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Aguilera C, Wong YS, Gutierrez-Reinoso MA, Velásquez AE, Melo-Báez B, Cabezas J, Caamaño D, Navarrete F, Castro FO, Rodriguez-Alvarez LL. Embryo-maternal communication mediated by extracellular vesicles in the early stages of embryonic development is modified by in vitro conditions. Theriogenology 2024; 214:43-56. [PMID: 37852113 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.10.005] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become important in embryo-maternal communication during early development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an in vitro system on early bidirectional embryo-maternal communication mediated by EVs. For this purpose, two experiments were performed: one to evaluate the effect of embryonic EVs on maternal cells and the second to determine the effect of maternal EVs on early embryonic development. For the first in vitro (IVP) and in vivo (IVV) experiments, bovine blastocysts were selected and individually cultured for 48 h to collect embryonic EVs secreted during days 7-9 of embryonic development. Embryonic EVs were added to the medium of in vitro-cultured bovine endometrial cells to evaluate their effect on the expression pattern of genes associated with endometrial function and response to interferon tau (IFNT). Non-classical interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were only induced by in vitro-derived embryos. In the second experiment, EVs released by endometrial cells cultured in vitro (EVC) and collected from uterine fluid (EV-UF) of cows in the early luteal phase were added to the culture medium of bovine embryos produced in vitro during days 5-9 of development. The effect of maternal in vitro or in vivo-derived EVs differs in the quality of bovine embryos produced in vitro during the pre-implantation period. The expression of IFNT in bovine embryos is increased by the effect of EV-UF treatment. Additionally, EV-UF treatment induces a sustained increase in diameter during embryonic development and a tendency towards a greater number of expanded and hatched blastocysts. However, some genes related to embryo quality are induced by EVC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Aguilera
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile
| | - Y S Wong
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile
| | - M A Gutierrez-Reinoso
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile
| | - A E Velásquez
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile
| | - B Melo-Báez
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile
| | - J Cabezas
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile
| | - D Caamaño
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile
| | - F Navarrete
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile
| | - F O Castro
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile
| | - L L Rodriguez-Alvarez
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Chillan, Chile.
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Valente RS, Marsico TV, Sudano MJ. Basic and applied features in the cryopreservation progress of bovine embryos. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 239:106970. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.106970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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de Oliveira Fernandes G, de Faria OAC, Sifuentes DN, Franco MM, Dode MAN. Electrospray mass spectrometry analysis of blastocoel fluid as a potential tool for bovine embryo selection. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2209-2217. [PMID: 33866497 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02189-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to analyze the metabolic profiles of blastocoel fluid (BF) obtained from bovine embryos produced in vivo and in vitro. METHODS Expanded blastocysts (20/group) that were in vitro and in vivo derived at day 7 were used. BF was collected and analyzed under direct infusion conditions using a microTOF-Q® mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization and a mass range of 50-650 m/z. RESULTS The spectrometry showed an evident difference in the metabolic profiles of BF from in vivo and in vitro produced embryos. These differences were very consistent between the samples of each group suggesting that embryo fluids can be used to identify the origin of the embryo. Ions 453.15 m/z, 437.18 m/z, and 398.06 m/z were identified as biomarkers for the embryo's origin with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Although it was not possible to unveil the molecular identity of the differential ions, the resulting spectrometric profiles provide a phenotype capable of differentiating embryos and hence constitute a potential parameter for embryo selection. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, our results showed, for the first time, an evident difference between the spectrometric profiles of the BF from bovine embryos produced in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maurício Machaim Franco
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Margot Alves Nunes Dode
- School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil. .,Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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Metabolites Secreted by Bovine Embryos In Vitro Predict Pregnancies That the Recipient Plasma Metabolome Cannot, and Vice Versa. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11030162. [PMID: 33799889 PMCID: PMC7999939 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11030162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This work describes the use of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics as a non-invasive approach to accurately predict birth prior to embryo transfer (ET) starting from embryo culture media and plasma recipient. Metabolomics was used here as a predictive platform. Day-6 in vitro produced embryos developed singly in modified synthetic oviduct fluid culture medium (CM) drops for 24 h were vitrified as Day-7 blastocysts and transferred to recipients. Day-0 and Day-7 recipient plasma (N = 36 × 2) and CM (N = 36) were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to the quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-qTOF). Metabolites quantified in CM and plasma were analyzed as a function to predict pregnancy at Day-40, Day-62, and birth (univariate and multivariate statistics). Subsequently, a Boolean matrix (F1 score) was constructed with metabolite pairs (one from the embryo, and one from the recipient) to combine the predictive power of embryos and recipients. Validation was performed in independent cohorts of ETs analyzed. Embryos that did not reach birth released more stearic acid, capric acid, palmitic acid, and glyceryl monostearate in CM (i.e., (p < 0.05, FDR < 0.05, Receiver Operator Characteristic—area under curve (ROC-AUC) > 0.669)). Within Holstein recipients, hydrocinnamic acid, alanine, and lysine predicted birth (ROC-AUC > 0.778). Asturiana de los Valles recipients that reached birth showed lower concentrations of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, stearic acid, palmitic acid, and hippuric acid (ROC-AUC > 0.832). Embryonal capric acid and glyceryl-monostearate formed F1 scores generally >0.900, with metabolites found both to differ (e.g., hippuric acid, hydrocinnamic acid) or not (e.g., heptadecanoic acid, citric acid) with pregnancy in plasmas, as hypothesized. Efficient lipid metabolism in the embryo and the recipient can allow pregnancy to proceed. Changes in phenolics from plasma suggest that microbiota and liver metabolism influence the pregnancy establishment in cattle.
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Campanile G, Baruselli PS, Limone A, D'Occhio MJ. Local action of cytokines and immune cells in communication between the conceptus and uterus during the critical period of early embryo development, attachment and implantation - Implications for embryo survival in cattle: A review. Theriogenology 2021; 167:1-12. [PMID: 33743503 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Early embryo development, implantation and pregnancy involve a complex dialogue between the embryo and mother. In cattle this dialogue starts as early as days 3-4 when the embryo is still in the oviduct, and it continues to implantation. Immunological processes involving cytokines, mast cells and macrophages form an important part of this dialogue. Amongst the cytokines, interleukin-6 (Il-6) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) are secreted by both the embryo and uterine endometrium and form part of an ongoing and reciprocating dialogue. Mast cells and macrophages populate the uterine endometrium during embryo development and are involved in achieving the correct balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions at the uterus that are associated with embryo attachment and implantation. Embryo loss is the major cause of reproductive wastage in cattle, and livestock generally. A deeper understanding of immunological processes during early embryo development will help to achieve the next step change in the efficiency of natural and assisted breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Pietro S Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Antonio Limone
- Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Michael J D'Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
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D’Occhio MJ, Campanile G, Baruselli PS. Peripheral action of kisspeptin at reproductive tissues-role in ovarian function and embryo implantation and relevance to assisted reproductive technology in livestock: a review. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:1157-1170. [PMID: 32776148 PMCID: PMC7711897 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Kisspeptin (KISS1) is encoded by the KISS1 gene and was initially found to be a repressor of metastasis. Natural mutations in the KISS1 receptor gene (KISS1R) were subsequently shown to be associated with idiopathic hypothalamic hypogonadism and impaired puberty. This led to interest in the role of KISS1 in reproduction. It was established that KISS1 had a fundamental role in the control of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. KISS1 neurons have receptors for leptin and estrogen receptor α (ERα), which places KISS1 at the gateway of metabolic (leptin) and gonadal (ERα) regulation of GnRH secretion. More recently, KISS1 has been shown to act at peripheral reproductive tissues. KISS1 and KISS1R genes are expressed in follicles (granulosa, theca, oocyte), trophoblast, and uterus. KISS1 and KISS1R proteins are found in the same tissues. KISS1 appears to have autocrine and paracrine actions in follicle and oocyte maturation, trophoblast development, and implantation and placentation. In some studies, KISS1 was beneficial to in vitro oocyte maturation and blastocyst development. The next phase of KISS1 research will explore potential benefits on embryo survival and pregnancy. This will likely involve longer-term KISS1 treatments during proestrus, early embryo development, trophoblast attachment, and implantation and pregnancy. A deeper understanding of the direct action of KISS1 at reproductive tissues could help to achieve the next step change in embryo survival and improvement in the efficiency of assisted reproductive technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J D’Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro S Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Wooldridge LK, Nardi ME, Ealy AD. Zinc supplementation during in vitro embryo culture increases inner cell mass and total cell numbers in bovine blastocysts1. J Anim Sci 2020; 97:4946-4950. [PMID: 31712807 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Deficiencies in current embryo culture media likely contribute to the poor blastocyst development rates and pregnancy retention rates for in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos. Of special concern is the lack of micronutrients in these media formulations. One micronutrient of interest is zinc, an essential trace element involved with various enzyme and transcription factor activities. The objective of this work was to describe whether zinc sulfate supplementation during in vitro embryo culture affects bovine embryo development and blastomere numbers. Either 0, 2, 20, or 40 µM zinc sulfate was supplemented to presumptive zygotes cultured in synthetic oviductal fluid containing AAs and bovine serum albumin for 8 d. None of the treatments affected cleavage rates. Percentage of blastocysts on days 7 and 8 postfertilization was not affected by supplementing 2 or 20 µM zinc but were reduced (P < 0.05) with 40 µM zinc. In blastocysts harvested on day 8, inner cell mass (ICM) and total cell number were increased (P < 0.05) with 2 µM zinc supplementation but not with the other zinc concentrations. Numbers of trophectoderm cells were not affected by zinc treatment. In conclusion, supplementing zinc during bovine embryo culture did not impact blastocyst development but improved ICM cell numbers. This improvement in ICM cell number may have implications for improved pregnancy retention rates after IVP embryo transfer as smaller ICM sizes are associated with poor pregnancy success in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia K Wooldridge
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Madison E Nardi
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Alan D Ealy
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
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Daly J, Smith H, McGrice HA, Kind KL, van Wettere WH. Towards Improving the Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technologies of Cattle and Sheep, with Particular Focus on Recipient Management. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E293. [PMID: 32069818 PMCID: PMC7070504 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Australian agricultural industry contributes AUD 47 billion to the Australian economy, and Australia is the world's largest exporter of sheep meat and the third largest for beef. Within Australia, sheep meat consumption continues to rise, with beef consumption being amongst the highest in the world; therefore, efficient strategies to increase herd/flock size are integral to the success of these industries. Reproductive management is crucial to increasing the efficiency of Australian breeding programs. The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) has the potential to increase efficiency significantly. The implementation of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and juvenile in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (JIVET) in combination with genomic selection and natural mating and AI is the most efficient way to increase genetic gain, and thus increase reproductive efficiency within the Australian livestock industries. However, ARTs are costly, and high variation, particularly between embryo transfer recipients in their ability to maintain pregnancy, is a significant constraint to the widespread commercial adoption of ARTs. The use of a phenotypic marker for the selection of recipients, as well as the better management of recipient animals, may be an efficient and cost-effective means to increase the productivity of the Australian livestock industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamee Daly
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia; (H.S.); (H.A.M.); (K.L.K.)
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Gómez E, Salvetti P, Gatien J, Carrocera S, Martín-González D, Muñoz M. Blood Plasma Metabolomics Predicts Pregnancy in Holstein Cattle Transferred with Fresh and Vitrified/Warmed Embryos Produced in Vitro. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:1169-1182. [PMID: 31975599 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Metabolomics may identify biomarkers in blood that differentiate pregnant from open embryo recipients. Fresh and vitrified/warmed, in vitro-produced embryos were transferred to Holstein recipients (discovery group). Recipient blood plasma collected on Day-0 (estrus) and Day-7 (before embryo transfer) were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (N = 36 metabolites quantified). Metabolites whose concentrations differed between open and pregnant recipients were analyzed [(P < 0.05); false discovery rate (FDR) (P < 0.05)]. Biomarkers were identified in Day-7 plasma (receiver operator characteristic-area under curve (ROC-AUC) > 0.650; t-test P < 0.05; random forests, mean decrease accuracy) and cross-validated in independent Holstein, beef, and crossbred recipients (overall classification accuracy -OCA-; P < 0.05). Recipients with fresh embryos showed N = 6 biomarkers consistently on Day-40, Day-62, and at birth. Recipients with vitrified embryos showed N = 5 biomarkers on Day-40 and Day-62 but only one biomarker at birth. The most predictive biomarkers identified at birth within fresh embryos were oxoglutaric acid (ROC-AUC = 0.709; OCA = 0.812) and ornithine (ROC-AUC = 0.731; OCA = 0.727), while l-glycine was identified in vitrified embryos (ROC-AUC = 0.796; OCA = 0.667) together with other predictive biomarkers not identified at birth (Day-62: l-glutamine ROC-AUC = 0.757; OCA = 0.767) and l-lysine (Day-62: ROC-AUC = 0.680; OCA = 0.767). Pathway enrichment analysis distinguished between pregnant recipients for fresh (enriched energy oxidative metabolism from fat) and vitrified (lower lipid metabolism) embryos. Metabolomics can select individuals that will become pregnant in a defined cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Gómez
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-SERIDA, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - Pascal Salvetti
- ALLICE, Experimental Facilities, Le Perroi, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Julie Gatien
- ALLICE, Experimental Facilities, Le Perroi, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Susana Carrocera
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-SERIDA, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | | | - Marta Muñoz
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-SERIDA, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
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D'Occhio MJ, Campanile G, Zicarelli L, Visintin JA, Baruselli PS. Adhesion molecules in gamete transport, fertilization, early embryonic development, and implantation-role in establishing a pregnancy in cattle: A review. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:206-222. [PMID: 31944459 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell adhesion molecules have critically important roles in the early events of reproduction including gamete transport, sperm-oocyte interaction, embryonic development, and implantation. Major adhesion molecules involved in reproduction include cadherins, integrins, and disintegrin and metalloprotease domain-containing (ADAM) proteins. ADAMs on the surface of sperm adhere to integrins on the oocyte in the initial stages of sperm-oocyte interaction and fusion. Cadherins act in early embryos to organize the inner cell mass and trophectoderm. The trophoblast and uterine endometrial epithelium variously express cadherins, integrins, trophinin, and selectin, which achieve apposition and attachment between the elongating conceptus and uterine epithelium before implantation. An overview of the major cell-cell adhesion molecules is presented and this is followed by examples of how adhesion molecules help shape early reproductive events. The argument is made that a deeper understanding of adhesion molecules and reproduction will inform new strategies that improve embryo survival and increase the efficiency of natural mating and assisted breeding in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J D'Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Zicarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - José A Visintin
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pietro S Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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11
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Marsico TV, de Camargo J, Valente RS, Sudano MJ. Embryo competence and cryosurvival: Molecular and cellular features. Anim Reprod 2019; 16:423-439. [PMID: 32435286 PMCID: PMC7234140 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2019-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Global cattle genetic market is experiencing a change of strategy, large genetic companies, traditionally recognized in the artificial insemination field, have also begun to operate in the embryo market. Consequently, the demand for in vitro produced (IVP) embryos has grown. However, the overall efficiency of the biotechnology process remains low. Additionally, the lack of homogeneity of post-cryopreservation survival results of IVP embryos still impairing a massive dissemination of this biotechnology in the field. A great challenge for in vitro production labs is to increase the amount of embryos produced with exceptional quality after each round of in vitro fertilization. Herein, we discuss the molecular and cellular features associated with the competence and cryosurvival of IVP embryos. First, morphofunctional, cellular and molecular competence of the embryos were addressed and a relationship between embryo developmental ability and quality were established with cryosurvival and pregnancy success. Additionally, determinant factors of embryo competence and cryosurvival were discussed including the following effects: genotype, oocyte quality and follicular microenvironment, in vitro production conditions, and lipids and other determining molecules. Finally, embryo cryopreservation aspects were addressed and an embryo-focused approach to improve cryosurvival was presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamiris V. Marsico
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil.
| | - Janine de Camargo
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brasil.
| | - Roniele S. Valente
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil.
| | - Mateus J. Sudano
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brasil.
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12
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Reese ST, Geary TW, Franco GA, Moraes JGN, Spencer TE, Pohler KG. Pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and pregnancy loss in high vs sub fertility heifers. Theriogenology 2019; 135:7-12. [PMID: 31185426 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive inefficiency and infertility are major financial burdens to domestic livestock. Variables associated with these reproductive losses during early gestation include contributions from the oocyte, uterus, sperm, embryo and placenta. Bovine pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) are produced by the binucleate cells of the ruminant placenta and can be used to diagnose pregnancy. Increased circulating concentrations of PAG early in gestation have been correlated with pregnancy success and decreased concentrations are predictive of impending embryonic mortality in both beef and dairy cattle. The objectives of the current study were to determine whether: 1) heifer fertility status is associated with circulating concentrations of PAG and pregnancy loss; and 2) PAG concentrations within the same animal are repeatable across multiple pregnancies. We hypothesized maternal PAG concentrations would be increased in high fertility compared to subfertile heifers but not repeatable across subsequent pregnancies in the same heifer. Serial embryo transfer (ET; n = 4 rounds) was used to classify predominately Angus heifers (n = 92) as highly fertile (HF = 30; 100% pregnancy success) or subfertile (SF = 62; average = 33%; range = 25-75% pregnancy success) based on day 28 ultrasound diagnosis. Blood samples were collected at both day 28 and 44 for quantification of circulating PAG concentrations by an in house PAG ELISA with antibodies raised against early secreted PAGs. Pregnancy was terminated at day 44 of gestation and heifers were allowed 30 days recovery before synchronization for the next ET. Only heifers that were diagnosed pregnant by ultrasound were used in this study (HF: n = 30, SF: n = 62). Serum concentrations of PAGs were not different between HF (5.90 ± 0.27 ng/mL) and SF (5.56 ± 0.31 ng/mL; P = 0.16) heifers at day 28 of gestation nor was there a difference at day 44 of gestation (P = 0.32). Subfertile heifers had increased pregnancy loss between days 28 and 44 of gestation. Based on odds ratio analysis, SF heifers had a 2.41 times chance to undergo pregnancy loss between day 28-44 compared to HF heifers (P < 0.05). There was no correlation (P > 0.05) in maternal circulating concentrations of PAG between pregnancies on day 28 or 44 of gestation in samples obtained from HF heifers. In summary, circulating concentrations of PAG are not different between HF and SF heifers; however, HF classified heifers have decreased pregnancy loss between days 28 and 44 of gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Reese
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - T W Geary
- USDA-ARS, Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, Miles City, MT, USA
| | - G A Franco
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - J G N Moraes
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - T E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - K G Pohler
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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Wooldridge LK, Ealy AD. Interleukin-6 increases inner cell mass numbers in bovine embryos. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 19:2. [PMID: 30709330 PMCID: PMC6359871 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-019-0182-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Work in other species suggests that interleukin-6 (IL6) promotes early embryo development. It was unclear whether IL6 serves as an embryokine in cultured bovine embryos. This work was undertaken to elucidate the role of IL6 during in vitro bovine embryo production. Results Transcripts for IL6 and its two cognate receptor subunits (IL6R, IL6ST) were confirmed in bovine embryos from the 1-cell to blastocyst stages. Supplementing 100 ng/ml recombinant bovine IL6 to in vitro-produced bovine embryos at day 1, 3 or 5 increased (P < 0.05) inner cell mass (ICM) cell number and the ICM:trophectoderm (TE) ratio but not TE cell number. No increase in ICM or TE cell number was observed after supplementation of 1 or 10 ng/ml IL6 beginning at either day 1 or 5. Sequential supplementation with 100 ng/ml IL6 at both day 1 and 5 (for a total of 200 ng/ml IL6) increased (P < 0.05) ICM cell number to a greater extent than supplementing IL6 at a single time period in one study but not a second study. Additionally, providing 200 ng/ml IL6 beginning at day 1 or 5 yielded no further increase on ICM cell numbers when compared to supplementing with 100 ng/ml IL6. IL6 treatment had no effect on cleavage or blastocyst formation in group culture. However, IL6 supplementation increased cleavage and day 8 blastocyst formation when bovine embryos were cultured individually. Conclusions These results implicate IL6 as an embryokine that specifically increases ICM cell numbers in bovine embryos and facilitates bovine blastocyst development in embryos cultured individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia K Wooldridge
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 3430 Litton-Reaves Hall (0306), Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Alan D Ealy
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 3430 Litton-Reaves Hall (0306), Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA.
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Moraes JGN, Behura SK, Geary TW, Hansen PJ, Neibergs HL, Spencer TE. Uterine influences on conceptus development in fertility-classified animals. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E1749-E1758. [PMID: 29432175 PMCID: PMC5828633 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1721191115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A major unresolved issue is how the uterus influences infertility and subfertility in cattle. Serial embryo transfer was previously used to classify heifers as high-fertile (HF), subfertile (SF), or infertile (IF). To assess pregnancy loss, two in vivo-produced embryos were transferred into HF, SF, and IF heifers on day 7, and pregnancy outcome was assessed on day 17. Pregnancy rate was substantially higher in HF (71%) and SF (90%) than IF (20%) heifers. Elongating conceptuses were about twofold longer in HF than SF heifers. Transcriptional profiling detected relatively few differences in the endometrium of nonpregnant HF, SF, and IF heifers. In contrast, there was a substantial difference in the transcriptome response of the endometrium to pregnancy between HF and SF heifers. Considerable deficiencies in pregnancy-dependent biological pathways associated with extracellular matrix structure and organization as well as cell adhesion were found in the endometrium of SF animals. Distinct gene expression differences were also observed in conceptuses from HF and SF animals, with many of the genes decreased in SF conceptuses known to be embryonic lethal in mice due to defects in embryo and/or placental development. Analyses of biological pathways, key players, and ligand-receptor interactions based on transcriptome data divulged substantial evidence for dysregulation of conceptus-endometrial interactions in SF animals. These results support the ideas that the uterus impacts conceptus survival and programs conceptus development, and ripple effects of dysregulated conceptus-endometrial interactions elicit loss of the postelongation conceptus in SF cattle during the implantation period of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao G N Moraes
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - Susanta K Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - Thomas W Geary
- Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Miles City, MT 59301
| | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Holly L Neibergs
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211;
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15
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Neupane M, Geary TW, Kiser JN, Burns GW, Hansen PJ, Spencer TE, Neibergs HL. Loci and pathways associated with uterine capacity for pregnancy and fertility in beef cattle. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188997. [PMID: 29228019 PMCID: PMC5724891 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility and subfertility negatively impact the economics and reproductive performance of cattle. Of note, significant pregnancy loss occurs in cattle during the first month of pregnancy, yet little is known about the genetic loci influencing pregnancy success and loss in cattle. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) with large effects associated with early pregnancy loss, Angus crossbred heifers were classified based on day 28 pregnancy outcomes to serial embryo transfer. A genome wide association analysis (GWAA) was conducted comparing 30 high fertility heifers with 100% success in establishing pregnancy to 55 subfertile heifers with 25% or less success. A gene set enrichment analysis SNP (GSEA-SNP) was performed to identify gene sets and leading edge genes influencing pregnancy loss. The GWAA identified 22 QTL (p < 1 x 10-5), and GSEA-SNP identified 9 gene sets (normalized enrichment score > 3.0) with 253 leading edge genes. Network analysis identified TNF (tumor necrosis factor), estrogen, and TP53 (tumor protein 53) as the top of 671 upstream regulators (p < 0.001), whereas the SOX2 (SRY [sex determining region Y]-box 2) and OCT4 (octamer-binding transcription factor 4) complex was the top master regulator out of 773 master regulators associated with fertility (p < 0.001). Identification of QTL and genes in pathways that improve early pregnancy success provides critical information for genomic selection to increase fertility in cattle. The identified genes and regulators also provide insight into the complex biological mechanisms underlying pregnancy establishment in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh Neupane
- Department Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Thomas W. Geary
- USDA-ARS, Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, Miles City, Montana, United States of America
| | - Jennifer N. Kiser
- Department Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Gregory W. Burns
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Thomas E. Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Holly L. Neibergs
- Department Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Kaniyamattam K, Block J, Hansen PJ, De Vries A. Economic and genetic performance of various combinations of in vitro-produced embryo transfers and artificial insemination in a dairy herd. J Dairy Sci 2017; 101:1540-1553. [PMID: 29153526 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to find the optimal proportions of pregnancies from an in vitro-produced embryo transfer (IVP-ET) system and artificial insemination (AI) so that profitability is maximized over a range of prices for embryos and surplus dairy heifer calves. An existing stochastic, dynamic dairy model with genetic merits of 12 traits was adapted for scenarios where 0 to 100% of the eligible females in the herd were impregnated, in increments of 10%, using IVP-ET (ET0 to ET100, 11 scenarios). Oocytes were collected from the top donors selected for the trait lifetime net merit (NM$) and fertilized with sexed semen to produce IVP embryos. Due to their greater conception rates, first ranked were eligible heifer recipients based on lowest number of unsuccessful inseminations or embryo transfers, and then on age. Next, eligible cow recipients were ranked based on the greatest average estimated breeding values (EBV) of the traits cow conception rate and daughter pregnancy rate. Animals that were not recipients of IVP embryos received conventional semen through AI, except that the top 50% of heifers ranked for EBV of NM$ were inseminated with sexed semen for the first 2 AI. The economically optimal proportions of IVP-ET were determined using sensitivity analysis performed for 24 price sets involving 6 different selling prices of surplus dairy heifer calves at approximately 105 d of age and 4 different prices of IVP embryos. The model was run for 15 yr after the start of the IVP-ET program for each scenario. The mean ± standard error of true breeding values of NM$ of all cows in the herd in yr 15 was greater by $603 ± 2 per cow per year for ET100 when compared with ET0. The optimal proportion of IVP-ET ranged from ET100 (for surplus dairy heifer calves sold for ≥$300 along with an additional premium based on their EBV of NM$ and a ≤$100 embryo price) to as low as ET0 (surplus dairy heifer calves sold at $300 with a $200 embryo price). For the default assumptions, the profit/cow in yr 15 was greater by $337, $215, $116, and $69 compared with ET0 when embryo prices were $50, $100, $150, and $200. The optimal use of IVP-ET was 100, 100, 62, and 36% of all breedings for these embryo prices, respectively. At the input price of $165 for an IVP embryo, the difference in the net present value of yr 15 profit between ET40 (optimal scenario) and ET0 was $33 per cow. In conclusion, some use of IVP-ET was profitable for a wide range of IVP-ET prices and values of surplus dairy heifer calves.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeremy Block
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611
| | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611
| | - Albert De Vries
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.
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17
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Wang S, Liu B, Liu W, Xiao Y, Zhang H, Yang L. The effects of melatonin on bovine uniparental embryos development in vitro and the hormone secretion of COCs. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3485. [PMID: 28698819 PMCID: PMC5502088 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a unique multifunctional molecule that mediates reproductive functions in animals. In this study, we investigated the effects of melatonin on bovine parthenogenetic and androgenetic embryonic development, oocyte maturation, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in parthenogenetic and androgenetic embryos and cumulus—oocyte complexes (COCs) hormone secretion with melatonin supplementation at four concentrations (0, 10, 20, and 30 pmol/mL), respectively. The results showed that melatonin significantly promoted the rates of bovine parthenogenetic and androgenetic embryonic cleavage and morula and blastocysts development (P < 0.05). The rate of cleavage was higher in the androgenetic embryo than that in the parthenogenetic embryo. Compared with the parthenogenetic embryos, the androgenetic embryos had a poor developmental competence from morula to blastocyst stage. Moreover, the levels of ROS were significantly lower in the parthenogenetic and androgenetic embryoes with melatonin-treated group than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Melatonin supplemented significantly increased the maturation rate of oocyte in vitro (P < 0.05). More importantly, melatonin significantly promoted the secretion of progesterone and estradiol by COCs (P < 0.05). To reveal the regulatory mechanism of melatonin on steroids synthesis, we found that steroidogenic genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1 and StAR) were upregulated, suggesting that melatonin regulated estradiol and progesterone secretion through mediating the expression of steroidogenic genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1 and StAR). In addition, MT1 and MT2 were identified in bovine early parthenogenetic and androgenetic embryos using western blot. It could be concluded that melatonin had beneficial effects on bovine oocyte in vitro maturation, COC hormone secretion, early development of subsequent parthenogenetic and androgenetic embryos. It is inferred that melatonin could be used to enhance the efficiency of in vitro developed embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujuan Wang
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Bengbu, Anhui, China.,Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Baoru Liu
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wenju Liu
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hualin Zhang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Liguo Yang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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18
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Geary TW, Burns GW, Moraes JGN, Moss JI, Denicol AC, Dobbs KB, Ortega MS, Hansen PJ, Wehrman ME, Neibergs H, O'Neil E, Behura S, Spencer TE. Identification of Beef Heifers with Superior Uterine Capacity for Pregnancy. Biol Reprod 2016; 95:47. [PMID: 27417907 PMCID: PMC5029478 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.141390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility and subfertility represent major problems in domestic animals and humans, and the majority of embryonic loss occurs during the first month of gestation that involves pregnancy recognition and conceptus implantation. The critical genes and physiological pathways in the endometrium that mediate pregnancy establishment and success are not well understood. In study one, predominantly Angus heifers were classified based on fertility using serial embryo transfer to select animals with intrinsic differences in pregnancy loss. In each of the four rounds, a single in vitro-produced, high-quality embryo was transferred into heifers on Day 7 postestrus and pregnancy was determined on Days 28 and 42 by ultrasound and then terminated. Heifers were classified based on pregnancy success as high fertile (HF), subfertile (SF), or infertile (IF). In study two, fertility-classified heifers were resynchronized and bred with semen from a single high-fertility bull. Blood samples were collected every other day from Days 0 to 36 postmating. Pregnancy rate was determined on Day 28 by ultrasound and was higher in HF (70.4%) than in heifers with low fertility (36.8%; SF and IF). Progesterone concentrations in serum during the first 20 days postestrus were not different in nonpregnant heifers and also not different in pregnant heifers among fertility groups. In study three, a single in vivo-produced embryo was transferred into fertility-classified heifers on Day 7 postestrus. The uteri were flushed on Day 14 to recover embryos, and endometrial biopsies were obtained from the ipsilateral uterine horn. Embryo recovery rate and conceptus length and area were not different among the heifer groups. RNA was sequenced from the Day 14 endometrial biopsies of pregnant HF, SF, and IF heifers (n = 5 per group) and analyzed by edgeR-robust analysis. There were 26 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the HF compared to SF endometrium, 12 DEGs for SF compared to IF endometrium, and three DEGs between the HF and IF endometrium. Several of the DEG-encoded proteins are involved in immune responses and are expressed in B cells. Results indicate that preimplantation conceptus survival and growth to Day 14 is not compromised in SF and IF heifers. Thus, the observed difference in capacity for pregnancy success in these fertility-classified heifers is manifest between Days 14 and 28 when pregnancy recognition signaling and conceptus elongation and implantation must occur for the establishment of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Geary
- USDA-ARS, Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, Miles City, Montana
| | - Gregory W Burns
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Joao G N Moraes
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - James I Moss
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Anna C Denicol
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kyle B Dobbs
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - M Sofia Ortega
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | | | - Holly Neibergs
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Eleanore O'Neil
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Susanta Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
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19
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Perkel KJ, Tscherner A, Merrill C, Lamarre J, Madan P. The ART of selecting the best embryo: A review of early embryonic mortality and bovine embryo viability assessment methods. Mol Reprod Dev 2015; 82:822-38. [PMID: 26184077 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Animal reproductive biotechnology is continually evolving. Significant advances have been made in our understanding of early embryonic mortality and embryo development in domestic animals, which has improved the selection and success of in vitro technologies. Yet our knowledge is still relatively limited such that identifying a single embryo with the highest chance of survival and development for transfer remains challenging. While invasive methods such as embryo biopsy can provide useful information regarding the genetic status of the embryos, morphological assessment remains the most common evaluation. A recent shift, however, favors alternative, adjunct approaches for non-invasive assessment of an embryo's viability and developmental potential. Various analytical techniques have facilitated the evaluation of cellular health through the metabolome, the assessment of end products of cellular metabolism, or by analyzing spent media for small RNAs. This review discusses the application of noninvasive approaches for ascertaining the health and viability of in vitro-produced bovine embryos. A comparative analysis of noninvasive techniques for embryo assessment currently being investigated in cattle and humans is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla J Perkel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Allison Tscherner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Casandra Merrill
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan Lamarre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pavneesh Madan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Barnwell CV, Farin PW, Whisnant CS, Alexander JE, Farin CE. Maternal serum progesterone concentration and early conceptus development of bovine embryos produced in vivo or in vitro. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2015; 52:75-81. [PMID: 25917140 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The hormone progesterone is essential for proper embryonic development. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between recipient serum concentrations of progesterone, at the time of embryo transfer and at conceptus recovery, on conceptus development from in vivo- or in vitro-produced embryos. Embryos were produced in vivo by superovulation of Holstein cows (IVO; n = 17) or in vitro with either serum-containing (IVPS; n = 27) or serum-restricted medium (IVPSR; n = 34). Single grade I blastocysts from each embryo production system were transferred into heifers on day 7 of development. Conceptuses were recovered on day 17 of gestation and classified as complete, degenerated, or no conceptus. Compared with the IVO group, in vitro-produced embryos had more (P = 0.055) degenerated conceptuses (IVO, 0%; IVPS, 18.5%; and IVPSR, 20.6%). There were no differences in progesterone concentrations at the time of transfer when recipients received either male or female embryos (P > 0.05). Progesterone concentrations in recipients receiving in vivo-produced embryos were higher (P < 0.05; 3.74 ± 0.4 ng/mL; least-squares mean ± standard error of the mean) on day 7 compared with those receiving in vitro-produced embryos (IVPS, 2.4 ± 0.2; IVPSR, 2.58 ± 0.3 ng/mL). However, there was no difference in progesterone concentration on day 7 between treatment groups for heifers from which short conceptuses (≤194 mm) were recovered on day 17. In contrast, when longer (>194 mm) conceptuses were recovered on day 17, heifers receiving in vitro-produced embryos had lower (P = 0.05) serum concentrations of progesterone on day 7 compared with those receiving in vivo-produced embryos (IVPS, 2.2 ± 0.5; IVPSR, 2.3 ± 0.5; IVO, 3.9 ± 0.5 ng/mL). In conclusion, differences in autonomy may exist between in vitro- and in vivo-produced embryos during the period of conceptus elongation with in vitro-produced embryos relying more on intrinsic factors to influence elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C V Barnwell
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - P W Farin
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - C S Whisnant
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - J E Alexander
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - C E Farin
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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21
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Spencer TE, Hansen TR. Implantation and Establishment of Pregnancy in Ruminants. REGULATION OF IMPLANTATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF PREGNANCY IN MAMMALS 2015; 216:105-35. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-15856-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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22
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Urrego R, Herrera-Puerta E, Chavarria NA, Camargo O, Wrenzycki C, Rodriguez-Osorio N. Follicular progesterone concentrations and messenger RNA expression of MATER and OCT-4 in immature bovine oocytes as predictors of developmental competence. Theriogenology 2014; 83:1179-87. [PMID: 25662108 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The ability of bovine embryos to develop to the blastocyst stage and to implant and generate healthy offspring depends greatly on the competence of the oocyte. Oocyte competence is attributed to its close communication with the follicular environment and to its capacity to synthesize and store substantial amounts of messenger RNA. Higher developmental competence of bovine oocytes has been associated with both the expression of a cohort of developmental genes and the concentration of sex steroids in the follicular fluid. The aim of this study was to identify differences in the expression of FST in cumulus cells and OCT-4 and MATER in oocytes and the influence of the follicular progesterone and follicular estrogen concentration on the competence of bovine oocytes retrieved 30 minutes or 4 hours after slaughter. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were left in postmortem ovaries for 30 minutes (group I) or 4 hours (group II) at 30 °C. Aspirated oocytes were then subjected to IVM, IVF, and IVC or were evaluated for MATER and OCT-4 messenger RNA abundance by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Total RNA was isolated from pools of 100 oocytes for each experimental replicate. Progesterone and estradiol concentration in follicular fluid was evaluated by immunoassay using an IMMULITE 2000 analyzer. Three repeats of in vitro embryo production were performed with a total of 455 (group I) and 470 (group II) COCs. There were no significant differences between the cleavage rates (72 hours postinsemination [hpi]) between both groups (63.5% vs. 69.1%). However, blastocyst (168 hpi) and hatching (216 hpi) rates were higher (P < 0.05) in group II compared with those of group I (21.3% vs. 30.7% and 27.6% vs. 51.5%, respectively). Group II oocytes exhibited the highest MATER and OCT-4 abundance (P < 0.05). Follicular estradiol concentration was not different between both the groups, whereas the progesterone concentration was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in group II follicles. These results indicate that retrieving COCs 4 hours after slaughter could increase bovine in vitro developmental competence, which is linked to higher levels of oocyte MATER and OCT-4 transcripts and lower follicular progesterone concentration. Moreover, the results of the present study contribute to the identification of factors involved in the developmental competence of immature oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Urrego
- Grupo CENTAURO, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Grupo INCA-CES, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia.
| | - E Herrera-Puerta
- Grupo INCA-CES, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia; Grupo Biología CES-EIA, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
| | - N A Chavarria
- Grupo INCA-CES, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
| | - O Camargo
- Grupo Genes, Gametos y Embriones, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - C Wrenzycki
- Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Kwon S, Jeong S, Jeong YS, Park JS, Cui XS, Kim NH, Kang YK. Assessment of difference in gene expression profile between embryos of different derivations. Cell Reprogram 2014; 17:49-58. [PMID: 25549061 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2014.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers have exerted sustained efforts to improve the viability of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, testing their experimental designs and probing the resultant embryos. However, the lack of a reliable method to estimate the efficacy of these experimental attempts is a chief hindrance to tackling the low-viability problem in SCNT. Here, we introduce a procedure that assesses the degree of difference in gene expression profiles (GEPs) of blastocysts from each other as a representative control of good quality. We first adapted a multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction strategy to obtain GEPs for 15 reprogramming-related genes from single mouse blastocysts. GEPs of individual blastocysts displayed a broad range of variations, the extent of which was calculated using a weighted root mean square deviation (wRMSD). wRMSD-based quantitation of GEP difference (qGEP) found that GEP difference between in vivo-derived blastocysts (in vivo) and SCNT blastocysts was greater than the difference between in vivo blastocysts and in vitro-produced (IVP) blastocysts, demonstrating that the SCNT group was more distantly related to the in vivo group than the IVP group. Our qGEP approach for grading individual blastocysts would be useful for selecting a better protocol to derive embryos of better quality prior to field applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Kwon
- 1 Epigenetics Research Center , KRIBB, Daejeon, 305-806, Korea
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Splitting of IVP bovine blastocyst affects morphology and gene expression of resulting demi-embryos during in vitro culture and in vivo elongation. ZYGOTE 2014; 24:18-30. [PMID: 25496989 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199414000677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Embryo splitting might be used to increase offspring yield and for molecular analysis of embryo competence. How splitting affects developmental potential of embryos is unknown. This research aimed to study the effect of bovine blastocyst splitting on morphological and gene expression homogeneity of demi-embryos and on embryo competence during elongation. Grade I bovine blastocyst produced in vitro were split into halves and distributed in nine groups (3 × 3 setting according to age and stage before splitting; age: days 7-9; stage: early, expanded and hatched blastocysts). Homogeneity and survival rate in vitro after splitting (12 h, days 10 and 13) and the effect of splitting on embryo development at elongation after embryo transfer (day 17) were assessed morphologically and by RT-qPCR. The genes analysed were OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, CDX2, TP1, TKDP1, EOMES, and BAX. Approximately 90% of split embryos had a well conserved defined inner cell mass (ICM), 70% of the halves had similar size with no differences in gene expression 12 h after splitting. Split embryos cultured further conserved normal and comparable morphology at day 10 of development; this situation changes at day 13 when embryo morphology and gene expression differed markedly among demi-embryos. Split and non-split blastocysts were transferred to recipient cows and were recovered at day 17. Fifty per cent of non-split embryos were larger than 100 mm (33% for split embryos). OCT4, SOX2, TP1 and EOMES levels were down-regulated in elongated embryos derived from split blastocysts. In conclusion, splitting day-8 blastocysts yields homogenous demi-embryos in terms of developmental capability and gene expression, but the initiation of the filamentous stage seems to be affected by the splitting.
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Muñoz M, Uyar A, Correia E, Díez C, Fernandez-Gonzalez A, Caamaño JN, Martínez-Bello D, Trigal B, Humblot P, Ponsart C, Guyader-Joly C, Carrocera S, Martin D, Marquant Le Guienne B, Seli E, Gomez E. Prediction of pregnancy viability in bovine in vitro-produced embryos and recipient plasma with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97:5497-507. [PMID: 24997663 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed embryo culture medium (CM) and recipient blood plasma using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) metabolomics to predict pregnancy outcome. Individually cultured, in vitro-produced (IVP) blastocysts were transferred to recipients as fresh and vitrified-warmed. Spent CM and plasma samples were evaluated using FTIR. The discrimination capability of the classifiers was assessed for accuracy, sensitivity (pregnancy), specificity (nonpregnancy), and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC). Within all IVP fresh embryos (birth rate=52%), high AUC were obtained at birth, especially with expanded blastocysts (CM: 0.80±0.053; plasma: 0.89±0.034). The AUC of vitrified IVP embryos (birth rate = 31%) were 0.607±0.038 (CM, expanded blastocysts) and 0.672±0.023 (plasma, all stages). Recipient plasma generally predicted pregnancy outcome better than did embryo CM. Embryos and recipients with improved pregnancy viability were identified, which could increase the economic benefit to the breeding industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Muñoz
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla - Deva, 33394 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - A Uyar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, 310 Cedar street, LSOG 304B, New Haven, CT 06520; Department of Computer Engineering, Okan University, Tuzla Kampusu, 34959, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - E Correia
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla - Deva, 33394 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - C Díez
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla - Deva, 33394 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - A Fernandez-Gonzalez
- Servicios Científico Técnicos (Oviedo), Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - J N Caamaño
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla - Deva, 33394 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - D Martínez-Bello
- U.T.E. Bos-Lugar de Bos, Guísamo 15640 Bergondo, A Coruña, Spain
| | - B Trigal
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla - Deva, 33394 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - P Humblot
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7054, SE75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - C Ponsart
- Union Nationale des Cooperatives D' Elevage et Insemination Animale (UNCEIA), Department of Research and Development, 13 rue Jouet, 94704 Maisons Alfort, France
| | - C Guyader-Joly
- UNCEIA, Station Expérimentale, 484 Chemin Darefin, 38300 Chateauvillain, France
| | - S Carrocera
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla - Deva, 33394 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - D Martin
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla - Deva, 33394 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - B Marquant Le Guienne
- Union Nationale des Cooperatives D' Elevage et Insemination Animale (UNCEIA), Department of Research and Development, 13 rue Jouet, 94704 Maisons Alfort, France
| | - E Seli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, 310 Cedar street, LSOG 304B, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - E Gomez
- Centro de Biotecnología Animal-Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla - Deva, 33394 Gijón, Asturias, Spain.
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Wang F, Tian X, Zhang L, Gao C, He C, Fu Y, Ji P, Li Y, Li N, Liu G. Beneficial effects of melatonin on in vitro bovine embryonic development are mediated by melatonin receptor 1. J Pineal Res 2014; 56:333-42. [PMID: 24666110 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In the current study, a fundamental question, that is, the mechanisms related to the beneficial effects of melatonin on mammalian embryonic development, was addressed. To examine the potential beneficial effects of melatonin on bovine embryonic development, different concentrations of melatonin (10(-11), 10(-9), 10(-7), 10(-5), 10(-3) M) were incubated with fertilized embryos. Melatonin in the range of 10(-11) to 10(-5) M significantly promoted embryonic development both in early culture medium (CR1aa +3 mg/mL BSA) and in later culture medium (CR1aa + 6%FBS). The most effective concentrations applied in the current studies were 10(-9) and 10(-7) M. Using quantitative real-time PCR with immunofluorescence and Western blot assays, the expression of melatonin receptor MT1 and MT2 genes was identified in bovine embryos. Further studies indicate that the beneficial effects of melatonin on bovine embryo development were mediated by the MT1 receptor. This is based on the facts that luzindole, a nonselective MT1 and MT2 antagonist, blocked the effect on melatonin-induced embryo development, while 4-P-PDOT, a selective MT2 antagonist, had little effect. Mechanistic explorations uncovered that melatonin application during bovine embryonic development significantly up-regulated the expression of antioxidative (Gpx4, SOD1, bcl-2) and developmentally important genes (SLC2A1, DNMT1A, and DSC2) while down-regulating expression of pro-apoptotic genes (P53, BAX, and Caspase-3). The results obtained from the current studies provide new information regarding the mechanisms by which melatonin promotes bovine embryonic development under both in vitro and in vivo conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic Improvement in Beijing, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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27
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Hill JR. Incidence of abnormal offspring from cloning and other assisted reproductive technologies. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2013; 2:307-21. [PMID: 25384145 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-022513-114109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In animals produced by assisted reproductive technologies, two abnormal phenotypes have been characterized. Large offspring syndrome (LOS) occurs in offspring derived from in vitro cultured embryos, and the abnormal clone phenotype includes placental and fetal changes. LOS is readily apparent in ruminants, where a large calf or lamb derived from in vitro embryo production or cloning may weigh up to twice the expected body weight. The incidence of LOS varies widely between species. When similar embryo culture conditions are applied to nonruminant species, LOS either is not as dramatic or may even be unapparent. Coculture with serum and somatic cells was identified in the 1990s as a risk factor for abnormal development of ruminant pregnancies. Animals cloned from somatic cells may display a combination of fetal and placental abnormalities that are manifested at different stages of pregnancy and postnatally. In highly interventional technologies, such as nuclear transfer (cloning), the incidence of abnormal offspring continues to be a limiting factor to broader application of the technique. This review details the breadth of phenotypes found in nonviable pregnancies, together with the phenotypes of animals that survive the transition to extrauterine life. The focus is on animals produced using in vitro embryo culture and nuclear transfer in comparison to naturally occurring phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Hill
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia;
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Minten MA, Bilby TR, Bruno RGS, Allen CC, Madsen CA, Wang Z, Sawyer JE, Tibary A, Neibergs HL, Geary TW, Bauersachs S, Spencer TE. Effects of fertility on gene expression and function of the bovine endometrium. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69444. [PMID: 23940519 PMCID: PMC3734181 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility and subfertility are important and pervasive reproductive problems in both domestic animals and humans. The majority of embryonic loss occurs during the first three weeks of pregnancy in cattle and women due, in part, to inadequate endometrial receptivity for support of embryo implantation. To identify heifers of contrasting fertility, serial rounds of artificial insemination (AI) were conducted in 201 synchronized crossbred beef heifers. The heifers were then fertility classified based on number of pregnancies detected on day 35 in four AI opportunities. Heifers, classified as having high fertility, subfertility or infertility, were selected for further study. The fertility-classified heifers were superovulated and flushed, and the recovered embryos were graded and then transferred to synchronized recipients. Quantity of embryos recovered per flush, embryo quality, and subsequent recipient pregnancy rates did not differ by fertility classification. Two in vivo-produced bovine embryos (stage 4 or 5, grade 1 or 2) were then transferred into each heifer on day 7 post-estrus. Pregnancy rates were greater in high fertility than lower fertility heifers when heifers were used as embryo recipients. The reproductive tracts of the classified heifers were obtained on day 14 of the estrous cycle. No obvious morphological differences in reproductive tract structures and histology of the uterus were observed in the heifers. Microarray analysis revealed differences in the endometrial transcriptome based on fertility classification. A genome-wide association study, based on SNP genotyping, detected 7 moderate associations with fertility across 6 different chromosomes. Collectively, these studies support the idea that innate differences in uterine function underlie fertility and early pregnancy loss in ruminants. Cattle with defined early pregnancy success or loss is useful to elucidate the complex biological and genetic mechanisms governing endometrial receptivity and uterine competency for pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Minten
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Abstract
Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1) plays an important role in restraining the growth of intracellular pathogens within macrophages. In this study, Nramp1 cDNA was cloned from Qinchuan cattle and its anti-bacterial activity was demonstrated as being able to significantly inhibit the growth of Salmonella abortusovis and Brucella abortus in macrophages. Calf fibroblasts stably transfected with pSP-NRAMP1-HA vector were used to reconstruct bovine embryos by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Reconstructed embryos were maturated in vitro and the blastocyst formation rate (14.0%) was similar to that of control embryos (14.5%). Transgenic blastocysts were transplanted into 43 recipient cattle, of which 14 recipients became pregnant as evidenced by non-return estrus and by rectal palpation. One fetus was aborted after 6½ months of pregnancy and transgene integration was confirmed by semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Together, this study showed that bovine Nramp1 retains biological function against the growth of intracellular bacteria and can be used to reconstruct embryos and produce Nramp1 transgenic cattle, which may benefit the animal and enhance their ability to prevent attack by intracellular pathogens.
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30
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Kim SS, Park YS. Associations between pedigree, meat quality, and meat quantity of slaughterhouse donor cows and oocyte recovery, embryo development, and pregnancy after embryo transfer. Livest Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2011.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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31
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SENOSY W, ZAIN AE, ABDEL-RAZEK ARK, UCHIZA M, TAMEOKA N, IZAIKE Y, OSAWA T. Association between energy status early postpartum and subsequent embryonic mortality in high-yielding recipient cows. Anim Sci J 2011; 83:284-90. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2011.00958.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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32
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Taniyama A, Watanabe Y, Nishino Y, Inoue T, Taura Y, Takagi M, Kubota C, Otoi T. Assisted hatching of poor-quality bovine embryos increases pregnancy success rate after embryo transfer. J Reprod Dev 2011; 57:543-6. [PMID: 21606632 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.10-096t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryos of good, fair and poor quality were collected from superovulated cows and subjected to zona cutting (ZC) treatment using a needle under either an inverted microscope or a stereomicroscope. One (single transfer) or 2 (twin transfer) embryos with or without prior ZC treatment were transferred nonsurgically to recipients. Without the ZC treatment, lower embryonic quality resulted in lower pregnancy success rates. However, the ZC treatment increased the pregnancy success rate following transfer of poor-quality embryos, but not the pregnancy rate after transfer of good- or fair-quality embryos. No differences were observed between the pregnancy success rates after the transfer of embryos treated under the inverted microscope and those after transfer of embryos treated under the stereomicroscope, and this was the same after single and twin transfer. Moreover, ZC treatment of embryos prior to transfer did not result in an increased abortion rate, irrespective of the number of transferred embryos. In conclusion, ZC treatment improves pregnancy success rates following transfer of poor-quality embryos. Moreover, the results indicate that ZC treatment by using a stereomicroscope is practical for on-farm application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Taniyama
- Nagasaki Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station, Nagasaki, Japan
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33
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Wang YS, Tang S, An ZX, Li WZ, Liu J, Quan FS, Hua S, Zhang Y. Effect of mSOF and G1.1/G2.2 Media on the Developmental Competence of SCNT-Derived Bovine Embryos. Reprod Domest Anim 2011; 46:404-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01679.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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34
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WATANABE S, NAGAI T. Survival of embryos and calves derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer in cattle: a nationwide survey in Japan. Anim Sci J 2011; 82:360-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2010.00846.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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35
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Smith CS, Berg DK, Berg M, Pfeffer PL. Nuclear Transfer-Specific Defects Are Not Apparent during the Second Week of Embryogenesis in Cattle. Cell Reprogram 2010; 12:699-707. [DOI: 10.1089/cell.2010.0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martin Berg
- AgResearch, Ruakura Campus, Hamilton, New Zealand
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36
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Shorten P, Peterson A, O’Connell A, Juengel J, McNatty K, Soboleva T. A mathematical model of pregnancy recognition in mammals. J Theor Biol 2010; 266:62-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2010.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2010] [Revised: 05/31/2010] [Accepted: 06/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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37
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Berg DK, van Leeuwen J, Beaumont S, Berg M, Pfeffer PL. Embryo loss in cattle between Days 7 and 16 of pregnancy. Theriogenology 2010; 73:250-60. [PMID: 19880168 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2009] [Revised: 08/31/2009] [Accepted: 09/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Embryo loss between embryonic Days 7 and 16 (Day 0=day of IVF) in nonlactating cattle, Bos taurus, was analyzed using transfer of 2449 (in groups of 3 to 30) in vitro-produced (IVP) blastocysts. In 152 transfers, pregnancy losses attributable solely to recipient failings amounted to between 6% (beef heifers) and 16% (parous dairy cows), of which 3% were caused by uterine infections. Neither season, year, nor the age of the embryos on retrieval affected pregnancy rates. The latter observation indicated that the reason that a recipient failed to retain embryos was already present at the time of transfer. Notably, the proportion of embryos recovered decreased (P=0.03) as more embryos were transferred, particularly at later stages (Day 14, P<0.01). The average length of embryos decreased by approximately 5% for every additional embryo transferred (P<0.0001). These effects may be linked to embryonic migration. Embryo mortality inherent to the embryo during the second week of pregnancy was 24%. Additionally, 9% of Day 14 embryos were of inferior quality, as they did not contain an epiblast. Combining embryo and recipient causes but excluding infection effects, embryonic loss of IVP embryos during the second week of pregnancy amounted to 26% (heifers) or 34% (parous dairy cows). The length of embryos doubled every day between Days 9 and 16, with a 4.4-fold range in sizes representing two thirds of the variation in length. Embryos retrieved from heifers were twice the size of those incubated in parous cows (P<0.0001), indicating faster embryonic development/trophoblast proliferation in heifers. Whereas season did not affect embryo recoveries, length was lower (50%) in winter (winter-autumn, P<0.05; winter-spring, P<0.001). Lastly, transuterine migration in cattle, when transferring multiple embryos, commenced at Day 14 (4%) and had occurred in all recipients by Day 16 (38% of embryos found contralaterally).
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Berg
- AgResearch, Ruakura Campus, Hamilton, New Zealand
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38
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Zhang YL, Wan YJ, Wang ZY, Xu D, Pang XS, Meng L, Wang LH, Zhong BS, Wang F. Production of dairy goat embryos, by nuclear transfer, transgenic for human acid beta-glucosidase. Theriogenology 2010; 73:681-90. [PMID: 20053430 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2009] [Revised: 11/07/2009] [Accepted: 11/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Expression of recombinant human lysosomal acid beta-glucosidase (hGCase) by a transgenic animal bioreactor, using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), would decrease the cost of producing this product. The objective was to establish an effective procedure to prepare hGCase transgenic donor cells and nuclear transfer (NT) embryos to produce hGCase protein in the Saanen dairy goat mammary gland. A mammary-specific expression vector for hGCase was constructed and transfected into HC-11 mammary epithelial cells for bioactivity analysis in vitro; mRNA transcripts and hGCase protein were correctly expressed in transfected HC-11 cells. The hGCase gene was then introduced into fetal fibroblasts (from dairy goats) to prepare competent transgenic donor cells. Transgenic fibroblast clones from a single round of transfection were reliably isolated by 96-well cell culture plates and screened with PCR amplification and chromosomal counting (66.8%). Dairy goat cloned embryos were produced from these hGCase fetal cells by SCNT, the hGCase transgene was successfully detected in these embryos, and there were similar rates (P>0.05) of fusion (83.3% vs. 77.8%), cleavage (89.1% vs. 90.9%), and development to the morula/blastocyst stages (36.4% vs. 38.9%) between NT embryos using transgenic fetal fibroblasts and non-transfected control cells. Moreover, 98 well-developed reconstructed embryos derived from transgenic cells were transferred to 16 recipients; pregnancy was confirmed at 40 d in two goats. Therefore, we achieved functional expression of hGCase in mammary gland cells and normal development to Day 40 of cloned embryos carrying the hGCase gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y L Zhang
- Center of Embryo Engineering and Technology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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39
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Li HJ, Liu DJ, Cang M, Wang LM, Jin MZ, Ma YZ, Shorgan B. Early apoptosis is associated with improved developmental potential in bovine oocytes. Anim Reprod Sci 2008; 114:89-98. [PMID: 19008057 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2008] [Revised: 09/18/2008] [Accepted: 09/23/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The poor quality of oocytes may be the main reason for the low efficiency of the current in vitro embryo production. However, efforts are required to understand the mechanisms of oocyte development, which is believed to be largely regulated by apoptosis in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of apoptosis in bovine immature oocytes with different developmental potentials and to determine whether early apoptosis in bovine oocytes is correlated with their subsequent development. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were selected and classified into four groups according to oocyte cytoplasm and cumulus status. Early and late stages of apoptosis were detected by Annexin-V and TUNEL staining, respectively. Developmental competence was evaluated by nuclear maturation (MII) after in vitro maturation and development rates in different stages following in vitro fertilization. Meanwhile, the transcripts of Bcl-2 and Bax genes were carried out in immature oocytes by real-time RT-PCR. Results indicated that Annexin-V-positive oocytes were detected in various groups at different percentages, and Group III showed the highest positive ratio. No TUNEL-positive oocytes were found in any immature COCs. Group III oocytes demonstrated the highest nuclear maturation, cleavage, blastocyst, and hatching blastocyst rates. Meanwhile, Group III oocytes exhibited the highest Bax (initiating apoptosis) transcriptional level and the lowest Bcl-2 (preventing apoptosis) transcriptional level. Taken together, Annexin-V and quantitative PCR results indicated that early apoptosis was beneficial for developmental competence, while TUNEL staining showed that none of the immature oocytes were undergoing late-stage apoptosis. This is the first time that Bax and Bcl-2 transcripts were characterized in the immature bovine oocyte, and results indicated that the genes are good markers of early apoptosis and embryo development. This research overthrows the traditional view that oocytes undergoing apoptosis have poor developmental competence, and the findings will facilitate oocyte selection and improvement of in vitro embryo production.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Li
- Key Laboratory of China Education Ministry for Research of Mammal Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, PR China
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40
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Cruz NTD, Wilson KJ, Cooney MA, Tecirlioglu RT, Lagutina I, Galli C, Holland MK, French AJ. Putative imprinted gene expression in uniparental bovine embryo models. Reprod Fertil Dev 2008; 20:589-97. [PMID: 18577356 DOI: 10.1071/rd08024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2008] [Accepted: 04/07/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered patterns of gene expression and the imprinted status of genes have a profound effect on cell physiology and can markedly alter embryonic and fetal development. Failure to maintain correct imprinting patterns can lead to abnormal growth and behavioural problems, or to early pregnancy loss. Recently, it has been reported that the Igf2R and Grb10 genes are biallelically expressed in sheep blastocysts, but monoallelically expressed at Day 21 of development. The present study investigated the imprinting status of 17 genes in in vivo, parthenogenetic and androgenetic bovine blastocysts in order to determine the prevalence of this unique phenomenon. Specifically, the putatively imprinted genes Ata3, Impact, L3Mbtl, Magel2, Mkrn3, Peg3, Snrpn, Ube3a and Zac1 were investigated for the first time in bovine in vitro fertilised embryos. Ata3 was the only gene not detected. The results of the present study revealed that all genes, except Xist, failed to display monoallelic expression patterns in bovine embryos and support recent results reported for ovine embryos. Collectively, the data suggest that monoallelic expression may not be required for most imprinted genes during preimplantation development, especially in ruminants. The research also suggests that monoallelic expression of genes may develop in a gene- and time-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy T D' Cruz
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia.
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41
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Riding GA, Hill JR, Jones A, Holland MK, Josh PF, Lehnert SA. Differential proteomic analysis of bovine conceptus fluid proteins in pregnancies generated by assisted reproductive technologies. Proteomics 2008; 8:2967-82. [PMID: 18655072 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200800008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Proteomic analysis of bovine conceptus fluid proteins during early pregnancy has the potential to expose protein species indicative of both the overall health of the fetal-maternal environment and fetal developmental status. In this study, we examined the differential abundance of bovine conceptus fluid proteins (5-50 kDa fraction) from naturally conceived, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived pregnancies at days 45 and 90 of gestation. In day 45 allantoic fluid (AllF) samples, an atypical cluster of low molecular weight ( approximately 14-16 kDa), low pI (between 3.0 and 4.5 pH units) protein species was increased in three of four IVF samples (30-100-fold increase in protein spot volumes compared to normal). These proteins were identified as paralogs of the bovine cathelicidin antimicrobial protein (CAMP) by MALDI-TOF MS peptide mass fingerprint and MALDI-TOF MS/MS peptide sequence analysis. Peptidoglycan recognition protein and serine (or cysteine) proteinase inhibitor clade B1, were also significantly increased in the corresponding IVF samples. In two of four SCNT AllF samples, a 2-10-fold increase in CAMP protein spot volumes were detected. No aberrant abundance levels of individual protein species were observed in amniotic fluid samples, or in day 90 IVF AllF samples. Identification of unique protein species present in the normal bovine AllF proteome at day 45 is also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Riding
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, QLD, Australia.
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Alexopoulos NI, French AJ. The prevalence of embryonic remnants following the recovery of post-hatching bovine embryos produced in vitro or by somatic cell nuclear transfer. Anim Reprod Sci 2008; 114:43-53. [PMID: 19004581 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2007] [Revised: 09/10/2008] [Accepted: 09/10/2008] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The reliable collection of peri-implantation embryos in the bovine has important ramifications to post-transfer consequences, particularly in the elucidation of mechanisms associated with post-hatching embryo development and to perturbations in developmental growth following transfer. This study analyzed both in vitro produced (IVP) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryo-like structures (ELS) recovered at Day (D) 14 and D21. The recovered ELS were subsequently processed for histological examination. At D14 and D21, many of the embryos recovered in the IVP group conformed to the appropriate stage of development. However, a significant number of anomalies were present in the SCNT groups when examined in more detail. Histological examination revealed that irrespective of whether these embryos had undergone trophoblast expansion to an ovoid, tubular or filamentous morphology, many had a degenerated hypoblast layer and a large proportion did not possess an epiblast and therefore could not differentiate into any of the three germ layers as would be expected at the neural groove or somite stage. The prevalence of this developmental pattern was random and did not correlate with treatment (IVP or SCNT) or with types of structures recovered. The rapid embryo elongation period also coincides with the time of greatest embryonic loss and these observations could have important implications for assessing the recovery of embryos post-transfer where incorrect morphological assessment could lead to false implantation and pregnancy determination rates. The implementation of additional methodology is required to adequately characterize the quality of IVP and SCNT-derived embryos collected post-transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie I Alexopoulos
- Centre for Reproduction and Development, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
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Fischer-Brown AE, Lindsey BR, Ireland FA, Northey DL, Monson RL, Clark SG, Wheeler MB, Kesler DJ, Lane SJ, Weigel KA, Rutledge JJ. Embryonic disc development and subsequent viability of cattle embryos following culture in two media under two oxygen concentrations. Reprod Fertil Dev 2007; 16:787-93. [PMID: 15740702 DOI: 10.1071/rd04026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2004] [Accepted: 11/14/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine embryos were produced in vitro using a 2 x 2 design of modified medium (KSOM or SOF) and oxygen concentration (5% or 20%). Day 7 blastocysts were transferred in bulk (n = 11, on average) to recipient heifers and recovered non-surgically at Day 14. In two replications of a Latin square, eight heifers received embryos from each combination of factors. Recovered embryos were evaluated for trophoblast length and width, as well as the presence and diameter of an embryonic disc (ED). An ED was detected in a higher percentage of embryos that had been cultured in KSOM than SOF (72% v. 46%, respectively; P < 0.05). The aim of a second series of experiments was to associate Day 14 morphology with subsequent developmental capacity. In vitro-produced blastocysts were transferred (n = 17-20) on Day 7 to each of eight heifers and recovered at Day 14. Thirty-eight blastocysts were retransferred to heifers following morphological evaluation. Embryos in which an ED with no signs of degeneration had been detected maintained more pregnancies than other embryos in which an ED had either shown signs of degeneration or had not been detected (5/8 v. 2/30, respectively; P < 0.01). Further investigation into ED integrity at the elongating stage may contribute to our understanding of pregnancy establishment and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Fischer-Brown
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Rodriguez-Osorio N, Kim IJ, Wang H, Kaya A, Memili E. Melatonin increases cleavage rate of porcine preimplantation embryos in vitro. J Pineal Res 2007; 43:283-8. [PMID: 17803526 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2007.00475.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin has been used to promote in vitro embryo development in different species. This study determined the effects of melatonin on in vitro porcine embryo development; in particular, cleavage rate, blastocyst rate, and blastocyst cell number. Starting 5 hr after insemination, porcine zygotes were cultured in porcine zygote medium 3 (PZM-3) culture medium supplemented with melatonin at increasing concentrations (10(-12) M, 10(-9) M, 10(-6) M, 10(-3) M). Melatonin at a concentration of 10(-9) M had a positive effect on cleavage rates, while the highest concentration of melatonin (10(-3) M) significantly decreased cleavage rates. Although blastocyst rates were not increased by 10(-9) M melatonin, blastocyst cell numbers were significantly higher for embryos subjected to 10(-9) M melatonin. The expression levels of the pro-apoptotic gene BAX and anti-apoptotic gene BCL2L1 in blastocysts were not affected by the presence of melatonin in the culture medium. To further study the protective properties of 10(-9) M melatonin against stressful conditions, hydrogen peroxide (0.01 mm) and heat (40 degrees C) were used during embryo culture. The addition of melatonin to embryos subjected to 40 degrees C for 3 hr increased cleavage rates, but had no protective effect for embryos subjected to 0.01 mm H(2)O(2), probably because the physiological levels of melatonin could not counteract the pharmacological levels of H(2)O(2). Our data indicate that 10(-9) M melatonin has a positive effect on porcine embryo cleavage rates and blastocyst total cell numbers and it might have a protective effect against heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Rodriguez-Osorio
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, MS 39762, USA
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Anguita B, Vandaele L, Mateusen B, Maes D, Van Soom A. Developmental competence of bovine oocytes is not related to apoptosis incidence in oocytes, cumulus cells and blastocysts. Theriogenology 2007; 67:537-49. [PMID: 17007918 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2006] [Revised: 09/01/2006] [Accepted: 09/01/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The number of follicles undergoing atresia in an ovary is very high, and isolation of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from such atretic follicles may impair subsequent embryo development in vitro. Our aim was to study if stringent selection by morphological assessment of COCs can improve embryo development, and to evaluate whether oocyte diameter is related with apoptotic ratio in oocytes and blastocysts. COCs from slaughtered cattle were recovered by follicle aspiration and classified depending on oocyte diameter: (A) <110 microm; (B) 110-120 microm; (C) >120 microm. COCs were matured, fertilized and cultured in vitro. Early and late stages of apoptosis were detected by Annexin-V and TUNEL staining, respectively, in denuded oocytes, COCs and blastocysts. Immature oocytes from Group A showed higher apoptotic ratio assessed by TUNEL assay, and the COCs corresponding to this group also showed a higher proportion of apoptotic cumulus cells. After maturation, no differences were present in the incidence of apoptosis among oocytes from different groups, but COCs corresponding to the largest diameter showed less apoptotic cumulus cells. In addition, the percentage of apoptotic oocytes decreased during in vitro maturation in all groups. Apoptotic cell ratio (ACR) in blastocysts was not related to oocyte diameter. In conclusion, oocyte selection and oocyte morphological evaluation prior to maturation was not sufficient to select non-atretic oocytes. When oocyte diameter was used as an additional selection the embryonic developmental potential increased together with oocyte diameter, but this improvement was not related to a lower incidence of apoptosis in the largest oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Anguita
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
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AMARNATH D, LI X, KATO Y, TSUNODA Y. Gene Expression in Individual Bovine Somatic Cell Cloned Embryos at the 8-cell and Blastocyst Stages of Preimplantation Development. J Reprod Dev 2007; 53:1247-63. [DOI: 10.1262/jrd.19096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dasari AMARNATH
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Agriculture, Kinki University
| | - Xiangping LI
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Agriculture, Kinki University
| | - Yoko KATO
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Agriculture, Kinki University
| | - Yukio TSUNODA
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Agriculture, Kinki University
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Lim KT, Jang G, Ko KH, Lee WW, Park HJ, Kim JJ, Lee SH, Hwang WS, Lee BC, Kang SK. Improved in vitro bovine embryo development and increased efficiency in producing viable calves using defined media. Theriogenology 2006; 67:293-302. [PMID: 16979228 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2006] [Accepted: 07/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we developed a defined culture medium that supported improved in vitro bovine embryo development and calving rate after embryo transfer (ET). In vitro-matured bovine oocytes from abbatoir-derived ovaries from Korean native, HanWoo cattle were fertilized with frozen-thawed spermatozoa and embryos were cultured in two-step culture media. In Experiment 1, embryos were cultured in media supplemented with 8 mg/mL BSA, or 0.1mg/mL PVA and 8 mg/mL BSA+2.77 mM myo-inositol or 0.1mg/mL PVA+2.77 mM myo-inositol. Although defined culture media containing PVA supported lower developmental competence compared to undefined media (containing BSA; 8% versus 34%, respectively), defined culture media containing 2.77 mM myo-inositol increased rates of blastocyst formation up to 28%. In Experiment 2, the effect of energy substrate (1.5mM glucose or 1.2mM phosphate) in PVA-myo-inositol defined culture medium on in vitro embryo development was investigated. Defined culture media containing PVA, myo-inositol and phosphate supported better embryo development to blastocysts compared to medium supplemented with both glucose and phosphate (43% versus 31%). In Experiment 3, the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in PVA+myo-inositol-phosphate two-step culture medium on in vitro embryo development was investigated. Among 0, 1, 10 and 100 ng/mL EGF concentrations, the maximal effect was observed with 10 ng/mL EGF (52% blastocyst formation). In Experiment 4, total cell number and calving rate were compared between defined PVA-myo-inositol-phosphate-EGF medium and undefined medium containing BSA, glucose and phosphate. No differences in total cell number of blastocysts obtained from the two groups were observed, however, the rate of viable offspring production was increased using the defined culture medium, compared to the undefined culture medium. In Experiment 5, the relative abundance of mRNA transcripts [interferon-tau (If-tau), glucose transporter-1 (glut-1) and insulin like growth factor 2 receptor (Igf2r)] were analyzed in blastocysts derived from undefined or defined culture media. Gene expression of If-tau, glut-1 was significantly increased in defined culture medium compared to undefined medium. In conclusion, chemically defined culture media without BSA or FBS improved developmental competence of in vitro cultured bovine embryos and delivery of viable calves after ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang Taek Lim
- Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea
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Powell K, Rooke JA, McEvoy TG, Ashworth CJ, Robinson JJ, Wilmut I, Young LE, Sinclair KD. Zygote donor nitrogen metabolism and in vitro embryo culture perturbs in utero development and IGF2R expression in ovine fetal tissues. Theriogenology 2006; 66:1901-12. [PMID: 16777210 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2006] [Revised: 05/02/2006] [Accepted: 05/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Tests were made of the effects of altering nitrogen metabolism in zygote donor ewes on fetal development and expression of the gene encoding the type II insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF2R) following the transfer of ovine embryos cultured from these zygotes, either in the absence or presence of serum. Zygotes, recovered from superovulated ewes (32 on a urea supplemented (30 g urea/kg) diet (high N) and 32 on a control diet (low N)) 36 h after intrauterine AI using semen from a single sire, were cultured for 5 days in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) media either with BSA and amino acids (SOF-) or with 10% (v/v) steer serum (SOF+). In total, 166 embryos, including 30 in vivo controls, were transferred singly at day 6 post-AI to synchronous recipients and the products of conception recovered at day 125 of gestation. Elevated plasma urea concentrations in zygote donors were associated with accelerated early embryo development, low pregnancy rates (16%) for embryos from the high N, SOF+ treatment, and significantly influenced fetal development and the expression of IGF2R in the fetal heart at day 125 of gestation. Importantly, the culture of sheep zygotes under serum-free conditions led to a high incidence of aberrant conceptus development and IGF2R expression. Consequently, maternal nitrogen metabolism prior to zygote recovery and in vitro culture can influence fetal development and the expression of an imprinted gene following embryo transfer, and these data support the notion that environmental effects on the follicle-enclosed oocyte may contribute to the etiology of the Large Offspring Syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Powell
- Scottish Agricultural College, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK
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Oliveira ATD, Lopes RFF, Rodrigues JL. Gene Expression and Developmental Competence of Bovine Embryos Produced In Vitro with Different Serum Concentrations. Reprod Domest Anim 2006; 41:129-36. [PMID: 16519718 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00653.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the developmental rates and relative abundance of Hsp 70.1 and Glut-1 transcripts in in vivo- and in vitro-produced (IVP) bovine embryos in media supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or different oestrous cow serum concentrations. In experiment 1, in vitro maturation and culture media were supplemented with 0.4% BSA or 1, 5, 10 or 20% of oestrous cow serum (ECS). The analysis of the expression of Hsp 70.1 and Glut-1 was carried out in individual days 7 and 8 embryos by a semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. In experiment 2, in vivo-produced morulae were collected on day 7 of the oestrous cycle and employed for the comparison of the relative abundances of Hsp 70.1 and Glut-1 transcripts with IVP morulae produced using two protein sources (10% ECS or 0.4% BSA). No differences were observed in cleavage rate among groups, but blastocyst formation (27%) and hatching rates (78%) were significantly higher in IVP embryos produced with 20% ECS than the other groups (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the relative abundances of Hsp 70.1 and Glut-1 mRNA in days 7 and 8 blastocysts expanded blastocysts between groups. The abundances of mRNA for those genes were similar between IVP and in vivo-produced morulae. In spite of the alterations observed in embryonic development, the presence of serum at distinct concentrations did not appear to alter the relative abundance profiles of Hsp 70.1 and Glut-1 compared with controls or the BSA supplementation to the IVP media.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T D Oliveira
- Embryology and Biotechnology of Reproduction Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av Bento Goncalves, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil
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Abstract
Progress and changes in embryo technology in farm animals are briefly reviewed in terms of how well embryos can be made and used and what the subject has taught us about the maintenance of pregnancy and reproduction in general. Generalizations are made about the need to not accept dogma, how initially complex techniques always become simplified and thereby more applicable, and the need for the support of long-term and basic research. Personal views are offered on how best to prepare and motivate the next generation of scientists in the field, and the need for scientists to engage in the debate of how embryo technologies should be used responsibly in countering global inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith J Betteridge
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada.
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