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Ruggeri E, Young C, Ravida N, Sirard MA, Krisher R, de la Rey M, Herbst C, Durrant B. Glucose consumption and gene expression in granulosa cells collected before and after in vitro oocyte maturation in the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 34:875-888. [PMID: 35871524 DOI: 10.1071/rd22071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT With two northern white rhinos (NWR) remaining, the continued existence of this species relies on studying their relative, the southern white rhino (SWR). AIMS (1) Characterise gene expression in granulosa cells (GC) from SWR cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) prior to (Pre-) and after (Post-) in vitro maturation (IVM), comparing culture media and oocytes from donors treated with or without gonadotropin stimulation prior to ovum recovery; and (2) evaluate COC glucose consumption in spent media. METHODS COCs were retrieved from four SWRs. Granulosa cells were collected before and after IVM in SDZ or IZW medium. Total RNA was evaluated by qPCR. KEY RESULTS Oocyte maturation was greater in SDZ than IZW media. Expression of genes associated with follicle development increased in Pre-IVM GC. Six genes were differentially expressed in Post-IVM GC from stimulated compared to unstimulated donors. COCs from stimulated animals consumed more glucose. Fifty seven percent of oocytes in SDZ medium consumed all available glucose. CONCLUSIONS Gene expression changed upon in vitro maturation and gonadotropin stimulation. Higher glucose availability might be needed during IVM. IMPLICATIONS This is the first study examining GC gene expression and COC metabolic requirements in rhinoceros, which are critical aspects to optimise IVM of rhinoceros oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ruggeri
- Reproductive Sciences, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027, USA
| | - C Young
- Reproductive Sciences, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027, USA
| | - N Ravida
- Reproductive Sciences, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027, USA
| | - M A Sirard
- Departement des Sciences Animales, Centre de Recherce en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Inter-générationnelle (CRDSI), Université Laval, Pavillion Des Services, Local 2732, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - R Krisher
- Genus PLC, 1525 River Road, De Forest, WI 53532, USA
| | - M de la Rey
- Embryo Plus, 41 Hendrik Vrewoerd Avenue, Brits 0250, South Africa
| | - C Herbst
- Embryo Plus, 41 Hendrik Vrewoerd Avenue, Brits 0250, South Africa
| | - B Durrant
- Reproductive Sciences, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027, USA
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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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Colombo M, Alkali IM, Prochowska S, Luvoni GC. Fighting Like Cats and Dogs: Challenges in Domestic Carnivore Oocyte Development and Promises of Innovative Culture Systems. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2135. [PMID: 34359262 PMCID: PMC8300176 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro embryo production in cats and dogs still presents some challenges, and it needs to be optimized to transfer efficient protocols to related wild, endangered species. While the chemical composition of culture media has been the focus of several studies, the importance of culture substrates for oocyte and embryo culture has often been neglected. Traditional in vitro systems, i.e., two-dimensional cultures, do not resemble the physiological environments where cells develop, and they may cause morphological and functional alterations to oocytes and embryos. More modern three-dimensional and microfluidic culture system better mimic the structure and the stimuli found in in vivo conditions, and they could better support the development of oocytes and embryos in vitro, as well as the maintenance of more physiological behaviors. This review describes the different culture systems tested for domestic carnivore reproductive cells along the years, and it summarizes their effects on cultured cells with the purpose of analyzing innovative options to improve in vitro embryo production outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Colombo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare “Carlo Cantoni”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.M.A.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Isa Mohammed Alkali
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare “Carlo Cantoni”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.M.A.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Sylwia Prochowska
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki Square 49, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Gaia Cecilia Luvoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare “Carlo Cantoni”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.M.A.); (G.C.L.)
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Chiara Perego M, Bellitto N, Maylem ERS, Caloni F, Spicer LJ. Effects of selected hormones and their combination on progesterone and estradiol production and proliferation of feline granulosa cells cultured in vitro. Theriogenology 2021; 168:1-12. [PMID: 33826978 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the hormonal regulation of feline ovarian granulosa cell proliferation and steroidogenesis. The present study aimed to develop a hormone responsive granulosa cell culture system to measure steroidogenic and cell proliferation responses to help identify factors that might regulate ovarian function in queens. Five experiments were conducted each with 75 or more ovaries, three in spring and two in fall seasons. Granulosa cells were isolated and treated in vitro with various hormones in serum-free medium for 48 h after an initial 48 h plating in 10% fetal calf serum. In granulosa cells isolated from spring and fall collected feline ovaries, IGF1 alone and combined with FSH stimulated (P < 0.05) cell proliferation, whereas FSH alone had no effect (P > 0.10) on cell proliferation. Also, in granulosa cells collected in spring and fall, IGF1 alone and FSH alone increased (P < 0.05) estradiol production by severalfold, and a combination of FSH and IGF1 increased (P < 0.05) estradiol production above either FSH or IGF1 treatment alone. The FSH plus IGF1 treatment increased (P < 0.05) CYP19A1 mRNA abundance by 27-fold. In contrast, EGF decreased (P < 0.05) FSH plus IGF1-induced estradiol production by over 80% in granulosa cells of both spring and fall collected ovaries. In granulosa cells isolated from spring and fall collected ovaries, IGF1 plus FSH inhibited (P < 0.05) progesterone production. Melatonin increased (P < 0.05) FSH plus IGF1-induced cell proliferation and amplified (P < 0.05) the FSH plus IGF1-induced inhibition of progesterone production. However, melatonin and GH had no effect (P > 0.10) on estradiol production either alone or in combination with FSH plus IGF1 in both spring and fall. Prolactin, FGF9 and activin had no effect (P > 0.10) on cell proliferation or steroidogenesis. FGF2 decreased (P < 0.05) estradiol production without affecting progesterone production or cell numbers. Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) increased (P < 0.05) progesterone production but had no effect (P > 0.10) on granulosa cell proliferation or estradiol production. In conclusion, the in vitro system described herewithin may be useful to assess and evaluate ovarian function in feline species and has identified EGF, FSH and IGF1 as major regulators of feline ovarian follicular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Chiara Perego
- Department of of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Nicholas Bellitto
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Excel Rio S Maylem
- Department of of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Francesca Caloni
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Leon J Spicer
- Department of of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
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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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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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Cryopreservation of domestic cat (Felis catus) ovarian tissue: Comparison of two vitrification methods. Theriogenology 2018; 111:69-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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