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Hillyear LM, Zak LJ, Beckitt T, Griffin DK, Harvey SC, Harvey KE. Morphokinetic Profiling Suggests That Rapid First Cleavage Division Accurately Predicts the Chances of Blastulation in Pig In Vitro Produced Embryos. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:783. [PMID: 38473168 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050783] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of pig preimplantation embryo development has several potential uses: from agriculture to the production of medically relevant genetically modified organisms and from rare breed conservation to acting as a physiologically relevant model for progressing human and other (e.g., endangered) species' in vitro fertilisation technology. Despite this, barriers to the widespread adoption of pig embryo in vitro production include lipid-laden cells that are hard to visualise, slow adoption of contemporary technologies such as the use of time-lapse incubators or artificial intelligence, poor blastulation and high polyspermy rates. Here, we employ a commercially available time-lapse incubator to provide a comprehensive overview of the morphokinetics of pig preimplantation development for the first time. We tested the hypotheses that (a) there are differences in developmental timings between blastulating and non-blastulating embryos and (b) embryo developmental morphokinetic features can be used to predict the likelihood of blastulation. The abattoir-derived oocytes fertilised by commercial extended semen produced presumptive zygotes were split into two groups: cavitating/blastulating 144 h post gamete co-incubation and those that were not. The blastulating group reached the 2-cell and morula stages significantly earlier, and the time taken to reach the 2-cell stage was identified to be a predictive marker for blastocyst formation. Reverse cleavage was also associated with poor blastulation. These data demonstrate the potential of morphokinetic analysis in automating and upscaling pig in vitro production through effective embryo selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy M Hillyear
- School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury CT1 1QU, UK
| | - Louisa J Zak
- Topigs Norsvin Research Center, Meerendonkweg 25, 5216 TZ Den Bosch, The Netherlands
| | | | - Darren K Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Simon C Harvey
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Medway ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Katie E Harvey
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
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2
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Briski O, La Motta GE, Ratner LD, Allegroni FA, Pillado S, Álvarez G, Gutierrez B, Tarragona L, Zaccagnini A, Acerbo M, Ciampi C, Fernández-Martin R, Salamone DF. Comparison of ICSI, IVF, and in vivo derived embryos to produce CRISPR-Cas9 gene-edited pigs for xenotransplantation. Theriogenology 2024; 220:43-55. [PMID: 38471390 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.02.028] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Genome editing in pigs for xenotransplantation has seen significant advances in recent years. This study compared three methodologies to generate gene-edited embryos, including co-injection of sperm together with the CRISPR-Cas9 system into oocytes, named ICSI-MGE (mediated gene editing); microinjection of CRISPR-Cas9 components into oocytes followed by in vitro fertilization (IVF), and microinjection of in vivo fertilized zygotes with the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Our goal was to knock-out (KO) porcine genes involved in the biosynthesis of xenoantigens responsible for the hyperacute rejection of interspecific xenografts, namely GGTA1, CMAH, and β4GalNT2. Additionally, we attempted to KO the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene with the aim of limiting the growth of porcine organs to a size that is physiologically suitable for human transplantation. Embryo development, pregnancy, and gene editing rates were evaluated. We found an efficient mutation of the GGTA1 gene following ICSI-MGE, comparable to the results obtained through the microinjection of oocytes followed by IVF. ICSI-MGE also showed higher rates of biallelic mutations compared to the other techniques. Five healthy piglets were born from in vivo-derived embryos, all of them exhibiting biallelic mutations in the GGTA1 gene, with three displaying mutations in the GHR gene. No mutations were observed in the CMAH and β4GalNT2 genes. In conclusion, in vitro methodologies showed high rates of gene-edited embryos. Specifically, ICSI-MGE proved to be an efficient technique for obtaining homozygous biallelic mutated embryos. Lastly, only live births were obtained from in vivo-derived embryos showing efficient multiple gene editing for GGTA1 and GHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olinda Briski
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Gastón Emilio La Motta
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina
| | - Laura Daniela Ratner
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Federico Andrés Allegroni
- Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Santiago Pillado
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe Álvarez
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Betiana Gutierrez
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Lisa Tarragona
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Andrea Zaccagnini
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Acerbo
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Carla Ciampi
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina
| | - Rafael Fernández-Martin
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina.
| | - Daniel Felipe Salamone
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires - Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425FQB, Argentina; Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1417DSE, Argentina.
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3
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Zhu F, Lu X, Jiang Y, Wang D, Pan L, Jia C, Zhang L, Xie Y, Zhao M, Liu H, Wang M, Wang T, Liu H, Li J. Proteomics reveals the underlying mechanism by which the first uneven division affects embryonic development in pig. Theriogenology 2023; 210:42-52. [PMID: 37473595 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
One of the most typical abnormal cleavage patterns during early embryonic development is uneven division, but the first uneven division of pig zygote is common. Uneven division results in different daughter cell sizes and an uneven distribution of organelles such as lipid droplet, mitochondria, but the developmental capacity of daughter cells and proteomic changes of daughter cells are still unclear. Therefore, the developmental ability and proteomic quantification were investigated on blastomeres from even division (ED) or uneven division (UD) embryos at 2-cell stage in the present study. Firstly, the developmental ability was affected by the blastomeric size, when compared with medium blastomeres (MBs), the large blastomeres (LBs) with the higher cleavage rate but the small blastomeres (SBs) with the lower rate was observed. Subsequently, proteomic analysis was performed on blastomeres of LBs, MBs and SBs, a total of 109 DEPs were detected, which were involved in protein metabolism and processing, energy metabolism and ribosome. In particular, DEPs in LBs vs. SBs were focused on RNA binding and actin cytoskeletal tissue. Two protein-dense networks associated with RNA binding and cytoskeleton were revealed by further protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis of DEPs in LBs vs. SBs, that DDX1 related to RNA binding and ACTB related to cytoskeleton were confirmed in UD embryos. Therefore, a briefly information of DEPs in blastomeres of 2-cell stage pig embryos was described in the present study, and it further confirmed that the formation of uneven division of the first cell cycle of pig embryos might be controlled by the cytoskeleton; the developmental capacity of daughter cells might be affected by the energy metabolism, RNA binding and ribosome, and further account for the developmental potential of the whole embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuquan Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Xinyue Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Yuan Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Dayu Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Linqing Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Chao Jia
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Jiangsu Yangyu Ecological Agriculture Co., Ltd, Taixing, 225400, China
| | - Yan Xie
- Taixing Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Center, Taixing, 225400, China
| | - Mingyue Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Huijun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Microbiology, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Meixia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Microbiology, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Tingzhang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Microbiology, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Honglin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Juan Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210018, China.
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4
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Song X, Li T, Xiong X, Shan H, Feng T, Cui K, Shi D, Liu Q, Li Z. RNA-Seq Reveals the Underlying Molecular Mechanism of First Cleavage Time Affecting Porcine Embryo Development. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13071251. [PMID: 35886034 PMCID: PMC9320770 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The selection and evaluation of high-quality embryos are the key factors affecting in vitro embryo development and pregnancy outcome. The timing of first embryonic cleavage has been considered a positive indicator of the in vitro developmental potential of embryos, while the underlying molecular mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, the embryos generated by parthenogenetic activation (PA) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) were monitored and recorded every 2 h and divided into two groups (early cleavage or late cleavage) based on the cleavage rate and blastocyst formation data. RNA sequencing was used to analyze the gene expression pattern of the embryos. We identified 667 and 71 different expression genes (DEGs) in early cleavage and late cleavage porcine PA and IVF embryos, respectively. Further Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that the DEGs are mainly enriched in pathways concerning the proteasome, DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and apoptosis, suggesting that severe endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and DNA damage may be the key factors that led to the low development potential of late cleavage embryos. This study provides a theoretical basis for the following application and offers important information about the understanding of the timely manner of porcine embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhui Song
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (X.S.); (H.S.); (T.F.); (K.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Tiantian Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Central Nervous Research Institute, Medical School, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (T.L.); (X.X.)
| | - Xin Xiong
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Central Nervous Research Institute, Medical School, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; (T.L.); (X.X.)
| | - Huiquan Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (X.S.); (H.S.); (T.F.); (K.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Tong Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (X.S.); (H.S.); (T.F.); (K.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Kuiqing Cui
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (X.S.); (H.S.); (T.F.); (K.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Deshun Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (X.S.); (H.S.); (T.F.); (K.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Qingyou Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China;
| | - Zhipeng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (X.S.); (H.S.); (T.F.); (K.C.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-185-0136-1752
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5
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Tao R, Bi J, Zhu F, Wang X, Jia C, Xu H, He X, Li J. Division Behaviors and Their Effects on Preimplantation Development of Pig Embryos. Reprod Domest Anim 2022; 57:1016-1028. [PMID: 35662274 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14168] [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: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Quality of preimplantation embryos could affect development efficiency after embryo transfer. However, assessment of preimplantation embryos was unsatisfied especially in pig embryos to date. Therefore, the present study was design to investigate available and applicable parameters which indicating development potential and quality of porcine preimplantation embryos produced by handmade cloning (HMC), parthenogenetic activation without zona pellucida (PAZF) and with zona pellucida (PAZI). Results firstly detected a common division behavior that formation of uneven division with two unequal size blastomeres (UD 2-cell), especially in HMC embryos, the proportion of UD 2-cell was significantly higher than that of equal size blastomeres (ED 2-cell) with 72.56 ± 4.56 vs. 24.57 ± 1.92. Formation of UD 2-cell might due to spindle migrates along the long axis in 1-cell stage, and the cleavage furrow not formed in the center of cytoplasm. In the two sister blastomeres of UD 2-cell, unevenly distribution of organelles (mitochondria and lipid droplet) was observed with lower proportion in the smaller one (p<0.05). Althoug no difference of blastocyst rate was observed between UD and ED 2-cell embryos, the cell number per blastocyst from UD 2-cell embryos was lower than that from ED 2-cell embryos (44.15 ± 2.05 vs. 51.55 ± 1.83). Besides, because of nonsynchronized division of each blastomeres, another common behavior that three cleavage routes were observed in all of HMC/PAZF/PAZI embryos that T1 (2-cell → 3-cell → 4-cell → ≥ 5-cell → morula → blastocyst), T2 (2-cell → 3-cell → 4-cell → morula → blastocyst), and T3 (2-cell → 3-cell / 4-cell → morula → blastocyst). Therefore, in pig in vitro produced embryos, division behaviors of uneven volume of cytoplasm and nonsynchronized cell cycles were observed at the early embryonic developmental stage, which might be another potential factor to evaluate embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixin Tao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaying Bi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fuquan Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuguang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urimuqi, China
| | - Chao Jia
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongxia Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Juan Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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6
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Nguyen HT, Nghia NT, Lien NTH, Dang-Nguyen TQ, Men NT, Viet Linh N, Xuan Nguyen B, Noguchi J, Kaneko H, Kikuchi K. Pluripotency-associated genes reposition during early embryonic developmental stages in pigs. Anim Sci J 2020; 91:e13408. [PMID: 32578338 PMCID: PMC7378944 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We examined the allelic expression and positioning of two pluripotency‐associated genes, OCT4 and SOX2, and two housekeeping genes, ACTB and TUBA, in 4‐ and 8‐cell porcine embryos utilizing RNA and DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in single blastomeres. The proportion of blastomeres expressing SOX2 bi‐allelically increased from 45% at the 4‐cell stage to 60% at the 8‐cell stage. Moreover, in 8‐cell embryos, SOX2 was expressed bi‐allelically in significantly more blastomeres than was the case for OCT4, and this was associated with a tendency for SOX2 alleles to move toward the nuclear interior during 4‐ to 8‐cell transition. However, the radial location of OCT4 alleles did not change significantly during this transition. The locations of active and inactive alleles based on DNA and RNA FISH signals were also calculated. Inactive OCT4 alleles were located in very close proximity to the nuclear membrane, whereas active OCT4 alleles were more centrally disposed in the nucleus. Nevertheless, the nuclear location of active and inactive SOX2 alleles did not change in either 4‐ or 8‐cell blastomeres. Our RNA and DNA FISH data provide novel information on the allelic expression patterns and positioning of pluripotency‐associated genes, OCT4 and SOX2, during embryonic genome activation in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiep Thi Nguyen
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan.,The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan.,Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Trong Nghia
- Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nghiem Thi Ha Lien
- Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Quang Dang-Nguyen
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nguyen Thi Men
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nguyen Viet Linh
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Bui Xuan Nguyen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Junko Noguchi
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kaneko
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kikuchi
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan.,The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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7
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Nguyen HT, Dang-Nguyen TQ, Somfai T, Men NT, Viet Linh N, Xuan Nguyen B, Noguchi J, Kaneko H, Kikuchi K. Selection based on morphological features of porcine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization: Timing of early cleavages and the effect of polyspermy. Anim Sci J 2020; 91:e13401. [PMID: 32524695 PMCID: PMC7379284 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine whether a morphological approach is efficient for selecting high‐quality porcine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) under high polyspermy conditions. Frozen‐thawed Meishan epididymal spermatozoa showing moderate and high polyspermy were subjected to IVF (1 × 105 sperms/ml). Under conditions of moderate polyspermy, 4‐cell embryos selected at 48 hr after IVF (single selection) and 8‐cell embryos selected at 79 hr after IVF from the collected 4‐cell embryos (double selection) showed high developmental competence. Likewise, 4‐ and 8‐cell embryos produced by IVF under high polyspermy conditions also showed high competence for development to blastocysts. However, blastocysts derived from high polyspermy conditions had significantly fewer cells than those produced under moderate polyspermy conditions. Furthermore, the frequency of nuclear and chromosomal abnormalities in 4‐ and 8‐cell embryos produced under conditions of high polyspermy was significantly (p < .05) higher in comparison to moderate polyspermy conditions. These findings suggest that although high polyspermy affects the frequency of nuclear and chromosomal anomalies in porcine IVF embryos, subsequent selection based on morphological features of 4‐ and 8‐cell embryos even under high polyspermy conditions, could be an alternative option for selecting porcine IVF embryos with high development ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiep Thi Nguyen
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan.,The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan.,Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Quang Dang-Nguyen
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tamas Somfai
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nguyen Thi Men
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nguyen Viet Linh
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Bui Xuan Nguyen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Junko Noguchi
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kaneko
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kikuchi
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan.,The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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8
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Somfai T, Nguyen VK, Vu HTT, Nguyen HLT, Quan HX, Viet Linh N, Phan SL, Pham LD, Cuc NTK, Kikuchi K. Cryopreservation of immature oocytes of the indigeneous Vietnamese Ban Pig. Anim Sci J 2019; 90:840-848. [PMID: 31006939 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report the cryopreservation of oocytes from Ban miniature pigs which are endemic in Vietnam. Immature cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from antral follicles of 7-8 mo old female cyclic Ban pigs and vitrified in micro-drops. Oocyte morphology, lipid content, post-warming survival, nuclear maturation, and embryo development were compared to those of oocytes from commercially slaughtered Landrace × Large white hybrid pigs. The size of oocytes in the two breeds was similar. However, significantly lower amounts of intracellular lipid were detected in Ban oocytes. There was no difference (p > 0.05) between Ban and Landrace × Large white oocytes in percentages of post-warming survival (93.1 ± 3.4% vs. 70.7 ± 16.7%, respectively) and nuclear maturation after in vitro maturation (80.4 ± 5.1% vs. 90.0 ± 1.3% respectively). Similarly, cleavage (30.8 ± 7.8% vs. 10.3 ± 6.1%, respectively) and blastocyst development rates (9.4 ± 5.0% vs. 0.79 ± 0.79, respectively) were not different (p > 0.05) between vitrified Ban and Landrace × Large white oocytes after in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. In conclusion, high survival and maturation rates were achieved after vitrification of immature Ban oocytes and their cryo-tolerance was similar to that of Landrace × Large white oocytes, despite the difference in lipid content. We succeeded to generate reasonable rates of blastocysts from vitrified Ban oocytes by in vitro fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamas Somfai
- Animal Breeding and Reproduction Research Division, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Van Khanh Nguyen
- Key Lab of Animal Cell Biotechnology, National Institute of Animal Science, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Huong Thu Thi Vu
- Key Lab of Animal Cell Biotechnology, National Institute of Animal Science, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Huong Le Thi Nguyen
- Key Lab of Animal Cell Biotechnology, National Institute of Animal Science, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Huu Xuan Quan
- Key Lab of Animal Cell Biotechnology, National Institute of Animal Science, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Viet Linh
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Son Le Phan
- National Institute of Animal Science, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Lan Doan Pham
- Key Lab of Animal Cell Biotechnology, National Institute of Animal Science, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Kazuhiro Kikuchi
- Division of Animal Sciences, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, NARO, Tsukuba, Japan.,The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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9
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Appeltant R, Somfai T, Kikuchi K. Faster, cheaper, defined and efficient vitrification for immature porcine oocytes through modification of exposure time, macromolecule source and temperature. Cryobiology 2018; 85:87-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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10
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Santos ECS, Appeltant R, Dang-Nguyen TQ, Noguchi J, Kaneko H, Kikuchi K, Somfai T. The effect of resveratrol on the developmental competence of porcine oocytes vitrified at germinal vesicle stage. Reprod Domest Anim 2017; 53:304-312. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- ECS Santos
- Institute of Livestock and Glassland Science; National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - R Appeltant
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences; National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - TQ Dang-Nguyen
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences; National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - J Noguchi
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences; National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - H Kaneko
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences; National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - K Kikuchi
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences; National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - T Somfai
- Institute of Livestock and Glassland Science; National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
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11
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Dicks N, Bohrer RC, Gutierrez K, Michalak M, Agellon LB, Bordignon V. Relief of endoplasmic reticulum stress enhances DNA damage repair and improves development of pre-implantation embryos. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187717. [PMID: 29099865 PMCID: PMC5669469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-cleaving embryos are known to have better capacity to reach the blastocyst stage and produce better quality embryos compared to late-cleaving embryos. To investigate the significance of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on early embryo cleavage kinetics and development, porcine embryos produced in vitro were separated into early- and late-cleaving groups and then cultured in the absence or presence of the ER stress inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). Developing embryos were collected at days 3 to 7 of culture for assessment of ER stress status, incidence of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), development and total cell number. In the absence of TUDCA treatment, late-cleaving embryos exhibited ER stress, higher incidence of DNA DSBs, as well as reductions in development to the blastocyst stage and total embryo cell numbers. Treatment of late-cleaving embryos with TUDCA mitigated these effects and markedly improved embryo quality and development. These results demonstrate the importance of stress coping responses in early developing embryos, and that reduction of ER stress is a potential means to improve embryo quality and developmental competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Dicks
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rodrigo C. Bohrer
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Karina Gutierrez
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marek Michalak
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Luis B. Agellon
- School of Human Nutrition, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail: (VB); (LBA)
| | - Vilceu Bordignon
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail: (VB); (LBA)
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12
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Lin T, Lee JE, Oqani RK, Kim SY, Cho ES, Jeong YD, Baek JJ, Jin DI. Delayed blastocyst formation or an extra day culture increases apoptosis in pig blastocysts. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 185:128-139. [PMID: 28844338 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the timing was examined of blastocyst collection/formation or of how the duration of post-blastulation culture affected the quality and developmental competence of in vitro-produced pig parthenogenetic embryos. The earliest apoptotic signals were observed at the morula stage while the earliest cytoplasmic fragmentation was observed before the 4- to 8-cell stage of embryo development. Nuclear condensation was detected in morulae and blastocysts, but not all condensed nuclei were positive for the apoptotic signal (TUNEL staining). The mean blastocyst diameter increased with delayed blastocyst collection or extended post-blastulation culture, but decreased with delayed blastocyst formation. Delayed blastocyst collection/formation or an additional day of post-blastulation culture increased the frequencies of apoptosis, condensed nuclei, and low quality blastocysts (those showing a nuclear destruction that negated counting of the nuclei); increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic BAX gene; and reduced the ratio of ICM (inner cell mass) cells to TE (trophectoderm) cells. In addition, delayed blastocyst formation decreased POU5F1 gene expression. These results suggest that a delay in blastocyst collection/formation or an additional day of culture could increase the incidence of apoptosis, decrease the ICM:TE cell ratio, and influence the gene expression and diameter of blastocysts derived from in vitro-produced pig embryos. These findings provide a useful reference for improving the quality of in vitro-produced embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Lin
- Department of Animal Science & Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Eun Lee
- Department of Animal Science & Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Reza K Oqani
- Department of Animal Science & Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Animal Science & Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Seok Cho
- Department of Animal Resource Development, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan, 31001, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Dae Jeong
- Department of Animal Resource Development, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan, 31001, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Jong Baek
- Department of Animal Improvement, Chungnam Livestock Institute, Cheongyang-gun, Chungman, 33350, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Il Jin
- Department of Animal Science & Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Santos ECDS, Somfai T, Appeltant R, Dang-Nguyen TQ, Noguchi J, Kaneko H, Kikuchi K. Effects of polyethylene glycol and a synthetic ice blocker during vitrification of immature porcine oocytes on survival and subsequent embryo development. Anim Sci J 2016; 88:1042-1048. [DOI: 10.1111/asj.12730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamas Somfai
- Institute of Livestock and Glassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Ibaraki Japan
| | - Ruth Appeltant
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Ibaraki Japan
| | - Thanh Quang Dang-Nguyen
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Ibaraki Japan
| | - Junko Noguchi
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Ibaraki Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kaneko
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Ibaraki Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kikuchi
- Division of Animal Sciences; Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO); Ibaraki Japan
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14
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Somfai T, Men NT, Noguchi J, Kaneko H, Kashiwazaki N, Kikuchi K. Optimization of cryoprotectant treatment for the vitrification of immature cumulus-enclosed porcine oocytes: comparison of sugars, combinations of permeating cryoprotectants and equilibration regimens. J Reprod Dev 2015; 61:571-9. [PMID: 26411536 PMCID: PMC4685224 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2015-089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to optimize the cryoprotectant treatment for the preservation of immature porcine cumulus-oocyte
complexes (COCs) by solid surface vitrification. In each experiment, the vitrification solution consisted of
50 mg/ml polyvinyl pyrrolidone, 0.3 M of the actual sugar and in total 35% (v/v) of the actual permeating
cryoprotectant (pCPA) combination. After warming, the COCs were subjected to in vitro
maturation, fertilization and embryo culture. In Experiment 1, trehalose and sucrose were equally effective
during vitrification and warming in terms of facilitating oocyte survival and subsequent embryo development.
In Experiment 2, when equilibration was performed at 38.5 C in a total of 4% (v/v) pCPA for 15 min, the
combination of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol (EG + PG = 1:1) was superior to EG and dimethyl sulfoxide
(EG + DMSO = 1:1) in terms of oocyte survival after vitrification and the quality of resultant blastocysts. In
Experiment 3, equilibration in 4% (v/v) pCPA for 15 min before vitrification was superior to that in 15% (v/v)
CPA for 5 min for achievement of high survival rates irrespective of the pCPA combination used. In Experiment
4, when equilibration was performed in 4% EG + PG for 5 min, 15 min or 25 min, there was no difference in
oocyte survival and subsequent embryo development after vitrification and warming; however, the developmental
competence of cleaved embryos was tendentiously reduced when equilibration was performed for 25 min. In
conclusion, trehalose and sucrose were equally effective in facilitating vitrification, and the optimum pCPA
treatment was 5–15 min equilibration in 4% (v/v) of EG + PG followed by vitrification in 35% (v/v) EG +
PG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Somfai
- NARO Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
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15
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Differences in the Kinetic of the First Meiotic Division and in Active Mitochondrial Distribution between Prepubertal and Adult Oocytes Mirror Differences in their Developmental Competence in a Sheep Model. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124911. [PMID: 25893245 PMCID: PMC4403920 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Our aim is to verify if oocyte developmental potential is related to the timing of meiotic progression and to mitochondrial distribution and activity using prepubertal and adult oocytes as models of low and high developmental capacity respectively. Prepubertal and adult oocytes were incorporated in an in vitro maturation system to determine meiotic and developmental competence and to assess at different time points kinetic of meiotic maturation, 2D protein electrophoresis patterns, ATP content and mitochondria distribution. Maturation and fertilization rates did not differ between prepubertal and adult oocytes (95.1% vs 96.7% and 66.73% vs 70.62% respectively for prepubertal and adult oocytes). Compared to adults, prepubertal oocytes showed higher parthenogenesis (17.38% vs 2.08% respectively in prepubertals and adults; P<0.01) and polispermy (14.30% vs 2.21% respectively in prepubertals and adults; P<0.01), lower cleavage rates (60.00% vs 67.08% respectively in prepubertals and adults; P<0.05) and blastocyst output (11.94% vs 34.% respectively in prepubertals and adults; P<0.01). Prepubertal oocytes reached MI stage 1 hr later than adults and this delay grows as the first meiotic division proceeds. Simultaneously, the protein pattern was altered since in prepubertal oocytes it fluctuates, dropping and rising to levels similar to adults only at 24 hrs. In prepubertal oocytes ATP rise is delayed and did not reach levels comparable to adult ones. CLSM observations revealed that at MII, in the majority of prepubertal oocytes, the active mitochondria are homogenously distributed, while in adults they are aggregated in big clusters. Our work demonstrates that mitochondria and their functional aggregation during maturation play an active role to provide energy in terms of ATP. The oocyte ATP content determines the timing of the meiotic cycle and the acquisition of developmental competence. Taken together our data suggest that oocytes with low developmental competence have a slowed down energetic metabolism which delays later development.
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16
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Kaith S, Saini M, Raja AK, Sahare AA, Jyotsana B, Madheshiya P, Palta P, Chauhan MS, Manik RS, Singla SK. Early cleavage of handmade cloned buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryos is an indicator of their developmental competence and quality. Reprod Domest Anim 2015; 50:214-220. [PMID: 25604613 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Following IVF, embryos which cleave early have been shown to have higher developmental competence and quality than those that cleave relatively later across many species. We investigated the effect of time of cleavage on the developmental competence, quality, epigenetic status and gene expression in buffalo embryos produced by handmade cloning (HMC). Following classification of embryos as early cleaving (EC) or late cleaving (LC) based on whether they had cleaved or not at 24 h post in vitro culture, 54% (164/303) were found to be EC and the rest to be LC. The blastocyst rate (58.1 ± 3.4 vs 36.9 ± 1.6%, p < 0.01) and the total cell number (285.5 ± 41.9 vs 141.4 ± 36.1, p < 0.05) were higher, whereas the apoptotic index (3.6 ± 0.6 vs 12.2 ± 1.7, p < 0.01) and the global level of H3K9ac and H3K27me3 were lower (p < 0.05) in the blastocysts produced from EC than in those produced from LC embryos. The relative transcript level of CASPASE3, CASPASE7, DNMT1, DNMT3a and CDX2 was higher (p < 0.05) and that of SOX2 was lower (p < 0.05) in blastocysts produced from LC than in those produced from EC embryos, whereas the expression level of CASPASE6, P53, P21, HDAC1, OCT4 and NANOG was not significantly different between the two groups. These results show that (i) following HMC, blastocysts produced from embryos that cleave early differ from those produced from late cleaving embryos in terms of epigenetic status and expression level of many important apoptosis-, pluripotency-, trophectoderm- and epigenetics-related genes, and (ii) EC embryos are superior to LC embryos in view of their higher developmental competence and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kaith
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - M Saini
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - A K Raja
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - A A Sahare
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - B Jyotsana
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - P Madheshiya
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - P Palta
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - M S Chauhan
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - R S Manik
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - S K Singla
- Embryo Biotechnology Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
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17
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Dang-Nguyen TQ, Viet-Linh N, Somfai T, Haraguchi S, Xuan Nguyen B. Development of large and small blastomeres from 2-cell embryos produced in vitro in pigs. Anim Sci J 2014; 85:517-23. [PMID: 24506151 DOI: 10.1111/asj.12183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we examined the development to blastocysts of large and small blastomeres from unevenly cleaved 2-cell embryos (uneven 2-cell embryos) in pigs. Proportion of blastocysts derived from large blastomeres (52.8 ± 6.4%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared with small ones (32.1 ± 4.6%). However, there were no differences in total cell number, inner cell mass (ICM) cell number and ICM/total cells ratio between them. Of 53 sister blastomere pairs in the same embryos examined there were 12 pairs (22.6%) in which both blastomeres developed to blastocysts, 16 pairs (30.2%) in which only large blastomeres developed to blastocysts, and five pairs (9.4%) in which only small blastomeres developed to blastocysts. Relative total amount of active mitochondria in small blastomeres were lower (P<0.05) than that of large blastomeres and blastomeres from evenly cleaved 2-cell embryos. However, there was no difference in relative density of active mitochondria in these three types of blastomeres. In conclusion, blastocysts derived from small and large blastomeres in uneven 2-cell embryos had comparable quality in terms of cell number, ICM number, ICM/total cell ratio and distribution of active mitochondria. The results suggest that these blastomeres may contribute multiple offspring production in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Quang Dang-Nguyen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam; Animal Breeding and Reproduction Division, NARO Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Tsukuba, Japan; Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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18
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Orozco-Lucero E, Dufort I, Robert C, Sirard MA. Rapidly cleaving bovine two-cell embryos have better developmental potential and a distinctive mRNA pattern. Mol Reprod Dev 2013; 81:31-41. [PMID: 24285591 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian embryos that rapidly reach the two-cell stage in culture have a higher probability of becoming viable blastocysts. Our goal was to separate two-cell bovine embryos based on their zygotic cleavage timing, and to assess their global mRNA levels. Following in vitro fertilization, all embryos that cleaved by 29.5 hpi (early) were cultured separately from those that divided at 46 hpi (late). The blastocyst rates were 46.1 ± 3.7% and 6.1 ± 3.4% for early- and late-cleavers, respectively (P < 0.01). Seven replicates of selected two-cell embryos were collected at each time point for microarray characterization (n = 4) and quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (n = 3); the rest were left in culture for blastocyst evaluation. A total of 774 and 594 probes were preferentially present in early- and late-cleaving embryos, respectively (fold change ± 1.5, P < 0.05), with important contrasts related to cell cycle, gene expression, RNA processing, and protein degradation functions. A total of 12 transcripts were assessed by quantitative PCR, of which ATM, ATR, CTNNB1, MSH6, MRE11A, PCNA, APC, CENPE, and GRB2 were in agreement with the hybridization results. Since most of these molecules are directly or indirectly associated with cell-cycle regulation, DNA damage response, and transcription control, our results strongly suggest key roles for those biological functions in mammalian preimplantation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Orozco-Lucero
- Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Département des Sciences Animales, Pavillon INAF, Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction (CRBR), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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19
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Torner E, Bussalleu E, Briz MD, Yeste M, Bonet S. Energy substrate influences the effect of the timing of the first embryonic cleavage on the development of in vitro-produced porcine embryos in a sex-related manner. Mol Reprod Dev 2013; 80:924-35. [PMID: 23959915 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In vitro culture conditions and certain events during the earliest stages of development are linked to embryonic survival, possibly in a sex-related manner. In vitro-produced (IVP) porcine embryos cultured with glucose (IVC-Glu) or pyruvate-lactate (IVC-PL) were tested for any relationship between the timing of the first embryonic cleavage and development and sex ratio. The embryos were assigned to IVC-Glu or IVC-PL groups and classified depending on the timing of their first cleavage: 24, 26, 30, and 48 hr post-insemination (hpi). They were cultured separately in vitro and evaluated for cleavage rate and pattern, blastocyst rate and stage, cell number, apoptosis, and sex ratio. Regardless of energy source, the percentage of two-cell stage and fragmented embryos at the time of their first cleavage was, respectively, higher and lower in early-cleaving embryos. Those embryos cleaved by 24 hpi developed to blastocysts at a higher rate (IVC-Glu: 37.90 ± 3.06%; IVC-PL: 38.73 ± 4.08%) than those cleaved between 30 and 48 hpi (IVC-Glu: 5.87 ± 3.02%; IVC-PL: 8.41 ± 3.50%). Furthermore, a shift toward males was seen among embryos first cleaved before 30 hpi, versus towards females among those cleaved later. The early-cleaving embryos, only from the IVC-PL group, had a higher proportion of expanded blastocysts (81.05 ± 6.54% vs. 13.33 ± 13.33%) with higher cell numbers than their late-cleaving counterparts. Moreover, a shift toward males only appeared at the blastocyst stage in IVC-PL embryos. These findings confirm that the timing of the first cleavage influences development of IVP porcine embryos in a sex-related manner, and it depends on the main energy source of the in vitro culture medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Torner
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Department of Biology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Girona, Spain
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Comparison of cytoskeletal integrity, fertilization and developmental competence of oocytes vitrified before or after in vitro maturation in a porcine model. Cryobiology 2013; 67:287-92. [PMID: 23993921 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2013.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Aim of the study was to investigate the effect of vitrification on viability, cytoskeletal integrity and in vitro developmental competence after in vitro fertilization (IVF) of oocytes vitrified before or after in vitro maturation (IVM) using a pig model. Oocytes from abattoir-derived porcine ovaries were vitrified at either the germinal vesicle (GV) or metaphase II (MII) stage by modified solid surface vitrification (SSV). Oocyte viability was evaluated by stereomicroscopic observation whereas their nuclear stage and morphology of microtubules and F-actin were observed by confocal microscopy after immunostaining. Fertilization was assessed by orcein staining. The survival rate after vitrification was higher for MII-stage than for GV-stage oocytes. However, the ability of surviving oocytes to reach the MII stage after vitrification at the GV stage (GV-vitrified oocytes) was similar to that of control oocytes. Furthermore, after IVM, GV-vitrified oocytes had better spindle and F-actin integrity than oocytes vitrified at the MII stage (MII-vitrified oocytes). In accordance with this result, GV-vitrified oocytes had better ability to extrude the second polar body and support male pronucleus formation after in vitro fertilization (IVF), in comparison to MII-vitrified oocytes. Fertilization rates did not differ among groups. Finally, the ability of GV-vitrified oocytes to develop into embryos was superior to that of MII-vitrified oocytes. However, both vitrified groups showed reduced blastocyst development compared with the control group. In conclusion vitrification of porcine oocytes at the GV stage is advantageous in conferring better cytoskeletal organization and competence to develop to the blastocyst stage in comparison with vitrification at the MII stage.
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21
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Bohrer RC, Che L, Gonçalves PBD, Duggavathi R, Bordignon V. Phosphorylated histone H2A.x in porcine embryos produced by IVF and somatic cell nuclear transfer. Reproduction 2013; 146:325-33. [PMID: 23858475 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorylated histone H2A.x (H2AX139ph) is a key factor for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and the presence of H2AX139ph foci indicates the sites of DSBs. In this study, we characterized the presence of H2AX139ph during in vitro development of porcine embryos produced by IVF and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Pronuclear stage embryos produced by IVF had, on average, 9.2 H2AX139ph foci per pronucleus. The number of H2AX139ph foci was higher in the 2-cell-stage embryos than in the 4-cell-stage embryos fixed at 48 h post-fertilization. The percentage of H2AX139ph-positive nuclei was higher in SCNT embryos that were activated with ionomycin (ION) alone than in those activated with ION and strontium chloride (ION+Sr(2+)). A negative correlation was found between the percentage of H2AX139ph-positive cells and the total number of cells per embryo in day 7 blastocysts produced by IVF or SCNT. Based on the detection of H2AX139ph foci, the findings of this study indicate that DSBs occur in a high proportion of porcine embryos produced by either IVF or SCNT; fast-cleaving embryos have fewer DSBs than slow-cleaving embryos; the oocyte activation protocol can affect DNA integrity in SCNT embryos; and better-quality blastocysts have fewer DSBs. We propose that the presence of H2AX139ph foci can be a useful marker of embryo quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo C Bohrer
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9
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22
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Somfai T, Nakai M, Tanihara F, Noguchi J, Kaneko H, Kashiwazaki N, Egerszegi I, Nagai T, Kikuchi K. Comparison of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol for the vitrification of immature porcine oocytes. J Reprod Dev 2013; 59:378-84. [PMID: 23666455 PMCID: PMC3944359 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2013-015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to optimize a cryoprotectant treatment for vitrification of immature porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Immature COCs were vitrified either in 35% ethylene glycol (EG), 35% propylene glycol (PG) or a combination of 17.5% EG and 17.5% PG. After warming, the COCs were in vitro matured (IVM), and surviving oocytes were in vitro fertilized (IVF) and cultured. The mean survival rate of vitrified oocytes in 35% PG (73.9%) was higher (P<0.05) than that in 35% EG (27.8%). Oocyte maturation rates did not differ among vitrified and non-vitrified control groups. Blastocyst formation in the vitrified EG group (10.8%) was higher (P<0.05) than that in the vitrified PG group (2.0%) but was lower than that in the control group (25.0%). Treatment of oocytes with 35% of each cryoprotectant without vitrification revealed a higher toxicity of PG on subsequent blastocyst development compared with EG. The combination of EG and PG resulted in 42.6% survival after vitrification. The maturation and fertilization rates of the surviving oocytes were similar in the vitrified, control and toxicity control (TC; treated with EG+PG combination without cooling) groups. Blastocyst development in the vitrified group was lower (P<0.05) than that in the control and TC groups, which in turn had similar development rates (10.7%, 18.1% and 23.3%, respectively). In conclusion, 35% PG enabled a higher oocyte survival rate after vitrification compared with 35% EG. However, PG was greatly toxic to oocytes. The combination of 17.5% EG and 17.5% PG yielded reasonable survival rates without toxic effects on embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Somfai
- NARO Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
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Asgari V, Hosseini SM, Forouzanfar M, Hajian M, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Vitrification of in vitro produced bovine embryos: effect of embryonic block and developmental kinetics. Cryobiology 2012; 65:278-83. [PMID: 22929415 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2012.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2012] [Revised: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 08/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In order to investigate whether the kinetics and stage of embryo development affect cryosurvival of in vitro produced bovine embryos, cleaved embryos were categorized in six groups based on their developmental kinetics regarding the stage of embryonic block in bovine (8-16 cell stage): I and II--early (day 2) and late (day 3) 5-8 cell, III and IV--early (day 3) and late (day 4) 8-16 cell, and V and VI--early (day 4) and late (day 5) morula. The cryosurvival and developmental competence of these embryos were compared with each other and also with the corresponding control groups. The potential of 5-8 cell stage embryos to survive vitrification and further develop towards blastocyst stage was significantly lower than vitrified and un-vitrified 8-16 cell and morula stage embryos. These results suggest that, the survival rate and potential of embryos to develop towards blastocyst stage might be affected by the kinetic of the embryo development. Moreover, the results of this study indicated that the optimal stages of early embryo vitrification are post-embryonic block.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Asgari
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Reproductive Biomedicine Centre, Royan Institute of Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
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Timing of first embryonic cleavage is a positive indicator of the in vitro developmental potential of porcine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization, somatic cell nuclear transfer and parthenogenesis. Mol Reprod Dev 2011; 79:197-207. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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25
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Dang-Nguyen T, Kaneda M, Somfai T, Haraguchi S, Matsukawa K, Akagi S, Kikuchi K, Nakai M, Nguyen B, Tajima A, Kanai Y, Nagai T. Development of single blastomeres derived from two-cell embryos produced in vitro in pigs. Theriogenology 2011; 76:88-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2010] [Revised: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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26
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Dang-Nguyen TQ, Somfai T, Haraguchi S, Kikuchi K, Tajima A, Kanai Y, Nagai T. In vitro production of porcine embryos: current status, future perspectives and alternative applications. Anim Sci J 2011; 82:374-82. [PMID: 21615829 DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2011.00883.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The pig is considered to be a suitable source of cells and organs for xenotransplants, as well as a transgenic animal to produce specific proteins, given the biological similarities it shares with human beings. However, the in vitro embryo production system in pigs is inefficient compared with those in other mammals, such as cattle or mice. Although numerous modifications have been applied to improve the efficiency of in vitro embryo production systems in pigs, not much progress has been made to overcome the problem of polyspermy, and low developmental ability due to insufficient cytoplasmic abilities of in vitro matured oocytes and improper culture conditions for the in vitro produced embryos. Recent achievements, such as the establishment of chemically defined medium and utilization of 'zona hardening' technique, have gained some success. However, further research for the reduction of polyspermy and detrimental effects of the culture systems in pigs is still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Quang Dang-Nguyen
- National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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