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Feng X, Li C, Zhang H, Zhang P, Shahzad M, Du W, Zhao X. Heat-Stress Impacts on Developing Bovine Oocytes: Unraveling Epigenetic Changes, Oxidative Stress, and Developmental Resilience. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4808. [PMID: 38732033 PMCID: PMC11084174 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094808] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Extreme temperature during summer may lead to heat stress in cattle and compromise their productivity. It also poses detrimental impacts on the developmental capacity of bovine budding oocytes, which halt their fertility. To mitigate the adverse effects of heat stress, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms through which it affects the developmental capacity of oocytes. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the impact of heat stress on the epigenetic modifications in bovine oocytes and embryos, as well as on oocyte developmental capacity, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, transzonal projections, and gene expression levels. Our results showed that heat stress significantly reduced the expression levels of the epigenetic modifications from histone H1, histone H2A, histone H2B, histone H4, DNA methylation, and DNA hydroxymethylation at all stages of the oocyte and embryo. Similarly, heat stress significantly reduced cleavage rate, blastocyst rate, oocyte mitochondrial-membrane potential level, adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) level, mitochondrial DNA copy number, and transzonal projection level. It was also found that heat stress affected mitochondrial distribution in oocytes and significantly increased reactive oxygen species, apoptosis levels and mitochondrial autophagy levels. Our findings suggest that heat stress significantly impacts the expression levels of genes related to oocyte developmental ability, the cytoskeleton, mitochondrial function, and epigenetic modification, lowering their competence during the summer season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Feng
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (X.F.); (C.L.); (H.Z.); (P.Z.); (M.S.); (W.D.)
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University (QAU), Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Chongyang Li
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (X.F.); (C.L.); (H.Z.); (P.Z.); (M.S.); (W.D.)
| | - Hang Zhang
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (X.F.); (C.L.); (H.Z.); (P.Z.); (M.S.); (W.D.)
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (X.F.); (C.L.); (H.Z.); (P.Z.); (M.S.); (W.D.)
| | - Muhammad Shahzad
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (X.F.); (C.L.); (H.Z.); (P.Z.); (M.S.); (W.D.)
| | - Weihua Du
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (X.F.); (C.L.); (H.Z.); (P.Z.); (M.S.); (W.D.)
| | - Xueming Zhao
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; (X.F.); (C.L.); (H.Z.); (P.Z.); (M.S.); (W.D.)
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Zander-Fox DL, Pacella-Ince L, Morgan DK, Green MP. Mammalian embryo culture media: now and into the future. Reprod Fertil Dev 2023; 36:66-80. [PMID: 38064187 DOI: 10.1071/rd23168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
For over 70years, since the culture of the first mammalian embryo in vitro , scientists have undertaken studies to devise and optimise media to support the manipulation and culture of gametes and embryos. This area of research became especially active in the late 1970s onwards following the successful birth of the first human in vitro fertilised embryo. This review summarises some of the key advances in mammalian embryo culture media over time based on a greater understanding of the biochemical milieu of the reproductive tract. It highlights how learnings from studies in mice and agricultural species have informed human culture media compositions, in particular the inclusion of albumin, growth factors, cytokines, and antioxidants into contemporary culture media formulations, and how these advances may then in turn help to inform and guide development of in vitro culture systems used in other arenas, in particular agriculture. Additionally, it will highlight how the introduction of new technologies, such as timelapse, can influence current trends in media composition and usage that may see a return to a single step medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre L Zander-Fox
- Monash IVF Group, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; and School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Leanne Pacella-Ince
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; and Repromed, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - Mark P Green
- Monash IVF Group, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; and School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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Yaacobi-Artzi S, Kalo D, Roth Z. Effect of the aflatoxins B1 and M1 on bovine oocyte developmental competence and embryo morphokinetics. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 120:108437. [PMID: 37422138 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108437] [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: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxins are considered as reproductive toxins for mammalian species. Here, we studied the effect of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and its metabolite aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) on the development and morphokinetics of bovine embryos. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured with AFB1 (0.032, 0.32, 3.2, 32 µM) or AFM1 (0.015, 0.15, 1.5, 15, 60 nM), then fertilized and the putative zygotes were cultured in an incubator equipped with a time-lapse system. Exposing COCs to 32 µM AFB1 or 60 nM AFM1 reduced the cleavage rate, whereas exposing them to 3.2 or 32 µM AFB1 further reduced the blastocyst formation. A delay was recorded for the first and second cleavages in a dose-dependent manner for both AFB1- and AFM1-treated oocytes. A delay was recorded in the third cleavage in the AFM1-treated group. To explore potential mechanisms, subgroups of COCs were examined for nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation (n = 225; DAPI and FITC-PNA, respectively), and mitochondrial function was examined in a stage-dependent manner. COCs were examined for their oxygen consumption rates (n = 875; Seahorse XFp analyzer) at the end of maturation, MII-stage oocytes were examined for their mitochondrial membrane potential (n = 407; JC1), and putative zygotes were examined using a fluorescent time-lapse system (n = 279; IncuCyte). Exposing COCs to AFB1 (3.2 or 32 µM) impaired oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation and increased mitochondrial membrane potential in the putative zygotes. These alterations were associated with changes in the expression of mt-ND2 (32 µM AFB1) and STAT3 (all AFM1 concentrations) genes in the blastocyst stage, suggesting a carryover effect from the oocyte to the developing embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Yaacobi-Artzi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610000, Israel
| | - Dorit Kalo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610000, Israel
| | - Zvi Roth
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610000, Israel.
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Zhang J, Li F, Zhang X, Xie T, Qin H, Lv J, Gao Y, Li M, Gao Y, Jia Y. Melatonin Improves Turbot Oocyte Meiotic Maturation and Antioxidant Capacity, Inhibits Apoptosis-Related Genes mRNAs In Vitro. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1389. [PMID: 37507927 PMCID: PMC10376768 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12071389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
High-quality eggs are essential for the sustainability of commercial aquaculture production. Melatonin is a potent candidate for regulating the growth and maturation of oocytes. Therefore, research on the effect of melatonin on marine fish oocytes in vitro has been conducted. The present study successfully established a culture system of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) oocytes in vitro and investigated the effect of melatonin on oocyte meiotic maturation, antioxidant capacity, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes. The cultures showed that turbot Scophthalmus maximus late-vitellogenic denuded oocytes, with diameters of 0.5-0.7 mm, had a low spontaneous maturation rate and exhibited a sensitive response to 17α, 20β-dihydroxyprogesterone (DHP) treatment in vitro. Melatonin increased by four times the rate of oocyte germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The mRNA of melatonin receptor 1 (mtnr1) was significantly upregulated in the oocyte and follicle after treatment with melatonin (4.3 × 10-9 M) for 24 h in vitro, whereas melatonin receptor 2 (mtnr2) and melatonin receptor 3 (mtnr3) remained unchanged. In addition, melatonin significantly increased the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, as well as the levels of glutathione, while decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in turbot oocytes and follicles cultures in vitro. p53, caspase3, and bax mRNAs were significantly downregulated in oocytes and follicles, whereas bcl2 mRNAs were significantly upregulated. In conclusion, the use of turbot late-vitellogenesis oocytes (0.5-0.7 mm) is suitable for establishing a culture system in vitro. Melatonin promotes oocyte meiotic maturation and antioxidative capacity and inhibits apoptosis via the p53-bax-bcl2 and caspase-dependent pathways, which have important potential to improve the maturation and quality of oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarong Zhang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Feixia Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Hongyu Qin
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Junxian Lv
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yunhong Gao
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Mingyue Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yuntao Gao
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yudong Jia
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
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Li Z, Zhang K, Zhou Y, Zhao J, Wang J, Lu W. Role of Melatonin in Bovine Reproductive Biotechnology. Molecules 2023; 28:4940. [PMID: 37446601 PMCID: PMC10343719 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28134940] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin has profound antioxidant activity and numerous functions in humans as well as in livestock and poultry. Additionally, melatonin plays an important role in regulating the biological rhythms of animals. Combining melatonin with scientific breeding management has considerable potential for optimizing animal physiological functions, but this idea still faces significant challenges. In this review, we summarized the beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation on physiology and reproductive processes in cattle, including granulosa cells, oocytes, circadian rhythm, stress, inflammation, testicular function, spermatogenesis, and semen cryopreservation. There is much emerging evidence that melatonin can profoundly affect cattle. In the future, we hope that melatonin can not only be applied to cattle, but can also be used to safely and effectively improve the efficiency of animal husbandry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Li
- Joint Laboratory of the Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Z.L.); (K.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality, and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Kaiyan Zhang
- Joint Laboratory of the Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Z.L.); (K.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality, and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yuming Zhou
- Joint Laboratory of the Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Z.L.); (K.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality, and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Joint Laboratory of the Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Z.L.); (K.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality, and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Joint Laboratory of the Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Z.L.); (K.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality, and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Wenfa Lu
- Joint Laboratory of the Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; (Z.L.); (K.Z.); (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality, and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
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Zhang P, Yang B, Xu X, Zhang H, Feng X, Hao H, Du W, Zhu H, Li S, Yu W, Khan A, Umer S, Zhao X. Combination of CNP, MT and FLI during IVM Significantly Improved the Quality and Development Abilities of Bovine Oocytes and IVF-Derived Embryos. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040897. [PMID: 37107273 PMCID: PMC10135536 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040897] [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: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oocyte maturation is a critical step in the completion of female gametogenesis in the ovary; thus, for subsequent fertilization and embryogenesis. Vitrification of embryo also has been shown to be closely associated with oocyte maturation. To improve the quality and developmental potential of bovine oocytes derived from in vitro maturation (IVM), Pre-IVM with C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), melatonin (MT) and in combination, IGF1, FGF2, LIF (FLI) were supplemented in the IVM medium. In this current study, we cultured bovine oocytes in Pre-IVM with CNP for 6 h before transferring them to the IVM medium supplemented with MT and FLI. The developmental potential of bovine oocytes was then investigated by measuring the reactive oxygen species (ROS), the intracellular glutathione (GSH) and ATP levels, the transzonal projections (TZP), the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), cacline-AM, and the expression of related genes (cumulus cells (CCs), oocytes, blastocysts). The results revealed that oocytes treated with a combination of CNP, MT, and FLI had dramatically improved the percentage of oocytes developed to blastocyst, ATP content, GSH levels, TZP intensity, the ΔΨm, cacline-AM fluorescence intensity, and considerably reduced ROS levels of oocytes. Furthermore, the survival rate and the hatched rate after vitrification of the CNP+MT+FLI group were significantly higher than those other groups. Thus, we speculated that CNP+MT+FLI increases the IVM of bovine oocytes. In conclusion, our findings deepen our understanding and provide new perspectives on targeting the combination of CNP, MT and FLI to enhance the quality and developmental potential of bovine oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Zhang
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Baigao Yang
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xi Xu
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoyi Feng
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Haisheng Hao
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Weihua Du
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huabin Zhu
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shujing Li
- Shijiazhuang Tianquan Elite Dairy Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Wenli Yu
- Shijiazhuang Tianquan Elite Dairy Ltd., Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Adnan Khan
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Saqib Umer
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Xueming Zhao
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
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Yaacobi-Artzi S, Kalo D, Roth Z. Seasonal variation in the morphokinetics of in-vitro-derived bovine embryos is associated with the blastocyst developmental competence and gene expression. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 4:1030949. [PMID: 36406891 PMCID: PMC9670144 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2022.1030949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Summer heat stress is a major cause of reduced development of preimplantation embryos. Nevertheless, seasonal effects on embryo morphokinetics have been less studied. We used a non-invasive time-lapse system that allows continuous monitoring of embryos to study the seasonal impact on embryo morphokinetics. The experiments were performed during the cold and the hot seasons. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated from ovaries, in-vitro-matured, and fertilized. Putative zygotes were cultured in an incubator equipped with a time-lapse system. The cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were lower in the hot vs. the cold season (p < 0.01). The kinetics of the embryos differed between seasons, reflected by a delay in the second cleavage in the hot vs. the cold season (p < 0.03). The distribution of the embryos into different morphological grades (good, fair, and poor) throughout the first three cleavages differed between seasons, with a higher proportion of good-grade embryos in the hot season (p < 0.03). Cleaved embryos were categorized as either normal or abnormal, based on their first cleavage pattern. Normal cleavage was defined as when the first cleavage resulted in two equal blastomeres and further classified as either synchronous or asynchronous, according to their subsequent cleavages. Abnormal cleavage was defined as when the embryo directly cleaved into more than two blastomeres, it cleaved unequally into two unevenly sized blastomeres, or when the fusion of already divided blastomeres occurred. The proportion of abnormally cleaved embryos was higher in the hot season vs. the cold one (p < 0.01), reflected by a higher proportion of unequally cleaved embryos (p < 0.02). In the cold season, abnormally cleaved embryos had a lower potential to develop into blastocysts relative to their normally cleaved counterparts (p < 0.001). Blastocysts that developed in the cold and the hot seasons differed in the expression of genes that related to the cell cycle (STAT1; p < 0.01), stress (HSF1; p < 0.03), and embryo development (ZP3; p < 0.05). A higher expression level was recorded for the STAT1 and UHRF1 genes in blastocysts that developed from unequally vs. the synchronously cleaved embryos (p < 0.04). We provide the first evidence for a seasonal effect on embryo morphokinetics, which might explain the reduced embryo development during the hot season.
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Rakha SI, Elmetwally MA, El-Sheikh Ali H, Balboula A, Mahmoud AM, Zaabel SM. Importance of Antioxidant Supplementation during In Vitro Maturation of Mammalian Oocytes. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9080439. [PMID: 36006354 PMCID: PMC9415395 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9080439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro embryo production (IVEP) technique is widely used in the field of reproductive biology. In vitro maturation (IVM) is the first and most critical step of IVEP, during which, the oocyte is matured in an artificial maturation medium under strict laboratory conditions. Despite all of the progress in the field of IVEP, the quality of in vitro matured oocytes remains inferior to that of those matured in vivo. The accumulation of substantial amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within oocytes during IVM has been regarded as one of the main factors altering oocyte quality. One of the most promising approaches to overcome ROS accumulation within oocytes is the supplementation of oocyte IVM medium with antioxidants. In this article, we discuss recent advancements depicting the adverse effects of ROS on mammalian oocytes. We also discuss the potential use of antioxidants and their effect on both oocyte quality and IVM rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimaa I. Rakha
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A. Elmetwally
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Balboula
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Animal Sciences Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Abdelmonem Montaser Mahmoud
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Samy M. Zaabel
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Correspondence:
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Expression and distribution of MTNR1A in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis of Tibetan sheep during the estrous cycle. Gene 2022; 839:146731. [PMID: 35835405 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The melatonin 1A receptor (MTNR1A) is a membrane receptor distributed across the mammalian gonadal axis-associated membrane. Melatonin (MT) can specifically bind with MTNR1A on the cell membrane and regulates mammalian reproductive activities. However, the role of MTNR1A in regulating the reproductive physiological activities of sheep in the Tibetan Plateau remains unclear. In this study, the MT content in Tibetan sheep blood during the estrous cycle was detected by ELISA. The distribution of MTNR1A in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect dynamic changes of MTNR1A mRNA and protein expression, and the protein distributions in the HPGA. The results showed that the average secretion level of MT in Tibetan sheep blood was highest occurred during diestrus and the lowest during proestrus. Additionally, the secretion of MT at night was significantly higher than during the day. The immunopositive products of MTNR1A were primarily distributed around the glial cells in the dorsal hypothalamic nucleus region, chromophobe cells, and eosinophilic cytoplasm in the pituitary gland, follicular granular layer, follicular adventitia, tubal mucosa, cilia, endometrium, interstices, and glands in the uterus. The expression trends of MTNR1A mRNA and proteins in the HPGA during the estrous cycle were the same. The relative expression levels of MTNR1A mRNA and proteins in the hypothalamus and ovaries were the highest during proestrus and the lowest during metestrus; the highest during diestrus in the pituitary and oviducts; the highest during metestrus in the uterus. Collectively, the differences in the secretion of MT in Tibetan sheep blood and the expression of MTNR1A in HPGA suggest that they may be affected by steroid hormone secretion during the estrous cycle of Tibetan sheep, which has a potential impact on the regulation of animal estrous cycle.
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Báez F, López Darriulat R, Rodríguez-Osorio N, Viñoles C. Effect of season on germinal vesicle stage, quality, and subsequent in vitro developmental competence in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes. J Therm Biol 2022; 103:103171. [PMID: 35027190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.103171] [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: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although the reproductive performance of grazing cattle is lower in summer compared to winter, the effect of season on oocyte developmental competence has not been thoroughly examined. We measured the effect of season on oocyte chromatin compaction, cumulus cell quality, and embryonic development after in vitro fertilization. Cumulus oocytes-complexes (COCs) were collected from abattoir cows' ovaries during the winter and summer months. First, we evaluated the degree of chromatin compaction in germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes (GV1 through GV3), which is associated with different degrees of developmental competence. Then, we determined the apoptotic index in cumulus cells from immature and in vitro matured COCs. Finally, in vitro matured oocytes were fertilized to determine blastocyst rate and embryo quality. During the summer months, we observed a significantly lower proportion of oocytes reaching the GV3 stage and higher levels of DNA fragmentation in cumulus cell. As a result, blastocyst yield and quality were reduced during the summer months. In conclusion, summer negatively affected oocyte GV stage progression, cumulus cell quality, and embryo development. Increased cumulus cell DNA fragmentation during summer, may partially explain the reduced oocyte maturation capacity, considering the relevance of cumulus-oocyte communication during this stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Báez
- Polo de Desarrollo Universitario (PDU) Instituto Superior de la Carne, Centro Universitario Regional Noreste, UdelaR, Ruta 5, km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, Uruguay.
| | - Ramiro López Darriulat
- Polo de Desarrollo Universitario (PDU) Instituto Superior de la Carne, Centro Universitario Regional Noreste, UdelaR, Ruta 5, km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, Uruguay
| | - Nélida Rodríguez-Osorio
- Unidad de Genómica y Bioinformática, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, UdelaR, Rivera 1350, Salto 50000, Uruguay
| | - Carolina Viñoles
- PDU Centro de Salud Reproductiva de Rumiantes en Sistemas Agroforestales, Centro Universitario Regional Noreste, UdelaR, Ruta 26, km 408, Cerro Largo 37000, Uruguay
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Báez F, Gómez B, de Brun V, Rodríguez-Osorio N, Viñoles C. Effect of Ethanol on Parthenogenetic Activation and α-Tocopherol Supplementation during In Vitro Maturation on Developmental Competence of Summer-Collected Bovine Oocytes. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:2253-2265. [PMID: 34940132 PMCID: PMC8929142 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of α-tocopherol during in vitro maturation (IVM) is an alternative to minimize the adverse effects of heat stress on oocyte competence. However, α-tocopherol is diluted in ethanol, which can induce oocyte parthenogenetic activation (PA). This study aimed to evaluate the role of ethanol concentration on PA and the effect of α-tocopherol supplementation during IVM on the developmental competence and the expression of key genes in blastocysts derived from summer-collected oocytes. All in vitro embryo production was conducted at 5% O2, 5% CO2 at 38.5 °C. Experiment 1: oocytes were cultured with or without 0.05% ethanol. As positive PA control matured oocytes were subjected to 3% or 7% ethanol for 7 min. Oocytes from all groups were placed in fertilization medium (22 h) and culture medium (9 days). Ethanol at 0.05% during IVM did not induce oocyte PA, however, 3% and 7% ethanol were effective parthenogenetic inductors. Experiment 2: oocytes were cultured in maturation medium supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 200 μM α-tocopherol, diluted in 0.05% ethanol. After in vitro fertilization and embryo culture, we assessed blastocyst apoptotic index and the transcription of a panel of genes. The results showed that supplementation with 100 μM α-tocopherol reduced apoptotic index and increased the expression of SOD2. In conclusion, 100 μM α-tocopherol, diluted in 0.05% ethanol, can be used during IVM to embryonic quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Báez
- Instituto Superior de la Carne, Centro Universitario Regional Noreste, Universidad de la República, Ruta 5, km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, Uruguay;
- Correspondence:
| | - Belén Gómez
- Instituto Superior de la Carne, Centro Universitario Regional Noreste, Universidad de la República, Ruta 5, km 386, Tacuarembó 45000, Uruguay;
| | - Victoria de Brun
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Metabolismo Animal, Universidad de la República, Laspalces 1620, Montevideo 45000, Uruguay;
| | - Nélida Rodríguez-Osorio
- Unidad de Genómica y Bioinformática, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, Salto 50000, Uruguay;
| | - Carolina Viñoles
- Centro de Salud Reproductiva de Rumiantes en Sistemas Agroforestales, Centro Universitario Regional Noreste, Universidad de la República, Ruta 26, km 408, Cerro Largo 37000, Uruguay;
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Guo L, Li M, Gao X, Yang Y, Zhao J, Wang J, Lu W. Two melatonin treatments improve the conception rate after fixed-time artificial insemination in beef heifers following synchronisation of oestrous cycles using the CoSynch-56 protocol. Aust Vet J 2021; 99:449-455. [PMID: 34254288 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effect of melatonin administration in combination with the CoSynch-56 protocol on the conception rate after artificial insemination (AI) in beef heifers. METHODS Eighty-six beef heifers were allocated to four treatments in combination with CoSynch-56 treatment. All heifers, excluding the control group (CTR = 25), were injected with melatonin on day 1. The melatonin (MT = 20) and MT + human chorionic gonadotropin (MT + hCG = 21) groups received no further treatment with melatonin. Each heifer was treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on day 4, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on day 11, and GnRH and AI 56 h later. The fourth group (2MT = 20) was injected again with melatonin concurrent with AI, and the MT + hCG group received hCG on day 19. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed using transrectal ultrasonography 45 days after AI and blood samples were collected via caudal venipuncture on days 0-1, 14-15, 24 and 59. Concentrations of progesterone (P4) and the activities of oxidative stress-related enzymes were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The conception rate was greater in the 2MT group (75%) than in the other groups, while there was no significant difference among the CTR (44%), MT (45%) and MT + hCG (38.1%) groups. Treatment with melatonin increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and decreased malondialdehyde concentrations but did not significantly affect the concentration of P4. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the administration of melatonin twice during the CoSynch-56 protocol may increase conception rates in beef heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Guo
- Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Jilin Province Engineering Laboratory for Ruminant Reproductive Biotechnology and Healthy Production, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - M Li
- Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Jilin Province Engineering Laboratory for Ruminant Reproductive Biotechnology and Healthy Production, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - X Gao
- Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Jilin Province Engineering Laboratory for Ruminant Reproductive Biotechnology and Healthy Production, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Y Yang
- Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Jilin Province Engineering Laboratory for Ruminant Reproductive Biotechnology and Healthy Production, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - J Zhao
- Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Jilin Province Engineering Laboratory for Ruminant Reproductive Biotechnology and Healthy Production, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - J Wang
- Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Jilin Province Engineering Laboratory for Ruminant Reproductive Biotechnology and Healthy Production, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - W Lu
- Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Key Lab of Animal Production, Product Quality and Security, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.,Jilin Province Engineering Laboratory for Ruminant Reproductive Biotechnology and Healthy Production, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
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Melatonin Alleviates the Toxicity of High Nicotinamide Concentrations in Oocytes: Potential Interaction with Nicotinamide Methylation Signaling. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:5573357. [PMID: 33927796 PMCID: PMC8049830 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5573357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite the numerous studies on melatonin and nicotinamide (NAM, the active form of vitamin B3), the linkage between these two biomolecules in the context of signaling pathways regulating preimplantation embryo development has not yet been investigated. In this study, we used bovine oocyte model to elucidate the effect of melatonin on the developmental competence of oocytes under the stress of high NAM concentrations. Results showed that NAM (20 mM) administration during in vitro maturation (IVM) significantly reduced oocyte maturation and actin distribution, while induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction, the multiple deleterious effects that were alleviated by melatonin (10−7 M). The RT-qPCR and/or immunofluorescence showed upregulation of the apoptosis (Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and BAX), autophagy (Beclin-1, LC3A, LC3B, ATG7, LAMP1, and LAMP2), cell cycle (P21, P27, and P53), and DNA damage (COX2 and 8-OxoG) specific markers in oocytes matured under NAM treatment, compared to NAM-melatonin dual-treated and the untreated ones. In addition, the total cleavage and blastocyst development rate, as well as the total number of cells and the inner cell mass (ICM) per blastocyst, were reduced, while DNA fragmentation was induced, in the group of NAM sole treatment than NAM-melatonin cotreatment and control. Inspecting the underlying mechanisms behind NAM-associated toxicity revealed an increase in transcription pattern of NAM methylation (NNMT and AHCY) genes in NAM-treated oocytes while the opposite profile was observed upon melatonin supplementation. In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first study reporting that melatonin can protect oocytes and embryos from NAM-induced injury through its ROS-scavenging activity together with potential interaction with NAM methylation signaling.
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