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Souza-Fabjan JMG, Leal GR, Monteiro CAS, Batista RITP, Barbosa NO, Freitas VJF. In vitro embryo production in small ruminants: what is still missing? Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20230055. [PMID: 38025995 PMCID: PMC10681138 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro embryo production (IVEP) is an extremely important tool for genetic improvement in livestock and it is the biotechnology that has grown the most recently. However, multiple ovulation followed by embryo transfer is still considered the leading biotechnology for embryo production in small ruminants. This review aimed to identify what is still missing for more efficient diffusion of IVEP in small ruminants, going through the IVEP steps and highlighting the main factors affecting the outcomes. Oocyte quality is essential for the success of IVEP and an aspect to be considered in small ruminants is their reproductive seasonality and strategies to mitigate the effect of season. The logistics for oocyte collection from live females is more complex than in cattle, and tools to simplify this collection system and/or to promote an alternative way of recovering oocytes may be an important point in this scenario. The heterogeneity of oocytes collected from growing follicles in live females or from ovaries collected from abattoirs remains a challenge, and there is a demand to standardize/homogenize the hormonal stimulatory protocols and IVM protocols for each source of oocytes. The use of sexed semen is technically possible, however the low market demand associated with the high costs of the sexing process prevents the routine use of this technique, but its higher availability is an important aspect aiming for greater dissemination of IVEP. New noninvasive approaches for embryo selection are key factors since the selection for transfer or cryopreservation is another difficulty faced among laboratories. Embryo selection is based on morphological traits, although these are not necessarily reliable in predicting pregnancy. Several issues described in this review must be considered by researchers in other to promote the diffusion of IVEP in small ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela Ramos Leal
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Vicente José Figueirêdo Freitas
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle da Reprodução, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
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Optimizing swine in vitro embryo production with growth factor and antioxidant supplementation during oocyte maturation. Theriogenology 2022; 194:133-143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Contreras-Solís I, Catalá M, Soto-Heras S, Roura M, Paramio MT, Izquierdo D. Effect of follicle size on hormonal status of follicular fluid, oocyte ATP content, and in vitro embryo production in prepubertal sheep. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2021; 75:106582. [PMID: 33238222 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of follicular size on estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels in intrafollicular fluid, ATP content in oocytes, and the embryo development rate in prepubertal sheep. Slaughterhouse ovaries were dissected to recover the follicles, which were classified according to the follicle diameter as <3 mm (n = 20) and ≥3 mm (n = 17). Then, follicular fluid was obtained and analyzed by radioimmunoassay to determine the E2 and P4 concentrations. Another group of ovaries was used to recover cumulus-oocyte complexes according to follicle size. In vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo culture were performed using standard procedures, and ATP level was assessed at 0 and 24 h of IVM. Intrafollicular concentrations of E2 and P4 and E2:P4 ratio were higher in ≥3 mm (18.7 ± 5.9 ng/mL, 7.8 ± 1.2 ng/mL, and 3.6 ± 1.3, respectively) than <3 mm (1.8 ± 0.4 ng/mL, 2.6 ± 0.3 ng/mL and 0.9 ± 0.3, respectively) follicles. The rate of ATP increased during IVM and was higher in oocytes from ≥3 mm than <3 mm (22.4 ± 0.7 and 8.6 ± 2.2-fold change; respectively) follicles. After IVF, the blastocyst development was higher in oocytes recovered from ≥3 mm (11.1 ± 0.9%) than from <3 mm (6.5 ± 0.7%) follicles. These results indicate an improvement in the competence and development of oocytes from ≥3 mm follicles with a higher E2:P4 ratio. Thus, this ratio could be used as reference to design IVM medium and to enhance the in vitro embryo production in lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Contreras-Solís
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sassary University, Sardinia, Italy
| | - M Catalá
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultad De Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Soto-Heras
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultad De Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Roura
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultad De Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M T Paramio
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultad De Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Izquierdo
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultad De Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Souza-Fabjan JMG, Batista RITP, Correia LFL, Paramio MT, Fonseca JF, Freitas VJF, Mermillod P. In vitro production of small ruminant embryos: latest improvements and further research. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 33:31-54. [PMID: 38769678 DOI: 10.1071/rd20206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
This review presents the latest advances in and main obstacles to the application of invitro embryo production (IVEP) systems in small ruminants. This biotechnology is an extremely important tool for genetic improvement for livestock and is essential for the establishment of other biotechnologies, such as cloning and transgenesis. At present, the IVEP market is almost non-existent for small ruminants, in contrast with the trends observed in cattle. This is probably related to the lower added value of small ruminants, lower commercial demand and fewer qualified professionals interested in this area. Moreover, there are fewer research groups working on small ruminant IVEP than those working with cattle and pigs. The heterogeneity of oocytes collected from growing follicles in live females or from ovaries collected from abattoirs remains a challenge for IVEP dissemination in goats and sheep. Of note, although the logistics of oocyte collection from live small ruminant females are more complex than in the bovine, in general the IVEP outcomes, in terms of blastocyst production, are similar. We anticipate that after appropriate training and repeatable results, the commercial demand for small ruminant invitro -produced embryos may increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M G Souza-Fabjan
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Niterói-RJ, CEP 24230-340, Brazil; and Corresponding author
| | - Ribrio I T P Batista
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Niterói-RJ, CEP 24230-340, Brazil
| | - Lucas F L Correia
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Niterói-RJ, CEP 24230-340, Brazil
| | - Maria Teresa Paramio
- Departament de Ciencia Animal i dels Aliments, Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jeferson F Fonseca
- Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos, Rodovia MG 133, km 42, Campo Experimental Coronel Pacheco, Coronel Pacheco-MG, CEP 36155-000, Brazil
| | - Vicente J F Freitas
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle da Reprodução, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, CEP 60714-903, Brazil
| | - Pascal Mermillod
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), UMR7247, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France
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Tian H, Qi Q, Yan F, Wang C, Hou F, Ren W, Zhang L, Hou J. Enhancing the developmental competence of prepubertal lamb oocytes by supplementing the in vitro maturation medium with sericin and the fibroblast growth factor 2 - leukemia inhibitory factor - Insulin-like growth factor 1 combination. Theriogenology 2020; 159:13-19. [PMID: 33113439 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Poor development of oocytes from prepubertal animals is a major factor that hinders the application of the technology, juvenile in vitro embryo transfer (JIVET). The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of improving the developmental competence of prepubertal oocytes by supplementing the oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) medium with antioxidants and cytokines. Effects of two antioxidants, melatonin and sericin, were first examined. The results showed that melatonin had no significant beneficial roles on the lamb oocyte development, while 0.5% sericin supplemented during IVM significantly increased the blastocyst rate of lamb oocytes (46.5% vs 19.2% in control, P < 0.05). Next, effects of two kinds of combined supplements, insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS) and fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2)-leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF1)(FLI) were tested. The results indicated that addition of FLI, but not ITS, in the IVM medium, significantly improved the blastocyst development of lamb oocytes (43.9% in FLI group vs 21.6% in control, P < 0.05). Further comparison showed that the developmental competence of oocytes was not significantly different among supplementation with sericin or FLI alone or both, all of which generated similar outcomes of blastocyst yield to the supplementation with adult follicular fluid. Finally, 27 blastocysts produced from lamb oocytes matured in the presence of sericin and FLI were transferred into 18 recipients, of which 9 were pregnant. This study suggests that the developmental competence of prepubertal oocytes can be improved by supplementing IVM medium with relevant agents like sericin and cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengxiang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chunxin Wang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, Jilin, China
| | - Fujun Hou
- Aohan Sheep Breeding Farm, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China; Aohan Livestock Breeding and Spreading Centre, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Weimin Ren
- Aohan Sheep Breeding Farm, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Aohan Sheep Breeding Farm, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Jian Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and College of Biological Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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Soares M, Sousa AP, Fernandes R, Ferreira AF, Almeida-Santos T, Ramalho-Santos J. Aging-related mitochondrial alterations in bovine oocytes. Theriogenology 2020; 157:218-225. [PMID: 32814249 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Advanced maternal age is an emerging health problem which involves many functional and structural alterations in oocytes, and its study is relevant to design better approaches to improve the reproductive function in women of advanced age. A constraint to this type of studies is the limited amount of samples and the ethical problems of working with human gametes. This study aims to characterize the in vitro-induced age-related modifications in a bovine model, as well as to determine if this model is a reliable approach to study human aging. For this purpose, we have focused on aging-related alterations related to oocyte mitochondrial dysfunction, a key hallmark in aging. Morphological and bioenergetic in vitro-induced alterations in bovine oocytes were compared to an in vivo aged group and to the already reported information regarding humans and other animal models. Parameters monitored included ooplasmic volume; mitochondrial mass, distribution and aggregation, assessed by MitoTracker Green; mitochondrial activity, monitored by JC-1; and the mitochondrial levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), quantified using MitoPY. Results show a significant decrease in oocyte cytoplasmic volume after both in vitro and in vivo aging (p < 0.001). Additionally, the levels of H2O2 increased significantly after in vitro and in vivo aging (p < 0.001) and mitochondrial aggregation patterns were significantly different after 30 h of in vitro maturation, with MII oocytes presenting small aggregates inside the cytoplasm, whereas aged oocytes had a lack of granularity (p < 0.001). In contrast, there were no differences between the different aging groups in terms of mitochondrial mass, distribution and activity. In conclusion, this in vitro approach of inducing aging-related alterations may be considered as a reliable approach to study the aging process in human female gametes, since it causes the same types of alterations in both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Soares
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3004-504, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Sousa
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3004-504, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Reproductive Medicine Unit, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta, R. Prof. Mota Pinto, 3004-561, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel Fernandes
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3004-504, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Ferreira
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta, R. Prof. Mota Pinto, 3004-561, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Almeida-Santos
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3004-504, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Reproductive Medicine Unit, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta, R. Prof. Mota Pinto, 3004-561, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Ramalho-Santos
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3004-504, University of Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Piras AR, Menéndez-Blanco I, Soto-Heras S, Catalá MG, Izquierdo D, Bogliolo L, Paramio MT. Resveratrol supplementation during in vitro maturation improves embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes selected by brilliant cresyl blue staining. J Reprod Dev 2018; 65:113-120. [PMID: 30606957 PMCID: PMC6473110 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2018-077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol supplementation in maturation medium on the developmental ability and bioenergetic\oxidative status of prepubertal goat oocytes selected by brilliant cresyl blue (BCB). Oocytes collected from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries were selected by 13 µM BCB staining and classified as grown BCB+ and growing BCB- oocytes. All oocytes were matured in vitro in our conventional maturation medium and supplemented with 1 µM (BCB+R and BCB-R) and without (Control groups: BCB+C and BCB-C) resveratrol. After 24 h, IVM-oocytes were fertilized with fresh semen and presumptive zygotes were in vitro cultured for 8 days. Oocytes were assessed for blastocyst development and quality, mitochondrial activity and distribution, and levels of GSH, ROS, and ATP. BCB+R (28.3%) oocytes matured with resveratrol presented significantly higher blastocyst development than BCB+C (13.0%) and BCB- groups (BCB-R: 8.3% and BCB-C: 4.7%). Resveratrol improved blastocyst development of BCB-R oocytes at the same rate as BCB+C oocytes. No differences were observed in blastocyst quality among groups. GSH levels were significantly higher in resveratrol groups (BCB+R: 36554.6; BCB-R: 34946.7 pixels/oocyte) than in control groups (BCB+C: 27624.0; BCB-C: 27655.4 pixels/oocyte). No differences were found in mitochondrial activity, ROS level, and ATP content among the groups. Resveratrol-treated oocytes had a higher proportion of clustered active mitochondria in both BCB groups (BCB+R: 73.07%; BCB-R: 79.16%) than control groups (BCB+C: 19.35%; BCB-C: 40%). In conclusion, resveratrol increased blastocyst production from oocytes of prepubertal goats, particularly in better quality oocytes (BCB+).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Rita Piras
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.,Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Irene Menéndez-Blanco
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Soto-Heras
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria-Gracia Catalá
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolors Izquierdo
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luisa Bogliolo
- Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria-Teresa Paramio
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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Zhu J, Moawad AR, Wang CY, Li HF, Ren JY, Dai YF. Advances in in vitro production of sheep embryos. Int J Vet Sci Med 2018; 6:S15-S26. [PMID: 30761316 PMCID: PMC6161858 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijvsm.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sheep is an important livestock in the world providing meat, milk and wool for human beings. With increasing human population, the worldwide needs of production of sheep have elevated. To meet the needs, the assistant reproductive technology including ovine in vitro embryo production (ovine IVP) is urgently required to enhance the effective production of sheep in the world. To learn the status of ovine IVP, we collected some publications related to ovine IVP through PubMed and analyzed the progress in ovine IVP made in the last five years (2012-2017). We made comparisons of these data and found that the recent advances in ovine IVP has been made slowly comparable to that of ovine IVP two decades ago. Therefore, we suggested two strategies or approaches to tackle the main problems in ovine IVP and expect that the efficiency of ovine IVP could be improved significantly when the approaches would be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Adel R. Moawad
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, PO BOX 12211, Giza, Egypt
| | - Chun-Yu Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Hui-Feng Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Jing-Yu Ren
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Yan-Feng Dai
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
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Paramio MT, Izquierdo D. Recent advances in in vitro embryo production in small ruminants. Theriogenology 2016; 86:152-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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