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Yildirim RM, Seli E. The role of mitochondrial dynamics in oocyte and early embryo development. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 159-160:52-61. [PMID: 38330625 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2024.01.007] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is widely implicated in various human diseases, through mechanisms that go beyond mitochondria's well-established role in energy generation. These dynamic organelles exert vital control over numerous cellular processes, including calcium regulation, phospholipid synthesis, innate immunity, and apoptosis. While mitochondria's importance is acknowledged in all cell types, research has revealed the exceptionally dynamic nature of the mitochondrial network in oocytes and embryos, finely tuned to meet unique needs during gamete and pre-implantation embryo development. Within oocytes, both the quantity and morphology of mitochondria can significantly change during maturation and post-fertilization. These changes are orchestrated by fusion and fission processes (collectively known as mitochondrial dynamics), crucial for energy production, content exchange, and quality control as mitochondria adjust to the shifting energy demands of oocytes and embryos. The roles of proteins that regulate mitochondrial dynamics in reproductive processes have been primarily elucidated through targeted deletion studies in animal models. Notably, impaired mitochondrial dynamics have been linked to female reproductive health, affecting oocyte quality, fertilization, and embryo development. Dysfunctional mitochondria can lead to fertility problems and can have an impact on the success of pregnancy, particularly in older reproductive age women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raziye Melike Yildirim
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Emre Seli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Yazdani A, Halvaei I, Boniface C, Esfandiari N. Effect of cytoplasmic fragmentation on embryo development, quality, and pregnancy outcome: a systematic review of the literature. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:55. [PMID: 38745305 PMCID: PMC11092204 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01217-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of cytoplasmic fragmentation in human embryo development and reproductive potential is widely recognized, albeit without standard definition nor agreed upon implication. While fragmentation is best understood to be a natural process across species, the origin of fragmentation remains incompletely understood and likely multifactorial. Several factors including embryo culture condition, gamete quality, aneuploidy, and abnormal cytokinesis seem to have important role in the etiology of cytoplasmic fragmentation. Fragmentation reduces the volume of cytoplasm and depletes embryo of essential organelles and regulatory proteins, compromising the developmental potential of the embryo. While it has been shown that degree of fragmentation and embryo implantation potential are inversely proportional, the degree, pattern, and distribution of fragmentation as it relates to pregnancy outcome is debated in the literature. This review highlights some of the challenges in analysis of fragmentation, while revealing trends in our evolving knowledge of how fragmentation may relate to functional development of the human embryos, implantation, and pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariella Yazdani
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont Medical Center, The Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
- Present address: Obstetrics and Gynecology Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Iman Halvaei
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Catherine Boniface
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont Medical Center, The Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Navid Esfandiari
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont Medical Center, The Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, 111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, Vermont, 05401, USA.
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Chemotherapy Resistance: Role of Mitochondrial and Autophagic Components. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061462. [PMID: 35326612 PMCID: PMC8945922 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chemotherapy resistance is a common occurrence during cancer treatment that cancer researchers are attempting to understand and overcome. Mitochondria are a crucial intracellular signaling core that are becoming important determinants of numerous aspects of cancer genesis and progression, such as metabolic reprogramming, metastatic capability, and chemotherapeutic resistance. Mitophagy, or selective autophagy of mitochondria, can influence both the efficacy of tumor chemotherapy and the degree of drug resistance. Regardless of the fact that mitochondria are well-known for coordinating ATP synthesis from cellular respiration in cellular bioenergetics, little is known its mitophagy regulation in chemoresistance. Recent advancements in mitochondrial research, mitophagy regulatory mechanisms, and their implications for our understanding of chemotherapy resistance are discussed in this review. Abstract Cancer chemotherapy resistance is one of the most critical obstacles in cancer therapy. One of the well-known mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance is the change in the mitochondrial death pathways which occur when cells are under stressful situations, such as chemotherapy. Mitophagy, or mitochondrial selective autophagy, is critical for cell quality control because it can efficiently break down, remove, and recycle defective or damaged mitochondria. As cancer cells use mitophagy to rapidly sweep away damaged mitochondria in order to mediate their own drug resistance, it influences the efficacy of tumor chemotherapy as well as the degree of drug resistance. Yet despite the importance of mitochondria and mitophagy in chemotherapy resistance, little is known about the precise mechanisms involved. As a consequence, identifying potential therapeutic targets by analyzing the signal pathways that govern mitophagy has become a vital research goal. In this paper, we review recent advances in mitochondrial research, mitophagy control mechanisms, and their implications for our understanding of chemotherapy resistance.
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Zhao S, Heng N, Wang H, Wang H, Zhang H, Gong J, Hu Z, Zhu H. Mitofusins: from mitochondria to fertility. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:370. [PMID: 35725948 PMCID: PMC9209398 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04386-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Germ cell formation and embryonic development require ATP synthesized by mitochondria. The dynamic system of the mitochondria, and in particular, the fusion of mitochondria, are essential for the generation of energy. Mitofusin1 and mitofusin2, the homologues of Fuzzy onions in yeast and Drosophila, are critical regulators of mitochondrial fusion in mammalian cells. Since their discovery mitofusins (Mfns) have been the source of significant interest as key influencers of mitochondrial dynamics, including membrane fusion, mitochondrial distribution, and the interaction with other organelles. Emerging evidence has revealed significant insight into the role of Mfns in germ cell formation and embryonic development, as well as the high incidence of reproductive diseases such as asthenospermia, polycystic ovary syndrome, and gestational diabetes mellitus. Here, we describe the key mechanisms of Mfns in mitochondrial dynamics, focusing particularly on the role of Mfns in the regulation of mammalian fertility, including spermatogenesis, oocyte maturation, and embryonic development. We also highlight the role of Mfns in certain diseases associated with the reproductive system and their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanjiang Zhao
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Nuo Heng
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Huan Wang
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Haobo Zhang
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Jianfei Gong
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Zhihui Hu
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 China
| | - Huabin Zhu
- Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193 China
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Zou W, Ji D, Zhang Z, Yang L, Cao Y. Players in Mitochondrial Dynamics and Female Reproduction. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:717328. [PMID: 34708072 PMCID: PMC8542886 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.717328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dynamics (fission and fusion) are essential physiological processes for mitochondrial metabolic function, mitochondrial redistribution, and mitochondrial quality control. Various proteins are involved in regulating mitochondrial dynamics. Aberrant expression of these proteins interferes with mitochondrial dynamics and induces a range of diseases. Multiple therapeutic approaches have been developed to treat the related diseases in recent years, but their curative effects are limited. Meanwhile, the role of mitochondrial dynamics in female reproductive function has attracted progressively more attention, including oocyte development and maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development. Here, we reviewed the significance of mitochondrial dynamics, proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics, and disorders resulting from primary mitochondrial dynamic dysfunction. We summarized the latest therapeutic approaches of hereditary mitochondrial fusion-fission abnormalities and reviewed the recent advances in female reproductive mitochondrial dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, China
| | - Dongmei Ji
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, China
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Park MR, Hwang IS, Kwak TU, Lim JH, Hwang S, Cho SK. Low expression of mitofusin 1 is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos. Anim Sci J 2020; 91:e13430. [PMID: 32677174 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are necessary for the transition from oocyte to embryo and for early embryonic development. Mitofusin 1 is the main mediator of mitochondrial fusion and homeostasis. We investigated Mitofusin 1 expression levels in porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. The rate of blastocyst formation in SCNT embryos was reduced significantly compared with that of parthenogenetic activation embryos. SCNT embryos showed significantly decreased Mitofusin 1 expression and mitochondrial membrane potential, while exhibiting increased reactive oxygen species and apoptosis. Mitochondrial functional changes were observed in the SCNT embryos and may be correlated with low levels of Mitofusin 1 to negatively affect development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Ryung Park
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Sul Hwang
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Uk Kwak
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hyun Lim
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongsoo Hwang
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Keun Cho
- Department of Animal Science, Life and Industry Convergence Research Institute (RICRI), College of Natural Science, Pusan University, Miryang, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea
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Harvey AJ. Mitochondria in early development: linking the microenvironment, metabolism and the epigenome. Reproduction 2020; 157:R159-R179. [PMID: 30870807 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria, originally of bacterial origin, are highly dynamic organelles that have evolved a symbiotic relationship within eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria undergo dynamic, stage-specific restructuring and redistribution during oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryo development, necessary to support key developmental events. Mitochondria also fulfil a wide range of functions beyond ATP synthesis, including the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and calcium regulation, and are active participants in the regulation of signal transduction pathways. Communication between not only mitochondria and the nucleus, but also with other organelles, is emerging as a critical function which regulates preimplantation development. Significantly, perturbations and deficits in mitochondrial function manifest not only as reduced quality and/or poor oocyte and embryo development but contribute to post-implantation failure, long-term cell function and adult disease. A growing body of evidence indicates that altered availability of metabolic co-factors modulate the activity of epigenetic modifiers, such that oocyte and embryo mitochondrial activity and dynamics have the capacity to establish long-lasting alterations to the epigenetic landscape. It is proposed that preimplantation embryo development may represent a sensitive window during which epigenetic regulation by mitochondria is likely to have significant short- and long-term effects on embryo, and offspring, health. Hence, mitochondrial integrity, communication and metabolism are critical links between the environment, the epigenome and the regulation of embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Harvey
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Kim SG, Kim YY, Park JY, Kwak SJ, Yoo CS, Park IH, Sun HG, Kim JW, Lee KH, Park HD, Chi HJ. Early fragment removal on in vitro fertilization day 2 significantly improves the subsequent development and clinical outcomes of fragmented human embryos. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2018; 45:122-128. [PMID: 30202742 PMCID: PMC6125149 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2018.45.3.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To determine whether fragment removal on in vitro fertilization (IVF) day 2 improved the subsequent development and pregnancy outcomes of fragmented embryos compared to similar-grade embryos without fragment removal. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis involving 191 IVF cycles in which all embryos had over 10% fragmentation (grade 3 or 4) on day 2 of the IVF-embryo transfer cycle from March 2015 to December 2017. IVF cycles were divided into the fragment removal group (n=87) and the no fragment removal group (n=104) as a control cohort. Before fragment removal, embryos with fragmentation on day 2 were incubated in Ca2+- and Mg2+-free biopsy medium under paraffin oil for 30 minutes. Microsurgical fragment removal was performed with later-assisted hatching and a handmade suction micropipette that had an outer diameter of 30 µm. Results There were no significant differences in the characteristics of the patients between the control and the fragment removal groups. After fragment removal and subsequent in vitro culture for 24 hours, the number of blastomeres (7.1±1.7 vs. 6.9±1.6) was comparable between the transferred embryos in the two groups, but the morphological grade of the embryos in the fragment removal group (1.9±0.7) was significantly higher than that of the control group (3.1±0.5, p<0.01). The clinical pregnancy (43.7%) and implantation rates (25.8%) in the fragment removal group were significantly higher than those in the control group (28.8% and 14.0%, respectively; p<0.05). Conclusion Early fragment removal on day 2 significantly improved the subsequent development and pregnancy outcomes of fragmented embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok-Gi Kim
- IVF Center, Mamapapa and Baby Clinic, Ulsan, Korea.,Department of Biotechnology, Daegu University, Daegu, Korea
| | | | | | - Su-Jin Kwak
- IVF Center, Mamapapa and Baby Clinic, Ulsan, Korea
| | | | - Il-Hae Park
- IVF Center, Mamapapa and Baby Clinic, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Hong-Gil Sun
- IVF Center, Mamapapa and Baby Clinic, Ulsan, Korea
| | - Jae-Won Kim
- IVF Center, Mamapapa and Baby Clinic, Ulsan, Korea
| | | | - Hum-Dai Park
- Department of Biotechnology, Daegu University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Hee-Jun Chi
- IVF Center, Mamapapa and Baby Clinic, Ulsan, Korea
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Marei WFA, De Bie J, Mohey-Elsaeed O, Wydooghe E, Bols PEJ, Leroy JLMR. Alpha-linolenic acid protects the developmental capacity of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes matured under lipotoxic conditions in vitro. Biol Reprod 2018; 96:1181-1196. [PMID: 28520897 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs), predominantly palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids (PSO), exert detrimental effects on oocyte developmental competence. This study examined the effects of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) during in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) in the presence of PSO on subsequent embryo development and quality, and the cellular mechanisms that might be involved. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were supplemented during IVM with ALA (50 μM), PSO (425 μM), or PSO+ALA. Compared with FFA-free controls (P < 0.05), PSO increased embryo fragmentation and decreased good quality embryos on day 2 postfertilization. Day 7 blastocyst rate was also reduced. Day 8 blastocysts had lower cell counts and higher apoptosis but normal metabolic profile. In the PSO group, cumulus cell (CC) expansion was inhibited with an increased CC apoptosis while COC metabolism was not affected. Mitochondrial inner membrane potential (MMP; JC-1 staining) was reduced in the CCs and oocytes. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) but not glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78, known as BiP; an endoplasmic reticulum stress marker) was upregulated in the CCs. Higher reactive oxygen species levels (DCHFDA staining) were detected in the oocytes. In contrast, adding ALA in the presence of PSO normalized embryo fragmentation, cleavage, blastocyst rates, and blastocyst quality compared to controls (P > 0.05). Combined treatment with ALA also reduced CC apoptosis, partially recovered CC expansion, abrogated the reduction in MMP in the CCs but not in the oocytes, and reduced BiP and HSP70 expression in CCs, compared with PSO only (P < 0.05). In conclusion, ALA supplementation protected oocyte developmental capacity under lipotoxic conditions mainly by protecting cumulus cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed F A Marei
- Gamete Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.,Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Jessie De Bie
- Gamete Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Omnia Mohey-Elsaeed
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Eline Wydooghe
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Peter E J Bols
- Gamete Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jo L M R Leroy
- Gamete Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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