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Renfree MB, Shaw G. Placentation in Marsupials. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY, EMBRYOLOGY, AND CELL BIOLOGY 2022; 234:41-60. [PMID: 34694477 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77360-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
It is sometimes implied that marsupials are "aplacental," on the presumption that the only mammals that have a placenta are the eponymous "placental" mammals. This misconception has persisted despite the interest in and descriptions of the marsupial placenta, even in Amoroso's definitive chapter. It was also said that marsupials had no maternal recognition of pregnancy and no placental hormone production. In addition, it was thought that genomic imprinting could not exist in marsupials because pregnancy was so short. We now know that none of these ideas have held true with extensive studies over the last four decades definitively showing that they are indeed mammals with a fully functional placenta, and with their own specializations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn B Renfree
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Geoff Shaw
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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van der Weijden VA, Bulut-Karslioglu A. Molecular Regulation of Paused Pluripotency in Early Mammalian Embryos and Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:708318. [PMID: 34386497 PMCID: PMC8353277 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.708318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The energetically costly mammalian investment in gestation and lactation requires plentiful nutritional sources and thus links the environmental conditions to reproductive success. Flexibility in adjusting developmental timing enhances chances of survival in adverse conditions. Over 130 mammalian species can reversibly pause early embryonic development by switching to a near dormant state that can be sustained for months, a phenomenon called embryonic diapause. Lineage-specific cells are retained during diapause, and they proliferate and differentiate upon activation. Studying diapause thus reveals principles of pluripotency and dormancy and is not only relevant for development, but also for regeneration and cancer. In this review, we focus on the molecular regulation of diapause in early mammalian embryos and relate it to maintenance of potency in stem cells in vitro. Diapause is established and maintained by active rewiring of the embryonic metabolome, epigenome, and gene expression in communication with maternal tissues. Herein, we particularly discuss factors required at distinct stages of diapause to induce, maintain, and terminate dormancy.
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Ajit K, Murphy BD, Banerjee A. Elucidating evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of diapause regulation using an in silico approach. FEBS Lett 2021; 595:1350-1374. [PMID: 33650678 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic diapause is an enigmatic phenomenon that appears in diverse species. Although regulatory mechanisms have been established, there is much to be discovered. Herein, we have made the first comprehensive attempt to elucidate diapause regulatory mechanisms using a computational approach. We found transcription factors unique to promoters of genes in diapause species. From pathway analysis and STRING PPI networks, the signaling pathways regulated by these unique transcription factors were identified. The pathways were then consolidated into a model to combine various known mechanisms of diapause regulation. This work also highlighted certain transcription factors that may act as 'master transcription factors' to regulate the phenomenon. Promoter analysis further suggested evidence for independent evolution for some of regulatory elements involved in diapause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Ajit
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani KK Birla Goa Campus, Goa, India
| | - Bruce D Murphy
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fertilité, Faculté de Médicine Vétérinaire, Université Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Arnab Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani KK Birla Goa Campus, Goa, India
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van der Weijden VA, Bick JT, Bauersachs S, Arnold GJ, Fröhlich T, Drews B, Ulbrich SE. Uterine fluid proteome changes during diapause and resumption of embryo development in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Reproduction 2019; 158:13-24. [PMID: 30933930 PMCID: PMC6499939 DOI: 10.1530/rep-19-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The uterine microenvironment during pre-implantation presents a pro-survival milieu and is essential for embryo elongation in ruminants. The European roe deer (Careolus capreolus) pre-implantation embryo development is characterised by a 4-month period of reduced development, embryonic diapause, after which the embryo rapidly elongates and implants. We investigated the uterine fluid proteome by label-free liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry at four defined stages covering the phase of reduced developmental pace (early diapause, mid-diapause and late diapause) and embryo elongation. We hypothesised that embryo development during diapause is halted by the lack of signals that support progression past the blastocyst stage. Three clusters of differentially abundant proteins were identified by a self-organising tree algorithm: (1) gradual reduction over development; (2) stable abundance during diapause, followed by a sharp rise at elongation; and (3) gradual increase over development. Proteins in the different clusters were subjected to gene ontology analysis. 'Cellular detoxification' in cluster 1 was represented by alcohol dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase and peroxiredoxin-2. ATP-citrate synthase, nucleolin, lamin A/C, and purine phosphorylase as cell proliferation regulators were found in cluster 2 and 'cortical cytoskeleton', 'regulation of substrate adhesion-dependent cell spreading' and 'melanosome' were present in cluster 3. Cell cycle promoters were higher abundant at elongation than during diapause, and polyamines presence indicates their role in diapause regulation. This study provides a comprehensive overview of proteins in the roe deer uterine fluid during diapause and forms a basis for studies aiming at understanding the impact of the lack of cell cycle promoters during diapause.
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Affiliation(s)
- V A van der Weijden
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - J T Bick
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S Bauersachs
- Genetics and Functional Genomics, Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Department for Farm Animals, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - G J Arnold
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis LAFUGA, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - T Fröhlich
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis LAFUGA, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - B Drews
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S E Ulbrich
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
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Yoshida K, Line J, Griffith K, Wooldredge A, Cruz YP. Progesterone signaling during pregnancy in the lab opossum, Monodelphis domestica. Theriogenology 2019; 136:101-110. [PMID: 31254723 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.06.026] [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: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
To investigate subtle pregnancy-associated changes in the lab opossum, Monodelphis domestica, an induced ovulator, we compared pregnant with non-pregnant and pseudopregnant animals with regard to serum P4 levels and progesterone receptor (PR) expression. Using video-verified, time-mated lab opossums as sources of biological material, we compared ovaries, uteri and sera obtained on odd-numbered days of the 14.5-day pregnancy in this animal. Females that mated successfully but did not produce embryos were classified as pseudopregnant. P4 levels differed significantly between pregnant (N = 21) and either non-pregnant (N = 3) or pseudopregnant (N = 3) opossums, but not between the non-pregnant and pseudopregnant groups. A significant decline in serum P4 occurred between pregnancy days 3 and 5, coinciding with an elevated probability of pregnancy failure between days 5 and 9. PR was detected in the nuclei of uterine-gland epithelial cells on pregnancy days 5 and 7 as well as variably in the corpora lutea (CL) of animals on pregnancy days 3-11. PR expression in the CL suggests that P4 may be autostimulatory in lab opossums and that certain levels of this steroid are required during normal pregnancy. The significant day-3 drop in P4 may explain why pregnancy failure in this polyovular metatherian is likeliest to occur between days 5 and 9, an interval during which the extended period of blastocyst morphogenesis and expansion occurs. Taken together, these results suggest that P4 may have unrecognized signaling roles not only in pregnancy but perhaps embryonic development as well in the lab opossum.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Yoshida
- Department of Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, 44071, USA
| | - J Line
- Department of Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, 44071, USA
| | - K Griffith
- Department of Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, 44071, USA
| | - A Wooldredge
- Department of Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, 44071, USA
| | - Y P Cruz
- Department of Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, 44071, USA.
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Drews B, Rudolf Vegas A, van der Weijden VA, Milojevic V, Hankele AK, Schuler G, Ulbrich SE. Do ovarian steroid hormones control the resumption of embryonic growth following the period of diapause in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)? Reprod Biol 2019; 19:149-157. [PMID: 31147267 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic diapause in the European roe deer includes a period of five months from August to December in which embryonic development is extremely decelerated. Following exit from diapause, the embryo rapidly elongates and subsequently implants. In diapausing carnivores and marsupials, resumption of embryonic growth is regulated by ovarian steroid hormones. In the roe deer, the role of steroid hormones is not known to date. In the present study, progesterone (P4), estradiol-17β (E2) and total estrogens (Etot) were determined in blood plasma and endometrium of roe deer shot in the course of regular huntings between September and December. Steroid hormone concentrations were correlated to the corresponding size of the embryo derived from ex vivo uterine flushing and to the date of sampling. The mean plasma concentrations of P4 (5.4 ± 0.2 ng/ml, mean ± SE, N = 87), E2 (24.3 ± 2.6 pg/ml, N = 86) and Etot (21.7 ± 2.6 pg/ml, N = 78) remained constant over the sampling period and were not correlated to embryonic size. Likewise, endometrial concentrations of P4 (66.1 ± 6.5 ng/g), E2 (284.0 ± 24.43 pg/g) and, Etot (440.9 ± 24.43 pg/g) showed no changes over time [corrected]. Therefore, it was concluded that ovarian steroid hormones do not play a determining role in resumption of embryonic growth following the period of diapause in the roe deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Drews
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Switzerland
| | - Alba Rudolf Vegas
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Switzerland
| | | | - Vladimir Milojevic
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Switzerland
| | | | - Gerhard Schuler
- Clinic for Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
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Fenelon JC, Renfree MB. The history of the discovery of embryonic diapause in mammals. Biol Reprod 2018; 99:242-251. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jane C Fenelon
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria Australia
| | - Marilyn B Renfree
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria Australia
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Abstract
Embryonic diapause – a period of embryonic suspension at the blastocyst stage – is a fascinating phenomenon that occurs in over 130 species of mammals, ranging from bears and badgers to mice and marsupials. It might even occur in humans. During diapause, there is minimal cell division and greatly reduced metabolism, and development is put on hold. Yet there are no ill effects for the pregnancy when it eventually continues. Multiple factors can induce diapause, including seasonal supplies of food, temperature, photoperiod and lactation. The successful reactivation and continuation of pregnancy then requires a viable embryo, a receptive uterus and effective molecular communication between the two. But how do the blastocysts survive and remain viable during this period of time, which can be up to a year in some cases? And what are the signals that bring it out of suspended animation? Here, we provide an overview of the process of diapause and address these questions, focussing on recent molecular data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn B. Renfree
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3010
| | - Jane C. Fenelon
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H8L6
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Gómez E, Carrocera S, Martin D, Sánchez-Calabuig MJ, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Murillo A, Muñoz M. Hepatoma-derived growth factor: Protein quantification in uterine fluid, gene expression in endometrial-cell culture and effects on in vitro embryo development, pregnancy and birth. Theriogenology 2017; 96:118-125. [PMID: 28532827 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.04.008] [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: 02/05/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is present in the endometrium of cows and other mammals. Recombinant HDGF (rHDGF) improves bovine blastocyst development in vitro. However, specific culture conditions and essential aspects of HDGF uterine physiology are yet unknown. In this work we quantified total HDGF protein in uterine fluid (UF) by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), and analyzed effects of rHDGF on specific embryonic stages with Day-6 bovine embryos cultured in vitro with and without BSA, and on pregnancy viability and calf phenotypes after embryo transfer to recipients. In addition, mRNA abundance of HDGF in endometrial cells co-cultured with one male or one female embryo was quantified. In the presence of BSA, rHDGF had no effect on blastocyst development; however, in BSA-free culture rHDGF mainly promoted development of early blastocysts in contrast with morulae. As the presence of HDGF contained in commercial BSA replacements was suspected, western blot confirmed HDGF identification in BSA both with and without fatty acids. Total HDGF quantified by MRM tended to increase in UF without vs. UF with embryos (P = 0.083). Pregnancy and birth rates, birth weight and calf measurements did not differ between embryos cultured with rHDGF and controls without rHDGF. However, HDGF abundance in cultured epithelial, endometrial cells tended to increase (P < 0.08) in culture with one male embryo. rHDGF acts selectively on specific embryonic stages, but care should be taken with specific macromolecular supplements in culture. The endometrial expression of HDGF can be regulated by the embryonic sex. The use of rHDGF is compatible with pregnancy and birth of normal calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gómez
- Genética y Reproducción Animal, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, SERIDA, Camino de Rioseco, 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain.
| | - S Carrocera
- Genética y Reproducción Animal, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, SERIDA, Camino de Rioseco, 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - D Martin
- Genética y Reproducción Animal, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, SERIDA, Camino de Rioseco, 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - M J Sánchez-Calabuig
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Universidad Complutense, Av. Puerta de Hierro, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Gutiérrez-Adán
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA Avda. Puerta de Hierro, nº12, local 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Murillo
- Genética y Reproducción Animal, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, SERIDA, Camino de Rioseco, 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - M Muñoz
- Genética y Reproducción Animal, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, SERIDA, Camino de Rioseco, 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
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Fenelon JC, Shaw G, Frankenberg SR, Murphy BD, Renfree MB. Embryo arrest and reactivation: potential candidates controlling embryonic diapause in the tammar wallaby and mink†. Biol Reprod 2017; 96:877-894. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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