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Crespo D, Fjelldal PG, Hansen TJ, Kjærner-Semb E, Skaftnesmo KO, Thorsen A, Norberg B, Edvardsen RB, Andersson E, Schulz RW, Wargelius A, Kleppe L. Loss of bmp15 function in the seasonal spawner Atlantic salmon results in ovulatory failure. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23837. [PMID: 39031536 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400370r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) is an oocyte-specific growth factor important for successful female reproduction in mammals. While mutations in BMP15/Bmp15 cause ovulatory deficiency and/or infertility in certain mammalian species, loss of bmp15 in zebrafish, a continuous spawner and the only bmp15 knockout model in fish to date, results in complete arrest of follicle development and later female-to-male sex reversal, preventing to examine effects on ovulation/fertilization. Here, we used Atlantic salmon, a seasonal spawner, and generated bmp15 mutants to investigate ovarian development and fertility. Histological and morphometric analyses revealed that in biallelic frameshift (bmp15 fs/fs) mutant ovaries, folliculogenesis started earlier, resulting in an advanced development compared to wild-type (WT) controls, accompanied by a weaker expression of the (early) oocyte-specific factor figla. This precocious ovarian development was followed in bmp15 fs/fs females by enhanced follicle atresia during vitellogenic stages. Although genes involved in steroid synthesis and signaling (star, cyp11b, cyp17a1 and esr1) were dramatically higher in late vitellogenic bmp15 fs/fs mutant ovaries, estradiol-17β plasma levels were lower than in WT counterparts, potentially reflecting compensatory changes at the level of ovarian gene expression. At spawning, bmp15 fs/fs females displayed lower gonado-somatic index values and reduced oocyte diameter, and the majority (71.4%), showed mature non-ovulating ovaries with a high degree of atresia. The remaining (28.6%) females spawned eggs but they either could not be fertilized or, upon fertilization, showed severe malformations and embryonic mortality. Our results show that Bmp15 is required for proper follicle recruitment and growth and later ovulatory success in Atlantic salmon, providing an alternative candidate target to induce sterility in farmed salmon. Moreover, since loss of bmp15 in salmon, in contrast to zebrafish, does not result in female-to-male sex change, this is the first mutant model in fish allowing further investigations on Bmp15-mediated functions in the ovulatory period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Crespo
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Per Gunnar Fjelldal
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Matre Research Station, Matredal, Norway
| | - Tom J Hansen
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Matre Research Station, Matredal, Norway
| | - Erik Kjærner-Semb
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kai Ove Skaftnesmo
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anders Thorsen
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Birgitta Norberg
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Austevoll Research Station, Haukanes, Norway
| | - Rolf B Edvardsen
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eva Andersson
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rüdiger W Schulz
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division Developmental Biology, Department Biology, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Wargelius
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lene Kleppe
- Research Group Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
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Zhu Q, Ma H, Wang J, Liang X. Understanding the Mechanisms of Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Insights from Genetic Variants and Regulatory Factors. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1521-1532. [PMID: 38347379 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01467-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Delaying childbearing age has become a trend in modern times, but it has also led to a common challenge in clinical reproductive medicine-diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Since the mechanism behind DOR is unknown and its clinical features are complex, physicians find it difficult to provide targeted treatment. Many factors affect ovarian reserve function, and existing studies have shown that genetic variants, upstream regulatory genes, and changes in protein expression levels are present in populations with reduced ovarian reserve function. However, existing therapeutic regimens often do not target the genetic profile for more individualized treatment. In this paper, we review the types of genetic variants, mutations, altered expression levels of microRNAs, and other related factors and their effects on the regulation of follicular development, as well as altered DNA methylation. We hope this review will have significant implications for the future treatment of individuals with reduced ovarian reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinying Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College of, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hao Ma
- The First Clinical Medical College of, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolei Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Gansu Provincial Clinical Research Center for Gynecological Oncology, No.1, Donggangxi Rd, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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Allouch A, Al-Barazenji T, Al-Shafai M, Abdallah AM. The landscape of genetic variations in non-syndromic primary ovarian insufficiency in the MENA region: a systematic review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1289333. [PMID: 38737775 PMCID: PMC11082268 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1289333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a primary cause of infertility with variable clinical manifestations. POI is a multifactorial disease with both environmental and known genetic etiologies, but data on the genetic variations associated with POI in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are scarce. The aim of this study was to systematically review all known genetic causes of POI in the MENA region. Methods The PubMed, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Embase databases were searched from inception to December 2022 for all reports of genetic variants associated with POI in the MENA region. Clinical and genetic data were collected from eligible articles, and ClinVar and PubMed (dbSNP) were searched for variants. Results Of 1,803 studies, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen studies were case-control studies and ten were case reports representing 1,080 non-syndromic POI patients in total. Seventy-nine variants in 25 genes associated with POI were reported in ten MENA countries. Of the 79 variants, 46 were rare and 33 were common variants. Of the 46 rare variants, 19 were pathogenic or likely pathogenic according to ACMG classification guidelines and ClinVar. No clear phenotype-genotype association was observed. Male family members carrying pathogenic variants also had infertility problems. Discussion To our best knowledge, this is the first systematic review of the genetic variants associated with POI in the MENA region. Further functional studies are needed to assess the disease-causing molecular mechanisms of these variants. Knowledge of the genetic basis of POI in the Middle East could facilitate early detection of the condition and thus early implementation of therapeutic interventions, paving the way for precision medicine options in specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Allouch
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tara Al-Barazenji
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mashael Al-Shafai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Atiyeh M. Abdallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Shacfe G, Turko R, Syed HH, Masoud I, Tahmaz Y, Samhan LM, Alkattan K, Shafqat A, Yaqinuddin A. A DNA Methylation Perspective on Infertility. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2132. [PMID: 38136954 PMCID: PMC10743303 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122132] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects a significant number of couples worldwide and its incidence is increasing. While assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have revolutionized the treatment landscape of infertility, a significant number of couples present with an idiopathic cause for their infertility, hindering effective management. Profiling the genome and transcriptome of infertile men and women has revealed abnormal gene expression. Epigenetic modifications, which comprise dynamic processes that can transduce environmental signals into gene expression changes, may explain these findings. Indeed, aberrant DNA methylation has been widely characterized as a cause of abnormal sperm and oocyte gene expression with potentially deleterious consequences on fertilization and pregnancy outcomes. This review aims to provide a concise overview of male and female infertility through the lens of DNA methylation alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Areez Shafqat
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (G.S.); (R.T.); (H.H.S.); (I.M.); (Y.T.); (L.M.S.); (K.A.); (A.Y.)
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Li W, Liu Z, Wang P, Di R, Wang X, Liu Y, Chu M. The transcription factor RUNX1 affects the maturation of porcine oocytes via the BMP15/TGF-β signaling pathway. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 238:124026. [PMID: 36933589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124026] [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: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) is specifically expressed in oocytes in pigs at all stages from early stages to ovulation and has an important role in oocyte maturation. However, there are few reports on the molecular mechanisms by which BMP15 affects oocyte maturation. In this study, we identified the core promoter region of BMP15 using a dual luciferase activity assay and successfully predicted the DNA binding motif of the transcription factor RUNX1. The effect of BMP15 and RUNX1 on oocyte maturation was examined using the first polar body extrusion rate, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay and total glutathione (GSH) content at three time points of 12, 24 and 48 h of in vitro culture of porcine isolated oocytes. Subsequently, the effect of the transcription factor RUNX1 on the TGF-β signaling pathway (BMPR1B and ALK5) was further verified using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. We found that the overexpression of BMP15 significantly increased the first polar body extrusion rate (P < 0.01) and total glutathione content of oocytes cultured in vitro for 24 h and decreased reactive oxygen levels (P < 0.01), whereas interference with BMP15 decreased the first polar body extrusion rate (P < 0.01), increased reactive oxygen levels in oocytes cultured in vitro for 24 h (P < 0.01), and decreased glutathione content (P < 0.01). The dual luciferase activity assay and online software prediction showed that RUNX1 is a potential transcription factor binding to the core promoter region (-1203/-1423 bp) of BMP15. Overexpression of RUNX1 significantly increased the expression of BMP15 and oocyte maturation rate, while inhibition of RUNX1 decreased the expression of BMP15 and the oocyte maturation rate. Moreover, the expression of BMPR1B and ALK5 in the TGF-β signaling pathway increased significantly after overexpression of RUNX1, whereas their expression decreased after inhibition of RUNX1. Overall, our results suggest that the transcription factor RUNX1 positively regulates the expression of BMP15 and influences oocyte maturation through the TGF-β signaling pathway. This study provides a theoretical basis for further complementing the BMP15/TGF-β signaling pathway to regulate mammalian oocyte maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ran Di
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yufang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Mingxing Chu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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Chen M, Jiang H, Zhang C. Selected Genetic Factors Associated with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054423. [PMID: 36901862 PMCID: PMC10002966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a heterogeneous disease resulting from non-functional ovaries in women before the age of 40. It is characterized by primary amenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea. As regards its etiology, although many POI cases are idiopathic, menopausal age is a heritable trait and genetic factors play an important role in all POI cases with known causes, accounting for approximately 20% to 25% of cases. This paper reviews the selected genetic causes implicated in POI and examines their pathogenic mechanisms to show the crucial role of genetic effects on POI. The genetic factors that can be found in POI cases include chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., X chromosomal aneuploidies, structural X chromosomal abnormalities, X-autosome translocations, and autosomal variations), single gene mutations (e.g., newborn ovary homeobox gene (NOBOX), folliculogenesis specific bHLH transcription factor (FIGLA), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), forkhead box L2 (FOXL2), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), etc., as well as defects in mitochondrial functions and non-coding RNAs (small ncRNAs and long ncRNAs). These findings are beneficial for doctors to diagnose idiopathic POI cases and predict the risk of POI in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengchi Chen
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Haotian Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Chunping Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
- Correspondence:
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