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Cadenas J, Pors SE, Hansen CP, Olufsen SM, Subiran C, Bøtkjær JA, La Cour Poulsen L, Fedder J, Dueholm M, Colmorn LB, Kristensen SG, Mamsen LS, Andersen CY. Midkine characterization in human ovaries: potential new variants in follicles. F S Sci 2023; 4:294-301. [PMID: 37739342 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize the growth factor midkine (MDK) in the human ovary to determine whether MDK is produced locally within the ovary, examine whether different ovarian cell types are more likely to produce MDK, and determine whether there are any stage-specific variations during follicle growth. Previous studies have revealed that MDK potentially affects human follicle growth and oocyte maturation. Proteomic analyses in follicular fluid (FF) have identified MDK to functionally cluster together and follow a similar expression profile to that of well-known proteins involved in ovarian follicle development. Midkine has not yet been characterized in the human ovary. DESIGN Descriptive study. SETTING University Hospital. PATIENTS The study included samples from 121 patients: 71 patients (aged 17-37 years) who underwent ovarian tissue cryopreservation provided granulosa cells (GC), cumulus cells, ovarian cortex, medulla tissue, and FF from small antral follicles (SAF); and 50 patients (aged 20-35 years) receiving in vitro fertilization treatment provided FF from preovulatory follicles before and after induction of final follicle maturation. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES MDK relative gene expression was quantified using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in cumulus cells, GC, and medulla tissue. Additionally, immunostaining and western blotting assays were used to detect MDK protein in the ovarian cortex, which contains preantral follicles, SAF, and medulla tissue. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses were performed to measure the concentration of MDK in FF aspirated from SAF and preovulatory follicles both before and 36 hours after inducing the final maturation of follicles. RESULTS Immunostaining and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed a more prominent expression of MDK in GC compared with other ovarian cell types. Intrafollicular MDK concentration was significantly higher in SAF compared with preovulatory follicles. In addition, different molecular weight species of MDK were detected using western blotting in various ovarian sample types: GC and FF samples presented primarily one band of approximately 15 kDa and an additional band of approximately 13 kDa, although other bands with higher molecular weight (between 30 and 38 kDa) were detected in medulla tissue. CONCLUSIONS This is the first time that MDK has been immunolocalized in human ovarian cells at the protein level and that potentially different MDK variants have been detected in human FF, GC, and ovarian medulla tissue. Future studies are needed to sequence and identify the different potential MDK variants found to determine their functional importance for ovary and oocyte competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Cadenas
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children, and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Susanne Elisabeth Pors
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children, and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Sarah Maria Olufsen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Cristina Subiran
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children, and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jane Alrø Bøtkjær
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children, and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Liv La Cour Poulsen
- The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev Hospital, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 9, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Jens Fedder
- Centre of Andrology and Fertility Clinic, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Research Unit of Human Reproduction, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Margit Dueholm
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Stine Gry Kristensen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children, and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Linn Salto Mamsen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children, and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- The Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cadenas J, la Cour Poulsen L, Mamsen LS, Andersen CY. Future potential of in vitro maturation including fertility preservation. Fertil Steril 2023:S0015-0282(23)00065-1. [PMID: 36702341 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In several mammalian species, oocytes from small antral follicles after in vitro maturation (IVM) are successfully used for procreation. Humans are the exception, mainly because of limited access to immature oocytes and because oocyte maturation is uniquely regulated in women. With the introduction of cryopreservation of the ovarian cortex for fertility preservation, immature oocytes from small antral follicles in the medulla are now available for developing IVM on the basis of actual human studies. This review presents recent findings in favor of developing human IVM, including the oocyte diameter, follicle size from which the immature oocytes are collected, necessary level of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone to accelerate IVM, and secretion of factors from the cumulus-oocyte complex that affect the way oocyte maturation takes place. Furthermore, on the basis of studies in human granulosa cells and follicle fluid collected during the final maturation of follicles in vivo, a number of signal transduction pathways and hormone levels active during physiological conditions have been identified, providing new candidates and ways to improve the current IVM platform. Furthermore, it is suggested that the small droplet of culture medium in which IVM is performed mimics the hormonal milieu within a follicle created by the somatic cells and oocyte in vivo and may be used to advance oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. Collectively, we envision that a continued research effort will develop a human IVM platform equally effective as for other mammalian species.
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Pla I, Sanchez A, Pors SE, Pawlowski K, Appelqvist R, Sahlin KB, Poulsen LLC, Marko-Varga G, Andersen CY, Malm J. Proteome of fluid from human ovarian small antral follicles reveals insights in folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:756-770. [PMID: 33313811 PMCID: PMC7891813 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to identify by mass spectrometry a wider range of proteins and key proteins involved in folliculogenesis and oocyte growth and development by studying follicular fluid (FF) from human small antral follicles (hSAF)? SUMMARY ANSWER The largest number of proteins currently reported in human FF was identified in this study analysing hSAF where several proteins showed a strong relationship with follicular developmental processes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Protein composition of human ovarian FF constitutes the microenvironment for oocyte development. Previous proteomics studies have analysed fluids from pre-ovulatory follicles, where large numbers of plasma constituents are transferred through the follicular basal membrane. This attenuates the detection of low abundant proteins, however, the basal membrane of small antral follicles is less permeable, making it possible to detect a large number of proteins, and thereby offering further insights in folliculogenesis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Proteins in FF from unstimulated hSAF (size 6.1 ± 0.4 mm) were characterised by mass spectrometry, supported by high-throughput and targeted proteomics and bioinformatics. The FF protein profiles from hSAF containing oocytes, capable or not of maturing to metaphase II of the second meiotic division during an IVM (n = 13, from 6 women), were also analysed. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We collected FF from hSAF of ovaries that had been surgically removed from 31 women (∼28.5 years old) undergoing unilateral ovariectomy for fertility preservation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In total, 2461 proteins were identified, of which 1108 identified for the first time in FF. Of the identified proteins, 24 were related to follicular regulatory processes. A total of 35 and 65 proteins were down- and up-regulated, respectively, in fluid from hSAF surrounding oocytes capable of maturing (to MII). We found that changes at the protein level occur already in FF from small antral follicles related to subsequent oocyte maturation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION A possible limitation of our study is the uncertainty of the proportion of the sampled follicles that are undergoing atresia. Although the FF samples were carefully aspirated and processed to remove possible contaminants, we cannot ensure the absence of some proteins derived from cellular lysis provoked by technical reasons. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study is, to our knowledge, the first proteomics characterisation of FF from hSAF obtained from women in their natural menstrual cycle. We demonstrated that the analysis by mass spectrometry of FF from hSAF allows the identification of a greater number of proteins compared to the results obtained from previous analyses of larger follicles. Significant differences found at the protein level in hSAF fluid could predict the ability of the enclosed oocyte to sustain meiotic resumption. If this can be confirmed in further studies, it demonstrates that the viability of the oocyte is determined early on in follicular development and this may open up new pathways for augmenting or attenuating subsequent oocyte viability in the pre-ovulatory follicle ready to undergo ovulation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The authors thank the financial support from ReproUnion, which is funded by the Interreg V EU programme. No conflict of interest was reported by the authors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Pla
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.,Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Aniel Sanchez
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.,Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Susanne Elisabeth Pors
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Krzysztof Pawlowski
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.,Department of Experimental Design and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences SGGW, Warszawa 02-787, Poland
| | - Roger Appelqvist
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - K Barbara Sahlin
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.,Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Liv La Cour Poulsen
- Fertility Clinic, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 14, 4600 Køge, Denmark
| | - György Marko-Varga
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.,First Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjiku-ku, Japan
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Malm
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden.,Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, BMC D13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
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Bishop CV, Xu F, Xu J, Ting AY, Galbreath E, McGee WK, Zelinski MB, Hennebold JD, Cameron JL, Stouffer RL. Western-style diet, with and without chronic androgen treatment, alters the number, structure, and function of small antral follicles in ovaries of young adult monkeys. Fertil Steril 2015; 105:1023-34. [PMID: 26718060 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the small antral follicle (SAF) cohort in ovaries of adult rhesus monkeys after consumption of a Western-style diet (WSD), with or without chronically elevated androgen levels since before puberty. DESIGN Cholesterol or T (n = 6 per group) implants were placed SC in female rhesus macaques beginning at 1 year of age (prepubertal), with addition of a WSD (high fat/fructose) at 5.5 years (menarche approximately 2.6 years). Ovaries were collected at 7 years of age. One ovary per female was embedded in paraffin for morphologic and immunohistochemical analyses. The SAFs (<2.5 mm) were dissected from the other ovary obtained at or near menses in a subgroup of females (n = 3 per group) and processed for microarray analyses of the SAF transcriptome. Ovaries of adult monkeys consuming a standard macaque diet (low in fats and sugars) were obtained at similar stages of the menstrual cycle and used as controls for all analyses. SETTING Primate research center. ANIMAL(S) Adult, female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Histologic analyses, SAF counts and morphology, protein localization and abundance in SAFs, transcriptome in SAFs (messenger RNAs [mRNAs]). RESULT(S) Compared with controls, consumption of a WSD, with and without T treatment, increased the numbers of SAFs per ovary, owing to the presence of more atretic follicles. Numbers of granulosa cells expressing cellular proliferation markers (pRb and pH3) was greater in healthy SAFs, whereas numbers of cells expressing the cell cycle inhibitor (p21) was higher in atretic SAFs. Intense CYP17A1 staining was observed in the theca cells of SAFs from WSD with or without T groups, compared with controls. Microarray analyses of the transcriptome in SAFs isolated from WSD and WSD plus T-treated females and controls consuming a standard diet identified 1,944 genes whose mRNA levels changed twofold or more among the three groups. Further analyses identified several gene pathways altered by WSD and/or WSD plus T associated with steroid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, plus ovarian processes. Alterations in levels of several SAF mRNAs are similar to those observed in follicular cells from women with polycystic ovary syndrome. CONCLUSION(S) These data indicate that consumption of a WSD high in fats and sugars in the presence and absence of chronically elevated T alters the structure and function of SAFs within primate ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecily V Bishop
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon.
| | - Fuhua Xu
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon
| | - Jing Xu
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon
| | - Alison Y Ting
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon
| | - Etienne Galbreath
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon
| | - Whitney K McGee
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Mary B Zelinski
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon
| | - Jon D Hennebold
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Judy L Cameron
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Richard L Stouffer
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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