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Ebrahimi M, Dattena M, Mara L, Pasciu V, Sotgiu FD, Chessa F, Luciano AM, Berlinguer F. In vitro production of meiotically competent oocytes from early antral follicles in sheep. Theriogenology 2024; 226:253-262. [PMID: 38950486 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
The potential of using long in vitro culture (LIVC) of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from early antral follicles (EAFs) as an assisted reproductive technology in cattle has shown promising results. This study explored the feasibility of applying this technology to sheep as seasonal breeding animals. Ovaries from sheep were collected during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons. COCs were isolated from EAFs (350-450 μm) and cultured in TCM199 medium supplemented with 0.15 μg/mL Zn sulfate, 10-4IU/mL FSH, 10 ng/mL estradiol, 50 ng/mL testosterone, 50 ng/mL progesterone, and 5 μM Cilostamide. After five days of LIVC, the COCs were submitted to an in vitro maturation procedure. The results indicate successful in vitro development of COCs, evidenced by a significant increase in oocyte diameter (p < 0.000) and the preservation of gap junction communication between oocyte and cumulus cells. The gradual uncoupling was accompanied by a progressive chromatin transition from the non-surrounded nucleolus (NSN) to the surrounded nucleolus (SN) (p < 0.000), coupled with a gradual decrease in global transcriptional activity and an increase in oocyte meiotic competence (p < 0.000). Maintenance of oocyte-cumulus investment architecture, viability, and metaphase II capability was significantly higher in COCs collected during the breeding season (p < 0.000), suggesting higher quality than those obtained during the non-breeding season. In conclusion, our study confirms LIVC feasibility in sheep, emphasizing increased effectiveness during the breeding season in isolating higher-quality COCs from EAFs. These findings can influence improving the LIVC system in mammals with seasonal reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Ebrahimi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, Sassari, Italy; Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Agency of Sardinia, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Maria Dattena
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Agency of Sardinia, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Laura Mara
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Agency of Sardinia, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Valeria Pasciu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesca D Sotgiu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, Sassari, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Chessa
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Agency of Sardinia, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alberto Maria Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory (ReDBioLab), Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Via Dell'Università, 6 - 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Berlinguer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, Sassari, Italy
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Khaliq A, Hamza MA, Ashraf T, Husnain A, Yaseen M, Rehman A, Binyameen M, Zahoor MY, Riaz A. Effect of supplementing epinephrine in maturation media on in-vitro developmental competence of cattle and buffalo oocytes. Theriogenology 2024; 226:219-227. [PMID: 38917697 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
During in-vitro maturation, the oocyte experiences stressful conditions that likely compromise its development. Epinephrine is a catecholamine that plays a vital role during cellular stress by scavenging free radicals. The hypothesis is that epinephrine addition in maturation media improves the developmental competence of oocytes in cattle and buffalo. The objectives of the experiments were to investigate the effect of epinephrine addition in maturation media on nuclear maturation, developmental competence, and oocyte mRNA abundance of genes related to antioxidants and growth pathways in cattle and buffalo. In experiment 1, cattle oocytes were matured for 24 h in maturation media supplemented with increasing concentrations of epinephrine 0, 0.01, 1.0, and 100 μM. Oocytes were cultured to assess cleavage at 48 h and blastocyst on day 7 of the culture. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) expansion, nuclear maturation, and oocyte mRNA abundance of genes (SOD1, GPX4, GDF9, CASP9) were evaluated. In experiment 2, buffalo oocytes were matured and assessed for development and mRNA abundance as described for cattle. In addition, the blastomere number was counted in the hatched blastocyst. The data were analyzed using GLIMMIX and MIXED procedures of SAS. Results revealed that the supplementation of epinephrine increased (P ≤ 0.03) the COCs expansion, nuclear maturation, and developmental competence of oocytes in cattle. Interestingly, all the responses were maximized (quadratic effect; P ≤ 0.08) at 1 μM concentrations. The mRNA abundance of genes in cattle oocytes was not affected by the treatment. The experiment in buffalo revealed that epinephrine increased blastocyst formation without affecting COCs expansion, and nuclear maturation. The higher blastocyst was achieved at 0.01 μM concentrations of epinephrine. Interestingly, the addition of epinephrine increased the mRNA abundance of genes related to antioxidant pathways (SOD1, GPX4). Moreover, supplementation of epinephrine increased the blastomere count of the hatched blastocyst in buffalo. In conclusion, epinephrine addition in maturation media benefited oocyte development in cattle and blastocyst yield in buffalo at 1 and 0.01 μM concentrations, respectively. It appears that the addition of epinephrine affected different cellular pathways, COCs expansion, and nuclear maturation in cattle and increased antioxidant genes for buffalo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Khaliq
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Outfall Road Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ameer Hamza
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Outfall Road Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Talha Ashraf
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Outfall Road Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Ali Husnain
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Outfall Road Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yaseen
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Outfall Road Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Rehman
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Outfall Road Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Binyameen
- Reproduction Division, Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki, 55300, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yasir Zahoor
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Outfall Road, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Riaz
- Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Outfall Road Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
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Kawano K, Sakaguchi K, Ninpetch N, Yanagawa Y, Katagiri S. Physiological high temperatures alter the amino acid metabolism of bovine early antral follicles. J Reprod Dev 2024; 70:184-191. [PMID: 38631860 PMCID: PMC11153115 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Heat stress reduces the developmental competence of bovine oocytes during the growth phase; however, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Amino acids play various critical roles in follicular development, including protein synthesis and as energy sources. We performed in vitro growth (IVG) culture of oocyte-cumulus-granulosa complexes (OCGCs) to assess the amino acid metabolism of small follicles at high temperatures. We isolated OCGCs from early antral follicles (0.5-1.0 mm) and subjected them to IVG culture for 12 days. OCGCs in the heat shock group were cultured under a temperature cycle of (38.5°C: 5 h, 39.5°C: 5 h, 40.5°C: 5 h, and 39.5°C: 9 h) to reproduce the body temperature of lactating cows under a hot environment. OCGCs in the control group were cultured at a constant temperature of 38.5°C for 24 h. Of the surviving OCGCs, those showing similar morphology and size between the groups were selected for amino acid analysis. We analyzed the free amino acids and their metabolites in the culture medium and calculated the depletion or appearance of molecular species. The depletion of three essential amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, and valine), two non-essential amino acids (aspartic acid and glycine), and ornithine was higher in the heat shock group (P < 0.05). Alanine depletion was lower in the heat shock group (P < 0.05). We concluded that heat exposure alters the amino acid metabolism of OCGCs isolated from early antral follicles, which might be involved with the diminished developmental potential of oocytes during summer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Kawano
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
- Present: Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh, The Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
- Present: Laboratory of Veterinary Theriogenology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Nattapong Ninpetch
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
| | - Yojiro Yanagawa
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Seiji Katagiri
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
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Ribarski-Chorev I, Schudy G, Strauss C, Schlesinger S. Short heat shock has a long-term effect on mesenchymal stem cells' transcriptome. iScience 2023; 26:107305. [PMID: 37529103 PMCID: PMC10387575 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The adverse effects of heat stress (HS) on physiological systems are well documented, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms behind it remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into the impact of HS on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), focusing on their morphology, phenotype, proliferative capacity, and fate determination. Our in-depth analysis of the MSCs' transcriptome revealed a significant influence of HS on the transcriptional landscape. Notably, even after a short period of stress, we observed a persistent alteration in cell identity, potentially mediated by the activation of bivalent genes. Furthermore, by comparing the differentially expressed genes following short HS with their transcriptional state after recovery, we identified the transient upregulation of MLL and other histone modifiers, providing a potential mechanistic explanation for the stable activation of bivalent genes. This could be used to predict and modify the long-term effect of HS on cell identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Ribarski-Chorev
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Gisele Schudy
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Carmit Strauss
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Sharon Schlesinger
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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Khan I, Mesalam A, Heo YS, Lee SH, Nabi G, Kong IK. Heat Stress as a Barrier to Successful Reproduction and Potential Alleviation Strategies in Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2359. [PMID: 37508136 PMCID: PMC10376617 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the adverse effects of global warming on all living beings have been unanimously recognized across the world. A high environmental temperature that increases the respiration and rectal temperature of cattle is called heat stress (HS), and it can affect both male and female reproductive functions. For successful reproduction and fertilization, mature and healthy oocytes are crucial; however, HS reduces the developmental competence of oocytes, which compromises reproduction. HS disturbs the hormonal balance that plays a crucial role in successful reproduction, particularly in reducing the luteinizing hormone and progesterone levels, which leads to severe problems such as poor follicle development with a poor-quality oocyte and problems related to maturity, silent estrus, abnormal or weak embryo development, and pregnancy loss, resulting in a declining reproduction rate and losses for the cattle industry. Lactating cattle are particularly susceptible to HS and, hence, their reproduction rate is substantially reduced. Additionally, bulls are also affected by HS; during summer, semen quality and sperm motility decline, leading to compromised reproduction. In summer, the conception rate is reduced by 20-30% worldwide. Although various techniques, such as the provision of water sprinklers, shade, and air conditioning, are used during summer, these methods are insufficient to recover the normal reproduction rate and, therefore, special attention is needed to improve reproductive efficiency and minimize the detrimental effect of HS on cattle during summer. The application of advanced reproductive technologies such as the production of embryos in vitro, cryopreservation during the hot season, embryo transfer, and timed artificial insemination may minimize the detrimental effects of HS on livestock reproduction and recover the losses in the cattle industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Khan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Ayman Mesalam
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Yun Seok Heo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
- Department of Premedicine, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo-Hyun Lee
- Department of Animal Science, Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Ghulam Nabi
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
| | - Il-Keun Kong
- Department of Animal Science, Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
- The King Kong Corp., Ltd., Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
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Wrzecińska M, Kowalczyk A, Kordan W, Cwynar P, Czerniawska-Piątkowska E. Disorder of Biological Quality and Autophagy Process in Bovine Oocytes Exposed to Heat Stress and the Effectiveness of In Vitro Fertilization. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11164. [PMID: 37446340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The main problem in dairy herds is reproductive disorders, which are influenced by many factors, including temperature. Heat stress reduces the quality of oocytes and their maturation through the influence of, e.g., mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are crucial during oocyte maturation as well as the process of fertilization and embryonic development. Disturbances related to high temperature will be increasingly observed due to global warming. In present studies, we have proven that exposure to high temperatures during the cleaving of embryos statistically significantly (at the level of p < 0.01) reduces the percentage of oocytes that cleaved and developed into blastocysts eight days after insemination. The study showed the highest percentage of embryos that underwent division in the control group (38.3 °C). The value was 88.10 ± 6.20%, while the lowest was obtained in the study group at 41.0 °C (52.32 ± 8.40%). It was also shown that high temperature has a statistically significant (p < 0.01) effect on the percentage of embryos that developed from the one-cell stage to blastocysts. The study showed that exposure to a temperature of 41.0 °C significantly reduced the percentage of embryos that split relative to the control group (38.3 °C; 88.10 ± 6.20%). Moreover, it was noted that the highest tested temperature limits the development of oocytes to the blastocyst stage by 5.00 ± 9.12% compared to controls (33.33 ± 7.10%) and cleaved embryos to blastocysts by 3.52 ± 6.80%; the control was 39.47 ± 5.40%. There was also a highly significant (p < 0.0001) effect of temperature on cytoplasmic ROS levels after 6 and 12 h IVM. The highest level of mitochondrial ROS was found in the group of oocytes after 6 h IVM at 41.0 °C and the lowest was found in the control group. In turn, at 41.0 °C after 12 h of IVM, the mitochondrial ROS level had a 2.00 fluorescent ratio, and the lowest in the group was 38.3 °C (1.08). Moreover, with increasing temperature, a decrease in the expression level of both LC3 and SIRT1 protein markers was observed. It was proved that the autophagy process was impaired as a result of high temperature. Understanding of the cellular and molecular responses of oocytes to elevated temperatures will be helpful in the development of heat resistance strategies in dairy cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcjanna Wrzecińska
- Department of Ruminant Science, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Klemensa Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Alicja Kowalczyk
- Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chelmonskiego 38C, 50-576 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Władysław Kordan
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Przemysław Cwynar
- Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chelmonskiego 38C, 50-576 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Czerniawska-Piątkowska
- Department of Ruminant Science, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Klemensa Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
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Effects of short-term in vitro heat stress on bovine preantral follicles. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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