Expression and Impact of Vaspin on In Vitro Oocyte Maturation through MAP3/1 and PRKAA1 Signalling Pathways

Diagnostic and therapeutic value of human serpin family proteins

SERPIN (serine proteinase inhibitors) is an acronym for the superfamily of structurally similar proteins found in animals, plants, bacteria, viruses, and archaea. Over 1500 SERPINs are known in nature, while only 37 SERPINs are found in humans, which participate in inflammation, coagulation, angiogenesis, cell viability, and other pathophysiological processes. Both qualitative or quantitative deficiencies or overexpression and/or abnormal accumulation of SERPIN can lead to diseases commonly referred to as "serpinopathies". Hence, strategies involving SERPIN supplementation, elimination, or correction are utilized and/or under consideration. In this review, we discuss relationships between certain SERPINs and diseases as well as putative strategies for the clinical explorations of SERPINs.

Expression of visfatin in the ovarian follicles of prepubertal and mature gilts and in vitro effect of gonadotropins, insulin, steroids, and prostaglandins on visfatin levels

Recent studies have demonstrated that visfatin participates in the regulation of female reproduction. Due to the lack of data concerning the level of visfatin in the ovarian follicles of pigs, one of the most economically important livestock species, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression and localisation of visfatin and the follicular fluid concentration in the ovarian follicles of prepubertal and mature gilts. We also aimed to examine the in vitro effects of gonadotropins (LH, FSH), insulin, progesterone (P4), oestradiol (E2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and F2α (PGF2α) on visfatin levels. In the present study, we have demonstrated that visfatin expression is dependent on the maturity of the animals and the stage of ovarian follicle development. Visfatin signal was detected in individual follicular compartments from primordial to antral follicles and even in atretic follicles. We have shown that the expression of visfatin in granulosa cells was higher than in theca cells. The level of visfatin is upregulated by LH, FSH, E2, and P4 and downregulated by insulin, while prostaglandins have modulatory effects, dependent on the dose and type of ovarian follicular cells. To summarise, our research has shown that visfatin is widely expressed in the ovarian follicles of prepubertal and mature pigs, and its expression is regulated by gonadotropins, insulin, steroids, and prostaglandins, suggesting that visfatin appears to be an important intra-ovarian factor that could regulate porcine ovarian follicular function.

Ferulic Acid Enhances Oocyte Maturation and the Subsequent Development of Bovine Oocytes

Improving the quality of oocytes matured in vitro is integral to enhancing the efficacy of in vitro embryo production. Oxidative stress is one of the primary causes of quality decline in oocytes matured in vitro. In this study, ferulic acid (FA), a natural antioxidant found in plant cell walls, was investigated to evaluate its impact on bovine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were treated with different concentrations of FA (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 μM) during in vitro maturation (IVM). Compared to the control group, supplementation with 5 μM FA significantly enhanced the maturation rates of bovine oocytes and the expansion of the cumulus cells area, as well as the subsequent cleavage and blastocyst formation rates after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Furthermore, FA supplementation was observed to effectively decrease the levels of ROS in bovine oocytes and improve their mitochondrial function. Our experiments demonstrate that FA can maintain the levels of antioxidants (GSH, SOD, CAT) in oocytes, thereby alleviating the oxidative stress induced by H2O2. RT-qPCR results revealed that, after FA treatment, the relative mRNA expression levels of genes related to oocyte maturation (GDF-9 and BMP-15), cumulus cell expansion (HAS2, PTX3, CX37, and CX43), and embryo pluripotency (OCT4, SOX2, and CDX2) were significantly increased. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that FA supplementation during bovine oocyte IVM can enhance oocyte quality and the developmental potential of subsequent embryos.

Single‐cell profiling of transcriptomic changes during in vitro maturation of human oocytes

Purpose

In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes offers an invaluable opportunity for infertility treatment. However, in vitro matured oocytes often show lower developmental abilities than their in vivo counterparts, and molecular mechanisms underlying successful maturation remain unclear. In this study, we investigated gene expression profiles of in vitro matured oocytes at the single‐cell level to gain mechanistic insight into IVM of human oocytes.

Methods

Human oocytes were retrieved by follicular puncture and in vitro matured. In total, 19 oocytes from 11 patients were collected and subjected to single‐cell RNA‐seq analyses.

Results

Global gene expression profiles were similar among oocytes at the same maturation stage, while a small number of oocytes showed distinct transcriptomes from those at the corresponding maturation stage. Differential gene expression analysis identified hundreds of transcripts that dynamically altered their expression during IVM, and we revealed molecular pathways and upstream regulators that may govern oocyte maturation. Furthermore, oocytes that were delayed in their maturation showed distinct transcriptomes. Finally, we identified genes whose transcripts were enriched in each stage of oocyte maturation.

Conclusions

Our work uncovers transcriptomic changes during human oocyte IVM and the differential gene expression profile of each oocyte.

New Aspects of Corpus Luteum Regulation in Physiological and Pathological Conditions: Involvement of Adipokines and Neuropeptides

The corpus luteum is a small gland of great importance because its proper functioning determines not only the appropriate course of the estrous/menstrual cycle and embryo implantation, but also the subsequent maintenance of pregnancy. Among the well-known regulators of luteal tissue functions, increasing attention is focused on the role of neuropeptides and adipose tissue hormones—adipokines. Growing evidence points to the expression of these factors in the corpus luteum of women and different animal species, and their involvement in corpus luteum formation, endocrine function, angiogenesis, cells proliferation, apoptosis, and finally, regression. In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge about the expression and role of adipokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, apelin, vaspin, visfatin, chemerin, and neuropeptides like ghrelin, orexins, kisspeptin, and phoenixin in the physiological regulation of the corpus luteum function, as well as their potential involvement in pathologies affecting the luteal cells that disrupt the estrous cycle.

Review: Vaspin (SERPINA12) Expression and Function in Endocrine Cells

Proper functioning of the body depends on hormonal homeostasis. White adipose tissue is now known as an endocrine organ due to the secretion of multiple molecules called adipokines. These proteins exert direct effects on whole body functions, including lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, inflammation, and reproduction, whereas changes in their level are linked with pathological events, such as infertility, diabetes, and increased food intake. Vaspin-visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor, or SERPINA12 according to serpin nomenclature, is an adipokine discovered in 2005 that is connected to the development of insulin resistance, obesity, and inflammation. A significantly higher amount of vaspin was observed in obese patients. The objective of this review was to summarize the latest findings about vaspin expression and action in endocrine tissues, such as the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adipose tissue, thyroid, ovary, placenta, and testis, as well as discuss the link between vaspin and pathologies connected with hormonal imbalance.

Adipokines change the balance of proliferation/apoptosis in the ovarian cells of human and domestic animals: A comparative review

Adipose tissue secretes multiple hormones termed adipokines, which are important regulators of many processes. There are four types of evidence supporting an association between adipokines and female fertility which are effects that occur: centrally at the pituitary; peripherally and locally at the ovary and reproductive tract; directly on the oocyte/embryo and during pregnancy. In this review, there was a focus on the description of adipokines (leptin, apelin, resistin, chemerin, adiponectin, vaspin and visfatin) on ovarian cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis in comparison to effects on human and domestic animal ovaries including pigs, cattle and chickens. Knowledge about molecules which regulate the balance between proliferation and apoptosis so that these processes are optimal for ovarian function is essential for understanding the physiology and reducing the incidence of infertility. Furthermore, oogenesis, folliculogenesis, oocyte loss/selection and atresia are important processes for optimal ovarian physiological functions. There, however, is ovulation from only a few follicles, while the majority undergo atresia that is induced by apoptosis.