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Maucieri AM, Townson DH. Evidence and manipulation of O-GlcNAcylation in granulosa cells of bovine antral follicles†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:914-923. [PMID: 33550377 PMCID: PMC8023420 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose is a preferred energy substrate for metabolism by bovine granulosa cells (GCs). O-linked N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation), is a product of glucose metabolism that occurs as the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) shunts O-GlcNAc sugars to serine and threonine residues of proteins. O-GlcNAcylation through the HBP is considered a nutrient sensing mechanism that regulates many cellular processes. Yet little is known of its importance in GCs. Here, O-GlcNAcylation in GCs and its effects on GC proliferation were determined. Bovine ovaries from a slaughterhouse, staged to the mid-to-late estrous period were used. Follicular fluid and GCs were aspirated from small (3-5 mm) and large (>10 mm) antral follicles. Freshly isolated GCs of small follicles exhibited greater expression of O-GlcNAcylation and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) than large follicles. Less glucose and more lactate was detectable in the follicular fluid of small versus large follicles. Culture of GCs revealed that inhibition of the HBP via the glutamine fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase inhibitor, DON (50 μM), impaired O-GlcNAcylation and GC proliferation, regardless of follicle size. Direct inhibition of O-GlcNAcylation via the OGT inhibitor, OSMI-1 (50 μM), also prevented proliferation, but only in GCs of small follicles. Augmentation of O-GlcNAcylation via the O-GlcNAcase inhibitor, Thiamet-G (2.5 μM), had no effect on GC proliferation, regardless of follicle size. The results indicate GCs of bovine antral follicles undergo O-GlcNAcylation, and O-GlcNAcylation is associated with alterations of glucose and lactate in follicular fluid. Disruption of O-GlcNAcylation impairs GC proliferation. Thus, the HBP via O-GlcNAcylation constitutes a plausible nutrient-sensing pathway influencing bovine GC function and follicular growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail M Maucieri
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - David H Townson
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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He M, Zhang T, Yang Y, Wang C. Mechanisms of Oocyte Maturation and Related Epigenetic Regulation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:654028. [PMID: 33842483 PMCID: PMC8025927 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.654028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is the basis of sexual reproduction. In female mammals, meiosis of oocytes starts before birth and sustains at the dictyate stage of meiotic prophase I before gonadotropins-induced ovulation happens. Once meiosis gets started, the oocytes undergo the leptotene, zygotene, and pachytene stages, and then arrest at the dictyate stage. During each estrus cycle in mammals, or menstrual cycle in humans, a small portion of oocytes within preovulatory follicles may resume meiosis. It is crucial for females to supply high quality mature oocytes for sustaining fertility, which is generally achieved by fine-tuning oocyte meiotic arrest and resumption progression. Anything that disturbs the process may result in failure of oogenesis and seriously affect both the fertility and the health of females. Therefore, uncovering the regulatory network of oocyte meiosis progression illuminates not only how the foundations of mammalian reproduction are laid, but how mis-regulation of these steps result in infertility. In order to provide an overview of the recently uncovered cellular and molecular mechanism during oocyte maturation, especially epigenetic modification, the progress of the regulatory network of oocyte meiosis progression including meiosis arrest and meiosis resumption induced by gonadotropins is summarized. Then, advances in the epigenetic aspects, such as histone acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, glycosylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation related to the quality of oocyte maturation are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meina He
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Tuo Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western China, College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
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Wong SL, Wu LL, Robker RL, Thompson JG, McDowall MLS. Hyperglycaemia and lipid differentially impair mouse oocyte developmental competence. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 27:583-92. [PMID: 25714624 DOI: 10.1071/rd14328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal diabetes and obesity are characterised by elevated blood glucose, insulin and lipids, resulting in upregulation of specific fuel-sensing and stress signalling pathways. Previously, we demonstrated that, separately, upregulation of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP; under hyperglycaemic conditions) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (due to hyperlipidaemia) pathways reduce blastocyst development and alter oocyte metabolism. In order to begin to understand how both glucose and lipid metabolic disruptions influence oocyte developmental competence, in the present study we exposed mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes to hyperglycaemia (30mM) and/or lipid (40μM) and examined the effects on embryo development. The presence of glucosamine (GlcN; a hyperglycaemic mimetic) or increased lipid during in vitro maturation severely perturbed blastocyst development (P<0.05). Hyperglycaemia, GlcN and hyperglycaemia + lipid treatments significantly increased HBP activity, increasing total O-linked glycosylation (O-GlcNAcylation) of proteins (P<0.0001). All treatments also induced ER stress pathways, indicated by the expression of specific ER stress genes. The expression of genes encoding the HBP enzymes glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase 2 (Gfpt2) and O-linked β-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (Ogt) was repressed following lipid treatment (P<0.001). These findings partially implicate the mechanism of O-GlcNAcylation and ER stress as likely contributors to compromised fertility of obese women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew L Wong
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Medical School, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Linda L Wu
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Medical School, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Rebecca L Robker
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Medical School, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Jeremy G Thompson
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Medical School, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Melanie L Sutton McDowall
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Medical School, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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Bertoldo MJ, Guibert E, Faure M, Ramé C, Foretz M, Viollet B, Dupont J, Froment P. Specific deletion of AMP-activated protein kinase (α1AMPK) in murine oocytes alters junctional protein expression and mitochondrial physiology. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119680. [PMID: 25767884 PMCID: PMC4359026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Oogenesis and folliculogenesis are dynamic processes that are regulated by endocrine, paracrine and autocrine signals. These signals are exchanged between the oocyte and the somatic cells of the follicle. Here we analyzed the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, by using transgenic mice deficient in α1AMPK specifically in the oocyte. We found a decrease of 27% in litter size was observed in ZP3-α1AMPK-/- (ZP3-KO) female mice. Following in vitro fertilization, where conditions are stressful for the oocyte and embryo, ZP3-KO oocytes were 68% less likely to pass the 2-cell stage. In vivo and in cumulus-oocyte complexes, several proteins involved in junctional communication, such as connexin37 and N-cadherin were down-regulated in the absence of α1AMPK. While the two signalling pathways (PKA and MAPK) involved in the junctional communication between the cumulus/granulosa cells and the oocyte were stimulated in control oocytes, ZP3-KO oocytes exhibited only low phosphorylation of MAPK or CREB proteins. In addition, MII oocytes deficient in α1AMPK had a 3-fold lower ATP concentration, an increase in abnormal mitochondria, and a decrease in cytochrome C and PGC1α levels, suggesting perturbed energy production by mitochondria. The absence of α1AMPK also induced a reduction in histone deacetylase activity, which was associated with an increase in histone H3 acetylation (K9/K14 residues). Together, the results of the present study suggest that absence of AMPK, modifies oocyte quality through energy processes and oocyte/somatic cell communication. The limited effect observed in vivo could be partly due to a favourable follicle microenvironment where nutrients, growth factors, and adequate cell interaction were present. Whereas in a challenging environment such as that of in vitro culture following IVF, the phenotype is revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Bertoldo
- UMR 7247 INRA CNRS Université de Tours Haras Nationaux Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Edith Guibert
- UMR 7247 INRA CNRS Université de Tours Haras Nationaux Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Melanie Faure
- UMR 7247 INRA CNRS Université de Tours Haras Nationaux Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Christelle Ramé
- UMR 7247 INRA CNRS Université de Tours Haras Nationaux Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Marc Foretz
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Benoit Viollet
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Joëlle Dupont
- UMR 7247 INRA CNRS Université de Tours Haras Nationaux Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Pascal Froment
- UMR 7247 INRA CNRS Université de Tours Haras Nationaux Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, 37380, Nouzilly, France
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Pantaleon M. The Role of Hexosamine Biosynthesis and Signaling in Early Development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 843:53-76. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2480-6_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Frank L, Sutton-McDowall M, Brown H, Russell D, Gilchrist R, Thompson J. Hyperglycaemic conditions perturb mouse oocyte in vitro developmental competence via beta-O-linked glycosylation of Heat shock protein 90. Hum Reprod 2014; 29:1292-303. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Tsai JH, Chi MMY, Schulte MB, Moley KH. The fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway is important for decidualization of endometrial stromal cells in both humans and mice. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:34. [PMID: 24403548 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.113217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation and development requires the endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) to undergo decidualization. This differentiation process requires glucose utilization, and blockade of the pentose phosphate pathway inhibits decidualization of ESCs both in vitro and in vivo. Glucose and fatty acids are energy substrates for many cell types, and fatty acid beta-oxidation is critical for embryo implantation. Here, we investigated whether beta-oxidation is required for decidualization of ESCs. As assessed by marker gene expression, decidualization of human primary ESCs was blocked by reducing activity of carnitine calmitoyltransferase I, the rate-limiting enzyme in beta-oxidation, either by short hairpin RNA-mediated silencing or by treatment with the inhibitor etomoxir. Ranolazine (RAN), a partial beta-oxidation inhibitor, blocked early decidualization of a human ESC line. However, decidualization resumed after several days, most likely due to a compensatory up-regulation of GLUT1 expression and an increase in glucose metabolism. Simultaneous inhibition of the beta-oxidation pathway with RAN and the pentose phosphate pathway with glucosamine (GlcN) impaired in vitro decidualization of human ESCs more strongly than inhibition of either pathway alone. These findings were confirmed in murine ESCs in vitro, and exposure to RAN plus GlcN inhibited decidualization in vivo in a deciduoma model. Finally, intrauterine implantation of time-release RAN and GlcN pellets reduced pup number. Importantly, pup number returned to normal after the end of the pellet-active period. This work indicates that both fatty acids and glucose metabolism pathways are important for ESC decidualization, and suggests novel pathways to target for the design of future nonhormonal contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-He Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Sugimura S, Ritter LJ, Sutton-McDowall ML, Mottershead DG, Thompson JG, Gilchrist RB. Amphiregulin co-operates with bone morphogenetic protein 15 to increase bovine oocyte developmental competence: effects on gap junction-mediated metabolite supply. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 20:499-513. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Frank LA, Sutton-McDowall ML, Gilchrist RB, Thompson JG. The effect of peri-conception hyperglycaemia and the involvement of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway in mediating oocyte and embryo developmental competence. Mol Reprod Dev 2014; 81:391-408. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Frank
- The Robinson Institute, The Research Centre for Reproductive Health, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Melanie L. Sutton-McDowall
- The Robinson Institute, The Research Centre for Reproductive Health, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Robert B. Gilchrist
- The Robinson Institute, The Research Centre for Reproductive Health, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Jeremy G. Thompson
- The Robinson Institute, The Research Centre for Reproductive Health, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide; Adelaide South Australia Australia
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Tsai JH, Schulte M, O'Neill K, Chi MMY, Frolova AI, Moley KH. Glucosamine inhibits decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells and decreases litter sizes in mice. Biol Reprod 2013; 89:16. [PMID: 23718985 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.108571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation in the uterus depends on decidualization of the endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), and glucose utilization via the pentose phosphate pathway is critical in this process. We hypothesized that the amino sugar glucosamine may block the pentose phosphate pathway via inhibition of the rate-limiting enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in ESCs and therefore impair decidualization and embryo implantation, thus preventing pregnancy. Both human primary and immortalized ESCs were decidualized in vitro in the presence of 0, 2.5, or 5 mM glucosamine for 9 days. Viability assays demonstrated that glucosamine was well tolerated by human ESCs. Exposure of human ESCs to glucosamine resulted in significant decreases in the activity and expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and in the mRNA expression of the decidual markers prolactin, somatostatin, interleukin-15, and left-right determination factor 2. In mouse ESCs, expression of the decidual marker Prp decreased upon addition of glucosamine. In comparison with control mice, glucosamine-treated mice showed weak artificial deciduoma formation along the stimulated uterine horn. In a complementary in vivo experiment, a 60-day-release glucosamine (15, 150, or 1500 μg) or placebo pellet was implanted in a single uterine horn of mice. Mice with a glucosamine pellet delivered fewer live pups per litter than those with a control pellet, and pup number returned to normal after the end of the pellet-active period. In conclusion, glucosamine is a nonhormonal inhibitor of decidualization of both human and mouse ESCs and of pregnancy in mice. Our data indicate the potential for development of glucosamine as a novel, reversible, nonhormonal contraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-He Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Schelbach CJ, Robker RL, Bennett BD, Gauld AD, Thompson JG, Kind KL. Altered pregnancy outcomes in mice following treatment with the hyperglycaemia mimetic, glucosamine, during the periconception period. Reprod Fertil Dev 2013; 25:405-16. [DOI: 10.1071/rd11313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Accepted: 03/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure of cumulus–oocyte complexes to the hyperglycaemia mimetic, glucosamine, during in vitro maturation impairs embryo development, potentially through upregulation of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway. This study examined the effects of in vivo periconception glucosamine exposure on reproductive outcomes in young healthy mice, and further assessed the effects in overweight mice fed a high-fat diet. Eight-week-old mice received daily glucosamine injections (20 or 400 mg kg–1) for 3–6 days before and 1 day after mating (periconception). Outcomes were assessed at Day 18 of gestation. Glucosamine treatment reduced litter size independent of dose. A high-fat diet (21% fat) for 11 weeks before and during pregnancy reduced fetal size. No additional effects of periconception glucosamine (20 mg kg–1) on pregnancy outcomes were observed in fat-fed mice. In 16-week-old mice fed the control diet, glucosamine treatment reduced fetal weight and increased congenital abnormalities, but did not alter litter size. As differing effects of glucosamine were observed in 8-week-old and 16-week-old mice, maternal age effects were assessed. Periconception glucosamine at 8 weeks reduced litter size, whereas glucosamine at 16 weeks reduced fetal size. Thus, in vivo periconception glucosamine exposure perturbs reproductive outcomes in mice, with the nature of the outcomes dependent upon maternal age.
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Frank LA, Sutton-McDowall ML, Russell DL, Wang X, Feil DK, Gilchrist RB, Thompson JG. Effect of varying glucose and glucosamine concentration in vitro on mouse oocyte maturation and developmental competence. Reprod Fertil Dev 2013; 25:1095-104. [DOI: 10.1071/rd12275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 10/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of hyper- and hypo-glycaemic conditions during the in vitro maturation of mouse cumulus–oocyte complexes on developmental competence were examined, with an emphasis on the role of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway. A low (1 mM) glucose concentration achieved optimal oocyte competence (3-fold higher blastocyst development rate compared with high (30 mM) glucose, P < 0.05). In addition, glucose supplementation during only the first hour after release from the follicle was necessary and sufficient to support oocyte maturation and embryo development to the blastocyst stage. Glucosamine (a known hyperglycaemic mimetic and specific activator of the hexosamine pathway) was able to substitute for glucose during this first hour, indicating that flux through the hexosamine pathway is essential for oocyte competence. In the absence of glucose throughout the maturation period, glucosamine was not able to increase developmental competence, and at higher concentrations (2.5 and 5 mM) had a detrimental effect on MII and blastocyst development rates, compared with controls (P < 0.05). These experiments underscore the importance of glucose metabolic pathways during in vitro maturation and support the concept that excess flux through the hexosamine pathway has detrimental consequences.
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Zhou Y, Guan Q, Li K, Tao L, Hu J, Xiao J. Dissection of the maternal effects on puberty onset by embryo transplantation in mouse. J Endocrinol Invest 2012; 35:676-80. [PMID: 22107824 DOI: 10.3275/8125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Puberty onset in mammals is affected by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Among which, the maternal effect could have played a considerable role. In our previous study, we found that the F1 offspring from reciprocal crosses between C3H/HeJ (C3H) and C57BL/6J (B6) mice differed significantly in the timing of puberty in both sexes, though they had identical genomic background. In order to dissect the causative factors to such phenomenon of maternal effect, embryos from reciprocal crosses of C3H/HeJ and C57BL/6J mice were collected and transplanted to the uterus of either strain of mothers, and the puberty onset of pups were compared between different recipient mothers and egg origins. The results showed that the male pups from C3H recipient mothers attained puberty onset earlier than those from B6 recipients significantly, while the female pups did not show such difference. On the other hand, the egg origin made no difference in the puberty onset of either sex, yet it influenced the birth weight of female pups significantly (p<0.05). The manipulation of embryo transplantation delayed the puberty onset of pups dramatically. A mitochondria substitution strain between B6 and C3H (BmC), which had the genome background of B6 and a mitochondrial hyplotype of C3H, had the same phenotype of puberty onset as B6. The integrated results indicated that the uterine environment was the major causative factors to the maternal effect on the differential puberty onset in reciprocal crosses of F1 hybrids between B6 and C3H mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhou
- The College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
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