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Zhou Y, Ye F, Zhang L, Kang Q, Luo Y, Jiang N, Lou L, Mao Y, Wang L, Jin F. The role of DNA damage response in human embryonic stem cells exposed to atmospheric oxygen tension: Implications for embryo development and differentiation. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 128:108648. [PMID: 38909692 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108648] [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: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Previous retrospective cohort studies have found that, compared with oxygen tension in the uterus and fallopian tubes (2 %-8 %), exposure of pre-implantation embryos to atmospheric oxygen tension (AtmO2, 20 %) during assisted reproductive technology(ART) can affect embryo quality, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health. However, current research on the effects and mechanisms of AtmO2 on the development of embryos and offspring is mainly limited to animal experiments. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) play a special and irreplaceable role in the study of early human embryonic development. In this study, we used hESCs as a model to elucidate the possible effects and mechanisms of AtmO2 exposure on human embryonic development. We found that exposure to AtmO2 can reduce cell viability, produce oxidative stress, increase DNA damage, initiate DNA repair, activate autophagy, and increase cell apoptosis. We also noticed that approximately 50 % of hESCs survived, adapted and proliferated through high expression of self-renewal and pluripotency regulatory factors, and affected embryoid body differentiation. These data indicate that hESCs experience oxidative stress, accumulation of DNA damage, and activate DNA damage response under the selective pressure of AtmO2.Some hESCs undergo cell death, whereas other hESCs adapt and proliferate through increased expression of self-renewal genes. The current findings provide in vitro evidence that exposure to AtmO2 during the early preimplantation stage negatively affects hESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zhou
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fenglei Ye
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Lishui, China
| | - Linyun Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Quanmin Kang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yujia Luo
- Department of NICU, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lijun Lou
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Affiliated Dongyang Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Jinhua, China
| | - Yuchan Mao
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liya Wang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fan Jin
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Predheepan D, Salian SR, Uppangala S, Lakshmi R V, Kalthur G, Kovačič B, Adiga SK. Embryos from Prepubertal Hyperglycemic Female Mice Respond Differentially to Oxygen Tension In Vitro. Cells 2024; 13:954. [PMID: 38891086 PMCID: PMC11171876 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Reduced oxygen during embryo culture in human ART prevents embryo oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is also the major mechanism by which maternal diabetes impairs embryonic development. This study employed induced hyperglycemia prepubertal mice to mimic childhood diabetes to understand the effects of varying oxygen tension during in vitro embryonic development. The oocytes were fertilized and cultured at low (≈5%) oxygen (LOT) or atmospheric (≈20%) oxygen tension (HOT) for up to 96 h. Embryo development, apoptosis in blastocysts, inner cell mass (ICM) outgrowth proliferation, and Hif1α expression were assessed. Though the oocyte quality and meiotic spindle were not affected, the fertilization rate (94.86 ± 1.18 vs. 85.17 ± 2.81), blastocyst rate (80.92 ± 2.92 vs. 69.32 ± 2.54), and ICM proliferation ability (51.04 ± 9.22 vs. 17.08 ± 3.05) of the hyperglycemic embryos were significantly higher in the LOT compared to the HOT group. On the other hand, blastocysts from the hyperglycemic group, cultured at HOT, had a 1.5-fold increase in apoptotic cells compared to the control and lower Hif1α transcripts in ICM outgrowths compared to the LOT. Increased susceptibility of embryos from hyperglycemic mice to higher oxygen tension warrants the need to individualize the conditions for embryo culture systems in ART clinics, particularly when an endogenous maternal pathology affects the ovarian environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhakshanya Predheepan
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India; (D.P.)
| | - Sujith Raj Salian
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India; (D.P.)
| | - Shubhashree Uppangala
- Division of Reproductive Genetics, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India;
| | - Vani Lakshmi R
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India;
| | - Guruprasad Kalthur
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India;
| | - Borut Kovačič
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology, University Medical Centre, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia;
| | - Satish Kumar Adiga
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India; (D.P.)
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Mo L, Ma J, Xiong Y, Xiong X, Lan D, Li J, Yin S. Factors Influencing the Maturation and Developmental Competence of Yak ( Bos grunniens) Oocytes In Vitro. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1882. [PMID: 37895231 PMCID: PMC10606142 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101882] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The yak (Bos grunniens) is a unique breed living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas, providing locals with a variety of vital means of living and production. However, the yak has poor sexual maturity and low fertility. High-quality mature oocytes are the basis of animal breeding technology. Recently, in vitro culturing of oocytes and embryo engineering technology have been applied to yak breeding. However, compared to those observed in vivo, the maturation rate and developmental capacity of in vitro oocytes are still low, which severely limits the application of in vitro fertilization and embryo production in yaks. This review summarizes the endogenous and exogenous factors affecting the in vitro maturation (IVM) and developmental ability of yak oocytes reported in recent years and provides a theoretical basis for obtaining high-quality oocytes for in vitro fertilization and embryo production in yaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoyu Mo
- College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.M.); (J.M.); (Y.X.); (X.X.); (D.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Jun Ma
- College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.M.); (J.M.); (Y.X.); (X.X.); (D.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Yan Xiong
- College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.M.); (J.M.); (Y.X.); (X.X.); (D.L.); (J.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xianrong Xiong
- College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.M.); (J.M.); (Y.X.); (X.X.); (D.L.); (J.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Daoliang Lan
- College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.M.); (J.M.); (Y.X.); (X.X.); (D.L.); (J.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jian Li
- College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.M.); (J.M.); (Y.X.); (X.X.); (D.L.); (J.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shi Yin
- College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.M.); (J.M.); (Y.X.); (X.X.); (D.L.); (J.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Tolani AT, Cedars MI, Zablotska LB, Rinaudo PF. Metabolomic Profile of Children Conceived With Medically Assisted Technologies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:315-322. [PMID: 36214833 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac589] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and non-in vitro fertilization fertility treatments (NIFT) are treatments for infertility. These technologies may have long-term health effects in children such as increased hypertension, glucose intolerance, and hypertriglyceridemia. Few studies have compared children born following ART and NIFT to those conceived spontaneously by subfertile couples. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to describe metabolic differences in children conceived by ART and NIFT compared to children conceived spontaneously by infertile couples. METHODS Children conceived by parent(s) receiving infertility care at the University of California, San Francisco, between 2000 and 2017 were invited to participate in the Developmental Epidemiological Study of Children born through Reproductive Technology (DESCRT). Serum metabolomic analyses were conducted using samples from 143 enrolled children (age range 4-12 years, 43% female) conceived using NIFT or ART (with fresh or frozen embryos with and without intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]) and children conceived spontaneously by subfertile couples. Principal component analysis and multivariable regression were used to compare the distribution of metabolites between groups. RESULTS There was no separation in metabolites based on treatment or sex. NIFT-conceived children showed no differences compared to spontaneously conceived controls. Only spontaneously conceived children had different metabolomics profiles from children conceived from fresh ART, frozen ART, and all ICSI. Pantoate and propionylglycine levels were elevated in fresh ART compared to the spontaneous group (P < .001). Propionylglycine levels were elevated in the ICSI (both fresh and frozen) vs the spontaneous group (P < .001). Finally, 5-oxoproline levels were decreased in frozen ART compared to the spontaneous group (P < .001). CONCLUSION NIFT-conceived children did not show any metabolic differences compared with spontaneously conceived children. The metabolic differences between ART-conceived children and children conceived spontaneously were small but unlikely to be clinically significant but should be examined in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha T Tolani
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Marcelle I Cedars
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Lydia B Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Paolo F Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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Deluao JC, Winstanley Y, Robker RL, Pacella-Ince L, Gonzalez MB, McPherson NO. OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: Reactive oxygen species in the mammalian pre-implantation embryo. Reproduction 2022; 164:F95-F108. [PMID: 36111646 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Reactive oxygen species are generated throughout the pre-implantation period and are necessary for normal embryo formation. However, at pathological levels, they result in reduced embryo viability which can be mediated through factors delivered by sperm and eggs at conception or from the external environment. Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) occur naturally in pre-implantation embryos as a by-product of ATP generation through oxidative phosphorylation and enzymes such as NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase. Biological concentrations of ROS are required for crucial embryonic events such as pronuclear formation, first cleavage and cell proliferation. However, high concentrations of ROS are detrimental to embryo development, resulting in embryo arrest, increased DNA damage and modification of gene expression leading to aberrant fetal growth and health. In vivo embryos are protected against oxidative stress by oxygen scavengers present in follicular and oviductal fluids, while in vitro, embryos rely on their own antioxidant defence mechanisms to protect against oxidative damage, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and glutamylcysteine synthestase. Pre-implantation embryonic ROS originate from eggs, sperm and embryos themselves or from the external environment (i.e. in vitro culture system, obesity and ageing). This review examines the biological and pathological roles of ROS in the pre-implantation embryo, maternal and paternal origins of embryonic ROS, and from a clinical perspective, we comment on the growing interest in combating increased oxidative damage in the pre-implantation embryo through the addition of antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua C Deluao
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Yasmyn Winstanley
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Rebecca L Robker
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leanne Pacella-Ince
- Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Repromed, Dulwich, Australia
| | - Macarena B Gonzalez
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Nicole O McPherson
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Repromed, Dulwich, Australia
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Ultralow Oxygen Tension (2%) Is Beneficial for Blastocyst Formation of In Vitro Human Low-Quality Embryo Culture. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9603185. [PMID: 35692587 PMCID: PMC9177330 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9603185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To investigate whether a reduction in the O2 tension from 5 to 2% during extended culture from day 3 onwards was beneficial to human blastocyst development in vitro. Methods We firstly identified 139 patients who had no low-quality embryos on day 3, and all the embryos were prolonged to culture on day 5 or 6. We mainly analyzed 188 patients receiving IVF/ICSI-ET for the first time, and no high-quality embryos were obtained on day 3 from January 2018 to December 2019. After transferred with one or two low-quality embryos, extended culture was performed under low O2 (5%) or ultralow O2 (2%) tension for surplus embryos. 296 embryos from 106 patients were continued to culture under 5% O2 tension, and 214 embryos from 82 patients were continued to culture under 2% O2 tension. Main outcomes compared were blastulation and high-quality blastulation rates. Results We observed no significant differences in the blastulation and high-quality blastulation rates for high-quality cleavage-stage embryos between 2% and 5% O2 groups (p > 0.05). For low-quality cleavage-stage embryos, we observed that the 2% O2 group showed a significantly higher blastulation (39.72 versus 31.08%; p = 0.043) rate than that in the 5% O2 group. The high-quality blastocyst formation rate (10.75 versus 8.45%; p = 0.380) was comparable between the 2% and 5% O2 groups. The blastulation rate reached 44.86% by culturing blastocysts an additional day under 2% O2 tension which was significantly higher than that (32.09%) under 5% O2 tension (p < 0.05). Conclusion A reduction in O2 tension from 5 to 2% after day 3 might be beneficial to the patients with no high-quality embryos. Extended culture to day 7 under 2% O2 tension increased the number of available blastocysts per IVF/ICSI cycle and was worth recommending especially for patients with few blastocysts.
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Sciorio R, Esteves SC. Contemporary Use of ICSI and Epigenetic Risks to Future Generations. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082135. [PMID: 35456226 PMCID: PMC9031244 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the birth of Louise Brown in 1978 via IVF, reproductive specialists have acquired enormous knowledge and refined several procedures, which are nowadays applied in assisted reproductive technology (ART). One of the most critical steps in this practice is the fertilization process. In the early days of IVF, a remarkable concern was the unpleasant outcomes of failed fertilization, overtaken by introducing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), delineating a real breakthrough in modern ART. ICSI became standard practice and was soon used as the most common method to fertilize oocytes. It has been used for severe male factor infertility and non-male factors, such as unexplained infertility or advanced maternal age, without robust scientific evidence. However, applying ICSI blindly is not free of potential detrimental consequences since novel studies report possible health consequences to offspring. DNA methylation and epigenetic alterations in sperm cells of infertile men might help explain some of the adverse effects reported in ICSI studies on reproductive health in future generations. Collected data concerning the health of ICSI children over the past thirty years seems to support the notion that there might be an increased risk of epigenetic disorders, congenital malformations, chromosomal alterations, and subfertility in babies born following ICSI compared to naturally conceived children. However, it is still to be elucidated to what level these data are associated with the cause of infertility or the ICSI technique. This review provides an overview of epigenetic mechanisms and possible imprinting alterations following the use of ART, in particular ICSI. It also highlights the sperm contribution to embryo epigenetic regulation and the risks of in vitro culture conditions on epigenetic dysregulation. Lastly, it summarizes the literature concerning the possible epigenetic disorders in children born after ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Edinburgh Assisted Conception Programme, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Sandro C. Esteves
- Androfert, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas 13075-460, Brazil;
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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Agarwal A, Maldonado Rosas I, Anagnostopoulou C, Cannarella R, Boitrelle F, Munoz LV, Finelli R, Durairajanayagam D, Henkel R, Saleh R. Oxidative Stress and Assisted Reproduction: A Comprehensive Review of Its Pathophysiological Role and Strategies for Optimizing Embryo Culture Environment. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11030477. [PMID: 35326126 PMCID: PMC8944628 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11030477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) due to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants has been established as an important factor that can negatively affect the outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). Excess ROS exert their pathological effects through damage to cellular lipids, organelles, and DNA, alteration of enzymatic function, and apoptosis. ROS can be produced intracellularly, from immature sperm, oocytes, and embryos. Additionally, several external factors may induce high ROS production in the ART setup, including atmospheric oxygen, CO2 incubators, consumables, visible light, temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds, and culture media additives. Pathological amounts of ROS can also be generated during the cryopreservation-thawing process of gametes or embryos. Generally, these factors can act at any stage during ART, from gamete preparation to embryo development, till the blastocyst stage. In this review, we discuss the in vitro conditions and environmental factors responsible for the induction of OS in an ART setting. In addition, we describe the effects of OS on gametes and embryos. Furthermore, we highlight strategies to ameliorate the impact of OS during the whole human embryo culture period, from gametes to blastocyst stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Florence Boitrelle
- Reproductive Biology, Fertility Preservation, Andrology, CECOS, Poissy Hospital, 78300 Poissy, France;
- Department BREED, UVSQ, INRAE, Paris Saclay University, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Lina Villar Munoz
- Citmer Reproductive Medicine, IVF LAB, Mexico City 11520, Mexico; (I.M.R.); (L.V.M.)
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
| | - Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, UK
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7530, South Africa
- LogixX Pharma, Theale RG7 4AB, UK
| | - Ramadan Saleh
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt;
- Ajyal IVF Center, Ajyal Hospital, Sohag 82524, Egypt
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9
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Comparison of Histone H3K4me3 between IVF and ICSI Technologies and between Boy and Girl Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168574. [PMID: 34445278 PMCID: PMC8395251 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics play a vital role in early embryo development. Offspring conceived via assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have a three times higher risk of epigenetic diseases than naturally conceived children. However, investigations into ART-associated placental histone modifications or sex-stratified analyses of ART-associated histone modifications remain limited. In the current study, we carried out immunohistochemistry, chip-sequence analysis, and a series of in vitro experiments. Our results demonstrated that placentas from intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), but not in vitro fertilization (IVF), showed global tri-methylated-histone-H3-lysine-4 (H3K4me3) alteration compared to those from natural conception. However, for acetylated-histone-H3-lysine-9 (H3K9ac) and acetylated-histone-H3-lysine-27 (H3K27ac), no significant differences between groups could be found. Further, sex -stratified analysis found that, compared with the same-gender newborn cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC) from natural conceptions, CBMC from ICSI-boys presented more genes with differentially enriched H3K4me3 (n = 198) than those from ICSI-girls (n = 79), IVF-girls (n = 5), and IVF-boys (n = 2). We also found that varying oxygen conditions, RNA polymerase II subunit A (Polr2A), and lysine demethylase 5A (KDM5A) regulated H3K4me3. These findings revealed a difference between IVF and ICSI and a difference between boys and girls in H3K4me3 modification, providing greater insight into ART-associated epigenetic alteration.
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10
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Belli M, Palmerini MG, Bianchi S, Bernardi S, Khalili MA, Nottola SA, Macchiarelli G. Ultrastructure of mitochondria of human oocytes in different clinical conditions during assisted reproduction. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 703:108854. [PMID: 33794190 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Infertility affects around 8% of couples with a slight change in percentage in the last years. Despite the significant efforts made in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) in handling this disorder, oocyte quality remains a crucial factor for a positive outcome. A better understanding of the dynamics underlying oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development remains one of the main areas for progress in the ARTs field. Mitochondria are believed to play an essential role in these processes. Mitochondria have a crucial part in producing energy for oocyte maturation and embryo development throughout precise cellular functions comprising Ca2+ homeostasis regulation, glycolysis, amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, and regulation of apoptosis. Recent studies suggest that mitochondrial structure, content, and function may be related to oocyte competence, embryo viability, and implantation success during ARTs. Their defects could lead to low fertilization rates and embryonic development failure. This review aimed to provide an overview of the available literature data surrounding the correlation between changes at ultrastructural level of mitochondria or correlated-mitochondrial aggregates and oocyte quality and ARTs treatments. Our reported data demonstrated that oocyte mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations could be partial or complete recovery during the early embryo stages. However, these changes could persist as quiescent during the pre-implantation embryo development, causing abnormalities that become evident only during fetal and postnatal life. These factors led to consider the mitochondria as a crucial marker of oocyte and embryo quality, as well as a strategic target for further prospective therapeutical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Belli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Maria Grazia Palmerini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Serena Bianchi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Sara Bernardi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Mohammad Ali Khalili
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
| | - Stefania Annarita Nottola
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Guido Macchiarelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
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Belli M, Rinaudo P, Palmerini MG, Ruggeri E, Antonouli S, Nottola SA, Macchiarelli G. Pre-Implantation Mouse Embryos Cultured In Vitro under Different Oxygen Concentrations Show Altered Ultrastructures. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E3384. [PMID: 32413976 PMCID: PMC7277391 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17103384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Assisted Reproductive Technologies routinely utilize different culture media and oxygen (O2) concentrations to culture human embryos. Overall, embryos cultured under physiological O2 tension (5%) have improved development compared to embryos cultured under atmospheric O2 conditions (20%). The mechanisms responsible for this remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of physiologic (5%) or atmospheric O2 (20%) tension on the microscopic ultrastructure of pre-implantation mouse embryos using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Embryos flushed out of the uterus after natural mating were used as the control. For use as the control, 2-cells, 4-cells, morulae, and blastocysts were flushed out of the uterus after natural fertilization. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed using potassium simplex optimized medium (KSOM) under different O2 tensions (5% and 20%) until the blastocyst stage. After collection, embryos were subjected to the standard preparative for light microscopy (LM) and TEM. We found that culture in vitro under 5% and 20% O2 results in an increase of vacuolated shaped mitochondria, cytoplasmic vacuolization and presence of multi-vesicular bodies at every embryonic stage. In addition, blastocysts generated by IVF under 5% and 20% O2 showed a lower content of heterochromatin, an interruption of the trophectodermal and inner cell mass cell membranes, an increased density of residual bodies, and high levels of glycogen granules in the cytoplasm. In conclusion, this study suggests that in vitro culture, particularly under atmospheric O2 tension, causes stage-specific changes in preimplantation embryo ultrastructure. In addition, atmospheric (20%) O2 is associated with increased alterations in embryonic ultrastructure; these changes may explain the reduced embryonic development of embryos cultured with 20% O2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Belli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.B.); (M.G.P.); (S.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Paolo Rinaudo
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obgyn, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - Maria Grazia Palmerini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.B.); (M.G.P.); (S.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Elena Ruggeri
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obgyn, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - Sevastiani Antonouli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.B.); (M.G.P.); (S.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Stefania Annarita Nottola
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Guido Macchiarelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.B.); (M.G.P.); (S.A.); (G.M.)
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