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Cardona-García M, Jiménez-Escobar C, Ferrer MS, Maldonado-Estrada JG. Follicular Dynamics and Pregnancy Rates during Foal Heat in Colombian Paso Fino Mares Bred under Permanent Grazing. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:760. [PMID: 38473144 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050760] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
No studies have evaluated the peripartum follicular dynamics resulting in foal heat under tropical environments. We aimed to assess retrospectively the peripartum follicular dynamics in Colombian Paso Fino mares that were inseminated at the foal heat, becoming pregnant or not. Records including follicular dynamics of pregnant mares prepartum and from foaling until foal heat ovulation were assessed in Colombian Paso Fino mares (CPF, n = 24) bred under permanent grazing in a tropical herd in Colombia. The number of ovarian follicles >10 mm before foaling and the largest follicle (F1) growth rate (mm/day) from foaling until the F1 reached the largest diameter (pre-ovulatory size) at the foal heat were assessed. Mares were inseminated at foal heat with 20 mL of semen (at least 500 million live spermatozoa) with >75% motility and 80% viability from a stallion of proven fertility. Ovulation was confirmed the day after follicles had reached the largest diameter. Quantitative data from follicular growth, the day at ovulation, from mares that became pregnant (PM) or not (NPM) at 16 days post-insemination were compared by one-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA (follicle growth rate data) or Chi-square test (edema and cytology scores data). Epidemiological data, gestation length, and the number of follicles on third prepartum days did not significantly differ between PM and NPM (p > 0.05). Seventy-one percent of mares (17/24) got pregnant. Ovulatory follicles grew faster in the NPM group (n = 7), which ovulated between the seventh and ninth postpartum days, compared to PM (n = 17), which ovulated between the 11th and 13th postpartum days. Pre-ovulatory follicle diameter in PM (48.57 ± 0.8 mm) was significantly larger than in NPM (42.99 ± 1.0 mm) (p < 0.05). In addition, the PM edema score (2.93 ± 0.32 mm) on ovulation day was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than NPM (4.47 ± 0.05 mm). First postpartum ovulation occurred at 12.6 ± 0.3 and 8.5 ± 0.4 days (p < 0.05) in PM and NPM, respectively. Colombian Paso Fino mares bred under permanent grazing under tropical rainforest conditions with no foaling or postpartum complications showed a 71% gestation rate when inseminated at foal heat when ovulation occurs between the second and third postpartum week.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Cardona-García
- OHVRI-Research Group, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050034, Colombia
| | - Claudia Jiménez-Escobar
- Grupo de Investigación en Reproducción Animal y Salud de Hato, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - María S Ferrer
- College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Juan G Maldonado-Estrada
- OHVRI-Research Group, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín 050034, Colombia
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Maclellan LJ, Albertini DF, Stokes JE, Carnevale EM. Use of confocal microscopy and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to assess viability of equine oocytes from young and old mares after vitrification. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:2565-2576. [PMID: 37725179 PMCID: PMC10643763 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02935-4] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of vitrification on oocyte developmental competence as a function of donor age remains an important issue in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). METHODS Equine germinal vesicle (GV) or metaphase II (M(II) oocytes were vitrified using the Cryotop® method. Spindle organization and chromosome alignment were evaluated from confocal imaging data sets of in vivo (IVO) or in vitro (IVM) matured oocytes subjected to vitrification or not. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from the same groups was used to assess developmental potential. RESULTS An increase in chromosome misalignment was observed in spindles from older mares when compared to those of younger mares (P < 0.05). When MII oocytes subjected to vitrification were examined following warming, there was no difference in the percentage of oocytes displaying chromosome misalignment. Next, GV oocytes, collected from the ovaries of younger and older mares, were compared between fresh IVM and IVM following vitrification and warming. For nonvitrified samples, an age difference was again noted for spindle organization and chromosome alignment, with a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of normal bipolar meiotic spindles with aligned chromosomes observed in nonvitrified oocytes from young versus older mares. Vitrification led to a reduction of spindle length (P < 0.05) for oocytes from old mares, whether vitrified at GV or MII stages, whereas this effect was not observed in oocytes from young mares except those vitrified at GV and subjected to IVM. Oocyte developmental potential after vitrification was evaluated after ICSI of vitrified and warmed MII or GV oocytes from young mares. From 25 MII oocytes, 18 oocytes were injected with sperm, and six blastocysts were produced, which, upon transfer to mares' uteri, resulted in four pregnancies. Immature (GV) oocytes collected from live mares were also vitrified, warmed, and matured in vitro before ICSI. In this group, nonvitrified, control, and vitrified oocytes did not differ (P > 0.05) with respect to the incidence of maturation to MII, cleavage after ICSI, or blastocyst development. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate an effect of maternal age in an equine model at the level of meiotic spindle integrity and chromosome positioning that is influenced by both the meiotic stage at which oocytes are vitrified and whether meiotic maturation occurred in vivo or in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa J Maclellan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, USA
- Seven Creeks Equine Reproduction, Euroa, 3666, Australia
| | | | - Joanne E Stokes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, USA
| | - Elaine M Carnevale
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 1601 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, USA.
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La Marca A, Donno V, Longo M, Greco P, Cucinelli F, Varricchio MT, Listorti I, Greco E. Predicting the total number of retrieved oocytes following double ovarian stimulation (DuoStim). Hum Reprod 2023; 38:1784-1788. [PMID: 37470235 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead148] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) help predict how many oocytes will be retrieved following double stimulation (DuoStim)? SUMMARY ANSWER A simple clinical tool can use serum AMH values to predict ovarian response following DuoStim in IVF cycles. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN The knowledge that multiple follicular waves arise during a single ovarian cycle has led to the introduction of unconventional ovarian stimulation protocols. The DuoStim protocol involves two successive ovarian stimulations performed during a single ovarian cycle and has been proposed as an approach for patients with poor ovarian response and for medical fertility preservation. As AMH has been used as a marker of ovarian reserve and stimulation response, the current study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of AMH in predicting the number of retrieved oocytes following DuoStim. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is a retrospective observational study involving 116 patients who received IVF treatment from January 2021 to September 2022. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study was conducted at a private IVF centre. Only patients who had their AMH measured prior to treatment and had complete patient records regarding their clinical and IVF/ICSI cycle characteristics were included. The primary outcome was the correlation between AMH values and the number of oocytes retrieved following DuoStim. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to compare baseline characteristics and outcomes. Spearman's R was used to analyse correlations between variables, while the C statistic was used to calculate the diagnostic performance of AMH. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE AMH levels were significantly correlated with the total number of oocytes retrieved after the DuoStim (R 0.61; CI 0.44-0.70; P < 0.0001). The difference in the total number of oocytes retrieved between the first (median 4 oocytes, interquartile range (IQR) 2-6) and second (median 6 oocytes, IQR 3.2-8) stimulation was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in the number of mature oocytes that were retrieved (median of 3 and 4 in the first and second stimulations, respectively). After the first stimulation, 68% of patients had at least one blastocyst available, while after the second stimulation, 74% did (NS). Based on linear regression, each 0.25 ng/ml increase in basal AMH corresponds to one additional oocyte recovered at the end of both stimulations (R2: 0.32, P < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The results are limited owing to the observational nature of the study and the number of participants. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Counselling infertile couples regarding the intermediate outcome of IVF (i.e. number of retrieved oocytes) is one of the most demanding tasks that clinicians face. To our knowledge, this is the first study that provides an easy-to-use clinical tool that enables the quantitative prediction of ovarian response following DuoStim, based on serum AMH values. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No external funding was obtained for this study. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- A La Marca
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children, and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - V Donno
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children, and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - M Longo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children, and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - P Greco
- Reproductive Medicine, Villa Mafalda, Rome, Italy
| | - F Cucinelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - I Listorti
- Reproductive Medicine, Villa Mafalda, Rome, Italy
| | - E Greco
- Reproductive Medicine, Villa Mafalda, Rome, Italy
- UniCamillus, International Medical University, Rome, Italy
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Ishak GM, Feugang JM, Pechanova O, Pechan T, Peterson DG, Willard ST, Ryan PL, Gastal EL. Follicular-fluid proteomics during equine follicle development. Mol Reprod Dev 2022; 89:298-311. [PMID: 35762042 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The complex composition of the follicular fluid (FF), the intimate proximity to the oocyte, and the continual changes in their composition have a major effect on folliculogenesis and oogenesis. To date, the profiling of FF proteomes during follicle selection, development, and ovulation has not been comprehensively investigated. Therefore, a shotgun proteomics approach and bioinformatics analyses were used to profile the proteomes of equine FF harvested in vivo from follicles at the following development stages: predeviation (18-20 mm), deviation (22-25 mm), postdeviation (26-29 mm), preovulatory (30-35 mm), and impending ovulation. A total of 294 proteins were detected in FF (FDR <1%), corresponding to 65 common proteins and 124, 142, 167, 132, and 142 proteins in the predeviation, deviation, postdeviation, preovulatory, and impending ovulation groups, respectively. The higher expression of properdin and several other proteins belonging to the complement system during the deviation time and ovulation suggested their contribution in the selection of the future dominant follicle and ovulation. Apolipoprotein A-1 and antithrombin-III appeared to be important throughout folliculogenesis. The "complement and coagulation cascades" was the major KEGG pathway across all stages of follicle development. The significant expression of several proteins belonging to the serine-type endopeptidase indicated their likely contribution to follicle and oocyte development. Our data provide an extensive description and functional analyses of the equine FF proteome during follicle selection, development, and ovulation. This information will help improve understanding of the ovarian function and ovulatory dysfunctions and might serve as a reference for future biomarker discovery for oocyte quality assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghassan M Ishak
- Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Jean M Feugang
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Olga Pechanova
- Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing & Biotechnology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Tibor Pechan
- Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing & Biotechnology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Daniel G Peterson
- Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing & Biotechnology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Scott T Willard
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Peter L Ryan
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Eduardo L Gastal
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
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Lu H, Ma L, Zhang Y, Feng Y, Zhang J, Wang S. Current Animal Model Systems for Ovarian Aging Research. Aging Dis 2022; 13:1183-1195. [PMID: 35855343 PMCID: PMC9286907 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.1209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian aging leads to menopause, loss of fertility and other disorders in multiple organs, which brings great distress to women. For ethical reasons, it is impossible to use humans as direct study subjects for aging research. Therefore, biomedical researchers have employed different non-human organisms to study ovarian aging, including worms, fruit flies, fishes, amphibians, birds, mice, rats, cavies, rabbits, pigs, sheep, cows, horses, monkeys, and apes. Because each of these model organisms has its own features, multiple factors, such as size, anatomical structure, cost, ease of operation, fertility, generation time, lifespan, and gene heredity, should be carefully considered when selecting a model system to study ovarian aging. An appropriate model organism would help researchers explore the risk factors and elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying declined ovarian functions, which might be conducive to preventing or delaying the ovarian aging process. This article will offer an overview on several currently available and commonly used model organisms for ovarian aging research by comparing their pros and cons. In doing so, we hope to provide useful information for ovarian aging researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Lingwei Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Yanzhi Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Jinjin Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Shixuan Wang () and Dr. Jinjin Zhang (), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shixuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Shixuan Wang () and Dr. Jinjin Zhang (), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Wischral A, Pastorello M, Gastal MO, Beg MA, Gastal EL. Hemodynamic, endocrine, and gene expression mechanisms regulating equine ovarian follicular and cellular development. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 89:23-38. [PMID: 34911155 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ovulatory follicle development and associated oocyte maturation involve complex coordinated molecular and cellular mechanisms not yet fully understood. This study addresses the relationships among follicle diameter, follicle wall blood flow, follicular-fluid factors, and gene expression for follicle growth, steroidogenesis, angiogenesis, and apoptosis in granulosa/cumulus cells and oocytes during different stages from the beginning of largest/ovulatory follicle to impending ovulation in mares. The most remarkable findings were (i) a positive association between follicle development, follicle blood flow, intrafollicular follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression for FSHR and LHCGR in granulosa cells of the largest/ovulatory follicle; (ii) a plateau or decrease in follicle diameter and blood flow and granulosa cell mRNA for FSHR, LHCGR, IGF1R, VEGFR2, CYP19A1, and CASP3 at the preovulatory stage; (iii) higher StAR and BCL2 and lower CASP3 mRNA in granulosa cells at the time of impending ovulation; (iv) greater IGF1R mRNA for granulosa cells at the predeviation stage; and (v) lower FSHR, LHCGR, IGF1R, and VEGFR2 mRNA in cumulus cells and greater LHCGR and IGF1R mRNA in oocytes at the ovulatory stage. This study is a critical advance in the understanding of molecular mechanisms of follicle development and oocyte maturation and is expected to be vital for future studies targeting potential markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurea Wischral
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Marilia Pastorello
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Melba O Gastal
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Mohd A Beg
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eduardo L Gastal
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
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Benammar A, Derisoud E, Vialard F, Palmer E, Ayoubi JM, Poulain M, Chavatte-Palmer P. The Mare: A Pertinent Model for Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2304. [PMID: 34438761 PMCID: PMC8388489 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there are large differences between horses and humans for reproductive anatomy, follicular dynamics, mono-ovulation, and embryo development kinetics until the blastocyst stage are similar. In contrast to humans, however, horses are seasonal animals and do not have a menstrual cycle. Moreover, horse implantation takes place 30 days later than in humans. In terms of artificial reproduction techniques (ART), oocytes are generally matured in vitro in horses because ovarian stimulation remains inefficient. This allows the collection of oocytes without hormonal treatments. In humans, in vivo matured oocytes are collected after ovarian stimulation. Subsequently, only intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is performed in horses to produce embryos, whereas both in vitro fertilization and ICSI are applied in humans. Embryos are transferred only as blastocysts in horses. In contrast, four cells to blastocyst stage embryos are transferred in humans. Embryo and oocyte cryopreservation has been mastered in humans, but not completely in horses. Finally, both species share infertility concerns due to ageing and obesity. Thus, reciprocal knowledge could be gained through the comparative study of ART and infertility treatments both in woman and mare, even though the horse could not be used as a single model for human ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achraf Benammar
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Foch Hospital, 92150 Suresnes, France
| | - Emilie Derisoud
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - François Vialard
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Eric Palmer
- Académie d’Agriculture de France, 75007 Paris, France;
| | - Jean Marc Ayoubi
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Foch Hospital, 92150 Suresnes, France
| | - Marine Poulain
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Foch Hospital, 92150 Suresnes, France
| | - Pascale Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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8
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Alves BG, Alves KA, Hyde KA, Aguiar FLN, Souza SS, Brandão FAS, Garcia EC, Pinto Y, Gastal MO, Figueiredo JR, Teixeira DIA, Gastal EL. Heterotopic autotransplantation of equine ovarian tissue using intramuscular versus subvulvar grafting sites: Preliminary results. Theriogenology 2021; 172:123-132. [PMID: 34237633 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.05.015] [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: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) is a technique well established and successfully applied in humans using mainly orthotopic or heterotopic transplantation sites. In livestock, OTT is still in its infancy and, therefore, different aspects of the technique, including the efficiency of different heterotopic OTT sites as well as the potential effect of age (i.e., young vs. old mares) in the ovarian graft quality, need to be investigated. The present study investigated the efficacy of the intramuscular (IM) or the novel subvulvar mucosa (SV) heterotopic autotransplantation sites to maintain the survivability of the grafts for 3 and 7 days post-OTT. Ovarian biopsy fragments were obtained in vivo and distributed to the following treatments: Fresh control group (ovarian fragments immediately fixed), SV-3, IM-3, SV-7, and IM-7. During and after graft harvesting, the macroscopic characteristics of the grafts (i.e., adherence, morphology, and bleeding) were scored, and the percentages of morphologically normal and developing preantral follicles as well as the follicular and stromal cell densities of the grafts were evaluated. The results were that similar (P > 0.05) macroscopic scores were observed between both transplantation sites 7 days post-OTT, with positive correlations (P < 0.01) found among adherence, morphology, and bleeding of the grafts. A lower (P < 0.05) percentage of morphologically normal follicles was found 7 days post-OTT in the SV site (82%) compared with the Fresh control group (99%) and IM site (95%); however, the percentages of developing follicles were similar (P > 0.05) between both transplantation sites 7 days post-OTT (30-43%). Although similar (P > 0.05) follicular densities were found in both transplantation sites in young and old mares at 3 and 7 days post-OTT, large individual variation in the follicular depletion rate was observed regardless of transplantation site. The Fresh control group and SV-7 treatments had higher (P < 0.05) stromal cell densities in young and old mares compared with both IM-7 treatments. When comparing transplant sites between young and old mares, the follicular density in old mares and the stromal cell density in young mares were greater (P < 0.05) in the SV than in the IM site. In conclusion, even though the transplantation sites differentially affected some end points, overall comparable findings of the OTT technique using both heterotopic autotransplantation sites (i.e., IM and SV) for equine ovarian tissue were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B G Alves
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA; Postgraduate Program in Animal Bioscience, Federal University of Goiás, Jataí, GO, Brazil; Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - K A Alves
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA; Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - K A Hyde
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - F L N Aguiar
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sousa Campus, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Paraíba, Sousa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - S S Souza
- Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging Applied to Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - F A S Brandão
- Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging Applied to Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - E C Garcia
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Bioscience, Federal University of Goiás, Jataí, GO, Brazil
| | - Y Pinto
- Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging Applied to Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - M O Gastal
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - J R Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - D I A Teixeira
- Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging Applied to Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - E L Gastal
- Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA.
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9
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Gautam D, Vats A, Pal P, Haldar A, De S. Characterization of Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) Gene in Buffaloes and Goats. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:627094. [PMID: 33763463 PMCID: PMC7982541 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.627094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily, playing a significant role in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In females, AMH is secreted throughout their reproductive life span from ovaries, whereas in males it is secreted by gonadal cells at a very early stage of testicular development. AMH is a promising marker of ovarian reserve in women and can be used to measure the female reproductive lifespan. In the present study, we cloned and sequenced the GC rich AMH gene from Indian riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and goat (Capra hircus). Obtained sequences were compared to the AMH sequences of other mammals, and corresponding amino acid sequences revealed that the caprine and bovine AMH sequences are more closely related to each other than to those of other mammals. Furthermore, we analyzed the chromosomal localization of AMH genes in mammalian species to understand potential syntenic relationship. The AMH gene is localized between the sequences for the SF3A and JSRP1 genes and maintains this precise location in relation to other nearby genes. The dN/dS ratio of AMH gene did not indicate any pressure for either positive or negative selection; thus, the physiological function of the AMH gene in the reproduction of these two ruminant species remains very vital. Similar to other mammals, the AMH gene may be an important indicator for regulating female reproductive biology function in bovine, cetacean, caprine, and camelidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devika Gautam
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, India
| | - Ashutosh Vats
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, India
| | - Prasanna Pal
- Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, India
| | - Avijit Haldar
- ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Sachinandan De
- Animal Genomics Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, India
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10
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Souza SS, Alves BG, Alves KA, Brandão FAS, Brito DCC, Gastal MO, Rodrigues APR, Figueireod JR, Teixeira DIA, Gastal EL. Heterotopic autotransplantation of ovarian tissue in a large animal model: Effects of cooling and VEGF. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241442. [PMID: 33147235 PMCID: PMC7641372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotopic and orthotopic ovarian tissue autotransplantation techniques, currently used in humans, will become promising alternative methods for fertility preservation in domestic and wild animals. Thus, this study describes for the first time the efficiency of a heterotopic ovarian tissue autotransplantation technique in a large livestock species (i.e., horses) after ovarian fragments were exposed or not to a cooling process (4°C/24 h) and/or VEGF before grafting. Ovarian fragments were collected in vivo via an ultrasound-guided biopsy pick-up method and surgically autografted in a subcutaneous site in both sides of the neck in each mare. The blood flow perfusion at the transplantation site was monitored at days 2, 4, 6, and 7 post-grafting using color-Doppler ultrasonography. Ovarian grafts were recovered 7 days post-transplantation and subjected to histological analyses. The exposure of the ovarian fragments to VEGF before grafting was not beneficial to the quality of the tissue; however, the cooling process of the fragments reduced the acute hyperemia post-grafting. Cooled grafts compared with non-cooled grafts contained similar values for normal and developing preantral follicles, vessel density, and stromal cell apoptosis; lower collagen type III fibers and follicular density; and higher stromal cell density, AgNOR, and collagen type I fibers. In conclusion, VEGF exposure before autotransplantation did not improve the quality of grafted tissues. However, cooling ovarian tissue for at least 24 h before grafting can be beneficial because satisfactory rates of follicle survival and development, stromal cell survival and proliferation, as well as vessel density, were obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara S. Souza
- Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging Applied to Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Benner G. Alves
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Kele A. Alves
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Fabiana A. S. Brandão
- Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging Applied to Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Danielle C. C. Brito
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Melba O. Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ana P. R. Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - José R. Figueireod
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Dárcio I. A. Teixeira
- Laboratory of Diagnostic Imaging Applied to Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Eduardo L. Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, United States of America
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11
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Harvesting, processing, and evaluation of in vitro-manipulated equine preantral follicles: A review. Theriogenology 2020; 156:283-295. [PMID: 32905900 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian ovary is responsible for essential stages of folliculogenesis and hormonal production, regulating the female physiological functions during the menstrual/estrous cycles. The mare has been considered an attractive model for comparative studies due to the striking similarities shared with women regarding in vivo and in vitro folliculogenesis. The ovarian follicular population in horses contains a large number of oocytes enclosed in preantral follicles that are yet to be explored. Therefore, the in vitro manipulation of equine preantral follicles aims to avoid the process of atresia and promote the development of follicles with competent oocytes. In this regard, after ovarian tissue harvesting, the use of appropriate processing techniques, as well as suitable approaches to evaluating equine preantral follicles and ovarian tissue, are necessary. Although high-quality equine ovarian tissue can be obtained from several sources, some critical aspects, such as the age of the animals, ovarian cyclicity, reproductive phase, and the types of ovarian structures, should be considered. Therefore, this review will focus on providing an update on the most current advances concerning the critical factors able to influence equine preantral follicle quality and quantity. Also, the in vivo strategies used to harvest equine ovarian tissue, the approaches to manipulating ovarian tissue post-harvesting, the techniques for processing ovarian tissue, and the classical approaches used to evaluate preantral follicles will be discussed.
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12
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Fattahi A, Liverani L, Dittrich R, Hoffmann I, Boccaccini AR, Beckmann MW, Bleisinger N. Optimization of Porcine Ovarian Follicle Isolation Methods for Better Developmental Potential. Tissue Eng Part A 2020; 26:712-719. [PMID: 32598233 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we present a comparative analysis among the outputs of porcine follicle isolation using either mechanical technique alone or in combination with enzymes, proposing an optimized protocol useful for all further applications related to follicle in vitro growth and reproductive tissue engineering. The porcine follicles were isolated using mechanical technique alone (hand blender and scalpels) or in combination with collagenase or Liberase Dispase High (DH) at different doses applying different protocols. Finally, the number, morphology, and stage of isolated follicles were compared between the protocols. Moreover, the follicle viability (live/dead assay) and morphology (rhodamine phalloidin and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and scanning electron microscopy analysis) were evaluated after 10 days of culture. We found an optimum protocol for intact follicle isolation using the mechanical technique in combination with enzymes at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. However, the number of total isolated follicles and primordial follicles was significantly higher when collagenase was used compared to Liberase DH (p < 0.05), while Liberase DH could isolate a significantly higher percentage of preantral follicles. After 10 days of culture, the morphology and health status of follicles were statistically higher when Liberase DH was used in comparison with collagenase. Moreover, on the follicles extracted with Liberase DH, it was possible to observe theca cells covering part of the follicle surface. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the intact primary or secondary follicles could not be obtained using only mechanical methods, which led to the isolation of denuded oocytes and dramatically damaged follicles. We concluded that the collagenase-based follicle isolation could negatively affect the morphology and developmental potential of the follicles. Moreover, the incubation of ovarian cortex tissues with Liberase DH solution is an optimized protocol for porcine ovarian follicle isolation with developmental competence. Impact statement Isolation and in vitro maturation of follicles can pave the way for activities on reproductive tissue engineering (REPROTEN) and developing an artificial ovary. In this regard, the standardization and optimization of the extraction methods are pivotal for the design of experiment of follicle in vitro growth. In the present study, we provided a comparative analysis among the outputs of porcine follicle isolation using either mechanical technique alone or in combination with collagenase or Liberase DH, proposing an optimized protocol useful for all further applications related to follicles' in vitro growth and REPROTEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Fattahi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center ER-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany.,Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Liliana Liverani
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf Dittrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center ER-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Inge Hoffmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center ER-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Aldo R Boccaccini
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center ER-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nathalie Bleisinger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center ER-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
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13
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Hall SE, Upton RMO, McLaughlin EA, Sutherland JM. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) follicular signalling is conserved in the mare ovary. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 30:624-633. [PMID: 28945982 DOI: 10.1071/rd17024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The mare ovary is unique in its anatomical structure; however, the signalling pathways responsible for physiological processes, such as follicular activation, remain uncharacterised. This provided us with the impetus to explore whether signalling molecules from important folliculogenesis pathways, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), are conserved in the mare ovary. Messenger RNA expression of six genes important in follicle development was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and protein localisation of key pathway members (PI3K, AKT1, phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), JAK1, STAT3 and suppressor of cytokine signalling 4 (SOCS4)) was compared in tissue from fetal and adult mare ovaries. Tissue from adult ovaries exhibited significantly increased levels of mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT1, PTEN, JAK1, STAT3 and SOCS4 compared with tissue from fetal ovaries. PI3K, AKT1, JAK1 and STAT3 demonstrated redistributed localisation, from pregranulosa cells in fetal development, to both the oocyte and granulosa cells of follicles in the adult ovary, whilst negative feedback molecules PTEN and SOCS4 were only localised to the granulosa cells in the adult ovary. These findings suggest that the PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT signalling pathways are utilised during folliculogenesis in the mare, similarly to previously studied mammalian species, and may serve as useful biomarkers for assessment of ovary development in the horse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally E Hall
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Rose M O Upton
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Eileen A McLaughlin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Jessie M Sutherland
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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14
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Joonè CJ, Nolan MB, Bertschinger HJ, Schulman ML. Researching immunocontraceptive vaccines with mares (Equus caballus) as both a target and model for African elephant (Loxodonta africana) cows: A review. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 207:146-152. [PMID: 31208844 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A sequence of studies is reviewed that reported the domestic horse (Equus caballus) mare as an appropriate and accessible research platform for recording clinical and laboratory data post-immunisation with anti- GnRH and -zona pellucida (ZP) immunocontraceptive vaccines. Experience with a native porcine ZP (pZP) vaccine in African elephant (Loxodonta africana) cows highlighted needs for improving vaccine formulations and more clearly defining associated ovarian effects and safety profiles. Initially, the efficacy, reversibility and safety of the GnRH vaccine Improvac® in mares was demonstrated using reproductive tract ultrasonography and concurrently measuring serum antibody titres and progesterone concentrations. Results informed the study design and minimally invasive monitoring of post-treatment ovarian steroid responses of this vaccine in free-ranging African elephant cows. A subsequent sequence of studies reported reversible contraceptive and immunological efficacy in pony mares immunised with pZP formulated with Freund's adjuvants. By comparison, mares treated with a recombinant ZP3 and ZP4 (reZP) vaccine showed disappointing responses. Unexpectedly, most pZP-treated mares showed ovarian inactivity. In attempting to understand this response, results showed the involvement of cytotoxic (CD8+) T-cells negatively correlated to serum ovarian steroid and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Of concern was the prevalence of injection-site lesions ascribable to Freund's adjuvants. Following this, mares treated with both pZP and a novel reZP vaccine formulated with non-Freund's adjuvants showed comparable immunological responses and ovarian inactivity, notably without adverse treatment reactions. In addition, measuring AMH showed promise for monitoring ovarian function in anti-ZP-treated animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolynne J Joonè
- College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Australia.
| | - Margaret B Nolan
- Section of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Henk J Bertschinger
- Section of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Martin L Schulman
- Section of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
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15
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Ishak GM, Bashir ST, Dutra GA, Gastal GDA, Gastal MO, Cavinder CA, Feugang JM, Gastal EL. In vivo antral follicle wall biopsy: a new research technique to study ovarian function at the cellular and molecular levels. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018; 16:71. [PMID: 30055625 PMCID: PMC6064614 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-018-0380-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In vivo studies involving molecular markers of the follicle wall associated with follicular fluid (FF) milieu are crucial for a better understanding of follicle dynamics. The inability to obtain in vivo samples of antral follicle wall (granulosa and theca cells) without jeopardizing ovarian function has restricted advancement in knowledge of folliculogenesis in several species. The purpose of this study in mares was to develop and validate a novel, minimally invasive in vivo technique for simultaneous collection of follicle wall biopsy (FWB) and FF samples, and repeated collection from the same individual, during different stages of antral follicle development. We hypothesized that the in vivo FWB technique provides samples that maintain the normal histological tissue structure of the follicle wall layers, offers sufficient material for various cellular and molecular techniques, and allows simultaneous retrieval of FF. METHODS In Experiment 1 (ex vivo), each follicle was sampled using two techniques: biopsy forceps and scalpel blade (control). In Experiment 2 (in vivo), FWB and FF samples from 10-, 20-, and 30-mm follicles were repeatedly and simultaneously obtained through transvaginal ultrasound-guided technique. RESULTS In Experiment 1, the thickness of granulosa, theca interna, and theca externa layers was not influenced (P > 0.05) by the harvesting techniques. In Experiment 2, the overall recovery rates of FWB and FF samples were 97 and 100%, respectively. However, the success rate of obtaining samples with all layers of the follicle wall and clear FF varied according to follicle size. The expression of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) was mostly confined in the theca interna layer, with the estradiol-related receptor alpha (ERRα) in the granulosa and theca interna layers. The 30-mm follicle group had greater (P < 0.05) LHR expression in the theca interna and ERRα in the granulosa layer compared to the other groups. The overall expression of LHR and ERRα, and the intrafollicular estradiol were higher (P < 0.05 - P < 0.0001) in the 30-mm follicle group. CONCLUSION The in vivo technique developed in this study can be repeatedly and simultaneously used to provide sufficient FWB and FF samples for various cellular and molecular studies without jeopardizing the ovarian function, and has the potential to be translated to other species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Ishak
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Drive, MC 4417, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
- Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - S T Bashir
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Drive, MC 4417, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - G A Dutra
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Drive, MC 4417, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - G D A Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Drive, MC 4417, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - M O Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Drive, MC 4417, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - C A Cavinder
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - J M Feugang
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - E L Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Drive, MC 4417, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA.
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16
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Franciosi F, Goudet G, Tessaro I, Papillier P, Dalbies-Tran R, Reigner F, Deleuze S, Douet C, Miclea I, Lodde V, Luciano AM. In vitro maturation affects chromosome segregation, spindle morphology and acetylation of lysine 16 on histone H4 in horse oocytes. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 29:721-730. [PMID: 26651296 DOI: 10.1071/rd15350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Implantation failure and genetic developmental disabilities in mammals are caused by errors in chromosome segregation originating mainly in the oocyte during meiosis I. Some conditions, like maternal ageing or in vitro maturation (IVM), increase the incidence of oocyte aneuploidy. Here oocytes from adult mares were used to investigate oocyte maturation in a monovulatory species. Experiments were conducted to compare: (1) the incidence of aneuploidy, (2) the morphology of the spindle, (3) the acetylation of lysine 16 on histone H4 (H4K16) and (4) the relative amount of histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1), K(lysine) acetyltransferase 8 (KAT8, also known as MYST1), histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) mRNA in metaphase II stage oocytes that were in vitro matured or collected from peri-ovulatory follicles. The frequency of aneuploidy and anomalies in spindle morphology was increased following IVM, along with a decrease in H4K16 acetylation that was in agreement with our previous observations. However, differences in the amount of the transcripts investigated were not detected. These results suggest that the degradation of transcripts encoding for histone deacetylases and acetyltransferases is not involved in the changes of H4K16 acetylation observed following IVM, while translational or post-translational mechanisms might have a role. Our study also suggests that epigenetic instabilities introduced by IVM may affect the oocyte and embryo genetic stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Franciosi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, via Celoria, 10, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Ghylene Goudet
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, F-37380, France
| | - Irene Tessaro
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, via Celoria, 10, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Pascal Papillier
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, F-37380, France
| | - Rozenn Dalbies-Tran
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, F-37380, France
| | | | - Stefan Deleuze
- Université de Liège, Clinique des Animaux de Compagnie et des Équidés, Place du 20 Août 7, Liège, 4000, Belgium
| | - Cecile Douet
- INRA, UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, F-37380, France
| | - Ileana Miclea
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea M?n?tur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - Valentina Lodde
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, via Celoria, 10, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Alberto M Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, via Celoria, 10, Milan, 20133, Italy
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17
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Conley AJ, Scholtz EL, Legacki EL, Corbin CJ, Knych HK, Dujovne GD, Ball BA, Moeller BC, Stanley SD. 5α-dihydroprogesterone concentrations and synthesis in non-pregnant mares. J Endocrinol 2018; 238:25-32. [PMID: 29853526 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In vivo and in vitro evidence indicates that the bioactive, 5α-reduced progesterone metabolite, 5α-dihydroprogesterone (DHP) is synthesized in the placenta, supporting equine pregnancy, but its appearance in early pregnancy argues for other sites of synthesis also. It remains unknown if DHP circulates at relevant concentrations in cyclic mares and, if so, does synthesis involve the non-pregnant uterus? Jugular blood was drawn daily from cyclic mares (n = 5). Additionally, ovariectomized mares (OVX) and geldings were administered progesterone (300 mg) intramuscularly. Blood was drawn before and after treatment. Incubations of whole equine blood and hepatic microsomes with progesterone were also investigated for evidence of DHP synthesis. Sample analysis for progesterone, DHP and other steroids employed validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods. Progesterone and DHP appeared a day (d) after ovulation in cyclic mares, was increased significantly by d3, peaking from d5 to 10 and decreased from d13 to 17. DHP was 55.5 ± 3.2% of progesterone concentrations throughout the cycle and was highly correlated with it. DHP was detected immediately after progesterone administration to OVX mares and geldings, maintaining a relatively constant ratio with progesterone (47.2 ± 2.9 and 51.2 ± 2.7%, respectively). DHP was barely detectable in whole blood and hepatic microsome incubations. We conclude that DHP is a physiologically relevant progestogen in cyclic, non-pregnant mares, likely stimulating the uterus, and that it is synthesized peripherally from luteal progesterone but not in the liver or blood. The presence of DHP in pregnant perissodactyla as well as proboscidean species suggests horses may be a valuable model for reproductive endocrinology in other exotic taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Conley
- Department of Population Health & ReproductionSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - E L Scholtz
- Department of Population Health & ReproductionSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - E L Legacki
- Department of Population Health & ReproductionSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - C J Corbin
- Department of Population Health & ReproductionSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - H K Knych
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - G D Dujovne
- Department of Population Health & ReproductionSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - B A Ball
- Gluck Equine Research CenterDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington Kentucky, USA
| | - B C Moeller
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - S D Stanley
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Vaiarelli A, Cimadomo D, Trabucco E, Vallefuoco R, Buffo L, Dusi L, Fiorini F, Barnocchi N, Bulletti FM, Rienzi L, Ubaldi FM. Double Stimulation in the Same Ovarian Cycle (DuoStim) to Maximize the Number of Oocytes Retrieved From Poor Prognosis Patients: A Multicenter Experience and SWOT Analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:317. [PMID: 29963011 PMCID: PMC6010525 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A panel of experts known as the POSEIDON group has recently redefined the spectrum of poor responder patients and introduced the concept of suboptimal response. Since an ideal management for these patients is still missing, they highlighted the importance of tailoring the ovarian stimulation based on the chance of each woman to obtain an euploid blastocyst. Interestingly, a novel pattern of follicle recruitment has been defined: multiple waves may arise during a single ovarian cycle. This evidence opened important clinical implications for the treatment of poor responders. For instance, double stimulation in the follicular (FPS) and luteal phase (LPS) of the same ovarian cycle (DuoStim) is an intriguing option to perform two oocyte retrievals in the shortest possible time. Here, we reported our 2-year experience of DuoStim application in four private IVF centers. To date, 310 poor prognosis patients completed a DuoStim protocol and underwent IVF with blastocyst-stage preimplantation-genetic-testing. LPS resulted into a higher mean number of oocytes collected than FPS; however, their competence (i.e., fertilization, blastocyst, euploidy rates, and clinical outcomes after euploid single-embryo-transfer) was comparable. Importantly, the rate of patients obtaining at least one euploid blastocyst increased from 42.3% (n = 131/310) after FPS to 65.5% (n = 203/310) with the contribution of LPS. A summary of the putative advantages and disadvantages of DuoStim was reported here through a Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats analysis. The strengths of this approach make it very promising. However, more studies are needed in the future to limit its weaknesses, shed light on its putative threats, and realize its opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Vaiarelli
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Cimadomo
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Trabucco
- Clinica Ruesch, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Vallefuoco
- Clinica Ruesch, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Buffo
- G.en.e.r.a. Veneto, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Marostica, Italy
| | - Ludovica Dusi
- G.en.e.r.a. Veneto, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Marostica, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Fiorini
- G.en.e.r.a. Umbria, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Umbertide, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Barnocchi
- G.en.e.r.a. Umbria, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Umbertide, Italy
| | | | - Laura Rienzi
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
- Clinica Ruesch, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Naples, Italy
- G.en.e.r.a. Veneto, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Marostica, Italy
- G.en.e.r.a. Umbria, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Umbertide, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Ubaldi
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
- Clinica Ruesch, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Naples, Italy
- G.en.e.r.a. Veneto, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Marostica, Italy
- G.en.e.r.a. Umbria, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, Umbertide, Italy
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Lower blastocyst quality after conventional vs. Piezo ICSI in the horse reflects delayed sperm component remodeling and oocyte activation. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:825-840. [PMID: 29637506 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1174-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the differential effects of conventional and Piezo-driven ICSI on blastocyst development, and on sperm component remodeling and oocyte activation, in an equine model. METHODS In vitro-matured equine oocytes underwent conventional (Conv) or Piezo ICSI, the latter utilizing fluorocarbon ballast. Blastocyst development was compared between treatments to validate the model. Then, oocytes were fixed at 0, 6, or 18 h after injection, and stained for the sperm tail, acrosome, oocyte cortical granules, and chromatin. These parameters were compared between injection techniques and between sham-injected and sperm-injected oocytes among time periods. RESULTS Blastocyst rates were 39 and 40%. The nucleus number was lower, and the nuclear fragmentation rate was higher, in blastocysts produced by Conv. Cortical granule loss started at 0H after both sperm and sham injection. The acrosome was present at 0H in both ICSI treatments, and persisted to 18H in significantly more Conv than Piezo oocytes (72 vs. 21%). Sperm head area was unchanged at 6H in Conv but significantly increased at this time in Piezo; correspondingly, at 6H significantly more Conv than Piezo oocytes remained at MII (80 vs. 9.5%). Sham injection did not induce significant meiotic resumption. CONCLUSIONS These data show that Piezo ICSI is associated with more rapid sperm component remodeling and oocyte meiotic resumption after sperm injection than is conventional ICSI, and with higher embryo quality at the blastocyst stage. This suggests that there is value in exploring the Piezo technique, utilized with a non-toxic fluorocarbon ballast, for use in clinical human ICSI.
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Follicle growth and endocrine dynamics in women with spontaneous luteinized unruptured follicles versus ovulation. Hum Reprod 2018; 33:1130-1140. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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Gastal G, Alves B, Alves K, Paiva S, de Tarso S, Ishak G, Bashir S, Gastal E. Effects of Cryoprotectant Agents on Equine Ovarian Biopsy Fragments in Preparation for Cryopreservation. J Equine Vet Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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23
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Franciosi F, Tessaro I, Dalbies-Tran R, Douet C, Reigner F, Deleuze S, Papillier P, Miclea I, Lodde V, Luciano AM, Goudet G. Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28518085 DOI: 10.3791/55242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of assisted reproduction has been developed to treat infertility in women, companion animals, and endangered species. In the horse, assisted reproduction also allows for the production of embryos from high performers without interrupting their sports career and contributes to an increase in the number of foals from mares of high genetic value. The present manuscript describes the procedures used for collecting immature and mature oocytes from horse ovaries using ovum pick-up (OPU). These oocytes were then used to investigate the incidence of aneuploidy by adapting a protocol previously developed in mice. Specifically, the chromosomes and the centromeres of metaphase II (MII) oocytes were fluorescently labeled and counted on sequential focal plans after confocal laser microscope scanning. This analysis revealed a higher incidence in the aneuploidy rate when immature oocytes were collected from the follicles and matured in vitro compared to in vivo. Immunostaining for tubulin and the acetylated form of histone four at specific lysine residues also revealed differences in the morphology of the meiotic spindle and in the global pattern of histone acetylation. Finally, the expression of mRNAs coding for histone deacetylases (HDACs) and acetyl-transferases (HATs) was investigated by reverse transcription and quantitative-PCR (q-PCR). No differences in the relative expression of transcripts were observed between in vitro and in vivo matured oocytes. In agreement with a general silencing of the transcriptional activity during oocyte maturation, the analysis of the total transcript amount can only reveal mRNA stability or degradation. Therefore, these findings indicate that other translational and post-translational regulations might be affected. Overall, the present study describes an experimental approach to morphologically and biochemically characterize the horse oocyte, a cell type that is extremely challenging to study due to low sample availability. However, it can expand our knowledge on the reproductive biology and infertility in monovulatory species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Franciosi
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan;
| | - Irene Tessaro
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan; IRCCS. Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Deleuze
- Clinique des Animaux de Compagnie et des Équidés, Université de Liège
| | | | - Ileana Miclea
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Valentina Lodde
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan
| | - Alberto M Luciano
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan
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Alves KA, Alves BG, Gastal GDA, Haag KT, Gastal MO, Figueiredo JR, Gambarini ML, Gastal EL. Preantral follicle density in ovarian biopsy fragments and effects of mare age. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:867-875. [DOI: 10.1071/rd15402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to: (1) evaluate preantral follicle density in ovarian biopsy fragments within and among mares; (2) assess the effects of mare age on the density and quality of preantral follicles; and (3) determine the minimum number of ovarian fragments and histological sections needed to estimate equine follicle density using a mathematical model. The ovarian biopsy pick-up method was used in three groups of mares separated according to age (5–6, 7–10 and 11–16 years). Overall, 336 preantral follicles were recorded with a mean follicle density of 3.7 follicles per cm2. Follicle density differed (P < 0.05) among animals, ovarian fragments from the same animal, histological sections and age groups. More (P < 0.05) normal follicles were observed in the 5–6 years (97%) than the 11–16 years (84%) age group. Monte Carlo simulations showed a higher probability (90%; P < 0.05) of detecting follicle density using two experimental designs with 65 histological sections and three to four ovarian fragments. In summary, equine follicle density differed among animals and within ovarian fragments from the same animal, and follicle density and morphology were negatively affected by aging. Moreover, three to four ovarian fragments with 65 histological sections were required to accurately estimate follicle density in equine ovarian biopsy fragments.
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Ubaldi FM, Capalbo A, Vaiarelli A, Cimadomo D, Colamaria S, Alviggi C, Trabucco E, Venturella R, Vajta G, Rienzi L. Follicular versus luteal phase ovarian stimulation during the same menstrual cycle (DuoStim) in a reduced ovarian reserve population results in a similar euploid blastocyst formation rate: new insight in ovarian reserve exploitation. Fertil Steril 2016; 105:1488-1495.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Alves KA, Alves BG, Gastal GDA, de Tarso SGS, Gastal MO, Figueiredo JR, Gambarini ML, Gastal EL. The Mare Model to Study the Effects of Ovarian Dynamics on Preantral Follicle Features. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149693. [PMID: 26900687 PMCID: PMC4762659 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian tissue collected by biopsy procedures allows the performance of many studies with clinical applications in the field of female fertility preservation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of reproductive phase (anestrous vs. diestrous) and ovarian structures (antral follicles and corpus luteum) on the quality, class distribution, number, and density of preantral follicles, and stromal cell density. Ovarian fragments were harvested by biopsy pick-up procedures from mares and submitted to histological analysis. The mean preantral follicle and ovarian stromal cell densities were greater in the diestrous phase and a positive correlation of stromal cell density with the number and density of preantral follicles was observed. The mean area (mm2) of ovarian structures increased in the diestrous phase and had positive correlations with number of preantral follicles, follicle density, and stromal cell density. Biopsy fragments collected from ovaries containing an active corpus luteum had a higher follicle density, stromal cell density, and proportion of normal preantral follicles. In conclusion, our results showed: (1) the diestrous phase influenced positively the preantral follicle quality, class distribution, and follicle and stromal cell densities; (2) the area of ovarian structures was positively correlated with the follicle and stromal cell densities; and (3) the presence of an active corpus luteum had a positive effect on the quality of preantral follicles, and follicle and stromal densities. Therefore, herein we demonstrate that the presence of key ovarian structures favors the harvest of ovarian fragments containing an appropriate number of healthy preantral follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kele A. Alves
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, lllinois, United States of America
- Center for Studies and Research in Animal Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Benner G. Alves
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, lllinois, United States of America
| | - Gustavo D. A. Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, lllinois, United States of America
| | - Saulo G. S. de Tarso
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, lllinois, United States of America
| | - Melba O. Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, lllinois, United States of America
| | - José R. Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Maria L. Gambarini
- Center for Studies and Research in Animal Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Eduardo L. Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, lllinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Bashir ST, Ishak GM, Gastal MO, Roser JF, Gastal EL. Changes in intrafollicular concentrations of free IGF-1, activin A, inhibin A, VEGF, estradiol, and prolactin before ovulation in mares. Theriogenology 2016; 85:1491-8. [PMID: 26895618 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Changes in intrafollicular growth factors and hormones were evaluated in vivo in postdeviation and impending ovulation follicles. Mares (n = 30) were randomly assigned to five experimental groups based on target diameters of 25, 30, 35, 40 mm, and impending signs of ovulation. Furthermore, data belonging to two or more proximal diameter groups that were not different were combined and regrouped for each factor separately. Follicular fluid-free insulin-like growth factor 1 was highest (P < 0.003) in 35-mm follicles, followed by the 40-mm and impending ovulation follicle group, and the 25- to 30-mm follicle group. However, concentrations of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 in follicular fluid did not differ (P > 0.05) among groups. Additionally, follicular fluid activin A tended (P < 0.06) to be higher in impending ovulation follicles when compared with the 25- to 40-mm follicle group. Concentrations of intrafollicular estradiol were higher (P < 0.0001) in 40-mm and impending ovulation follicles than in the other follicle groups. Follicular fluid concentrations of inhibin A and vascular endothelial growth factor were lower (P < 0.05) in the 40-mm and the impending ovulation follicle group when compared with the 25- to 35-mm follicle group. Systemic and intrafollicular prolactin levels were lower (P < 0.05) in the impending ovulation group when compared with the 25- to 40-mm follicle group. Prolactin concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in the follicular fluid than in the plasma. The novel findings of this study, a decrease in intrafollicular-free insulin-like growth factor 1, inhibin A, vascular endothelial growth factor, and prolactin during the final stages of follicular growth, document for the first time the occurrence of dynamic changes among intrafollicular factors and hormones during the stages of follicle dominance and as ovulation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Bashir
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - G M Ishak
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - M O Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - J F Roser
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - E L Gastal
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
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Seidel GE. Assisted reproduction with gametes and embryos: what research is needed and fundable? Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:125-9. [DOI: 10.1071/rd15344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Principles for selecting future research projects include interests of investigators, fundability, potential applications, ethical considerations, being able to formulate testable hypotheses and choosing the best models, including selection of the most appropriate species. The following 10 areas of assisted reproduction seem especially appropriate for further research: efficacious capacitation of bovine spermatozoa in vitro; improved in vitro bovine oocyte maturation; decreasing variability and increasing efficacy of bovine superovulation; improved fertility of sexed semen; improving equine IVF; improving cryopreservation of rooster spermatozoa; understanding differences between males in success of sperm cryopreservation and reasons for success in competitive fertilisation; mechanisms of reprogramming somatic cell nuclei after nuclear transfer; regulation of differentiation of ovarian primordial follicles; and means by which spermatozoa maintain fertility during storage in the epididymis. Issues are species specific for several of these topics, in most cases because the biology is species specific.
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Cox L, Vanderwall DK, Parkinson KC, Sweat A, Isom SC. Expression profiles of select genes in cumulus–oocyte complexes from young and aged mares. Reprod Fertil Dev 2015; 27:914-24. [DOI: 10.1071/rd14446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is compelling evidence that oocytes from mares >18 years of age have a high incidence of inherent defects that result in early embryonic loss. In women, an age-related decrease in oocyte quality is associated with an increased incidence of aneuploidy and it has recently been determined that the gene expression profile of human oocytes is altered with advancing age. We hypothesised that similar age-related aberrations in gene expression occur in equine oocytes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare gene expression profiles of individual oocytes and cumulus cells from young and aged mares, specifically evaluating genes that have been identified as being differentially expressed with advancing maternal age and/or aneuploidy in human oocytes. Expression of 48 genes was compared between 14 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) from mares aged 3–12 years and 10 COCs from mares ≥18 years of age. Three genes (mitochondrial translational initiation factor 3 (IF3), heat shock transcription factor 5 (HSF5) and Y box binding protein 2 (YBX2)) were differentially expressed in oocytes, with all being more abundant in oocytes from young mares. Three genes (ADP-ribosylation factor-like 6 interacting protein 6 (ARL6IP6), BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) and hypoxia upregulated 1 (HYOU1)) were differentially expressed in cumulus cells, with all being more abundant in aged mares. The results of the present study confirm there are age-related differences in gene expression in equine COCs, which may be associated with the lower quality and decreased developmental competence of oocytes from aged mares.
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Donadeu FX, Fahiminiya S, Esteves CL, Nadaf J, Miedzinska K, McNeilly AS, Waddington D, Gérard N. Transcriptome profiling of granulosa and theca cells during dominant follicle development in the horse. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:111. [PMID: 25253738 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.118943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Several aspects of equine ovarian physiology are unique among domestic species. Moreover, follicular growth patterns are very similar between horses and humans. This study aimed to characterize, for the first time, global gene expression profiles associated with growth and preovulatory (PO) maturation of equine dominant follicles. Granulosa cells (GCs) and theca interna cells (TCs) were harvested from follicles (n = 5) at different stages of an ovulatory wave in mares corresponding to early dominance (ED; diameter ≥22 mm), late dominance (LD; ≥33 mm) and PO stage (34 h after administration of crude equine gonadotropins at LD stage), and separately analyzed on a horse gene expression microarray, followed by validation using quantitative PCR and immunoblotting/immunohistochemistry. Numbers of differentially expressed transcripts (DETs; ≥2-fold; P < 0.05) during the ED-LD and LD-PO transitions were 546 and 2419 in GCs and 5 and 582 in TCs. The most prominent change in GCs was the down-regulation of transcripts associated with cell division during both ED-LD and LD-PO. In addition, DET sets during LD-PO in GCs were enriched for genes involved in cell communication/adhesion, antioxidation/detoxification, immunity/inflammation, and cholesterol biosynthesis. In contrast, the largest change in TCs during the LD-PO transition was an up-regulation of genes involved in immune activation, with other DET sets mapping to GPCR/cAMP signaling, lipid/amino acid metabolism, and cell proliferation/survival and differentiation. In conclusion, distinct expression profiles were identified between growing and PO follicles and, particularly, between GCs and TCs within each stage. Several DETs were identified that have not been associated with follicle development in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Xavier Donadeu
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Somayyeh Fahiminiya
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom INRA and CNRS, UMR 6175 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR 6175 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Tours, France
| | - Cristina L Esteves
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Javad Nadaf
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna Miedzinska
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Alan S McNeilly
- The Queen's Medical Research Institute, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David Waddington
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Nadine Gérard
- INRA and CNRS, UMR 6175 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR 6175 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Tours, France Haras Nationaux, UMR 6175 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France
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Ginther OJ. How ultrasound technologies have expanded and revolutionized research in reproduction in large animals. Theriogenology 2014; 81:112-25. [PMID: 24274416 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Revised: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Gray-scale ultrasonic imaging (UI) was introduced in 1980 and initially was used to examine clinically the reproductive tract of mares. By 1983 in mares and 1984 in heifers/cows, UI had become a tool for basic research. In each species, transrectal gray-scale UI has been used extensively to characterize follicle dynamics and investigate the gonadotropic control and hormonal role of the follicles. However, the use of transrectal UI has also disclosed and characterized many other aspects of reproduction in each species, including (1) endometrial echotexture as a biological indicator of circulating estradiol concentrations, (2) relative location of the genital tubercle for fetal gender diagnosis by Days 50 to 60, and (3) timing of follicle evacuation during ovulation. Discoveries in mares include (1) embryo mobility wherein the spherical conceptus (6-16 mm) travels to all parts of the uterus on Days 11 to 15, (2) how one embryo of a twin set eliminates the other without self-inflicted damage, and (3) serration of the granulosum of the preovulatory follicle opposite to the future rupture site as an indicator of imminent ovulation. Studies with color-Doppler UI have shown that vascular perfusion of the endometrium follows the equine embryo back and forth between uterine horns and follows the expansion of the bovine allantochorion throughout each horn. In heifers, blood flow in the CL increases during the ascending portion of an individual pulse of PGF2α metabolite and then decreases. These examples highlight the power of UI in reproduction research. Without UI, it is likely that these and many other findings would still be unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- O J Ginther
- Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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Van Soom A, Rijsselaere T, Filliers M. Cats and Dogs: Two Neglected Species in this Era of Embryo Productionin Vitro? Reprod Domest Anim 2014; 49 Suppl 2:87-91. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - T Rijsselaere
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - M Filliers
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology; Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences; Maastricht University; Maastricht The Netherlands
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Abstract
Experimental animals in biomedical research provide insights into disease mechanisms and models for determining the efficacy and safety of new therapies and for discovery of corresponding biomarkers. Although mouse and rat models are most widely used, observations in these species cannot always be faithfully extrapolated to human patients. Thus, a number of domestic species are additionally used in specific disease areas. This review summarizes the most important applications of domestic animal models and emphasizes the new possibilities genetic tailoring of disease models, specifically in pigs, provides.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bähr
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Seidel GE. Assisted Reproduction in Horses: What Can Be Learned from Assisted Reproduction in Cattle? J Equine Vet Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2012.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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