1
|
Sobkowiak A, Fluks M, Kosyl E, Milewski R, Szpila M, Tamborski S, Szkulmowski M, Ajduk A. The number of nuclei in compacted embryos, assessed by optical coherence microscopy, is a non-invasive and robust marker of mouse embryo quality. Mol Hum Reprod 2024; 30:gaae012. [PMID: 38407286 PMCID: PMC10978378 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaae012] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) visualizes nuclei in live, unlabeled cells. As most cells are uninucleated, the number of nuclei in embryos may serve as a proxy of the cell number, providing important information on developmental status of the embryo. Importantly, no other non-invasive method currently allows for the cell number count in compacted embryos. We addressed the question of whether OCM, by providing the number of nuclei in compacted mouse embryos, may help evaluate embryo quality. We subjected compacted embryonic Day 3 (E3.0: 72 h after onset of insemination) mouse embryos to OCM scanning and correlated nuclei number and developmental potential. Implantation was assessed using an outgrowth assay (in vitro model meant to reflect embryonic ability to implant in vivo). Embryos with more cells at E3.0 (>18 cells) were more likely to reach the blastocyst stage by E4.0 and E5.0 (P ≪ 0.001) and initiate hatching by E5.0 (P < 0.05) than those with fewer cells (<12 cells). Moreover, the number of cells at E3.0 strongly correlated with the total number of cells in E4.0 and E5.0 embryos (ρ = 0.71, P ≪ 0.001 and ρ = 0.61, P ≪ 0.001, respectively), also when only E4.0 and E5.0 blastocysts were considered (ρ = 0.58, P ≪ 0.001 and ρ = 0.56, P ≪ 0.001, respectively). Additionally, we observed a strong correlation between the number of cells at E3.0 and the number of trophectoderm cells in E4.0 and E5.0 blastocysts (ρ = 0.59, P ≪ 0.001 and ρ = 0.57, P ≪ 0.001, respectively). Importantly, embryos that had more cells at E3.0 (>18 cells) were also more likely to implant in vitro than their counterparts with fewer cells (<12 cells; P ≪ 0.001). Finally, we tested the safety of OCM imaging, demonstrating that OCM scanning affected neither the amount of reactive oxygen species nor mitochondrial activity in the embryos. OCM also did not hinder their preimplantation development, ability to implant in vitro, or to develop to term after transfer to recipient females. Our data indicate that OCM imaging provides important information on embryo quality. As the method seems to be safe for embryos, it could be a valuable addition to the current repertoire of embryo evaluation methods. However, our study was conducted only on mouse embryos, so the proposed protocol would require optimization in order to be applied in other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Sobkowiak
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Fluks
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Kosyl
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Milewski
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Marcin Szpila
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Szymon Tamborski
- Department of Biophotonics and Optical Engineering, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Toruń, Poland
| | - Maciej Szkulmowski
- Department of Biophotonics and Optical Engineering, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Toruń, Poland
| | - Anna Ajduk
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Masuda Y, Hasebe R, Kuromi Y, Matsuo M, Hishinuma M, Ohbayashi T, Nishimura R. Three-dimensional morphology of bovine blastocysts hatched against lipopolysaccharide exposure in vitro. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100843. [PMID: 38160585 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100843] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Embryo transfer in cattle is globally becoming more ubiquitous, but the pregnancy rate is lower than that of artificial insemination. The uterus contains its own bacteria, and concentrations of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria are higher in uteri affected by endometritis than in healthy uteri and they suppress embryogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological characteristics of bovine embryos with a higher viability and implantability, by analyzing the morphology of bovine blastocysts that successfully hatched under challenge of LPS, using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. Developing embryos produced by in vitro fertilization that had reached the blastocyst stage on Day 7 were three-dimensionally scanned using an OCT system, then were continued to culture with or without LPS until Day 9, when the presence or absence of hatching was determined. The OCT-captured three-dimensional images were used to quantify 20 different metrics, including inner cell mass (ICM), trophectoderm, blastocoel, and total embryo volume; each of the parameters was compared between the hatched and unhatched embryos. Under the LPS challenge, hatched embryos had higher ICM thickness and volume, and lower trophectoderm thickness than unhatched embryos. Furthermore, hatched embryos under LPS challenge had higher ICM thickness and ICM volume than hatched embryos without LPS challenge. The present results suggest the possibility that ICM thickness and ICM volume calculated by OCT system could be indices for good quality bovine embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasumitsu Masuda
- Department of Animal Science, Tottori Livestock Research Center, Tottori, Japan
| | | | | | - Minami Matsuo
- Department of Animal Science, Tottori Livestock Research Center, Tottori, Japan
| | - Mitsugu Hishinuma
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ohbayashi
- Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Ryo Nishimura
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan,.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Masuda Y, Hasebe R, Kuromi Y, Hishinuma M, Ohbayashi T, Nishimura R. Hatchability evaluation of bovine IVF embryos using OCT-based 3D image analysis. J Reprod Dev 2023; 69:239-245. [PMID: 37574267 PMCID: PMC10602767 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-009] [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: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Although embryo transfer is widely applied in cattle, many of the transferred embryos do not result in pregnancy. To determine a new parameter for bovine embryo evaluation, we investigated the relationships between in vitro hatchability and embryo morphological parameters using optical coherence tomography (OCT) that we established recently. Bovine embryos were obtained from Japanese Black cattle by in vitro fertilization (IVF). The quality of the blastocysts was examined under an inverted microscope and confirmed as Codes 1-3 according to the IETS standards for embryo evaluation. The OCT images of the embryos were captured on Day 7 after IVF, and the embryos were cultured until Day 9 to determine their hatchability. During OCT, the embryos were irradiated with near-infrared light for a few minutes to obtain three-dimensional images. In total, 22 parameters were assessed for each of the 42 embryos, of which 25 hatched (H embryos) and 17 did not (NH embryos). The thickness of the trophectoderm (TE) and TE+zona pellucida (ZP) was lesser, and the volumes of the TE, ZP, blastocoel, and whole embryo and blastocoel diameter were greater in the H embryos than in the NH embryos. PCA identified that the increase in the blastocoel-related value along with the decrease in the thickness-related value of the TE and/or ZP could be indicators for evaluating the hatchability of bovine IVF embryos. These results support the idea that OCT-captured structural data of blastocyst-stage embryos can be used as a potential model to predict the quality of bovine embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasumitsu Masuda
- Department of Animal Science, Tottori Livestock Research Center, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
| | - Ryo Hasebe
- SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd., Kyoto 612-8486, Japan
| | | | - Mitsugu Hishinuma
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ohbayashi
- Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
| | - Ryo Nishimura
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang H, Kang DH, Piantino M, Tominaga D, Fujimura T, Nakatani N, Taylor JN, Furihata T, Matsusaki M, Fujita S. Rapid Quantification of Microvessels of Three-Dimensional Blood-Brain Barrier Model Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Deep Learning Algorithm. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:818. [PMID: 37622905 PMCID: PMC10452445 DOI: 10.3390/bios13080818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selective barrier that controls the transport between the blood and neural tissue features and maintains brain homeostasis to protect the central nervous system (CNS). In vitro models can be useful to understand the role of the BBB in disease and assess the effects of drug delivery. Recently, we reported a 3D BBB model with perfusable microvasculature in a Transwell insert. It replicates several key features of the native BBB, as it showed size-selective permeability of different molecular weights of dextran, activity of the P-glycoprotein efflux pump, and functionality of receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT), which is the most investigated pathway for the transportation of macromolecules through endothelial cells of the BBB. For quality control and permeability evaluation in commercial use, visualization and quantification of the 3D vascular lumen structures is absolutely crucial. Here, for the first time, we report a rapid, non-invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based approach to quantify the microvessel network in the 3D in vitro BBB model. Briefly, we successfully obtained the 3D OCT images of the BBB model and further processed the images using three strategies: morphological imaging processing (MIP), random forest machine learning using the Trainable Weka Segmentation plugin (RF-TWS), and deep learning using pix2pix cGAN. The performance of these methods was evaluated by comparing their output images with manually selected ground truth images. It suggested that deep learning performed well on object identification of OCT images and its computation results of vessel counts and surface areas were close to the ground truth results. This study not only facilitates the permeability evaluation of the BBB model but also offers a rapid, non-invasive observational and quantitative approach for the increasing number of other 3D in vitro models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Zhang
- AIST-Osaka University Advanced Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan; (H.Z.); (J.N.T.); (M.M.)
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan; (D.-H.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Dong-Hee Kang
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan; (D.-H.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Marie Piantino
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan; (D.-H.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Daisuke Tominaga
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Ibaraki, Japan;
| | - Takashi Fujimura
- SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd., 322 Furukawa-cho, Hazukashi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8486, Kyoto, Japan; (T.F.); (N.N.)
| | - Noriyuki Nakatani
- SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd., 322 Furukawa-cho, Hazukashi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8486, Kyoto, Japan; (T.F.); (N.N.)
| | - J. Nicholas Taylor
- AIST-Osaka University Advanced Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan; (H.Z.); (J.N.T.); (M.M.)
| | - Tomomi Furihata
- School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji 192-0392, Tokyo, Japan;
| | - Michiya Matsusaki
- AIST-Osaka University Advanced Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan; (H.Z.); (J.N.T.); (M.M.)
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan; (D.-H.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Satoshi Fujita
- AIST-Osaka University Advanced Photonics and Biosensing Open Innovation Laboratory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan; (H.Z.); (J.N.T.); (M.M.)
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan; (D.-H.K.); (M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nakagata N, Nakao S, Mikoda N, Yamaga K, Takeo T. Observation of the in vitro fertilization process in living oocytes using frozen-thawed sperm in rats. Theriogenology 2023; 199:69-76. [PMID: 36696771 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.01.016] [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: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have observed the fertilization process in rats using whole-mount preparation at different time-points after insemination. However, very few reports have described the various events during the fertilization process using an inverted microscope without whole-mount. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, no reports have described the observation of changes in sperm motility associated with sperm penetration into oocytes. In this study, in vitro fertilization was performed using frozen-thawed sperm in various rat strains (SD, Wistar, LE, F344, and BN) and oocytes from the SD strain, and the process of sperm penetration into the oocytes and the subsequent development were observed. The sperm motility was assessed, and the correlation between the process of sperm penetration into the oocytes and sperm motility over time was examined. The motility of frozen sperm from the SD, Wistar, LE, and F344 increased at 2-3 h after thawing, at which time the sperm attached themselves to the zona pellucida. Sperm penetration into the zona pellucida occurred after 3-5 h, and pronuclei were formed in the cytoplasm of oocytes 5-9 h after insemination. The fertilities of frozen-thawed sperm from the SD, Wistar, LE, and F344 were 92.7%, 90.0%, 90.7%, and 68.7%, respectively. However, no increase in motility was observed after thawing of frozen sperm from the BN, and the fertility was only 21%. In addition, very few polyspermic oocytes were observed with use of frozen-thawed sperm of all strains. In summary, rats are suitable animals for the observation of sperm penetration into the oocytes, and we determined the timing of fertilization events in IVF using frozen-thawed rat sperm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Nakagata
- Division of Reproductive Biotechnology and Innovation, Center for Animal Resources and Development, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.
| | - Satohiro Nakao
- Division of Reproductive Engineering, Center for Animal Resources and Development, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-0811, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Mikoda
- Division of Reproductive Biotechnology and Innovation, Center for Animal Resources and Development, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Katsuma Yamaga
- Division of Reproductive Engineering, Center for Animal Resources and Development, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-0811, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Toru Takeo
- Division of Reproductive Engineering, Center for Animal Resources and Development, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-0811, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wrenzycki C. Parameters to identify good quality oocytes and embryos in cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 34:190-202. [PMID: 35231232 DOI: 10.1071/rd21283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Oocyte/embryo selection methodologies are either invasive or noninvasive and can be applied at various stages of development from the oocyte to cleaved embryos and up to the blastocyst stage. Morphology and the proportion of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage are important criteria to assess developmental competence. Evaluation of morphology remains the method of choice for selecting viable oocytes for IVP or embryos prior to transfer. Although non-invasive approaches are improving, invasive ones have been extremely helpful in finding candidate genes to determine oocyte/embryo quality. There is still a strong need for further refinement of existing oocyte and embryo selection methods and quality parameters. The development of novel, robust and non-invasive procedures will ensure that only embryos with the highest developmental potential are chosen for transfer. In the present review, various methods for assessing the quality of oocytes and preimplantation embryos, particularly in cattle, are considered. These methods include assessment of morphology including different staining procedures, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, metabolic profiling, as well as the use of artificial intelligence technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Wrenzycki
- Chair for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Frankfurter Straße 106, Giessen 35392, Germany
| |
Collapse
|