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Luis-Calero M, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Fernández-Hernández P, Muñoz-García CC, Pericuesta E, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Marinaro F, Embade N, Conde R, Bizkarguenaga M, Millet Ó, González-Fernández L, Macías-García B. Preovulatory follicular fluid secretome added to in vitro maturation medium influences the metabolism of equine cumulus-oocyte complexes. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:272. [PMID: 38918770 PMCID: PMC11197253 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04129-1] [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: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In vitro embryo production is a highly demanded reproductive technology in horses, which requires the recovery (in vivo or post-mortem) and in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. Oocytes subjected to IVM exhibit poor developmental competence compared to their in vivo counterparts, being this related to a suboptimal composition of commercial maturation media. The objective of this work was to study the effect of different concentrations of secretome obtained from equine preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) on cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during IVM. COCs retrieved in vivo by ovum pick up (OPU) or post-mortem from a slaughterhouse (SLA) were subjected to IVM in the presence or absence of secretome (Control: 0 µg/ml, S20: 20 µg/ml or S40: 40 µg/ml). After IVM, the metabolome of the medium used for oocyte maturation prior (Pre-IVM) and after IVM (Post-IVM), COCs mRNA expression, and oocyte meiotic competence were analysed. RESULTS IVM leads to lactic acid production and an acetic acid consumption in COCs obtained from OPU and SLA. However, glucose consumption after IVM was higher in COCs from OPU when S40 was added (Control Pre-IVM vs. S40 Post-IVM: 117.24 ± 7.72 vs. 82.69 ± 4.24; Mean µM ± SEM; p < 0.05), while this was not observed in COCs from SLA. Likewise, secretome enhanced uptake of threonine (Control Pre-IVM vs. S20 Post-IVM vs. S40 Post-IVM: 4.93 ± 0.33 vs. 3.04 ± 0.25 vs. 2.84 ± 0.27; Mean µM ± SEM; p < 0.05) in COCs recovered by OPU. Regarding the relative mRNA expression of candidate genes related to metabolism, Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression was significantly downregulated when secretome was added during IVM at 20-40 µg/ml in OPU-derived COCs (Control vs. S20 vs. S40: 1.77 ± 0.14 vs. 1 ± 0.25 vs. 1.23 ± 0.14; fold change ± SEM; p < 0.05), but not in SLA COCs. CONCLUSIONS The addition of secretome during in vitro maturation (IVM) affects the gene expression of LDHA, glucose metabolism, and amino acid turnover in equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), with diverging outcomes observed between COCs retrieved using ovum pick up (OPU) and slaughterhouse-derived COCs (SLA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Luis-Calero
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Grupo de Investigación Medicina Interna Veterinaria (MINVET), Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres, 10004, Spain
| | - José Manuel Ortiz-Rodríguez
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Bologna, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Pablo Fernández-Hernández
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Grupo de Investigación Medicina Interna Veterinaria (MINVET), Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres, 10004, Spain
| | - Carmen Cristina Muñoz-García
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Grupo de Investigación Medicina Interna Veterinaria (MINVET), Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres, 10004, Spain
| | - Eva Pericuesta
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA-CSIC, Av. Puerta de Hierro 18, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA-CSIC, Av. Puerta de Hierro 18, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Federica Marinaro
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA-CSIC, Av. Puerta de Hierro 18, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Nieves Embade
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 801 A Building, Derio, 48160, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ricardo Conde
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 801 A Building, Derio, 48160, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Maider Bizkarguenaga
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 801 A Building, Derio, 48160, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Óscar Millet
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 801 A Building, Derio, 48160, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Lauro González-Fernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres, 10004, Spain
| | - Beatriz Macías-García
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Grupo de Investigación Medicina Interna Veterinaria (MINVET), Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres, 10004, Spain.
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Fresa K, Catandi GD, Whitcomb L, Gonzalez-Castro RA, Chicco AJ, Carnevale EM. Adiposity in mares induces insulin dysregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction which can be mitigated by nutritional intervention. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13992. [PMID: 38886475 PMCID: PMC11183153 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64628-x] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a complex disease associated with augmented risk of metabolic disorder development and cellular dysfunction in various species. The goal of the present study was to investigate the impacts of obesity on the metabolic health of old mares as well as test the ability of diet supplementation with either a complex blend of nutrients designed to improve equine metabolism and gastrointestinal health or L-carnitine alone to mitigate negative effects of obesity. Mares (n = 19, 17.9 ± 3.7 years) were placed into one of three group: normal-weight (NW, n = 6), obese (OB, n = 7) or obese fed a complex diet supplement for 12 weeks (OBD, n = 6). After 12 weeks and completion of sample collections, OB mares received L-carnitine alone for an additional 6 weeks. Obesity in mares was significantly associated with insulin dysregulation, reduced muscle mitochondrial function, and decreased skeletal muscle oxidative capacity with greater ROS production when compared to NW. Obese mares fed the complex diet supplement had better insulin sensivity, greater cell lipid metabolism, and higher muscle oxidative capacity with reduced ROS production than OB. L-carnitine supplementation alone did not significantly alter insulin signaling, but improved lipid metabolism and muscle oxidative capacity with reduced ROS. In conclusion, obesity is associated with insulin dysregulation and altered skeletal muscle metabolism in older mares. However, dietary interventions are an effective strategy to improve metabolic status and skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in older mares.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Fresa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Giovana D Catandi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Luke Whitcomb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Raul A Gonzalez-Castro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Adam J Chicco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Elaine M Carnevale
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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3
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Luis-Calero M, Marinaro F, Fernández-Hernández P, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, G Casado J, Pericuesta E, Gutiérrez-Adán A, González E, Azkargorta M, Conde R, Bizkarguenaga M, Embade N, Elortza F, Falcón-Pérez JM, Millet Ó, González-Fernández L, Macías-García B. Characterization of preovulatory follicular fluid secretome and its effects on equine oocytes during in vitro maturation. Res Vet Sci 2024; 171:105222. [PMID: 38513461 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105222] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is clinically used in horses to produce blastocysts but current conditions used for horses are suboptimal. We analyzed the composition of equine preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) secretome and tested its effects on meiotic competence and gene expression in oocytes subjected to IVM. Preovulatory FF was obtained, concentrated using ultrafiltration with cut-off of 10 kDa, and stored at -80 °C. The metabolic and proteomic composition was analyzed, and its ultrastructural composition was assessed by cryo-transmission microscopy. Oocytes obtained post-mortem or by ovum pick up (OPU) were subjected to IVM in the absence (control) or presence of 20 or 40 μg/ml (S20 or S40) of secretome. Oocytes were then analyzed for chromatin configuration or snap frozen for gene expression analysis. Proteomic analysis detected 255 proteins in the Equus caballus database, mostly related to the complement cascade and cholesterol metabolism. Metabolomic analysis yielded 14 metabolites and cryo-transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of extracellular vesicles (EVs). No significant differences were detected in maturation rates among treatments. However, the expression of GDF9 and BMP15 significantly increased in OPU-derived oocytes compared to post-mortem oocytes (fold increase ± SEM: 9.4 ± 0.1 vs. 1 ± 0.5 for BMP15 and 9.9 ± 0.3 vs. 1 ± 0.5 for GDF9, respectively; p < 0.05). Secretome addition increased the expression of TNFAIP6 in S40 regardless of the oocyte source. Further research is necessary to fully understand whether secretome addition influences the developmental competence of equine oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Luis-Calero
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Grupo de Investigación Medicina Interna Veterinaria (MINVET), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Fernández-Hernández
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Grupo de Investigación Medicina Interna Veterinaria (MINVET), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - José M Ortiz-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Grupo de Investigación Medicina Interna Veterinaria (MINVET), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Javier G Casado
- Unidad de inmunología, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Eva Pericuesta
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Ricardo Conde
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Maider Bizkarguenaga
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Nieves Embade
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | | | - Óscar Millet
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Lauro González-Fernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Macías-García
- Departamento de Medicina Animal, Grupo de Investigación Medicina Interna Veterinaria (MINVET), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
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Catandi GD, Fresa KJ, Cheng MH, Whitcomb LA, Broeckling CD, Chen TW, Chicco AJ, Carnevale EM. Follicular metabolic alterations are associated with obesity in mares and can be mitigated by dietary supplementation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7571. [PMID: 38555310 PMCID: PMC10981747 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58323-0] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a growing concern in human and equine populations, predisposing to metabolic pathologies and reproductive disturbances. Cellular lipid accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction play an important role in the pathologic consequences of obesity, which may be mitigated by dietary interventions targeting these processes. We hypothesized that obesity in the mare promotes follicular lipid accumulation and altered mitochondrial function of oocytes and granulosa cells, potentially contributing to impaired fertility in this population. We also predicted that these effects could be mitigated by dietary supplementation with a combination of targeted nutrients to improve follicular cell metabolism. Twenty mares were grouped as: Normal Weight [NW, n = 6, body condition score (BCS) 5.7 ± 0.3], Obese (OB, n = 7, BCS 7.7 ± 0.2), and Obese Diet Supplemented (OBD, n = 7, BCS 7.7 ± 0.2), and fed specific feed regimens for ≥ 6 weeks before sampling. Granulosa cells, follicular fluid, and cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from follicles ≥ 35 mm during estrus and after induction of maturation. Obesity promoted several mitochondrial metabolic disturbances in granulosa cells, reduced L-carnitine availability in the follicle, promoted lipid accumulation in cumulus cells and oocytes, and increased basal oocyte metabolism. Diet supplementation of a complex nutrient mixture mitigated most of the metabolic changes in the follicles of obese mares, resulting in parameters similar to NW mares. In conclusion, obesity disturbs the equine ovarian follicle by promoting lipid accumulation and altering mitochondrial function. These effects may be partially mitigated with targeted nutritional intervention, thereby potentially improving fertility outcomes in the obese female.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana D Catandi
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Kyle J Fresa
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Ming-Hao Cheng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Luke A Whitcomb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Corey D Broeckling
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Thomas W Chen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Adam J Chicco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Elaine M Carnevale
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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Alkhadrawy JM, Aboelmaaty AM, Abou-Ahmed MM, Ghallab AM. Effect of breeding season and age on follicular dynamics and hemodynamics in embryo donor mares subjected to luteolysis after embryo flushing. Open Vet J 2024; 14:852-865. [PMID: 38682132 PMCID: PMC11052616 DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2024.v14.i3.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Mares are the only companion animals simulating women in the large diameter of their follicles. Horses start reproduction at the age of three years, and some of them live for >30 years, so aging influences their reproductive capacity. Mares are sensitive to summer heat stress as they can sweat like humans. Aim The current work aimed to study the effects of age (young versus senile), season (cold versus hot), and the hormonal treatments during embryo collection on the dominant and subordinate follicular dynamics and hemodynamics and circulating ovarian hormones in embryo donor mares ovulated twice spontaneously before inducing ovulation for flushing embryos. Methods Spontaneous oestrous cycles were studied for young mares (<10 years; N = 6) or senile (>20 years; N = 5) during months of the cold season (November to April) and hot season (May to August). In young embryo donor mares, oestrous cycles after inducing ovulation and luteolysis were studied using Doppler ultrasound. Estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), nitric oxide (NO), total cholesterol, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in blood serum. Results A decrease in the dominant follicle antrum diameter (p > 0.05) and LDH (p = 0.016) was observed after inducing luteolysis in young embryo donor mares. Both human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and PGF2α treatments increased dominant follicle area (p = 0.0001), antrum area (p = 0.001), perimeter (p = 0.001), granulosa area (p = 0.0001), cholesterol (p = 0.0001), NO (p = 0.0001), and E2 (p = 0.0001). The dominant follicle area, antrum area, perimeter, color area, granulosa area, LDH, cholesterol, NO, and E2 increased (p = 0.0001) during the oestrous cycles of the hot season, but the circulatory % (p = 0.0001) declined. Senile mares had lower dominant follicle area (p = 0.002), antrum area (p = 0.0001), granulosa area (p > 0.05), LDH (p = 0.001), cholesterol (p = 0.0001), NO (p = 0.0001), and E2 (p = 0.0001) but higher circulatory % (p = 0.0001) and color area % (p = 0.023). The dominant follicle possesses the largest diameter, area, perimeter, granulosa area, and color area but the lowest circulatory % during spontaneous oestrous cycles, after inducing ovulation, or luteolysis with significant effects of the day of the spontaneous oestrous cycles on their dynamics and hemodynamics. Conclusion During hot months, mares treated with hCG ovulated 24 hours later and prostaglandin-induced luteolysis was followed by new ovulation five days later. Follicles ovulated during the hot months were larger than those ovulated during the cold months and both had nearly the same color area %. Senile mares ovulated follicles with a lower area and antrum area but a higher color area %, so senile mares can be used as embryo or oocyte donors during the hot season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal M.H. Alkhadrawy
- Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
- National Center of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Marine Resources Tripoli, Libya
| | - Amal M. Aboelmaaty
- Animal Reproduction and AI Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Egypt
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Bresnahan DR, Catandi GD, Peters SO, Maclellan LJ, Broeckling CD, Carnevale EM. Maturation and culture affect the metabolomic profile of oocytes and follicular cells in young and old mares. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1280998. [PMID: 38283993 PMCID: PMC10811030 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1280998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Oocytes and follicular somatic cells within the ovarian follicle are altered during maturation and after exposure to culture in vitro. In the present study, we used a nontargeted metabolomics approach to assess changes in oocytes, cumulus cells, and granulosa cells from dominant, follicular-phase follicles in young and old mares. Methods: Samples were collected at three stages associated with oocyte maturation: (1) GV, germinal vesicle stage, prior to the induction of follicle/oocyte maturation in vivo; (2) MI, metaphase I, maturing, collected 24 h after induction of maturation in vivo; and (3) MIIC, metaphase II, mature with collection 24 h after induction of maturation in vivo plus 18 h of culture in vitro. Samples were analyzed using gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry only when all three stages of a specific cell type were obtained from the same mare. Results and Discussion: Significant differences in metabolite abundance were most often associated with MIIC, with some of the differences appearing to be linked to the final stage of maturation and others to exposure to culture medium. While differences occurred for many metabolite groups, some of the most notable were detected for energy and lipid metabolism and amino acid abundance. The study demonstrated that metabolomics has potential to aid in optimizing culture methods and evaluating cell culture additives to support differences in COCs associated with maternal factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Bresnahan
- Department of Animal Sciences, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - G D Catandi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - S O Peters
- Department of Animal Sciences, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - L J Maclellan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - C D Broeckling
- Proteomic and Metabolomics Core Facility, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - E M Carnevale
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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7
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Hedia M, Leroy JLMR, Govaere J, Van Soom A, Smits K. Lipid metabolites, interleukin-6 and oxidative stress markers in follicular fluid and their association with serum concentrations in mares. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:2221-2228. [PMID: 37055645 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10122-0] [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: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The application of trans-vaginal ovum pick up (OPU) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is well established for commercial in vitro embryo production in horses. These assisted reproductive techniques are especially applied during the non-breeding season of the mare. However, little is known about how the health of the oocyte donor may affect the biochemical composition of the follicular fluid (FF) in small and medium-sized follicles routinely aspirated during OPU. This study aimed to investigate associations between systemic and FF concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), total cholesterol, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and oxidative stress index (OSI) during the non-breeding season in mares. At the slaughterhouse, serum and FF of small (5-10 mm in diameter), medium (> 10-20 mm in diameter), and large (> 20-30 mm in diameter) follicles were sampled from 12 healthy mares. There was a strong positive association (P < 0.01) between the concentration of IL-6 in serum and those measured in small (r = 0.846), medium (r = 0.999), and large (r = 0.996) follicles. Serum concentrations of NEFA were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with those measured in small (r = 0.726), medium (r = 0.720), and large (r = 0.974) follicles. Values of total cholesterol and OSI in serum and medium follicles were significantly associated (r = 0.736 and r = 0.696, respectively). The serum concentrations of all lipid metabolites were markedly higher than those measured in FF of small- and medium-sized follicles. Values of IL-6 and OSI did not change significantly between serum and all follicle classes (P ≥ 0.05). To conclude, changes in the blood composition associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and disturbed lipid metabolism of mares may lead to an inadequate oocyte microenvironment, which could affect oocyte quality and the success rate of OPU/ICSI programs. Further research should indicate whether these changes may ultimately affect in vitro oocyte developmental capacity and subsequent embryo quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Hedia
- Gamete Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
- Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Jo L M R Leroy
- Gamete Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jan Govaere
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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8
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Catandi GD, Bresnahan DR, Peters SO, Fresa KJ, Maclellan LJ, Broeckling CD, Carnevale EM. Equine maternal aging affects the metabolomic profile of oocytes and follicular cells during different maturation time points. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1239154. [PMID: 37818125 PMCID: PMC10561129 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1239154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Oocyte quality and fertility decline with advanced maternal age. During maturation within the ovarian follicle, the oocyte relies on the associated somatic cells, specifically cumulus and granulosa cells, to acquire essential components for developmental capacity. Methods: A nontargeted metabolomics approach was used to investigate the effects of mare age on different cell types within the dominant, follicular-phase follicle at three time points during maturation. Metabolomic analyses from single oocytes and associated cumulus and granulosa cells allowed correlations of metabolite abundance among cell types. Results and Discussion: Overall, many of the age-related changes in metabolite abundance point to Impaired mitochondrial metabolic function and oxidative stress in oocytes and follicular cells. Supporting findings include a higher abundance of glutamic acid and triglycerides and lower abundance of ceramides in oocytes and somatic follicular cells from old than young mares. Lower abundance of alanine in all follicular cell types from old mares, suggests limited anaerobic energy metabolism. The results also indicate impaired transfer of carbohydrate and free fatty acid substrates from cumulus cells to the oocytes of old mares, potentially related to disruption of transzonal projections between the cell types. The identification of age-associated alterations in the abundance of specific metabolites and their correlations among cells contribute to our understanding of follicular dysfunction with maternal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. D. Catandi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - D. R. Bresnahan
- Department of Animal Sciences, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - S. O. Peters
- Department of Animal Sciences, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA, United States
| | - K. J. Fresa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - L. J. Maclellan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - C. D. Broeckling
- Proteomic and Metabolomics Core Facility, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - E. M. Carnevale
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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9
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Catandi GD, Cheng MH, Chicco AJ, Chen T, Carnevale EM. L-carnitine enhances developmental potential of bovine oocytes matured under high lipid concentrations in vitro. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 252:107249. [PMID: 37119563 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107249] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Maternal obesity elevates non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) follicular concentrations. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) matured in vitro under high NEFA have altered metabolism and reduced quality. Systemically, obesity promotes altered mitochondrial metabolism linked to L-carnitine insufficiency. We hypothesized that L-carnitine supplementation during IVM of bovine COCs in the presence of high NEFA would lessen the negative effects of exposure to excessive lipids on embryonic development and oxidative stress. COCs were collected from abattoir ovaries and matured in four groups: CON (control), LC (3 mM L-carnitine), HN (high NEFA: 200uM oleic, 150uM palmitic and 75uM stearic acid), and HNLC (HN and LC). Mature oocytes were assayed for aerobic and anaerobic metabolism utilizing oxygen and pH microsensors or fertilized in vitro (D0). Cleavage (D3) and blastocyst (D7, D8) rates were assessed. D3 embryos with ≥ 4 cells were stained for cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS. D8 blastocysts were assayed for gene transcript abundance of metabolic enzymes. Oocyte metabolism was not affected by IVM treatment. D3 formation of embryos with ≥ 4 cells were lower in LC or HN than CON or HNLC; blastocyst rates were greater for CON and lower for HN than LC and HNLC. D3 embryo mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS were reduced in HNLC when compared to other groups. IVM in HN altered blastocyst gene transcript abundance when compared to CON, but not LC or HNLC. In conclusion, supplementation with L-carnitine protects oocytes exposed to high NEFA during IVM and improves their developmental competence, suggesting that high lipid exposure may lead to L-carnitine insufficiency in bovine oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana D Catandi
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Ming-Hao Cheng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Adam J Chicco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Tom Chen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Elaine M Carnevale
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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10
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Martin-Pelaez S, Rabow Z, de la Fuente A, Draheim P, Loynachan A, Fiehn O, Meyers S, Lyman C, Dini P. Effect of pentobarbital as a euthanasia agent on equine in vitro embryo production. Theriogenology 2023; 205:1-8. [PMID: 37084499 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Postmortem and pre-euthanasia oocyte retrieval provides the last opportunity to preserve the genetic material in mares. Pentobarbital (PB) is the most common euthanasia agent; however, its effect on the developmental competence of oocytes has not been determined. Here, we evaluated the concentration of PB in equine follicular fluid (FF) and investigated its effect on the developmental competence of oocytes using a bovine IVF model to overcome the low availability of equine oocytes. The concentration of PB was measured by gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry in FF collected from mare ovaries immediately after euthanasia (n = 10), 24 h post-euthanasia (n = 10), and from the ovaries collected by ovariectomy (negative control; n = 10). The serum concentration of PB was also evaluated as a positive control. PB was detected in all FF samples with an average concentration of 56.5 μg/ml. Next, bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were held in holding media with PB for 6 h at 60 μg/ml (H60, n = 196), 164 μg/ml (H164, n = 215) or without PB (control; n = 212). After holding, the oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro, followed by in vitro culture to the blastocyst stage. The cumulus expansion grade, cleavage rate, blastocyst rate, embryo kinetic rate and the blastocyst cell numbers were compared among the experimental groups of bovine COC. Higher rates of Grade 1 cumulus expansion were found in controls (54%, 32-76%; median, min-max) in comparison to H60 and H164 (24%,11-33% and 13%, 8-44%; P < 0.001). The cleavage rate was higher in the controls than in H164 (64% vs. 44%; P < 0.01). Blastocyst rates (blastocyst/cleaved oocytes) and total cell number were not different among the groups (control 29%, H60 25%, and H164 24%). In a preliminary study, equine oocytes (n = 28) were exposed to PB in vitro for 6 h followed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro embryo production. Exposed oocytes showed a numerically lower maturation rate (43% Vs 52%; P > 0.05) in comparison to the laboratory-established rate during the same timepoints. Overall, we showed that PB reaches the FF immediately after euthanasia, exposing oocytes to this drug. This exposure affected cumulus expansion and cleavage rates in a bovine model, suggesting initial damage caused by PB that may not completely impede the formation of embryos, although lower overall embryo numbers might be obtained.
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