1
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Razmi K, Mousavi SE, Patil JG. Paternal source of germ plasm determinants in the viviparous teleost, Gambusia holbrooki; dads do matter. Dev Biol 2023; 502:14-19. [PMID: 37385406 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
The identity of germ cells, the progenitors of life, is thought to be acquired by two modes; either by maternal signals (preformed) or induced de novo from pluripotent cells (epigenesis) in the developing embryos. However, paternal roles seem enshrouded or completely overlooked in this fundamental biological process. Hence, we investigated the presence of germplasm transcripts in the sperm of Gambusia holbrooki, a live-bearing fish, demonstrating their presence and suggesting paternal contributions. Interestingly, not all germplasm markers were present (nanos1 and tdrd6) in the sperm, but some were conspicuous (dazl, dnd-α, piwi II, and vasa), indicating that the latter is required for establishing germ cell identity in the progeny, with a possible parent-specific role. Furthermore, there were also spatial differences in the distribution of these determinants, suggesting additional roles in sperm physiology and/or fertility. Our results support the hypothesis that dads also play a vital role in establishing the germ cell identity, especially in G. holbrooki, which shares elements of both preformation and induction modes of germline determination. This, coupled with its life history traits, makes G. holbrooki an excellent system for dissecting evolutionary relationships between the two germline determination modes, their underpinning mechanisms and ultimately the perpetuity of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komeil Razmi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, TAS, 7053, Australia
| | - Seyed Ehsan Mousavi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, TAS, 7053, Australia
| | - Jawahar G Patil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, TAS, 7053, Australia.
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2
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Denicol AC, Siqueira LGB. Maternal contributions to pregnancy success: from gamete quality to uterine environment. Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20230085. [PMID: 37720724 PMCID: PMC10503891 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The establishment and maintenance of a pregnancy that goes to term is sine qua non for the long-term sustainability of dairy and beef cattle operations. The oocyte plays a critical role in providing the factors necessary for preimplantation embryonic development. Furthermore, the female, or maternal, environment where oocytes and embryos develop is crucial for the establishment and maintenance of a pregnancy to term. During folliculogenesis, the oocyte must sequentially acquire meiotic and developmental competence, which are the results of a series of molecular events preparing the highly specialized gamete to return to totipotency after fertilization. Given that folliculogenesis is a lengthy process in the cow, the occurrence of disease, metabolic imbalances, heat stress, or other adverse events can make it challenging to maintain oocyte quality. Following fertilization, the newly formed embryo must execute a tightly planned program that includes global DNA remodeling, activation of the embryonic genome, and cell fate decisions to form a blastocyst within a few days and cell divisions. The increasing use of assisted reproductive technologies creates an additional layer of complexity to ensure the highest oocyte and embryo quality given that in vitro systems do not faithfully recreate the physiological maternal environment. In this review, we discuss cellular and molecular factors and events known to be crucial for proper oocyte development and maturation, as well as adverse events that may negatively affect the oocyte; and the importance of the uterine environment, including signaling proteins in the maternal-embryonic interactions that ensure proper embryo development. We also discuss the impact of assisted reproductive technologies in oocyte and embryo quality and developmental potential, and considerations when looking into the prospects for developing systems that allow for in vitro gametogenesis as a tool for assisted reproduction in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Carolina Denicol
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America
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3
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Umair M, Scheeren VFDC, Beitsma MM, Colleoni S, Galli C, Lazzari G, de Ruijter-Villani M, Stout TAE, Claes A. In Vitro-Produced Equine Blastocysts Exhibit Greater Dispersal and Intermingling of Inner Cell Mass Cells than In Vivo Embryos. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119619. [PMID: 37298570 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro production (IVP) of equine embryos is increasingly popular in clinical practice but suffers from higher incidences of early embryonic loss and monozygotic twin development than transfer of in vivo derived (IVD) embryos. Early embryo development is classically characterized by two cell fate decisions: (1) first, trophectoderm (TE) cells differentiate from inner cell mass (ICM); (2) second, the ICM segregates into epiblast (EPI) and primitive endoderm (PE). This study examined the influence of embryo type (IVD versus IVP), developmental stage or speed, and culture environment (in vitro versus in vivo) on the expression of the cell lineage markers, CDX-2 (TE), SOX-2 (EPI) and GATA-6 (PE). The numbers and distribution of cells expressing the three lineage markers were evaluated in day 7 IVD early blastocysts (n = 3) and blastocysts (n = 3), and in IVP embryos first identified as blastocysts after 7 (fast development, n = 5) or 9 (slow development, n = 9) days. Furthermore, day 7 IVP blastocysts were examined after additional culture for 2 days either in vitro (n = 5) or in vivo (after transfer into recipient mares, n = 3). In IVD early blastocysts, SOX-2 positive cells were encircled by GATA-6 positive cells in the ICM, with SOX-2 co-expression in some presumed PE cells. In IVD blastocysts, SOX-2 expression was exclusive to the compacted presumptive EPI, while GATA-6 and CDX-2 expression were consistent with PE and TE specification, respectively. In IVP blastocysts, SOX-2 and GATA-6 positive cells were intermingled and relatively dispersed, and co-expression of SOX-2 or GATA-6 was evident in some CDX-2 positive TE cells. IVP blastocysts had lower TE and total cell numbers than IVD blastocysts and displayed larger mean inter-EPI cell distances; these features were more pronounced in slower-developing IVP blastocysts. Transferring IVP blastocysts into recipient mares led to the compaction of SOX-2 positive cells into a presumptive EPI, whereas extended in vitro culture did not. In conclusion, IVP equine embryos have a poorly compacted ICM with intermingled EPI and PE cells; features accentuated in slowly developing embryos but remedied by transfer to a recipient mare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Umair
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mabel M Beitsma
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Cesare Galli
- Avantea srl, Via Porcellasco 7/F, 26100 Cremona, Italy
| | | | - Marta de Ruijter-Villani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tom A E Stout
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anthony Claes
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
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4
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Pinzón-Arteaga CA, Wang Y, Wei Y, Ribeiro Orsi AE, Li L, Scatolin G, Liu L, Sakurai M, Ye J, Hao Ming, Yu L, Li B, Jiang Z, Wu J. Bovine blastocyst-like structures derived from stem cell cultures. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:611-616.e7. [PMID: 37146582 PMCID: PMC10230549 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of blastocyst formation and implantation is critical for improving farm animal reproduction but is hampered by a limited supply of embryos. Here, we developed an efficient method to generate bovine blastocyst-like structures (termed blastoids) via assembling bovine trophoblast stem cells and expanded potential stem cells. Bovine blastoids resemble blastocysts in morphology, cell composition, single-cell transcriptomes, in vitro growth, and the ability to elicit maternal recognition of pregnancy following transfer to recipient cows. Bovine blastoids represent an accessible in vitro model for studying embryogenesis and improving reproductive efficiency in livestock species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Pinzón-Arteaga
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yinjuan Wang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, USA
| | - Yulei Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China, Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ana E Ribeiro Orsi
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leijie Li
- SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Giovanna Scatolin
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, USA; Department of Animal Sciences, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Lizhong Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Masahiro Sakurai
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jianfeng Ye
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hao Ming
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, USA
| | - Leqian Yu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bo Li
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Zongliang Jiang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, USA; Department of Animal Sciences, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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5
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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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6
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Sosa F, Hansen PJ. Colony stimulating factor 2 protects the preimplantation bovine embryo from heat shock. ZYGOTE 2023; 31:51-54. [PMID: 36278319 PMCID: PMC10565675 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199422000508] [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] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Heat stress can have severe deleterious effects on embryo development and survival. The present study evaluated whether CSF2 can protect the developmental competence of the bovine embryo following exposure to a heat shock of 41°C at the zygote and morula stages. In the first experiment, putative zygotes and 2-cell embryos were assigned to receive either 10 ng/ml CSF2 or vehicle, and then cultured for 15 h at either 38.5°C or 41°C and then at 38.5°C until day 7.5. Heat shock reduced blastocyst development for embryos treated with vehicle but not for embryos cultured with CSF2. In the second experiment, day 5 embryos (morula) were treated with CSF2 or vehicle and then cultured for 15 h at either 38.5°C or 41°C and then at 38.5°C until day 7.5. Temperature treatment did not affect development to the blastocyst stage and there was no effect of CSF2 treatment or the interaction. Results indicate that CSF2 can reduce the deleterious effects of heat shock at the zygote or two-cell stage when the embryo is transcriptionally inactive.
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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, Florida32611-0910, USA
| | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida32611-0910, USA
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7
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Dos Santos AC, Joaquim DC, Nociti RP, Macabelli CH, Sampaio RV, Oliveira AS, Pita MO, de Oliveira RAM, da Silveira JC, Meirelles FV, Watanabe OY, Watanabe YF, Chiaratti MR. Micro-vibration results in vitro-derived bovine blastocysts with greater cryotolerance, epigenetic abnormalities, and a massive transcriptional change. Theriogenology 2023; 196:214-226. [PMID: 36427390 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.004] [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: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Much effort has been employed to improve the quality of embryos obtained by in vitro production (IVP) given the relevance of this technology to current livestock systems. In this context, dynamic IVP systems have proved beneficial to the embryo once they mimic fluid flows and mechanical forces resulting from the movement of ciliated cells and muscle contraction in the reproductive tract. In the present study, we sought to confirm these initial findings as well as assess potential molecular consequences to the embryo by applying micro-vibration (45 Hz for 5 s once per 60 min) during both oocyte maturation and embryo culture in cattle. As a result, micro-vibration led to lower incidence of apoptosis in blastocysts following vitrification-thawing. Further analyses revealed epigenetic and transcriptional changes in blastocysts derived from the micro-vibration treatment, with a total of 502 differentially expressed genes. Enrichment analyses linked differentially expressed genes to 'Oxidative phosphorylation', 'Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction', and 'Signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells'. Yet, a meta-analysis indicated that the transcriptional changes induced by micro-vibration were not toward that of in vivo-derived embryos. In conclusion, micro-vibration increases the cryoresistance of bovine embryos, but caution should be taken given the unclear consequences of epigenetic and transcriptional abnormalities induced by the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica C Dos Santos
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel C Joaquim
- Vitrogen - Biotecnologia em Reprodução Animal, Cravinhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo P Nociti
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina H Macabelli
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael V Sampaio
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil; ST Genetics, Navasota, TX, USA
| | - Aline S Oliveira
- Vitrogen - Biotecnologia em Reprodução Animal, Cravinhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Maico O Pita
- WTA - Watanabe Tecnologia Aplicada, Cravinhos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Juliano C da Silveira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Flávio V Meirelles
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Yeda F Watanabe
- Vitrogen - Biotecnologia em Reprodução Animal, Cravinhos, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos R Chiaratti
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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8
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Interferon Tau (IFNt) and Interferon-Stimulated Genes (ISGs) Expression in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and Correlation with Circulating Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) during Peri-Implantation and Early Pregnancy in Buffalo Cows. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12223068. [PMID: 36428296 PMCID: PMC9686730 DOI: 10.3390/ani12223068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to analyze interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and interferon tau (IFNt) gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes during the peri-implantation period and until 40 days of pregnancy in buffalo cows. Relationships were also examined between the expression of ISGs and IFNt and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) peripheral plasma concentration. Buffalo cows were synchronized and artificially inseminated (d 0). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 18, 28 and 40 after artificial insemination (AI) for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) isolation and PAGs radioimmunoassay analysis. The study was carried out on 21 buffalo cows divided ex post into Pregnant (n = 12) and Non-pregnant (n = 9) groups. Steady state levels of OAS1, MX2, ISG15 and IFNt mRNA were measured by RT-qPCR and their estimated marginal means (p < 0.01 for all) were higher in pregnant than non-pregnant buffaloes, both in PBMCs and PMNs. In PBMCs, pairwise comparisons showed that OAS1 and MX2 expressions differed between pregnant and non-pregnant buffaloes on all the days of observation (p < 0.001), while significant differences in ISG15 and IFNt started from day 28 post-AI (p < 0.05). In PMNs, ISG15 expression differed between groups only at days 18 and 28 (p < 0.001), while comparisons were always significant for IFNt (p < 0.05). The expression of all genes, except ISG15 as determined in PMNs, was positively associated with PAGs plasma concentrations (p < 0.05). This work showed a significant increase in ISGs and IFNt expressions in PBMCs and PMNs in buffalo during the peri-implantation period and early pregnancy, and their correlation with PAGs plasma concentration.
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Pacelli C, Barile VL, Sabia E, Casano AB, Braghieri A, Martina V, Barbato O. Use of GnRH Treatment Based on Pregnancy-Associated Glyco-Proteins (PAGs) Levels as a Strategy for the Maintenance of Pregnancy in Buffalo Cows: A Field Study. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202822. [PMID: 36290208 PMCID: PMC9597821 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of GnRH administrated at day 35 after artificial insemination (AI) on the reproductive performance of buffalo cows. In ten buffalo farms in the period January−February, 481 buffalo cows were subjected to estrus synchronization protocol and fixed-time artificial insemination (Ovsynch−TAI program). Radioimmunoassays (RIA) for pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) were used to detect pregnancy at day 28 after AI (cut-off value: ≥1 ng/mL). Among pregnant subjects, those with PAG values between 1 and 2.5 ng/mL were considered at risk of embryonic mortality (EM) and were assigned into two groups: treated (T; n = 57) control (C; n = 57). Treated buffaloes received 0.01 mg of buserelin acetate intramuscularly on day 35 after AI, whereas control buffaloes received no treatment. The pregnancy diagnosis was confirmed at day 60 through PAGs level and rectal palpation. The treatment with GnRH had a significant effect (p < 0.001) in reducing EM. Between days 28 and 60 after AI, the animals that experienced EM were only 2/57 in the T group, while were 13/57 in the C group. Moreover, GnRH treatment produced a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the PAG concentration between day 28 and day 60. Administration of GnRH at day 35 after AI in animals considered at risk of low embryo survival based on PAG levels allowed a reduction in pregnancy losses and improved the pregnancy rate during low-breeding season in buffalo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Pacelli
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Vittoria Lucia Barile
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA)—Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Emilio Sabia
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | | | - Ada Braghieri
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Valeria Martina
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Olimpia Barbato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-075-585-7640; Fax: +39-075-585-7638
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10
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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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11
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Estrada-Cortés E, Jannaman EA, Block J, Amaral TF, Hansen PJ. Programming of postnatal phenotype caused by exposure of cultured embryos from Brahman cattle to colony-stimulating factor 2 and serum. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6291391. [PMID: 34079989 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the environment of the preimplantation embryo can affect competence to establish pregnancy and phenotype of resultant calves. In this study, the bovine embryo produced in vitro was used to evaluate postnatal programming actions of the embryokine colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) and serum, which is a common additive of culture media. Oocytes were collected by ovum pick up from Brahman donors and fertilized with semen from Brahman bulls. Embryos were randomly assigned to one of the three treatments: vehicle, CSF2 10 ng/mL, or 1% (v/v) serum. Treatments were added to the culture medium from day 5 to 7 after fertilization. Blastocysts were harvested on day 7 and transferred into crossbred recipients. Postnatal body growth and Longissimus dorsi muscle characteristics of the resultant calves were measured. The percent of cleaved embryos becoming blastocysts was increased by serum and, to a lesser extent, CSF2. Treatment did not affect survival after embryo transfer but gestation length was shortest for pregnancies established with serum-treated embryos. Treatment did not significantly affect postnatal body weight or growth. At 3 mo of age, CSF2 calves had lower fat content in the Longissimus dorsi muscle and less subcutaneous fat over the muscle than vehicle calves. There was a tendency for cross-sectional area of the muscle to be smaller for serum calves than vehicle calves. Results confirm the importance of the preimplantation period as a window to modulate postnatal phenotype of resultant calves. In particular, CSF2 exerted actions during the preimplantation period to program characteristics of accumulation of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat of resultant calves. The use of a low serum concentration in culture medium from day 5 to 7 of development can increase the yield of transferrable embryos without causing serious negative consequences for the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliab Estrada-Cortés
- Department of Animal Sciences and D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA.,Campo Experimental Centro Altos de Jalisco, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Jalisco, 47600, México
| | - Elizabeth A Jannaman
- Department of Animal Sciences and D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA
| | - Jeremy Block
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Thiago F Amaral
- Department of Animal Sciences and D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA
| | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences and D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA
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12
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Xiao Y, Sosa F, de Armas LR, Pan L, Hansen PJ. An improved method for specific-target preamplification PCR analysis of single blastocysts useful for embryo sexing and high-throughput gene expression analysis. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:3722-3735. [PMID: 33455782 PMCID: PMC8050830 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression analysis in preimplantation embryos has been used for answering fundamental questions related to development, prediction of pregnancy outcome, and other topics. Limited amounts of mRNA in preimplantation embryos hinders progress in studying the preimplantation embryo. Here, a method was developed involving direct synthesis and specific-target preamplification (STA) of cDNA for gene expression analysis in single blastocysts. Effective cell lysis and genomic DNA removal steps were incorporated into the method. In addition, conditions for real-time PCR of cDNA generated from these processes were improved. By using this system, reliable embryo sexing results based on expression of sex-chromosome linked genes was demonstrated. Calibration curve analysis of PCR results using the Fluidigm Biomark microfluidic platform (Fluidigm, South San Francisco, CA) was performed to evaluate 96 STA cDNA from single blastocysts. In total, 93.75% of the genes were validated. Robust amplification was detected even when STA cDNA from a single blastocyst was diluted 1,024-fold. Further analysis showed that within-assay variation increased when cycle threshold values exceeded 18. Overall, STA quantitative real-time PCR analysis was shown to be useful for analysis of gene expression of multiple specific targets in single blastocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xiao
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910
| | - Froylan Sosa
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910
| | - Lesley R de Armas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Li Pan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136
| | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910.
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Hansen PJ. The incompletely fulfilled promise of embryo transfer in cattle-why aren't pregnancy rates greater and what can we do about it? J Anim Sci 2020; 98:skaa288. [PMID: 33141879 PMCID: PMC7608916 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Typically, bovine embryos are transferred into recipient females about day 7 after estrus or anticipated ovulation, when the embryo has reached the blastocyst stage of development. All the biological and technical causes for failure of a female to produce a blastocyst 7 d after natural or artificial insemination (AI) are avoided when a blastocyst-stage embryo is transferred into the female. It is reasonable to expect, therefore, that pregnancy success would be higher for embryo transfer (ET) recipients than for inseminated females. This expectation is not usually met unless the recipient is exposed to heat stress or is classified as a repeat-breeder female. Rather, pregnancy success is generally similar for ET and AI. The implication is that either one or more of the technical aspects of ET have not yet been optimized or that underlying female fertility that causes an embryo to die before day 7 also causes it to die later in pregnancy. Improvements in pregnancy success after ET will depend upon making a better embryo, improving uterine receptivity, and forging new tools for production and transfer of embryos. Key to accelerating progress in improving pregnancy rates will be the identification of phenotypes or phenomes that allow the prediction of embryo competence for survival and maternal capacity to support embryonic development.
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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, FL
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14
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Sang L, Ortiz W, Xiao Y, Estrada-Cortes E, Jannaman EA, Hansen PJ. Actions of putative embryokines on development of the preimplantation bovine embryo to the blastocyst stage. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:11930-11944. [PMID: 33041033 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Once it enters the uterus at d 4 to 5 after ovulation, the preimplantation bovine embryo is controlled in its development by regulatory signaling molecules from the mother called embryokines. Here, several cell-signaling molecules whose genes are expressed in the endometrium during d 5 to 7 after estrus were tested for the ability to affect the competence of the embryo for further development and the characteristics of the resultant blastocysts. Molecules tested were C-natriuretic peptide (CNP), IL-8, bovine morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4), IL-6, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). None of the cell-signaling molecules tested improved the competence of the embryo to become a blastocyst; in fact, BMP-4 decreased development. All molecules modified attributes of the blastocyst formed in culture. In particular, CNP increased the number of cells in the ICM, whereas IL-8 decreased inner cell mass cell numbers and tended to increase the proportion of blastocysts that were hatching or hatched. In addition, BMP-4 decreased the proportion of blastocysts that were hatching. Interleukin-6 and, to a lesser extent, LIF activated the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in the inner cell mass, and LIF increased the percent of cells in the blastocyst that were positive for both NANOG and phosphorylated (activated) STAT3. In conclusion, our results indicate that CNP, IL-8, IL-6, LIF, and BMP-4 can modify embryonic development of the cow in a manner that affects characteristics of the resultant blastocyst. Further research is required to understand how these changes in characteristics of the blastocyst would affect competence of the embryo to establish and maintain pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sang
- Department of Animal Sciences, D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910; Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350013, China
| | - W Ortiz
- Department of Animal Sciences, D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910
| | - Y Xiao
- Department of Animal Sciences, D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910
| | - E Estrada-Cortes
- Department of Animal Sciences, D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910; Campo Experimental Centro Altos de Jalisco, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Jalisco, México 47600
| | - E A Jannaman
- Department of Animal Sciences, D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910
| | - P J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D. H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910.
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Abstract
Development of assisted reproductive technologies has been driven by the goals of reducing the incidence of infertility, increasing the number of offspring from genetically elite animals, facilitating genetic manipulation, aiding preservation and long-distance movement of germplasm, and generating research material. Superovulation is associated with reduced fertilization rate and alterations in endometrial function. In vitro production of embryos can have a variety of consequences. Most embryos produced in vitro are capable of establishing pregnancy and developing into healthy neonatal animals. However, in vitro production is associated with reduced ability to develop to the blastocyst stage, increased incidence of failure to establish pregnancy, placental dysfunction, and altered fetal development. Changes in the developmental program mean that some consequences of being produced in vitro can extend into adult life. Reduced competence of the embryo produced in vitro to develop to the blastocyst stage is caused largely by disruption of events during oocyte maturation and fertilization. Conditions during embryo culture can affect embryo freezability and competence to establish pregnancy after transfer. Culture conditions, including actions of embryokines, can also affect the postnatal phenotype of the resultant progeny.
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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, Florida 32611-0910, USA;
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Sosa F, Block J, Xiao Y, Hansen PJ. Determinants of survival of the bovine blastocyst to cryopreservation stress: treatment with colony stimulating factor 2 during the morula-to-blastocyst transition and embryo sex. CABI AGRICULTURE AND BIOSCIENCE 2020; 1:12. [PMID: 33880450 PMCID: PMC8055050 DOI: 10.1186/s43170-020-00012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) is an important maternal regulator of embryonic development. Earlier research indicates that CSF2 can regulate genes involved in cellular stress responses and block apoptosis. Here, we tested whether addition of 10 ng/mL CSF2 at day 5 of development would increase the survival of blastocysts harvested at day 7 and subjected to vitrification. Additional objectives were to determine whether embryo sex affected survival or whether effects of CSF2 interacted with sex. RESULTS Survival after vitrification was measured as the percent of warmed blastocysts that re-established a blastocoele after culture and that underwent hatching from the zona pellucida. In the first experiment, blastocysts were vitrified, warmed, cultured for 24 h, and DNA embryo sexing performed by PCR. There was no effect of CSF2, sex, or the interaction on the percent of blastocysts that re-expanded or that were hatching or hatched. In the second experiment, vitrified blastocysts were warmed and cultured for 24, 48, and 72 h. Treatment with CSF2 increased (P = 0.021) the percent of blastocysts that re-expanded as compared to the vehicle group (overall, 77.8 ± 4.7% vs 73.3 ± 4.7%). Percent re-expansion was highest at 24 h and declined slightly thereafter (P = 0.024). Although the interaction was not significant, the effect of CSF2 was greater at 48 and 72 h than at 24 h because CSF2 reduced the incidence of embryos collapsing after re-expansion. Furthermore, the proportion of re-expanded blastocysts at 24 h that experienced blastocoel collapse by 72 h was lower (P = 0.053) for CSF2 (3.6%; 7/195) than for vehicle (8.2%; 16/195). The percent of warmed blastocysts that were hatching or hatched increased with time (P < 0.0001) but there was no effect of CSF2 or the interaction with time on hatching. CONCLUSION Treatment with CSF2 from day 5 to 7 of development did not cause a significant effect on the percent of blastocysts that re-established the blastocoele after 24 h of culture but CSF2 reduced the collapse of the blastocoele that occurred for a portion of the embryos that had experienced re-expansion at 24 h. Thus, CSF2 can provide protection to a proportion of blastocysts from cryodamage caused by vitrification. Further work is needed to evaluate whether CSF2 increases survival of vitrified blastocysts after embryo transfer.
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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, FL 32611-0910, USA
| | | | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA
| | - Peter J. Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0910, USA
- Correspondence:
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Conditions of embryo culture from days 5 to 7 of development alter the DNA methylome of the bovine fetus at day 86 of gestation. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 37:417-426. [PMID: 31838628 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01652-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We tested whether in vitro production (IVP) causes changes in DNA methylation in fetal liver and skeletal muscle and if exposure of cultured embryos to colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) alters DNA methylation. METHODS Female fetuses were produced by artificial insemination or transfer of an IVP embryo. Embryos were treated from days 5 to 7 after fertilization with CSF2 or vehicle. DNA methylation in fetal liver and skeletal muscle was determined by post-bisulfite adaptor tagging-based sequencing. The degree of DNA methylation for CpG sites in 50-bp windows of the promoter region 500 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site was compared between treatments. RESULTS For liver, there were 12 genes (6% of those analyzed) in which DNA methylation was affected by treatment, with one 50-bp window per gene affected by treatment. For muscle, the degree of DNA methylation was affected by treatment for 32 windows (19% of the total windows analyzed) representing 28 distinct genes (23% of analyzed genes). For 19 of the 28 genes in muscle, the greatest deviation in DNA methylation was for the CSF2 group. CONCLUSION Results are consistent with alterations in the methylome being one of the mechanisms by which IVP can result in altered fetal development and postnatal function in the resultant offspring. In addition, results indicate that maternally derived cell-signaling molecules can regulate the pattern of DNA methylation.
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