1
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
De Bem THC, Tinning H, Vasconcelos EJR, Wang D, Forde N. Endometrium On-a-Chip Reveals Insulin- and Glucose-induced Alterations in the Transcriptome and Proteomic Secretome. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6167824. [PMID: 33693651 PMCID: PMC8143652 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The molecular interactions between the maternal environment and the developing embryo are key for early pregnancy success and are influenced by factors such as maternal metabolic status. Our understanding of the mechanism(s) through which these individual nutritional stressors alter endometrial function and the in utero environment for early pregnancy success is, however, limited. Here we report, for the first time, the use of an endometrium-on-a-chip microfluidics approach to produce a multicellular endometrium in vitro. Isolated endometrial cells (epithelial and stromal) from the uteri of nonpregnant cows in the early luteal phase (Days 4-7) were seeded in the upper chamber of the device (epithelial cells; 4-6 × 104 cells/mL) and stromal cells seeded in the lower chamber (1.5-2 × 104 cells/mL). Exposure of cells to different concentrations of glucose (0.5, 5.0, or 50 mM) or insulin (Vehicle, 1 or 10 ng/mL) was performed at a flow rate of 1 µL/minute for 72 hours. Quantitative differences in the cellular transcriptome and the secreted proteome of in vitro-derived uterine luminal fluid were determined by RNA-sequencing and tandem mass tagging mass spectrometry, respectively. High glucose concentrations altered 21 and 191 protein-coding genes in epithelial and stromal cells, respectively (P < .05), with a dose-dependent quantitative change in the protein secretome (1 and 23 proteins). Altering insulin concentrations resulted in limited transcriptional changes including transcripts for insulin-like binding proteins that were cell specific but altered the quantitative secretion of 196 proteins. These findings highlight 1 potential mechanism by which changes to maternal glucose and insulin alter uterine function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago H C De Bem
- Discovery and Translational Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Haidee Tinning
- Discovery and Translational Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | | | - Niamh Forde
- Discovery and Translational Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- LeedsOmics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Correspondence: Niamh Forde, PhD, University of Leeds, LIGHT Laboratories, Clarendon Way, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mayoral Andrade G, Vásquez Martínez G, Pérez-Campos Mayoral L, Hernández-Huerta MT, Zenteno E, Pérez-Campos Mayoral E, Martínez Cruz M, Martínez Cruz R, Matias-Cervantes CA, Meraz Cruz N, Romero Díaz C, Cruz-Parada E, Pérez-Campos E. Molecules and Prostaglandins Related to Embryo Tolerance. Front Immunol 2020; 11:555414. [PMID: 33329514 PMCID: PMC7710691 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.555414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally understood that the entry of semen into the female reproductive tract provokes molecular and cellular changes facilitating conception and pregnancy. We show a broader picture of the participation of prostaglandins in the fertilization, implantation and maintenance of the embryo. A large number of cells and molecules are related to signaling networks, which regulate tolerance to implantation and maintenance of the embryo and fetus. In this work, many of those cells and molecules are analyzed. We focus on platelets, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and group 2 innate lymphoid cells involved in embryo tolerance in order to have a wider view of how prostaglandins participate. The combination of platelets and neutrophil extracellular traps (Nets), uterine innate lymphoid cells (uILC), Treg cells, NK cells, and sex hormones have an important function in immunological tolerance. In both animals and humans, the functions of these cells can be regulated by prostaglandins and soluble factors in seminal plasma to achieve an immunological balance, which maintains fetal-maternal tolerance. Prostaglandins, such as PGI2 and PGE2, play an important role in the suppression of the previously mentioned cells. PGI2 inhibits platelet aggregation, in addition to IL-5 and IL-13 expression in ILC2, and PGE2 inhibits some neutrophil functions, such as chemotaxis and migration processes, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) biosynthesis, ROS production, and the formation of extracellular traps, which could help prevent trophoblast injury and fetal loss. The implications are related to fertility in female when seminal fluid is deposited in the vagina or uterus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Mayoral Andrade
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | | | - Laura Pérez-Campos Mayoral
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | | | - Edgar Zenteno
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, UNAM, Mexico City, México
| | - Eduardo Pérez-Campos Mayoral
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | | | - Ruth Martínez Cruz
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | | | - Noemi Meraz Cruz
- School of Medicine, Branch at National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Romero Díaz
- Research Centre Medicine National Autonomous University of Mexico-Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UNAM-UABJO), Faculty of Medicine, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Eli Cruz-Parada
- Biochemistry and Immunology Unit, National Technological of Mexico/ITOaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Pérez-Campos
- Biochemistry and Immunology Unit, National Technological of Mexico/ITOaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Schliefsteiner C, Hirschmugl B, Kopp S, Curcic S, Bernhart EM, Marsche G, Lang U, Desoye G, Wadsack C. Maternal Gestational Diabetes Mellitus increases placental and foetal lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 which might exert protective functions against oxidative stress. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12628. [PMID: 28974763 PMCID: PMC5626711 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13051-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) has been associated with inflammatory pathologies, including Type 2 Diabetes. Studies on LpPLA2 and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) are rare, and have focused mostly on maternal outcome. In the present study, we investigated whether LpPLA2 activity on foetal lipoproteins is altered by maternal GDM and/or obesity (a major risk factor for GDM), thereby contributing to changes in lipoprotein functionality. We identified HDL as the major carrier of LpPLA2 activity in the foetus, which is in contrast to adults. We observed marked expression of LpPLA2 in placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells; HBCs) and found that LpPLA2 activity in these cells was increased by insulin, leptin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These regulators were also increased in plasma of children born from GDM pregnancies. Our results suggest that insulin, leptin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines are positive regulators of LpPLA2 activity in the foeto-placental unit. Of particular interest, functional assays using a specific LpPLA2 inhibitor suggest that high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated LpPLA2 exerts anti-oxidative, athero-protective functions on placental endothelium and foetus. Our results therefore raise the possibility that foetal HDL-associated LpPLA2 might act as an anti-inflammatory enzyme improving vascular barrier function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Birgit Hirschmugl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Susanne Kopp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sanja Curcic
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Eva Maria Bernhart
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gunther Marsche
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Uwe Lang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christian Wadsack
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Damiani E, Ullrich SE. Understanding the connection between platelet-activating factor, a UV-induced lipid mediator of inflammation, immune suppression and skin cancer. Prog Lipid Res 2016; 63:14-27. [PMID: 27073146 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Lipid mediators of inflammation play important roles in several diseases including skin cancer, the most prevalent type of cancer found in the industrialized world. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a complete carcinogen and is the primary cause of skin cancer. UV radiation is also a potent immunosuppressive agent, and UV-induced immunosuppression is a well-known risk factor for skin cancer induction. An essential mediator in this process is the glyercophosphocholine 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine commonly referred to as platelet-activating factor (PAF). PAF is produced by keratinocytes in response to diverse stimuli and exerts its biological effects by binding to a single specific G-protein-coupled receptor (PAF-R) expressed on a variety of cells. This review will attempt to describe how this lipid mediator is involved in transmitting the immunosuppressive signal from the skin to the immune system, starting from its production by keratinocytes, to its role in activating mast cell migration in vivo, and to the mechanisms involved that ultimately lead to immune suppression. Recent findings related to its role in regulating DNA repair and activating epigenetic mechanisms, further pinpoint the importance of this bioactive lipid, which may serve as a critical molecular mediator that links the environment (UVB radiation) to the immune system and the epigenome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Damiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Stephen E Ullrich
- Department of Immunology and The Center for Cancer Immunology Research, The University of Texas Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences at Houston, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Eser A, Inegol Gumus I, Erdamar H, Kaygusuz I, Yildirim M, Usluogullari B, Duran Erdolu M, Simavli SA, Yigitoglu R, Ozturk Turhan N. Levels of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and platelet-activating factor in recurrent pregnancy loss patients. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2016; 55:60-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
|
7
|
Agrawal V, Jaiswal MK, Ilievski V, Beaman KD, Jilling T, Hirsch E. Platelet-activating factor: a role in preterm delivery and an essential interaction with Toll-like receptor signaling in mice. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:119. [PMID: 25253732 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.116012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent phospholipid activator of inflammation that signals through its cognate receptor (platelet-activating factor receptor, PTAFR), has been shown to induce preterm delivery in mice. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are transmembrane receptors that mediate innate immunity. We have shown previously that Escherichia coli-induced preterm delivery in mice requires TLR signaling via the adaptor protein myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), but not an alternative adaptor, Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adapter protein-inducing interferon-beta (TRIF). In the present work, we analyzed the role of endogenously produced PAF in labor using mice lacking (knockout [KO]) PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH; the key degrading enzyme for PAF). PAF-AH KO mice are more susceptible to E. coli-induced preterm delivery and inflammation than controls. In peritoneal macrophages, the PTAFR agonist carbamyl PAF induces production of inflammatory markers previously demonstrated to be upregulated during bacterially induced labor, including: inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2), the chemokine Ccl5 (RANTES), tumor necrosis factor (Tnf), and level of their end-products (NO, CCL5, TNF) in a process dependent upon both IkappaB kinase and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Interestingly, this induced expression was completely eliminated not only in macrophages deficient in PTAFR, but also in those lacking either TLR4, MyD88, or TRIF. The dependence of PAF effects upon TLR pathways appears to be related to production of PTAFR itself: PAF-induced expression of Ptafr mRNA was eliminated completely in TLR4 KO and partially in MyD88 and TRIF KO macrophages. We conclude that PAF signaling plays an important role in bacterially induced preterm delivery. Furthermore, in addition to its cognate receptor, PAF signaling in peritoneal macrophages requires TLR4, MyD88, and TRIF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Varkha Agrawal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Mukesh Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | - Vladimir Ilievski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Kenneth D Beaman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
| | - Tamas Jilling
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Emmet Hirsch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fenelon JC, Shaw G, O'Neill C, Frankenberg S, Renfree MB. Paf receptor expression in the marsupial embryo and endometrium during embryonic diapause. Reproduction 2014; 147:21-31. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The control of reactivation from embryonic diapause in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) involves sequential activation of the corpus luteum, secretion of progesterone that stimulates endometrial secretion and subsequent changes in the uterine environment that activate the embryo. However, the precise signals between the endometrium and the blastocyst are currently unknown. In eutherians, both the phospholipid Paf and its receptor, platelet-activating factor receptor (PTAFR), are present in the embryo and the endometrium. In the tammar, endometrial Paf releasein vitroincreases around the time of the early progesterone pulse that occurs around the time of reactivation, but whether Paf can reactivate the blastocyst is unknown. We cloned and characterised the expression of PTAFR in the tammar embryo and endometrium at entry into embryonic diapause, during its maintenance and after reactivation. Tammar PTAFR sequence and protein were highly conserved with mammalian orthologues. In the endometrium, PTAFR was expressed at a constant level in the glandular epithelium across all stages and in the luminal epithelium during both diapause and reactivation. Thus, the presence of the receptor appears not to be a limiting factor for Paf actions in the endometrium. However, the low levels of PTAFR in the embryo during diapause, together with its up-regulation and subsequent internalisation at reactivation, supports earlier results suggesting that endometrial Paf could be involved in reactivation of the tammar blastocyst from embryonic diapause.
Collapse
|
9
|
Gatta V, Tatone C, Ciriminna R, Vento M, Franchi S, d'Aurora M, Sperduti S, Cela V, Borzì P, Palermo R, Stuppia L, Artini PG. Gene expression profiles of cumulus cells obtained from women treated with recombinant human luteinizing hormone + recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone or highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin versus recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone alone. Fertil Steril 2013; 99:2000-8.e1. [PMID: 23472943 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.01.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Revised: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate cumulus cell (CC) expression profile modulation after different stimulation protocols. DESIGN CCs transcriptome variations were evaluated by microarray in patients undergoing different treatments for ovarian stimulation, namely, r-hLH + r-hFSH and hp-hMG, compared with a control group treated with r-hFSH. SETTING Healthy patients undergoing assisted reproduction protocols. PATIENT(S) Sixteen healthy women with regular cycles and tubal disease or unexplained infertility. INTERVENTION(S) Four patients received hp-hMG, four received r-hFSH + r-hLH, and eight received r-hFSH daily. Aspiration of the oocytes was performed 36 hours after hCG administration. Only samples derived from cumulus-oocyte complexes containing mature oocytes showing polar body were processed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Comparison of genes differentially expressed in both treatment groups with the use of a hierarchic clustering analysis. RESULT(S) Data clustering analysis allowed detection of four clusters containing genes differentially expressed in both treatment groups compared with control. Functional analysis of the affected transcripts revealed genes involved in oocyte development and maturation. CONCLUSION(S) r-hLH and hCG, though acting on the same receptor, produce a differential activation of intracellular pathways. It can be hypothesized that this effect depends on their different structures and specific binding affinity for the receptor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Gatta
- Department of Psychology, Humanities, and Territory Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|