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Zahmel J, Skalborg Simonsen K, Stagegaard J, Palma-Vera SE, Jewgenow K. Current State of In Vitro Embryo Production in African Lion (Panthera leo). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111424. [PMID: 35681888 PMCID: PMC9179812 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last 30–40 years, in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) of domestic cat oocytes have been established as part of the panel of assisted reproduction technologies. As a representative of wild felids, the African lion is not yet considered endangered. Nevertheless, the zoo population management of the African lion itself as well as other closely related felids would benefit from the establishment of an IVF system. Here, we aimed to investigate the transferability of domestic cat IVF technology to the African lion. From the ovaries of 42 lionesses aged between 0.75 and 15 years, a total of 933 IVF-suitable oocytes were retrieved and subjected to IVM and IVF. The overall maturation rate was 40.6% and 18.9% of these oocytes cleaved after fertilization, respectively. Embryos were generated by intracytoplasmic sperm cell injection as well as co-culture with epididymal sperm. Improvements in the model system also led to an improved outcome with in vitro produced embryos in the lion. Compared to domestic cats, the transportation of gonads to a specialized laboratory was time-consuming and influenced oocyte quality negatively. In conclusion, the domestic cat IVF system is adoptable for the African lion, although success rates are still lower.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Zahmel
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (S.E.P.-V.); (K.J.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | - Sergio Eliseo Palma-Vera
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (S.E.P.-V.); (K.J.)
| | - Katarina Jewgenow
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (S.E.P.-V.); (K.J.)
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2
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Blank MH, Adania CH, Swanson WF, de Souza Ramos Angrimani D, Nichi M, Alcindo de Barros Vaz Guimarães M, Barnabe RC. Comparative fecal steroid profile during pregnancy, parturition, and lactation between natural fertilization and embryo transfer in ocelots (Leopardus pardalis). Theriogenology 2022; 182:26-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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3
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Fernandez-Gonzalez L, Kozhevnikova V, Brusentsev E, Jänsch S, Amstislavsky S, Jewgenow K. IGF-I Medium Supplementation Improves Singly Cultured Cat Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Development In Vitro. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11071909. [PMID: 34198979 PMCID: PMC8300187 DOI: 10.3390/ani11071909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryo production is a routine procedure in several species. However, in felids, the effectiveness of this approach is far behind that in the majority of laboratory species. The development of a suitable environment starts with the proper composition of culture media. Therefore, for the improvement of assisted reproduction techniques and their outcome in cats, this is an urgent task. As the addition of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was beneficial in other mammalian species, this study aims to check whether these components, combined with other factors (such as type of fertilisation or type of culture) can provide a benefit in the felid culture system in current use. Thus, these supplements, in different concentrations and combinations, were merged with the use of two fertilisation techniques and randomly assigned to single or group culturing. The results showed that the addition of IGF-I and/or GM-CSF produced an increase in morula and blastocyst rate in a single culture system. In particular, the supplementation with 20 ng/mL of IGF-I incremented the maturation rate by 10% and significantly increased the morula and blastocyst rates in single culturing. This result is especially remarkable for wild felids, where only a few oocytes and/or embryos are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Fernandez-Gonzalez
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (S.J.); (K.J.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Valeria Kozhevnikova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prosp. Lavrent’eva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.K.); (E.B.); (S.A.)
| | - Eugeny Brusentsev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prosp. Lavrent’eva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.K.); (E.B.); (S.A.)
| | - Stefanie Jänsch
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (S.J.); (K.J.)
| | - Sergei Amstislavsky
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prosp. Lavrent’eva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.K.); (E.B.); (S.A.)
| | - Katarina Jewgenow
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany; (S.J.); (K.J.)
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4
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Guo Q, Xuan MF, Luo ZB, Wang JX, Han SZ, Ri MH, Choe YG, Hwang KM, Yin XJ, Kang JD. Baicalin improves the in vitro developmental capacity of pig embryos by inhibiting apoptosis, regulating mitochondrial activity and activating sonic hedgehog signaling. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:538-549. [PMID: 31553448 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz036] [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: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Baicalin, a traditional Chinese medicinal monomer whose chemical structure is known, can be used to treat female infertility. However, the effect of baicalin on embryonic development is unknown. This study investigated the effects of baicalin on in vitro development of parthenogenetically activated (PA) and in vitro fertilized (IVF) pig embryos and the underlying mechanisms involved. Treatment with 0.1 μg/ml baicalin significantly improved (P < 0.05) the in vitro developmental capacity of PA pig embryos by reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptosis and increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and ATP level. mRNA and protein expression of sonic hedgehog (SHH) and GLI1, which are related to the SHH signaling pathway, in PA pig embryos at the 2-cell stage, were significantly higher in the baicalin-treated group than in the control group. To confirm that the SHH signaling pathway is involved in the mechanism by which baicalin improves embryonic development, we treated embryos with baicalin in the absence or presence of cyclopamine (Cy), an inhibitor of this pathway. Cy abolished the effects of baicalin on in vitro embryonic development. In conclusion, baicalin improves the in vitro developmental capacity of PA and IVF pig embryos by inhibiting ROS production and apoptosis, regulating mitochondrial activity and activating SHH signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Guo
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Mei-Fu Xuan
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Zhao-Bo Luo
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Jun-Xia Wang
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Sheng-Zhong Han
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Myong-Hak Ri
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Yong-Gyu Choe
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Kyung-Min Hwang
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Xi-Jun Yin
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Jin-Dan Kang
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Transgenic Animal and Embryo Engineering, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China
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5
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Prochowska S, Nizanski W, Partyka A, Kochan J, Młodawska W, Nowak A, Skotnicki J, Grega T, Pałys M. The use of human and bovine commercial media for oocyte maturation and embryo development in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:719-726. [PMID: 30786066 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the suitability of commercial media designed for humans and cattle for oocyte maturation and embryo culture in the domestic cat. In Exp. I, feline oocytes collected ex vivo were subjected to in vitro maturation in a laboratory-made culture medium (based on M199) or a commercial medium designed for cattle cells (BO-IVM® ). In Exp. II, ICSI-derived feline embryos were cultured for 7 days in a commercial human (Continuous Single Culture® ) or bovine (BO-EC® ) cell medium. The rates of cleavage, morula and blastocyst formation were evaluated at 24 hr, 6 days and 7 days after ICSI, respectively, and compared between experimental groups. At the end of culture, embryos were assessed for viability and apoptotic changes. In Exp. I, no statistically significant difference in oocyte maturation outcome between laboratory-made (52.7%) and commercial media (58.9%) was observed. However, the use of a commercial medium prepared for use with bovine cells resulted in a significantly lower variance of the maturation rate. In Exp. II, no statistically significant differences between two commercial media were observed for cleavage (67.5% and 64.5%), morula (39.3% and 47.1%) and blastocyst rates (25.0% and 19.6%), as well as for the percentage of late apoptotic blastomeres. Morulae cultured in medium marketed for humans exhibited significantly more early apoptotic (43.2 ± 31.2% vs. 23.4 ± 23.2%) and necrotic (60.6 ± 47.6% vs. 29.4 ± 22.6%) blastomeres. In conclusion, both commercial media tested are suitable for in vitro oocyte maturation and embryo culture procedures in cats. It is remarkable that a culture medium designed for use in cattle for in vitro maturation of cat oocytes provides more reproducible results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Prochowska
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Wojciech Nizanski
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Partyka
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna Kochan
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture in Cracow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Wiesława Młodawska
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture in Cracow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nowak
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture in Cracow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Józef Skotnicki
- Foundation Municipal Park and the Zoological Garden in Cracow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Teresa Grega
- Foundation Municipal Park and the Zoological Garden in Cracow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marcin Pałys
- Foundation Municipal Park and the Zoological Garden in Cracow, Kraków, Poland
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6
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Zhou R, Wildt DE, Keefer CL, Comizzoli P. Combinations of Growth Factors Regulating LIF/STAT3, WNT, and FGF2 Pathways Sustain Pluripotency-Related Proteins in Cat Embryonic Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:329-340. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2018.0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ran Zhou
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), Washington, District of Columbia
| | - David E. Wildt
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Carol L. Keefer
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), Washington, District of Columbia
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7
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Luvoni GC, Colombo M, Morselli MG. The never-ending search of an ideal culture system for domestic cat oocytes and embryos. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 53 Suppl 3:110-116. [PMID: 30474340 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
In the domestic cat, in vitro fertilization started 40 years ago, but an ideal culture system has yet to be achieved. The physiological microenvironments, which interact with oocytes and embryos promoting their competence, have been investigated. However, recreating in vitro follicle- and oviduct-like conditions is challenging and a matter of both chemistry and physics. This review presents an excursus of the experimental investigations focused on the improvement of feline oocytes and embryos culture through the modulation of chemical and physical factors. Medium supplementation with components of follicular and oviductal fluids, or the use of different co-cultures, supports or substrata have been considered. Innovative and sophisticated systems as "organ-on-a-chip" might lead to the creation of artificial follicles and oviducts and they may represent the ideal combination of chemical and physical factors. Will the search ever end?
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Cecilia Luvoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Colombo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Giorgia Morselli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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8
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Brilliant cresyl blue staining allows the selection for developmentally competent immature feline oocytes. Theriogenology 2018; 126:320-325. [PMID: 30641366 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The outcome of in-vitro-maturation and in-vitro-fertilization of feline oocytes depends on the selection of high quality oocytes, and is often restricted to morphological criteria. The aim of this study was to test whether the Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining is suitable for pre-selection of feline oocytes before in-vitro-maturation. Cumulus-oocytes-complexes (COC) were released from domestic cat ovaries obtained after ovariectomy and were subjected to BCB staining. BCB+ stained oocytes were characterized by a violet/pale blue staining of the ooplasma, BCB- oocytes remained unstained. Transmission electron microscopy indicated for a slightly advanced stage of BCB- oocytes within the maturation process. After 24 h in-vitro-maturation, almost 75% of BCB+ and 21.5% of BCB- oocytes were able to reach metaphase II. Also, after in-vitro-fertilization, significantly more oocytes developed to morulae (19.2%) if oocytes were preselected for BCB staining, although 8% of unstained COC still reached advanced embryo stages. Prolonged storage of ovaries before COC retrieval for 16-20 h at 4 °C was accompanied by reduced number of BCB+ oocytes (96 of 210, 45.7%) in comparison to freshly isolated COC (151 of 225, 67.1%), and impaired cleavage rate (19.8%) and morula rate (9.4%) of BCB+ oocytes but the rate of embryos which developed to advanced stages remained unchanged (∼50%). To conclude, BCB staining is a very useful tool to preselect immature COC of feline species ensuring higher developmental rates.
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9
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Hribal R, Guenther A, Rübensam K, Jewgenow K. Blastocyst recovery and multifactorial gene expression analysis in the wild guinea pig (Cavia aperea). Theriogenology 2016; 86:1299-307. [PMID: 27264741 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The expression of specific developmentally important genes in preimplantation embryos is an accepted marker for unraveling the influence of single factors in studies that are mostly related to artificial reproduction techniques. Such studies, however, often reveal high levels of heterogeneity between single embryos, independently of the influence of factors of interest. A possible explanation for this variation could be the large variety of physiological and environmental factors to which early embryos are exposed and their ability to react to them. Here, we investigated several potentially important parameters of development at the same time, in blastocysts of the wild guinea pig (Cavia aperea) generated in vivo after natural mating. The optimal time for flushing fully developed blastocysts was between 123 and 126 hours after mating. The abundance of POU5F1 (P = 0.042), BAX (P < 0.001), SLC2A1 (P = 0.017), and DNMT3A (P < 0.001) mRNA changed significantly over time after mating. The number of sibling embryos present influenced STAT3 levels significantly (P = 0.02). Levels of BAX and POU5F1 were significantly affected by season (P = 0.03 and 0.04). The temporal pattern of SLC2A1 levels was significantly altered both after feeding a protein-deficient diet (P = 0.04) and temperature treatment (P = 0.04) of the sire. In addition, the identity of the father had a significant influence on POU5F1 (P = 0.049) and STAT3 (P < 0.001) mRNA abundances. These data report that the expression of specific genes in early embryos reflects the entire heterogeneity of their surroundings and that it is a plastic reaction toward a multifactorial environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy Hribal
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Reproduction Biology, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Anja Guenther
- Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kathrin Rübensam
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Reproduction Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katarina Jewgenow
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Reproduction Biology, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Veraguas D, Gallegos PF, Velasquez AE, Castro FO, Rodriguez-Alvarez L. FSH stimulation of anestrous cats improves oocyte quality and development of parthenogenetic embryos. Theriogenology 2016; 87:25-35. [PMID: 27616216 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 07/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In the domestic cat, the efficiency of in vitro embryo production systems is negatively affected during the nonbreeding season. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of FSH stimulation in anestrous cats, on quality of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and in vitro developmental competence after parthenogenetic activation. To accomplish this purpose, anestrous cats were grouped into: (1) FSH treated (serial doses of 5 mg of porcine FSH each, every 24 hours, for 4 days) and (2) untreated control. The COCs were classified morphologically and a proportion of grade I and II COCs was used for expression analysis of FSHR, LHCGR, EGFR, PTGS2, EGR1, GDF9, and GATM by RT-qPCR. In addition, another proportion of grade I and II COCs was matured in vitro and used for parthenogenetic activation. After 8 days in culture, blastocyst and hatching blastocyst rates were assessed, and the expression of OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, CDX2, and GATA6 was evaluated. The COCs in the FSH group had an enhanced quality, a higher expression of LHCGR and a lower expression of GATM than did COCs from the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, embryos in the FSH group had increased blastocyst and hatching blastocyst rates, and those embryos had a higher expression of OCT4 and GATA than their counterparts from the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, ovarian stimulation of anestrous cats with FSH improved quality and increased the expression of LHCGR in COCs. The enhanced in vitro developmental competence, after parthenogenetic activation of oocytes from FSH-treated cats, coincided with an increased expression of OCT4 and GATA6 in blastocysts and hatching blastocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Veraguas
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Concepcion, Chillán, Chile
| | - Paula F Gallegos
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Concepcion, Chillán, Chile
| | - Alejandra E Velasquez
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Concepcion, Chillán, Chile
| | - Fidel O Castro
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Concepcion, Chillán, Chile
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11
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Qi X, Li H, Cong X, Wang X, Jiang Z, Cao R, Tian W. Baicalin increases developmental competence of mouse embryos in vitro by inhibiting cellular apoptosis and modulating HSP70 and DNMT expression. J Reprod Dev 2016; 62:561-569. [PMID: 27478062 PMCID: PMC5177973 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2016-047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Scutellaria baicalensis has been effectively used in Chinese traditional medicine to prevent miscarriages. However, little information is available on its mechanism of action. This study is designed specifically to reveal how baicalin, the main effective ingredient of S. baicalensis, improves developmental competence of embryos in vitro, using the mouse as a model. Mouse pronuclear embryos were cultured in KSOM medium supplemented with (0, 2, 4 and 8 μg/ml) baicalin. The results demonstrated that in vitro culture conditions significantly decreased the blastocyst developmental rate and blastocyst quality, possibly due to increased cellular stress and apoptosis. Baicalin (4 µg/ml) significantly increased 2- and 4-cell cleavage rates, morula developmental rate, and blastocyst developmental rate and cell number of in vitro-cultured mouse embryos. Moreover, baicalin increased the expression of Gja1, Cdh1, Bcl-2, and Dnmt3a genes, decreased the expression of Dnmt1 gene, and decreased cellular stress and apoptosis as it decreased the expression of HSP70, CASP3, and BAX and increased BCL-2 expression in blastocysts cultured in vitro. In conclusion, baicalin improves developmental competence of in vitro-cultured mouse embryos through inhibition of cellular apoptosis and HSP70 expression, and improvement of DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Qi
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, China
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12
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Hoffmann J, Wilhelm J, Olschewski A, Kwapiszewska G. Microarray analysis in pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J 2016; 48:229-41. [PMID: 27076594 PMCID: PMC5009873 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02030-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Microarrays are a powerful and effective tool that allows the detection of genome-wide gene expression differences between controls and disease conditions. They have been broadly applied to investigate the pathobiology of diverse forms of pulmonary hypertension, namely group 1, including patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, and group 3, including pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. To date, numerous human microarray studies have been conducted to analyse global (lung homogenate samples), compartment-specific (laser capture microdissection), cell type-specific (isolated primary cells) and circulating cell (peripheral blood) expression profiles. Combined, they provide important information on development, progression and the end-stage disease. In the future, system biology approaches, expression of noncoding RNAs that regulate coding RNAs, and direct comparison between animal models and human disease might be of importance. Comprehensive overview of compartment-specific microarray studies of material from pulmonary hypertension patientshttp://ow.ly/YEFO2
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hoffmann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
| | - Jochen Wilhelm
- Dept of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andrea Olschewski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria Dept of Experimental Anaesthesiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Grazyna Kwapiszewska
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria Dept of Experimental Anaesthesiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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13
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Fernandez-Gonzalez L, Hribal R, Stagegaard J, Zahmel J, Jewgenow K. Production of lion (Panthera leo) blastocysts after in vitro maturation of oocytes and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Theriogenology 2015; 83:995-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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14
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Rao BS, Mahesh YU, Suman K, Charan KV, Nath R, Rao KR. Meiotic maturation of oocytes recovered from the ovaries of Indian big cats at postmortem. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2014; 51:19-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s11626-014-9802-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Amoushahi M, Salehnia M, HosseinKhani S. The effect of vitrification and in vitro culture on the adenosine triphosphate content and mitochondrial distribution of mouse pre-implantation embryos. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2014; 17:123-8. [PMID: 23748889 DOI: 10.6091/ibj.1199.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mitochondria are an important source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in pre-implantation embryo. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of vitrification and in vitro culture of mouse embryos on their mitochondrial distribution and ATP content. METHODS The embryos at 2-PN, 4-cell and blastocyst stages were collected from the oviduct of stimulated pregnant mice and uterine horns. Then, the embryos were vitrified with the cryotop method using ethylene glycol and dimethylsulphoxide. After evaluating the survival rates of vitrified embryos, their development to hatching stages were assessed. The ATP content of collected in vivo and in vitro embryos at different stages was measured by luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence assay. The distribution of mitochondria was studied using Mito-tracker green staining under a fluorescent microscope. RESULTS The survival rates of vitrified embryos at 2-PN, 4-cell and early blastocyst stages were 84.3, 87.87 and 89.89%, respectively. The hatching rates in previous developmental stages in vitrified group were 57.44, 66.73 and 70.89% and in non-vitrified group were 66.32, 73.25 and 75.89%, respectively (P>0.05). The ATP content of in vivo or in vitro collected embryos was not significantly different in both vitrified and non-vitrified groups (P>0.05). Mitochondrial distribution of vitrified and non-vitrified 2-PN embryos was similar, but some clampings or large aggregation of mitochondria within the vitrified 4-cell embryos was prominent. CONCLUSIONS Vitrification method did not affect the mouse embryo ATP content. Also, the cellular stress was not induced by this procedure and the safety of vitrification was shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboobeh Amoushahi
- Dept. of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojdeh Salehnia
- Dept. of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saman HosseinKhani
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Hribal R, Braun BC, Ringleb J, Jewgenow K. Capabilities and challenges of examination of gene expression for quality assessment of domestic cat embryos. Reprod Domest Anim 2013; 47 Suppl 6:147-51. [PMID: 23279486 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Early embryos are characterized by an accurately controlled gene expression pattern that might be deregulated during in vitro culture (IVC). The expression pattern of the developmental genes may serve as markers for embryo quality. Here, we examined the temporal pattern of relative mRNA abundance of genes important for early embryonic development in embryos produced by different fertilization methods [in vitro fertilization (IVF) vs intracytoplasmic sperm cell injection (ICSI)] and sperm sources (fresh vs frozen-thawed) applying reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR. The temporal pattern of gene expression was found to be gene specific and similar in all four examined groups in a semi-quantitative assay. In morulae, higher relative mRNA levels were found in embryos generated with fresh sperm, whereas in blastocysts, mRNA abundance tended to be higher in embryos produced with cryopreserved sperm cells. This indicates an influence of sperm cryopreservation on the temporal gene expression pattern in early cat embryos. We also examined relative mRNA abundances by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in blastocysts. In this context, blastocysts produced with fresh semen tended to have lower DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) but higher gap junction protein alpha 1 (GJA1) and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) mRNA levels compared with those derived with frozen-thawed semen. We conclude that assessing embryo quality by measuring gene expression pattern in early embryos is challenging because of a high variability between individual embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Hribal
- Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.
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Nestle E, Graves-Herring J, Keefer C, Comizzoli P. Source of Protein Supplementation duringIn VitroCulture does not Affect the Quality of Resulting Blastocysts in the Domestic Cat. Reprod Domest Anim 2012; 47 Suppl 6:152-5. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E Nestle
- Animal and Avian Sciences; University of Maryland; College Park; MD; USA
| | - J Graves-Herring
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute; National Zoological Park; Washington; DC; USA
| | - C Keefer
- Animal and Avian Sciences; University of Maryland; College Park; MD; USA
| | - P Comizzoli
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute; National Zoological Park; Washington; DC; USA
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