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Du S, Wang Y, Yang X, Liu X, Deng K, Chen M, Yan X, Lu F, Shi D. Beneficial effects of fibroblast growth factor 10 supplementation during in vitro maturation of buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes. Theriogenology 2023; 201:126-137. [PMID: 36893617 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.02.023] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) is an important regulator of the mammalian cumulus-oocyte complex that plays a crucial role in oocyte maturation. In this study, we investigated the effects of FGF10 supplementation on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of buffalo oocytes and its related mechanisms. During IVM, the maturation medium was supplemented with a range of concentrations of FGF10 (0, 0.5, 5, and 50 ng/mL) and the resulting effects were corroborated using aceto-orcein staining, TUNEL apoptosis assay, detection of Cdc2/Cdk1 kinase in oocytes, and real-time quantitative PCR. In matured oocytes, the 5 ng/mL-FGF10 treatment resulted in a significantly increased nuclear maturation rate, which increased the activity of maturation-promoting factor (MPF) and enhanced buffalo oocyte maturation. Furthermore, it treatment significantly inhibited the apoptosis of cumulus cells, while simultaneously promoting its proliferation and expansion. This treatment also increased the absorption of glucose in cumulus cells. Thus, our results indicate that adding an appropriate concentration of FGF10 to a maturation medium during IVM can be beneficial to the maturation of buffalo oocytes and improve the potential of embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Du
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaofen Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Kai Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Mengjia Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xi Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Fenghua Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.
| | - Deshun Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.
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Colombo M, Alkali IM, Luvoni GC. Microenvironment factors promoting the quality of vitrified cat oocytes. Theriogenology 2023; 196:275-283. [PMID: 36442286 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.027] [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: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In oocyte cryopreservation programs, vitrification has overthrown conventional slow freezing both in veterinary and human medicine. In animals, its feasibility in field conditions makes it the preferred technique for the safeguard of genetic resources from zoo or wild animals, including threatened felids, for which the domestic cat is an excellent model. However, many cellular injuries, such as cytoskeleton, mitochondria and meiotic spindle alterations, DNA damage, zona pellucida hardening and cumulus cell loss, might occur following vitrification. After warming, although the exact mechanisms are still unclear, degeneration is a frequent outcome for cat vitrified oocytes. For immature (germinal vesicle) gametes, in vitro maturation after warming is a challenge, and cleavage after fertilization barely reaches 15-30%, while for mature (metaphase II) cryopreserved gametes it can get to 30-50%. Anyway, the progression to late embryos stages is often impaired, and improvements are needed. Standard cryopreservation protocol and the use of conventional in vitro culture systems after warming may not be enough for vitrified oocytes to recover and demonstrate their full developmental potential. Physical or chemical factors applied to oocytes undergoing vitrification, as an enrichment to the vitrification step, or to the culture microenvironment, could create more favorable conditions and promote vitrified oocyte survival and development. From the use of three-dimensional culture systems to the regulation of metabolic activities and cellular pathways, this review aims to explore all the possibilities employed so far, including the studies performed by our own lab, and the future perspectives, to present the most effective strategies for cat oocyte vitrification and the best time for their application (i.e., before, during, or after vitrification-warming).
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Colombo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Isa Mohammed Alkali
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Gaia Cecilia Luvoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
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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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Mastrorocco A, Cacopardo L, Lamanna D, Temerario L, Brunetti G, Carluccio A, Robbe D, Dell’Aquila ME. Bioengineering Approaches to Improve In Vitro Performance of Prepubertal Lamb Oocytes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061458. [PMID: 34200771 PMCID: PMC8230371 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile in vitro embryo technology (JIVET) provides exciting opportunities in animal reproduction by reducing the generation intervals. Prepubertal oocytes are also relevant models for studies on oncofertility. However, current JIVET efficiency is still unpredictable, and further improvements are needed in order for it to be used on a large-scale level. This study applied bioengineering approaches to recreate: (1) the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the cumulus–oocyte complex (COC), by constructing—via bioprinting technologies—alginate-based microbeads (COC-microbeads) for 3D in vitro maturation (3D-IVM); (2) dynamic IVM conditions, by culturing the COC in a millifluidic bioreactor; and (3) an artificial follicular wall with basal membrane, by adding granulosa cells (GCs) and type I collagen (CI) during bioprinting. The results show that oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, as well as blastocyst quality, were improved after 3D-IVM compared to 2D controls. The dynamic 3D-IVM did not enhance oocyte maturation, but it improved oocyte bioenergetics compared with static 3D-IVM. The computational model showed higher oxygen levels in the bioreactor with respect to the static well. Microbead enrichment with GCs and CI improved oocyte maturation and bioenergetics. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that bioengineering approaches that mimic the physiological follicle structure could be valuable tools to improve IVM and JIVET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mastrorocco
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.C.); (D.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ludovica Cacopardo
- Research Centre E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Daniela Lamanna
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (L.T.); (G.B.); (M.E.D.)
| | - Letizia Temerario
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (L.T.); (G.B.); (M.E.D.)
| | - Giacomina Brunetti
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (L.T.); (G.B.); (M.E.D.)
| | - Augusto Carluccio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Domenico Robbe
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Maria Elena Dell’Aquila
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (L.T.); (G.B.); (M.E.D.)
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Mastrorocco A, Cacopardo L, Martino NA, Fanelli D, Camillo F, Ciani E, Roelen BAJ, Ahluwalia A, Dell’Aquila ME. One-step automated bioprinting-based method for cumulus-oocyte complex microencapsulation for 3D in vitro maturation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238812. [PMID: 32915922 PMCID: PMC7485809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional in vitro maturation (3D IVM) is a promising approach to improve IVM efficiency as it could prevent cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) flattening and preserve its structural and functional integrity. Methods reported to date have low reproducibility and validation studies are limited. In this study, a bioprinting based production process for generating microbeads containing a COC (COC-microbeads) was optimized and its validity tested in a large animal model (sheep). Alginate microbeads were produced and characterized for size, shape and stability under culture conditions. COC encapsulation had high efficiency and reproducibility and cumulus integrity was preserved. COC-microbeads underwent IVM, with COCs cultured in standard 2D IVM as controls. After IVM, oocytes were analyzed for nuclear chromatin configuration, bioenergetic/oxidative status and transcriptional activity of genes biomarker of mitochondrial activity (TFAM, ATP6, ATP8) and oocyte developmental competence (KHDC3, NLRP5, OOEP and TLE6). The 3D system supported oocyte nuclear maturation more efficiently than the 2D control (P<0.05). Ooplasmic mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability were increased (P<0.05). Up-regulation of TFAM, ATP6 and ATP8 and down-regulation of KHDC3, NLRP5 expression were observed in 3D IVM. In conclusion, the new bioprinting method for producing COC-microbeads has high reproducibility and efficiency. Moreover, 3D IVM improves oocyte nuclear maturation and relevant parameters of oocyte cytoplasmic maturation and could be used for clinical and toxicological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mastrorocco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Nicola Antonio Martino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Diana Fanelli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Elena Ciani
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Bernard A. J. Roelen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Embryology, Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arti Ahluwalia
- Research Centre E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Dell’Aquila
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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