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Alkali IM, Colombo M, De Iorio T, Piotrowska A, Rodak O, Kulus MJ, Niżański W, Dziegiel P, Luvoni GC. Vitrification of feline ovarian tissue: Comparison of protocols based on equilibration time and temperature. Theriogenology 2024; 224:163-173. [PMID: 38776704 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.023] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Global contraction of biodiversity pushed most members of Felidae into threatened or endangered list except the domestic cat (Felis catus) thence preferred as the best model for conservation studies. One of the emerging conservation strategies is vitrification of ovarian tissue which is field-friendly but not yet standardized. Thus, our main goal was to establish a suitable vitrification protocol for feline ovarian tissue in field condition. Feline ovarian tissue fragments were punched with biopsy punch (1.5 mm diameter) and divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was fresh control (Fr), while the other three were exposed to 3 vitrification protocols (VIT_CT, VIT_RT1 and VIT_RT2). VIT_CT involved two step equilibrations in solutions containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG) for 10 min each at 4 °C. VIT_RT1 involved three step equilibration in solutions containing DMSO, EG, polyvinylpyrrolidone and sucrose for 14 min in total at room temperature, while in VIT_RT2 all conditions remained the same as in VIT_RT1 except equilibration timing which was reduced by half. After vitrification and warming, fragments were morphologically evaluated and then cultured for six days. Subsequently, follicular morphology, cellular proliferation (expression of Ki-67, MCM-7) and apoptosis (expression of caspase-3) were evaluated, and data obtained were analysed using generalised linear mixed model and chi square tests. Proportions of intact follicles were higher in Fr (P = 0.0001) and VIT_RT2 (P = 0.0383) in comparison to the other protocols both post warming and after the six-day culture. Generally, most follicles remained at primordial state which was confirmed by the low expression of Ki-67, MCM-7 markers. In conclusion, VIT_RT2 protocol, which has lower equilibration time at room temperature has proven superior thus recommended for vitrification of feline ovarian tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa Mohammed Alkali
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy; Department of Theriogenology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
| | - Martina Colombo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Teresina De Iorio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy; Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria (CREA), Research Center "Zootechny and Aquaculture", Via Salaria, 31, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
| | - Aleksandra Piotrowska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Chalubinskiego 6a, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Olga Rodak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Chalubinskiego 6a, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Michał Jerzy Kulus
- Division of Ultrastructural Research, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic for Farm Animals, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki Square 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Piotr Dziegiel
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wrocław Medical University, ul. Chalubinskiego 6a, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Gaia Cecilia Luvoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
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Wu Y, Wang C, Fan X, Ma Y, Liu Z, Ye X, Shen C, Wu C. The impact of induced pluripotent stem cells in animal conservation. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:649-663. [PMID: 38228922 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10294-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
It is widely acknowledged that we are currently facing a critical tipping point with regards to global extinction, with human activities driving us perilously close to the brink of a devastating sixth mass extinction. As a promising option for safeguarding endangered species, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold great potential to aid in the preservation of threatened animal populations. For endangered species, such as the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), supply of embryos is often limited. After the death of the last male in 2019, only two females remained in the world. IPSC technology offers novel approaches and techniques for obtaining pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) from rare and endangered animal species. Successful generation of iPSCs circumvents several bottlenecks that impede the development of PSCs, including the challenges associated with establishing embryonic stem cells, limited embryo sources and immune rejection following embryo transfer. To provide more opportunities and room for growth in our work on animal welfare, in this paper we will focus on the progress made with iPSC lines derived from endangered and extinct species, exploring their potential applications and limitations in animal welfare research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurou Wu
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengwei Wang
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyun Fan
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxiao Ma
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zibo Liu
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun Ye
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Chongyang Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chunjie Wu
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy/Academy for Interdiscipline, Chengdu Univesity of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, People's Republic of China.
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Endangered Medicinal Animals, Chengdu, China.
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Rodak O, Peris-Diaz MD, Dzięgiel P, Piotrowska A, Partyka A, Niżański W. Prolonged cold-preservation of domestic cat ovarian tissue is improved by extracellular solution but impaired by the fragmentation of ovary. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 263:107431. [PMID: 38412765 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107431] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
For domestic cats ovaries, recommended cold-storage limit is 24 h in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) or Dulbecco`s PBS (DPBS). Here, we attempted to verify wheatear cat ovaries may benefit from more complex solutions during prolonged cold-storage (>24 h). First, the preservation capabilities of extracellular (SP+), intracellular (UW) solutions and DPBS supplemented with glutathione (DPBS+GSH) were compared using ovary fragments from the same ovary (n=10). Intact ovary stored in DPBS served as a control. Ovaries were kept at 4 °C for 48 h, and 72 h. In the second experiment, first ovary was stored in DPBS, second in SP+ or UW solution for 48 h (n = 12). Ovaries pairs stored in DPBS for 24 h served as a control (n=8). Tissue samples were evaluated directly after cold-storage and after following 24 h in vitro culture. Ovarian follicle morphology, apoptosis rates (cleaved caspase-3, TUNEL), and follicular growth activation (Ki-67) were assessed. Ovary fragmentation impaired follicular morphology preservation upon cold-storage comparing to intact ovary. However, ovarian fragments stored in UW for 48 h and in SP+ for 72 h presented better morphology than DPBS+GSH group. Comparison of intact ovaries cold-storage for 48 h showed that SP+ provided superior follicular morphology over DPBS, and it was comparable to the outcome of 24-hour storage. No follicular activation after in vitro culture was observed. Nevertheless, tissue culture increased considerably caspase-3 cleavage and TUNEL detection. The ovary fragmentation prior to cold-storage is not recommended in domestic cats. Replacement of DPBS with SP+ solution for whole ovary and UW solution for ovarian tissue fragments improves follicular structure preservation during 48-hour cold-storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Rodak
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw 50-368, Poland; Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 49, Wroclaw 50-366, Poland.
| | - Manuel David Peris-Diaz
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14a, Wroclaw 50-383, Poland
| | - Piotr Dzięgiel
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw 50-368, Poland; Department of Physiotherapy, University School of Physical Education, Wroclaw 51-612, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Piotrowska
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw 50-368, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Partyka
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 49, Wroclaw 50-366, Poland
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 49, Wroclaw 50-366, Poland.
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Omelchenko AN, Igonina TN, Brusentsev EY, Okotrub KA, Amstislavsky SY, Surovtsev NV. Cryopreservation increases accumulation of exogenous stearic acid in mouse embryos. Cryobiology 2022; 109:44-52. [PMID: 36179820 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of preimplantation embryos is a widely used technique, but this procedure might impact the subsequent embryo development. The effect of slow freezing and vitrification on the lipid metabolism in preimplantation mammalian embryos is not well studied. In this work, we applied Raman spectroscopy of isotopically labeled molecules to address the effects of cryopreservation on fatty acid accumulation in mouse embryos. Embryos after slow freezing or vitrification were cultured for 20 h in a medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin saturated with deuterated stearic acid (dSA). After this period the concentration of dSA estimated from Raman spectra of frozen-thawed and vitrified-warmed embryos at the morula stage was almost twice higher compared to non-cryopreserved morulas. At the same time, frozen-thawed and vitrified-warmed 4-cell embryos did not demonstrate any difference in the level of stearic acid uptake from non-cryopreserved embryos of the same stage. After an additional 24 h culture, cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved embryos demonstrated similar dSA uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Omelchenko
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - T N Igonina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - E Y Brusentsev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - K A Okotrub
- Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - S Y Amstislavsky
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - N V Surovtsev
- Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
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Okotrub SV, Lebedeva DA, Okotrub KA, Chuyko EA, Brusentsev EY, Rakhmanova TA, Amstislavsky SY. Effects of Linoleic Acid on Cryopreservation of IVF-Obtained Domestic Cat Embryos. Russ J Dev Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s106236042205006x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Bolton RL, Mooney A, Pettit MT, Bolton AE, Morgan L, Drake GJ, Appeltant R, Walker SL, Gillis JD, Hvilsom C. Resurrecting biodiversity: advanced assisted reproductive technologies and biobanking. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2022; 3:R121-R146. [PMID: 35928671 PMCID: PMC9346332 DOI: 10.1530/raf-22-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity is defined as the presence of a variety of living organisms on the Earth that is essential for human survival. However, anthropogenic activities are causing the sixth mass extinction, threatening even our own species. For many animals, dwindling numbers are becoming fragmented populations with low genetic diversity, threatening long-term species viability. With extinction rates 1000–10,000 times greater than natural, ex situ and in situ conservation programmes need additional support to save species. The indefinite storage of cryopreserved (−196°C) viable cells and tissues (cryobanking), followed by assisted or advanced assisted reproductive technology (ART: utilisation of oocytes and spermatozoa to generate offspring; aART: utilisation of somatic cell genetic material to generate offspring), may be the only hope for species’ long-term survival. As such, cryobanking should be considered a necessity for all future conservation strategies. Following cryopreservation, ART/aART can be used to reinstate lost genetics back into a population, resurrecting biodiversity. However, for this to be successful, species-specific protocol optimisation and increased knowledge of basic biology for many taxa are required. Current ART/aART is primarily focused on mammalian taxa; however, this needs to be extended to all, including to some of the most endangered species: amphibians. Gamete, reproductive tissue and somatic cell cryobanking can fill the gap between losing genetic diversity today and future technological developments. This review explores species prioritisation for cryobanking and the successes and challenges of cryopreservation and multiple ARTs/aARTs. We here discuss the value of cryobanking before more species are lost and the potential of advanced reproductive technologies not only to halt but also to reverse biodiversity loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon L Bolton
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
| | | | - Matt T Pettit
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
- IMT International Limited, Tattenhall, Chester, UK
| | - Anthony E Bolton
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
| | - Lucy Morgan
- Gemini Genetics, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, UK
| | | | - Ruth Appeltant
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women’s Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Susan L Walker
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
- Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, UK
| | - James D Gillis
- South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, Yulee, Florida, USA
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Zahmel J, Skalborg Simonsen K, Stagegaard J, Palma-Vera SE, Jewgenow K. Current State of In Vitro Embryo Production in African Lion (Panthera leo). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111424. [PMID: 35681888 PMCID: PMC9179812 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last 30–40 years, in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) of domestic cat oocytes have been established as part of the panel of assisted reproduction technologies. As a representative of wild felids, the African lion is not yet considered endangered. Nevertheless, the zoo population management of the African lion itself as well as other closely related felids would benefit from the establishment of an IVF system. Here, we aimed to investigate the transferability of domestic cat IVF technology to the African lion. From the ovaries of 42 lionesses aged between 0.75 and 15 years, a total of 933 IVF-suitable oocytes were retrieved and subjected to IVM and IVF. The overall maturation rate was 40.6% and 18.9% of these oocytes cleaved after fertilization, respectively. Embryos were generated by intracytoplasmic sperm cell injection as well as co-culture with epididymal sperm. Improvements in the model system also led to an improved outcome with in vitro produced embryos in the lion. Compared to domestic cats, the transportation of gonads to a specialized laboratory was time-consuming and influenced oocyte quality negatively. In conclusion, the domestic cat IVF system is adoptable for the African lion, although success rates are still lower.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Zahmel
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (S.E.P.-V.); (K.J.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | - Sergio Eliseo Palma-Vera
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (S.E.P.-V.); (K.J.)
| | - Katarina Jewgenow
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (S.E.P.-V.); (K.J.)
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How Can We Introduce ART into Wild Felid Conservation in Practice? Joint Experience in Semen Collection from Captive Wild Felids in Europe. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12070871. [PMID: 35405860 PMCID: PMC8997001 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Artificial reproductive techniques (ART), such as cryopreservation of sperm cells and artificial insemination, are useful tools for species conservation. However, there is relatively little information published about their introduction into clinical practice for wild felids. The aim of this paper was to describe how those techniques were applied by three European teams in various species of wild felids. In total, this article presents 22 semen collection attempts in 12 species of wild felids, 15 of which were successful and resulted in the collection of at least one million spermatozoa. The failures in obtaining spermatozoa were most probably due to (1) male infertility, (2) wrong age/non-breeding season, or (3) recent multiple copulations. The cases presented in the article confirm that although ART have been introduced into clinical practice, they are mostly used in cases of infertility, not as routine breeding tools. Greater involvement of zoological gardens and private breeders is required, as many chances for preservation of valuable material are lost. Abstract Although artificial reproductive techniques (ART) are considered to be a valuable tool for species conservation, information about their introduction into clinical practice for wild felids is limited. The aim of this paper was to jointly describe cases of non-experimental sperm collection from males of various species of wild felids, performed by three European centers focused on feline reproduction. In total, the article presents 22 attempts of semen collection in 12 species of wild felids. The reasons for semen collection were: fertility assessment (10 cases), artificial insemination (5 cases), sperm rescue (postmortem collection for cryopreservation, 5 cases), and sperm banking (in vivo collection for cryopreservation, 2 cases). Semen collection was successful (defined as at least 1 × 106 spermatozoa) in 15 cases. The failures in obtaining spermatozoa were most probably due to (1) male infertility, (2) wrong age/non-breeding season, or (3) recent multiple copulations. The cases presented here confirm that although ART have been introduced into clinical practice, they are mostly used in cases of infertility, not as routine breeding tools. Higher involvement of zoological gardens and private breeders is required, as many chances for preservation of valuable material are lost.
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Arayatham S, Buntasana S, Padungros P, Tharasanit T. Membrane-permeable trehalose improves the freezing ability and developmental competence of in-vitro matured feline oocytes. Theriogenology 2022; 181:16-23. [PMID: 35007820 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Oocytes are highly sensitive to cryopreservation, which frequently results in an irreversible loss of developmental competence. We examined the effect of membrane-permeable trehalose on the freezing ability of feline oocytes matured in vitro. In Experiment 1, intracellular trehalose (trehalose hexaacetate; Tre-(OAc)6) was synthesized from trehalose precursor and subjected to spectroscopic characterization. The membrane permeability of the Tre-(OAc)6 was investigated by incubating oocytes with different concentrations of Tre-(OAc)6 (3, 15, and 30 mM). Optimum concentration and the toxicity of Tre-(OAc)6 were assessed in Experiment 2. The effects of Tre-(OAc)6 on freezing ability in terms of apoptotic gene expression and developmental competence of in-vitro matured oocytes were examined in Experiments 3 and 4, respectively. The Tre-(OAc)6 permeated into the ooplasm of cat oocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The highest concentration of intracellular trehalose was detected when the oocytes were incubated for 24 h with 30 mM Tre-(OAc)6. For the toxicity test, incubation of oocytes with 3 mM Tre-(OAc)6 for 24 h did not affect maturation rate and embryo development. However, high doses of Tre-(OAc)6 (15 and 30 mM) significantly reduced maturation and fertilization rates (p < 0.05). In addition, frozen-thawed oocytes treated with 3 mM Tre-(OAc)6 significantly upregulated anti-apoptotic (BCL-2) gene expression compared with the control (0 mM) and other Tre-(OAc)6 concentrations (15 and 30 mM). Oocyte maturation in the presence of 3 mM Tre-(OAc)6 prior to cryopreservation significantly improved oocyte developmental competence in terms of cleavage and blastocyst rates when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Our results lead us to infer that increasing the levels of intracellular trehalose by Tre-(OAc)6 during oocyte maturation improves the freezing ability of feline oocytes, albeit at specific concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saengtawan Arayatham
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Supanat Buntasana
- Green Chemistry for Fine Chemical Productions STAR, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Panuwat Padungros
- Green Chemistry for Fine Chemical Productions STAR, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Theerawat Tharasanit
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Veterinary Clinical Stem Cells and Bioengineering Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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Colombo M, Zahmel J, Binder C, Herbel J, Luvoni GC, Jewgenow K. Ovary cold storage and shipment affect oocyte yield and cleavage rate of cat immature vitrified oocytes. Cryobiology 2020; 98:181-186. [PMID: 33171197 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.11.003] [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: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In feline species, cooled transport of ovaries can be employed without detrimental effects to retrieve immature oocytes intended for in vitro embryo production purposes. Indeed, this is the most common way to collect gametes from gonads of wild, valuable animals after they die or are castrated far from specialized laboratories. However, fresh retrieved gametes are generally used, and their cryosensitivity is not known. This study employed ovariectomy-derived domestic cat gonads as a model for wild felids, and aimed to compare the yield and developmental competence of Cryotop-vitrified oocytes (VOs) collected and cryopreserved right after ovary excision (In loco-VOs) or after 24 h cooled transport of ovaries (Shipped-VOs). The number of collected oocytes was higher in In loco-VOs than in Shipped-VOs (mean ± SD: 8 ± 3.36 vs 5.6 ± 3.1, p = 0.05). In vitro embryo production resulted in similar maturation (35% for both vitrified groups, p = 1) and fertilization rates (In loco-VOs: 29.1%; Shipped-VOs: 22.2%; p = 0.295), but showed a difference in cleavage (In loco-VOs: 25.6%; Shipped-VOs: 14.5%; p = 0.0495). No differences were found in further embryo development. Taken together, results suggested that delayed oocyte vitrification after cooled transport of organs was feasible and allowed embryo development. However, the number of collected oocytes and the cleavage rate of matured oocytes were higher when oocyte vitrification was performed without delay after ovary excision, and this should be considered in gamete conservation programs for endangered felids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Colombo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare "Carlo Cantoni", Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Jennifer Zahmel
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Claudia Binder
- Obstetrics and Reproduction, Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Johannes Herbel
- Obstetrics and Reproduction, Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Gaia Cecilia Luvoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare "Carlo Cantoni", Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Katarina Jewgenow
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany.
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