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Hansen PJ, Estrada-Cortés E, Amaral TF, Ramírez-Hernández R. Meta-analysis to determine efficacy of colony-stimulating factor 2 for improving pregnancy success after embryo transfer in cattle. Theriogenology 2024; 219:126-131. [PMID: 38428334 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Results have been inconsistent as to whether addition of colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) to culture medium improves embryo competence for establishment of pregnancy in cattle and humans. The purpose of the current study was to use all available experiments in cattle concerning effects of CSF2 on pregnancy success after transfer into recipient cattle. The approach was to perform a meta-analysis of all published data sets as well as data from an unpublished experiment described for the first time here. Meta-analysis failed to support the hypothesis that addition of CSF2 to embryo culture medium improves competence of bovine blastocysts to increase pregnancy or calving rates after transfer into recipient females. Thus, its general use as a culture medium additive to increase pregnancy success after embryo transfer is not recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0910, FL, USA.
| | - Eliab Estrada-Cortés
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0910, FL, USA; Campo Experimental Centro Altos de Jalisco, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Jalisco, 47600, Mexico
| | - Thiago F Amaral
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0910, FL, USA
| | - Rosabel Ramírez-Hernández
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0910, FL, USA
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Biase FH, Schettini G. Protocol for the electroporation of CRISPR-Cas for DNA and RNA targeting in Bos taurus zygotes. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102940. [PMID: 38460133 PMCID: PMC10941008 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.102940] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins has revolutionized manipulation of genomes. Here, we present a protocol for the electroporation of CRISPR-Cas for DNA and RNA targeting in Bos taurus zygotes. First, we describe steps for production and preparation of presumptive zygotes for electroporation. The first electroporation introduces ribonucleoproteins formed by Cas9D10A with two guide RNAs to target DNA, and the second introduces the same ribonucleoprotein complex to target DNA plus Cas13a with one guide RNA to target RNAs. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Nix et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando H Biase
- Virginia Polytechnique Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Gustavo Schettini
- Virginia Polytechnique Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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3
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Nix JL, Schettini GP, Speckhart SL, Ealy AD, Biase FH. Ablation of OCT4 function in cattle embryos by double electroporation of CRISPR-Cas for DNA and RNA targeting (CRISPR-DART). PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad343. [PMID: 37954164 PMCID: PMC10637268 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are important tools for gene editing in preimplantation embryos. However, the inefficient production of biallelic deletions in cattle zygotes has hindered mechanistic studies of gene function. In addition, the presence of maternal RNAs that support embryo development until embryonic genome activation may cause confounding phenotypes. Here, we aimed to improve the efficiency of biallelic deletions and deplete specific maternal RNAs in cattle zygotes using CRISPR-Cas editing technology. Two electroporation sessions with Cas9D10A RNPs targeting exon 1 and the promoter of OCT4 produced biallelic deletions in 91% of the embryos tested. In most cases, the deletions were longer than 1,000 nucleotides long. Electroporation of Cas13a RNPs prevents the production of the corresponding proteins. We electroporated Cas9D10A RNPs targeting exon 1, including the promoter region, of OCT4 in two sessions with inclusion of Cas13a RNPs targeting OCT4 mRNAs in the second session to ablate OCT4 function in cattle embryos. A lack of OCT4 resulted in embryos arresting development prior to blastocyst formation at a greater proportion (13%) than controls (31.6%, P < 0.001). The few embryos that developed past the morula stage did not form a normal inner cell mass. Transcriptome analysis of single blastocysts, confirmed to lack exon 1 and promoter region of OCT4, revealed a significant (False Discovery Rate, FDR < 0.1) reduction in transcript abundance of many genes functionally connected to stemness, including markers of pluripotency (CADHD1, DPPA4, GNL3, RRM2). The results confirm that OCT4 is a key regulator of genes that modulate pluripotency and is required to form a functional blastocyst in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jada L Nix
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 175 W Campus dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Gustavo P Schettini
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 175 W Campus dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Savannah L Speckhart
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 175 W Campus dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Alan D Ealy
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 175 W Campus dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Fernando H Biase
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 175 W Campus dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Sosa F, Uh K, Drum JN, Stoecklein KS, Davenport KM, Sofia Ortega M, Lee K, Hansen PJ. Disruption of CSF2RA in the bovine preimplantation embryo reduces development and affects embryonic gene expression in utero. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2023; 4:RAF-23-0001. [PMID: 37000631 PMCID: PMC10160533 DOI: 10.1530/raf-23-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis that CSF2 plays a role in the preimplantation development of the bovine embryo was tested by evaluating consequences of inactivation of CSF2RA (the functional receptor in the embryo) for development of embryos in utero. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to alter sequences on exon 5 and intron 5 of CSF2RA, Control embryos were injected with Cas9 mRNA only. Embryos > 16 cells at day 5 after insemination were transferred to synchronized recipient females in groups of 7 to 24. Embryos were flushed from the uterus two days later. The proportion of recovered embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage was lower for knockout embryos (39%) than for control embryos (63%). RNA sequencing of individual morulae and blastocysts indicated a total of 27 (morula) or 15 (blastocyst) differentially-expressed genes (false discovery rate <0.05). Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that the knockout affected genes playing roles in several functions including cell signaling and glycosylation. It was concluded that signaling through CSF2RA is not obligatory for development of the bovine preimplantation embryo to the blastocyst stage but that CSF2 signaling does enhance the likelihood that the embryo can become a blastocyst and result in specific changes in gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Froylan Sosa
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kyungjun Uh
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Jéssica N Drum
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Katy S Stoecklein
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | | | - M Sofia Ortega
- Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kiho Lee
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Amaral TF, de Grazia JGV, Martinhao LAG, De Col F, Siqueira LGB, Viana JHM, Hansen PJ. Actions of CSF2 and DKK1 on bovine embryo development and pregnancy outcomes are affected by composition of embryo culture medium. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7503. [PMID: 35525843 PMCID: PMC9079070 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11447-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Procedures for in vitro embryo production in cattle have not been optimized. In the current experiment, we utilized a 3 × 3 factorial design to test whether the proportion of embryos becoming blastocysts in culture and the pregnancy rate after embryo transfer are affected by type of serum in the medium [no serum; 3% (v/v) KnockOut Serum Replacement (SR); 3% (v/v) fetal bovine serum (FBS)] and addition of specific embryokines [vehicle; 10 ng/mL colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2); 100 ng/mL dickkopf related protein 1 (DKK1)] at day 5 of culture. Embryos were produced using abattoir-derived ovaries and Y-sorted semen from two Angus sires. The percent of putative zygotes and cleaved embryos becoming blastocysts was improved by SR and FBS. Pregnancy rate at day 30 was determined for 1426 Nelore recipients and calving rate for 266 recipients. In the absence of CSF2 or DKK1, pregnancy rates were lower for embryos cultured with SR or FBS. CSF2 and DKK1 reduced pregnancy rate for embryos cultured without serum but had no detrimental effect in the SR or FBS groups. Indeed, CSF2 blocked the negative effect of FBS on pregnancy rate. Data on birth weights were available for 67 bull calves. There were no effects of treatment. The sire used to produce embryos had significant and large effects on development to the blastocyst stage, pregnancy rate at day 30, calving rate and pregnancy loss between day 30 and calving. Results indicate that (1) SR and FBS can improve embryonic development in vitro while also compromising competence of embryos to survive after transfer, (2) actions of CSF2 and DKK1 depend upon other characteristics of the embryo production system, and (3) sire can have a large effect on embryonic development before and after transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago F Amaral
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0910, USA
- Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
| | | | - Luany Alves Galvao Martinhao
- FIVX Apoyar Biotech LTDA, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
- Biological Science Institute, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0910, USA.
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Hiltunen AE, Vuolteenaho R, Ronkainen VP, Miinalainen I, Uusimaa J, Lehtonen S, Hinttala R. Nhlrc2 is crucial during mouse gastrulation. Genesis 2022; 60:e23470. [PMID: 35258166 PMCID: PMC9286871 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23470] [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: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The loss of NHL repeat containing 2 (Nhlrc2) leads to early embryonic lethality in mice, but the exact timing is currently unknown. In this study, we determined the time of lethality for Nhlrc2 knockout (KO), C57BL/6NCrl‐Nhlrc2tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi/Oulu, embryos and the in situ expression pattern of Nhlrc2 based on LacZ reporter gene expression during this period. Nhlrc2 KO preimplantation mouse embryos developed normally after in vitro fertilization. Embryonic stem (ES) cells established from KO blastocysts proliferated normally despite a complete loss of the NHLRC2 protein. Nhlrc2 KO embryos from timed matings implanted and were indistinguishable from their wildtype littermates on embryonic day (E) 6.5. On E7.5, Nhlrc2 KO embryo development was arrested, and on E8.5, only 6% of the genotyped embryos were homozygous for the Nhlrc2tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi allele. Nhlrc2 KO E8.5 embryos showed limited embryonic or extraembryonic tissue differentiation and remained at the cylinder stage. Nhlrc2 expression was ubiquitous but strongest in the epiblast/ectoderm and extraembryonic ectoderm on E6.5 and E7.5. NHLRC2 is essential for early postimplantation development, and its loss leads to failed gastrulation and amniotic folding in mice. Future studies on the evolutionarily conserved NHLRC2 will provide new insights into the molecular pathways involved in the early steps of postimplantation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniina E Hiltunen
- Medical Research Center Oulu and PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Johanna Uusimaa
- Medical Research Center Oulu and PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.,Clinic for Children and Adolescents, Pediatric Neurology Unit, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Siri Lehtonen
- Medical Research Center Oulu and PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Reetta Hinttala
- Medical Research Center Oulu and PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.,Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Ealy AD, Speckhart SL, Wooldridge LK. Cytokines That Serve as Embryokines in Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082313. [PMID: 34438770 PMCID: PMC8388520 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review will explore how some cytokines also influence early embryonic development. We term these types of molecules as embryokines. Understanding how cytokines serve as embryokines could offer new opportunities to improve embryo development and the overall health of the embryo so that pregnancies will be retained after embryo transfer and so that viable offspring are produced. At least two cytokines may offer these benefits to bovine embryos produced in vitro. Additional cytokines also are identified in this review that may contain beneficial activities on bovine embryos. Abstract The term “embryokine” has been used to denote molecules produced by the endometrium, oviduct, or by embryo itself that will influence embryo development. Several cytokines have been identified as embryokines in cattle and other mammals. This review will describe how these cytokines function as embryokines, with special emphasis being placed on their actions on in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos. Embryokines are being explored for their ability to overcome the poor development rates of IVP embryos and to limit post-transfer pregnancy retention efficiencies that exist in IVP embryos. This review will focus on describing two of the best-characterized cytokines, colony-stimulating factor 2 and interleukin 6, for their ability to modify bovine embryo quality and confirmation, promote normal fetal development, and generate healthy calves. Additional cytokines will also be discussed for their potential to serve as embryokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan D. Ealy
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Savannah L. Speckhart
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
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