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Khalil WA, Hassan MAE, El-Harairy MA, Abdelnour SA. Supplementation of Thymoquinone Nanoparticles to Semen Extender Boosts Cryotolerance and Fertilizing Ability of Buffalo Bull Spermatozoa. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2973. [PMID: 37760374 PMCID: PMC10525674 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182973] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymoquinone nanoparticles (TQNPs) are broadly utilized in numerous pharmaceutical applications. In the present study, we tested the effects of TQNP supplementation on sperm quality and kinematics, acrosome exocytosis, oxidative biomarkers, apoptosis-like and morphological changes of frozen-thawed buffalo sperm, as well as the fertilizing capacity. Semen was collected from buffalo bulls, diluted (1:10; semen/extender), and divided into five aliquots comprising various concentrations of TQNP 0 (CON), 12.5 (TQNP12.5), 25 (TQNP25), 37.5 (TQNP37.5), and 50 (TQNP50) µg/mL, and then cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C). The results revealed that TQNPs (25 to 50 µg/mL) provided the most optimal results in terms of membrane integrity (p < 0.001) and progressive motility (p < 0.01). In contrast, TQNP50 resulted in a greater post-thawed sperm viability (p = 0.02) compared with other groups. The addition of TQNPs to the extender had no discernible effects on sperm morphology measures. Sperm kinematic motion was significantly improved in the TQNP50 group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). TQNPs effectively reduced the content of H2O2 and MDA levels and improved the total antioxidant capacity of post-thawed extended semen (p < 0.01). The addition of TQNP significantly increased the number of intact acrosomes (p < 0.0001) and decreased the number of exocytosed acrosomes (p < 0.0001). A significant reduction in apoptosis-like changes was observed in TQNP groups. The non-return rates of buffalo cows inseminated with TQNP50-treated spermatozoa were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05; 88% vs. 72%). These findings suggested that the freezing extender supplemented with TQNPs could effectively enhance the cryotolerance and fertility of buffalo sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael A. Khalil
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A. E. Hassan
- Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Giza 12619, Egypt;
| | - Mostafa A. El-Harairy
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Sameh A. Abdelnour
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
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Fu P, Zhang D, Yang C, Yuan X, Luo X, Zheng H, Deng Y, Liu Q, Cui K, Gao F, Shi D. Whole-genome transcriptome and DNA methylation dynamics of pre-implantation embryos reveal progression of embryonic genome activation in buffaloes. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:94. [PMID: 37430306 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00894-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During mammalian pre-implantation embryonic development (PED), the process of maternal-to-zygote transition (MZT) is well orchestrated by epigenetic modification and gene sequential expression, and it is related to the embryonic genome activation (EGA). During MZT, the embryos are sensitive to the environment and easy to arrest at this stage in vitro. However, the timing and regulation mechanism of EGA in buffaloes remain obscure. RESULTS Buffalo pre-implantation embryos were subjected to trace cell based RNA-seq and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) to draw landscapes of transcription and DNA-methylation. Four typical developmental steps were classified during buffalo PED. Buffalo major EGA was identified at the 16-cell stage by the comprehensive analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation dynamics. By weighted gene co-expression network analysis, stage-specific modules were identified during buffalo maternal-to-zygotic transition, and key signaling pathways and biological process events were further revealed. Programmed and continuous activation of these pathways was necessary for success of buffalo EGA. In addition, the hub gene, CDK1, was identified to play a critical role in buffalo EGA. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides a landscape of transcription and DNA methylation in buffalo PED and reveals deeply the molecular mechanism of the buffalo EGA and genetic programming during buffalo MZT. It will lay a foundation for improving the in vitro development of buffalo embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 402460, China
| | - Du Zhang
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Chunyan Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Reproduction and Breeding, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences and the People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530016, China
| | - Xier Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225, China
| | - Haiying Zheng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Reproduction and Breeding, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Yanfei Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Qingyou Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225, China
| | - Kuiqing Cui
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China.
- Comparative Pediatrics and Nutrition, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK 1870 C, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - Deshun Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources & Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Disease Control, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
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Cortez JV, Hardwicke K, Cuervo-Arango J, Grupen CG. Cloning horses by somatic cell nuclear transfer: Effects of oocyte source on development to foaling. Theriogenology 2023; 203:99-108. [PMID: 37011429 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
The cloning of horses is a commercial reality, yet the availability of oocytes for cloned embryo production remains a major limitation. Immature oocytes collected from abattoir-sourced ovaries or from live mares by ovum pick-up (OPU) have both been used to generate cloned foals. However, the reported cloning efficiencies are difficult to compare due to the different somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) techniques and conditions used. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the in vitro and in vivo development of equine SCNT embryos produced using oocytes recovered from abattoir-sourced ovaries and from live mares by OPU. A total of 1,128 oocytes were obtained, of which 668 were abattoir-derived and 460 were OPU-derived. The methods used for in vitro maturation and SCNT were identical for both oocyte groups, and the embryos were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 Ham medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. Embryo development in vitro was assessed, and Day 7 blastocysts were transferred to recipient mares. The embryos were transferred fresh when possible, and a cohort of vitrified-thawed OPU-derived blastocysts was also transferred. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded at Days 14, 42 and 90 of gestation and at foaling. The rates of cleavage (68.7 ± 3.9% vs 62.4 ± 4.7%) and development to the blastocyst stage (34.6 ± 3.3% vs 25.6 ± 2.0%) were superior for OPU-derived embryos compared with abattoir-derived embryos (P < 0.05). Following transfer of Day 7 blastocysts to a total of 77 recipient mares, the pregnancy rates at Days 14 and 42 of gestation were 37.7% and 27.3%, respectively. Beyond Day 42, the percentages of recipient mares that still had a viable conceptus at Day 90 (84.6% vs 37.5%) and gave birth to a healthy foal (61.5% vs 12.5%) were greater for the OPU group compared with the abattoir group (P < 0.05). Surprisingly, more favourable pregnancy outcomes were achieved when blastocysts were vitrified for later transfer, probably because the uterine receptivity of the recipient mares was more ideal. A total of 12 cloned foals were born, 9 of which were viable. Given the differences observed between the two oocyte groups, the use of OPU-harvested oocytes for generating cloned foals is clearly advantageous. Continued research is essential to better understand the oocyte deficiencies and increase the efficiency of equine cloning.
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Pauciullo A, Versace C, Perucatti A, Gaspa G, Li LY, Yang CY, Zheng HY, Liu Q, Shang JH. Oocyte aneuploidy rates in river and swamp buffalo types (Bubalus bubalis) determined by Multi-color Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (M-FISH). Sci Rep 2022; 12:8440. [PMID: 35590020 PMCID: PMC9120204 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12603-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy is one of the main causes of fetal and embryonic mortality in mammals. Nonetheless, its incidence in domestic ruminants has been investigated little. Indeed, no incidence data have ever been reported for water buffalo. To establish the incidence of aneuploidy in this species, we analysed in vitro matured metaphase II (MII) oocytes with corresponding first polar bodies (I PB) of the river (2n = 50) and swamp (2n = 48) buffaloes. For the first time, six river type probes (corresponding to chromosomes 1–5 and heterosome X), were tested on swamp buffalo metaphases using Multicolor-Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (M-FISH) before their use on oocytes MII metaphases. Of the 120 total Cumulus Oocyte Complexes (COCs, 60 for each buffalo type) subjected to in vitro maturation, 104 reached the MII stage and were analysed by M-FISH. Haploid chromosome arrangement and visible I PB were observed in 89 of the oocytes (45 in river and 44 in swamp type). In the river type, the analysis revealed one oocyte was disomic for the chromosome X (2.22%). In the swamp type, one oocyte was found to be nullisomic for chromosome X (2.27%); another was found to be nullisomic for chromosome 5 (2.27%). We also observed one oocyte affected by a premature separation of sister chromatids (PSSC) on the chromosome X (2.27%). In both buffalo types, no abnormalities were detected in other investigated chromosomes. Based on merged data, the overall aneuploidy rate for the species was 3.37%. Oocytes with unreduced chromosomes averaged 1.92% across the two types, with 1.96% in river and 1.88% in swamp. The interspecies comparison between these data and cattle and pig published data revealed substantial difference in both total aneuploidy and diploidy rates. Reducing the negative impact of the meiotic segregation errors on the fertility is key to more sustainable breeding, an efficient embryo transfer industry and ex-situ bio-conservation. In this respect, additional M-FISH studies are needed on oocytes of domestic species using larger sets of probes and/or applying next generation sequencing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Pauciullo
- Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Grugliasco (TO), Italy.
| | - Carmine Versace
- Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Angela Perucatti
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Genomics, National Research Council (CNR), ISPAAM, 80056, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Giustino Gaspa
- Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Ling-Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Chun-Yan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Hai-Ying Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, 530001, China
| | - Qinyou Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Jiang-Hua Shang
- Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, 530001, China
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