explained by disruption of the physiological epigenetic profile of the gametes and/or embryos. Here, we review the current literature with regard to the putative link between ARTs used in bovine reproduction and epigenetic disorders and changes in the expression profile of embryonic genes. Information on the relationship between reproductive biotechnologies and epigenetic disorders and aberrant gene expression in bovine embryos is limited and novel approaches are needed to explore ways in which ARTs can be improved to avoid epigenetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Urrego
- Grupo CENTAURO; Universidad de Antioquia; Medellín, Colombia; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia; Grupo INCA-CES; Universidad CES; Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Heiner Niemann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics; Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI); Mariensee, Germany
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Clinician-induced (iatrogenic) damage incurred during human infertility treatment: Detrimental effects of sperm selection methods and cryopreservation upon the viability, DNA integrity, and function of human sperm. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s2305-0500(13)60052-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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