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Sun F, Ali NN, Londoño-Vásquez D, Simintiras CA, Qiao H, Ortega MS, Agca Y, Takahashi M, Rivera RM, Kelleher AM, Sutovsky P, Patterson AL, Balboula AZ. Increased DNA damage in full-grown oocytes is correlated with diminished autophagy activation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:9463. [PMID: 39487138 PMCID: PMC11530536 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53559-w] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2024] [Indexed: 11/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Unlike mild DNA damage exposure, DNA damage repair (DDR) is reported to be ineffective in full-grown mammalian oocytes exposed to moderate or severe DNA damage. The underlying mechanisms of this weakened DDR are unknown. Here, we show that moderate DNA damage in full-grown oocytes leads to aneuploidy. Our data reveal that DNA-damaged oocytes have an altered, closed, chromatin state, and suggest that the failure to repair damaged DNA could be due to the inability of DDR proteins to access damaged loci. Our data also demonstrate that, unlike somatic cells, mouse and porcine oocytes fail to activate autophagy in response to DNA double-strand break-inducing treatment, which we suggest may be the cause of the altered chromatin conformation and inefficient DDR. Importantly, autophagy activity is further reduced in maternally aged oocytes (which harbor severe DNA damage), and its induction is correlated with reduced DNA damage in maternally aged oocytes. Our findings provide evidence that reduced autophagy activation contributes to weakened DDR in oocytes, especially in those from aged females, offering new possibilities to improve assisted reproductive therapy in women with compromised oocyte quality.
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Liu Q, Li C, Li Y, Wang L, Zhang X, Deng B, Gao P, Shiri M, Alkaifi F, Zhao J, Stephens JM, Simintiras CA, Francis J, Sun J, Fu X. Progenitor cell isolation from mouse epididymal adipose tissue and sequencing library construction. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102703. [PMID: 37948186 PMCID: PMC10679935 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102703] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we present a protocol to isolate progenitor cells from mouse epididymal visceral adipose tissue and construct bulk RNA and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) libraries. We describe steps for adipose tissue collection, cell isolation, and cell staining and sorting. We then detail procedures for both ATAC-seq and RNA sequencing library construction. This protocol can also be applied to other tissues and cell types directly or with minor modifications. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Liu et al. (2023).1.
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3
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Geisert RD, Johns DN, Pfeiffer CA, Sullivan RM, Lucas CG, Simintiras CA, Redel BK, Wells KD, Spencer TE, Prather RS. Gene editing provides a tool to investigate genes involved in reproduction of pigs. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:459-468. [PMID: 35736243 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23620] [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: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology provides a method to generate loss-of-function studies to investigate, in vivo, the specific role of specific genes in regulation of reproduction. With proper design and selection of guide RNAs (gRNA) designed to specifically target genes, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing allows investigation of factors proposed to regulate biological pathways involved with establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The advantages and disadvantages of using the current gene editing technology in a large farm species is discussed. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of porcine conceptuses has generated new perspectives for the regulation of endometrial function during the establishment of pregnancy. The delicate orchestration of conceptus factors facilitates an endometrial proinflammatory response while regulating maternal immune cell migration and expansion at the implantation site is essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Recent developments and use of endometrial epithelial "organoids" to study endometrial function in vitro provides a future method to screen and target specific endometrial genes as an alternative to generating a gene edited animal model. With continuing improvements in gene editing technology, future researchers will be able to design studies to enhance our knowledge of mechanisms essential for early development and survival of the conceptus.
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Liu Q, Li C, Deng B, Gao P, Wang L, Li Y, Shiri M, Alkaifi F, Zhao J, Stephens JM, Simintiras CA, Francis J, Sun J, Fu X. Tcf21 marks visceral adipose mesenchymal progenitors and functions as a rate-limiting factor during visceral adipose tissue development. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112166. [PMID: 36857185 PMCID: PMC10208561 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Distinct locations of different white adipose depots suggest anatomy-specific developmental regulation, a relatively understudied concept. Here, we report a population of Tcf21 lineage cells (Tcf21 LCs) present exclusively in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) that dynamically contributes to VAT development and expansion. During development, the Tcf21 lineage gives rise to adipocytes. In adult mice, Tcf21 LCs transform into a fibrotic or quiescent state. Multiomics analyses show consistent gene expression and chromatin accessibility changes in Tcf21 LC, based on which we constructed a gene-regulatory network governing Tcf21 LC activities. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) identifies the heterogeneity of Tcf21 LCs. Loss of Tcf21 promotes the adipogenesis and developmental progress of Tcf21 LCs, leading to improved metabolic health in the context of diet-induced obesity. Mechanistic studies show that the inhibitory effect of Tcf21 on adipogenesis is at least partially mediated via Dlk1 expression accentuation.
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Abdulrahman Alrabiah N, Simintiras CA, Evans ACO, Lonergan P, Fair T. Biochemical alterations in the follicular fluid of bovine peri-ovulatory follicles and association with final oocyte maturation. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2022; 4:RAF-22-0090. [PMID: 36547396 PMCID: PMC9874974 DOI: 10.1530/raf-22-0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicular fluid (FF), a product of vascular transudate and granulosa and thecal cell secretions, is the milieu that has evolved to support oocyte growth and maturation which plays a central role in oocyte quality determination. Therefore, a suboptimal FF composition may be reflected in compromised oocyte progression through maturation, fertilization or embryo development. To date, the composition of bovine FF remains understudied. To address this, we comprehensively characterized the metabolomic constituency of bovine FF in the period during which the oocyte undergoes meiotic maturation. More specifically, FF from pre (-24 h) and peri (-2 h) -ovulatory follicles was profiled by high-throughput untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy. A total of 634 metabolites were identified, comprising: lipids (37.1%), amino acids (30.0%), xenobiotics (11.5%), nucleotides (6.8%), carbohydrates (4.4%), cofactors and vitamins (4.4%), peptides (3.6%) and energy substrates (2.1%). The concentrations of 67 metabolites were significantly affected by stage of follicle development, 33.3% (n=21) were reduced (P≤0.05) by a mean of 9.0-fold, whereas 46 were elevated (P≤0.05) by a mean of 1.7-fold in peri vs. pre -ovulatory FF. The most pronounced individual metabolite concentration decreases were hypoxanthine (98.9-fold), xanthine (65.7-fold), 17β-oestradiol (12.4-fold), and inosine (4.6-fold). In contrast, the greatest increases were in retinal (4.9-fold), 1-methyl-5-imidazoleacetate (2.7-fold), and isovalerylcarnitine (2.7-fold). This global metabolomic analysis of bovine FF temporal dynamics provides new information for understanding the environment supporting oocyte maturation and facilitating ovulation, that has the potential for improving oocyte quality both in vivo and in vitro.
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Simintiras CA, Drum JN, Liu H, Sofia Ortega M, Spencer TE. Uterine lumen fluid is metabolically semi-autonomous. Commun Biol 2022; 5:191. [PMID: 35233029 PMCID: PMC8888695 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03134-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine lumen fluid (ULF) is central to successful pregnancy establishment and maintenance, and impacts offspring wellbeing into adulthood. The current dogma is that ULF composition is primarily governed by endometrial glandular epithelial cell secretions and influenced by progesterone. To investigate the hypothesis that ULF is metabolically semi-autonomous, ULF was obtained from cyclic heifers, and aliquots incubated for various durations prior to analysis by untargeted semi-quantitative metabolomic profiling. Metabolite flux was observed in these ULF isolates, supporting the idea that the biochemical makeup of ULF is semi-autonomously dynamic due to enzyme activities. Subsequent integrative analyses of these, and existing, data predict the specific reactions underpinning this phenomenon. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms leading to pregnancy establishment, with implications for improving fertility and pregnancy outcomes in domestic animals as well as women.
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Simintiras CA, Dhakal P, Ranjit C, Fitzgerald HC, Balboula AZ, Spencer TE. Capture and metabolomic analysis of the human endometrial epithelial organoid secretome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2026804118. [PMID: 33876774 PMCID: PMC8053979 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026804118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Suboptimal uterine fluid (UF) composition can lead to pregnancy loss and likely contributes to offspring susceptibility to chronic adult-onset disorders. However, our understanding of the biochemical composition and mechanisms underpinning UF formation and regulation remain elusive, particularly in humans. To address this challenge, we developed a high-throughput method for intraorganoid fluid (IOF) isolation from human endometrial epithelial organoids. The IOF is biochemically distinct to the extraorganoid fluid (EOF) and cell culture medium as evidenced by the exclusive presence of 17 metabolites in IOF. Similarly, 69 metabolites were unique to EOF, showing asymmetrical apical and basolateral secretion by the in vitro endometrial epithelium, in a manner resembling that observed in vivo. Contrasting the quantitative metabolomic profiles of IOF and EOF revealed donor-specific biochemical signatures of organoids. Subsequent RNA sequencing of these organoids from which IOF and EOF were derived established the capacity to readily perform organoid multiomics in tandem, and suggests that transcriptomic regulation underpins the observed secretory asymmetry. In summary, these data provided by modeling uterine luminal and basolateral fluid formation in vitro offer scope to better understand UF composition and regulation with potential impacts on female fertility and offspring well-being.
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Simintiras CA, Sánchez JM, McDonald M, O'Callaghan E, Aburima AA, Lonergan P. Conceptus metabolomic profiling reveals stage-specific phenotypes leading up to pregnancy recognition in cattle†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:1022-1033. [PMID: 33590828 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive efficiency in livestock is a major driver of sustainable food production. The poorly understood process of ruminant conceptus elongation (a) prerequisites maternal pregnancy recognition, (b) is essential to successful pregnancy establishment, and (c) coincides with a period of significant conceptus mortality. Conceptuses at five key developmental stages between Days 8-16 were recovered and cultured in vitro for 6 h prior to conditioned media analysis by untargeted ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy. This global temporal biochemical interrogation of the ex situ bovine conceptus unearths two antithetical stage-specific metabolic phenotypes during tubular (metabolically retentive) vs. filamentous (secretory) development. Moreover, the retentive conceptus phenotype on Day 14 coincides with an established period of elevated metabolic density in the uterine fluid of heifers with high systemic progesterone-a model of accelerated conceptus elongation. These data, combined, suggest a metabolic mechanism underpinning conceptus elongation, thereby enhancing our understanding of the biochemical reciprocity of maternal-conceptus communication, prior to maternal pregnancy recognition.
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Simintiras CA, Sánchez JM, McDonald M, Lonergan P. The biochemistry surrounding bovine conceptus elongation†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:328-337. [PMID: 31181571 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Conceptus elongation is a fundamental developmental event coinciding with a period of significant pregnancy loss in cattle. The process has yet to be recapitulated in vitro, whereas in vivo it is directly driven by uterine secretions and indirectly influenced by systemic progesterone. To better understand the environment facilitating this critical reproductive phenomenon, we interrogated the biochemical composition of uterine luminal fluid from heifers with high vs physiological circulating progesterone on days 12-14 of the estrous cycle-the window of conceptus elongation-initiation-by high-throughput untargeted ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy. A total of 233 biochemicals were identified, clustering within 8 superpathways [amino acids (33.9%), lipids (32.2%), carbohydrates (8.6%), nucleotides (8.2%), xenobiotics (6.4%), cofactors and vitamins (5.2%), energy substrates (4.7%), and peptides (0.9%)] and spanning 66 metabolic subpathways. Lipids dominated total progesterone (39.1%) and day (57.1%) effects; however, amino acids (48.5%) and nucleotides (14.8%) accounted for most day by progesterone interactions. Corresponding pathways over-represented in response to day and progesterone include (i) methionine, cysteine, s-adenosylmethionine, and taurine (9.3%); (ii) phospholipid (7.4%); and (iii) (hypo)xanthine and inosine purine metabolism (5.6%). Moreover, under physiological conditions, the uterine lumen undergoes a metabolic shift after day 12, and progesterone supplementation increases total uterine luminal biochemical abundance at a linear rate of 0.41-fold day-1-resulting in a difference (P ≤ 0.0001) by day 14. This global metabolic analysis of uterine fluid during the initiation of conceptus elongation offers new insights into the biochemistry of maternal-embryo communication, with implications for improving ruminant fertility.
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Simintiras CA, Sánchez JM, McDonald M, Martins T, Binelli M, Lonergan P. Biochemical characterization of progesterone-induced alterations in bovine uterine fluid amino acid and carbohydrate composition during the conceptus elongation window†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:672-685. [PMID: 30388203 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy establishment in cattle is contingent on conceptus elongation-a fundamental developmental event coinciding with the time during which most pregnancies fail. Elongation in vivo is directly driven by uterine secretions, indirectly influenced by systemic progesterone concentrations, and has yet to be recapitulated in vitro. To better understand the microenvironment evolved to facilitate this phenomenon, the amino acid and carbohydrate composition of uterine fluid was interrogated using high-throughput metabolomics on days 12, 13, and 14 of the estrous cycle from heifers with normal and high circulating progesterone. A total of 99 biochemicals (79 amino acids and 20 carbohydrates) were consistently identified, of which 31 showed a day by progesterone interaction. Fructose and mannitol/sorbitol did not exhibit a day by progesterone interaction, but displayed the greatest individual fluctuations (P ≤ 0.05) with respective fold increases of 18.39 and 28.53 in high vs normal progesterone heifers on day 12, and increases by 10.70-fold and 14.85-fold in the uterine fluid of normal progesterone animals on day 14 vs day 12. Moreover, enrichment analyses revealed that the phenylalanine, glutathione, polyamine, and arginine metabolic pathways were among the most affected by day and progesterone. In conclusion, progesterone had a largely stabilizing effect on amino acid flux, and identified biochemicals of likely importance to conceptus elongation initiation include arginine, fructose, glutamate, and mannitol/sorbitol.
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Rodríguez-Alonso B, Maillo V, Acuña OS, López-Úbeda R, Torrecillas A, Simintiras CA, Sturmey R, Avilés M, Lonergan P, Rizos D. Spatial and Pregnancy-Related Changes in the Protein, Amino Acid, and Carbohydrate Composition of Bovine Oviduct Fluid. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1681. [PMID: 32121434 PMCID: PMC7084926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of how the biochemical composition of the bovine oviduct is altered due to the oviduct anatomy or the presence of an embryo is lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of (І) oviduct anatomy and (ІІ) embryo presence on oviductal fluid (OF) protein, amino acid, and carbohydrate composition. Cross-bred beef heifers (n = 19) were synchronized and those in standing estrus were randomly allocated to a cyclic (non-bred) or pregnant (artificially inseminated) group. All heifers were slaughtered on Day 3 after estrus. The oviducts ipsilateral to the corpus luteum from each animal were isolated, straightened and cut, separating ampulla and isthmus. Each portion was flushed with 500 µl of PBS enabling recovery of the oocyte/embryo. Recovered unfertilized oocytes (cyclic group) and embryos (8-cell embryos; pregnant group) were located in the isthmus of the oviduct. Samples of flushing medium from the isthmus and ampulla were used for proteomic (n = 2 per group), amino acid (n = 5), and carbohydrate (n = 5) analysis. For proteomic analysis, total protein from cyclic and pregnant samples were labelled with different cyanine fluorescent probes and separated according to the isoelectric point using immobilized pH gradient strips (pH 3-10, 17 cm, Protean® IEF cell system, Bio Rad). Second dimension was performed in a polyacrylamide gel (12%) in the presence of SDS using a Protean II XL system (Bio Rad). Images were obtained with a Typhoon 9410 scanner and analyzed with Progenesis SameSpots software v 4.0. Amino acid content in the OF was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Glucose, lactate, and pyruvate were quantified using microfluorometric enzyme-linked assays. For the proteomic assessment, the results of the image analysis were compared by ANOVA. For both amino acid and carbohydrate analyses, statistical analysis was carried out by 2-way ANOVA with the Holm-Sidak nonparametric post hoc analysis. On Day 3 post-estrus, OF composition varied based on (І) anatomical region, where isthmic metabolites were present in lower (i.e., lactate, glycine, and alanine) or higher (i.e., arginine) concentrations compared to the ampulla; and (ІІ) embryo presence, which was correlated with greater, arginine, phosphoglycerate kinase 1, serum albumin, α-1-antiproteinase and IGL@ protein concentrations. In conclusion, data indicate that the composition of bovine OF is anatomically dynamic and influenced by the presence of an early embryo.
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Sánchez JM, Simintiras CA, Lonergan P. Aspects of embryo-maternal communication in establishment of pregnancy in cattle. Anim Reprod 2019; 16:376-385. [PMID: 32435281 PMCID: PMC7234086 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2019-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Establishment of pregnancy in mammals requires reciprocal molecular communication between the conceptus and endometrium that modifies the endometrial transcriptome and uterine luminal milieu to support pregnancy. Due to the small size of the early embryo and elongating conceptus relative to the volume of the uterine lumen, collection of endometrium adjacent to the developing conceptus is difficult following conventional uterine flushing methods in cattle. Use of endometrial explants in culture can overcome this challenge and reveal information about the dialogue between the developing embryo and the uterus. The aim of this short review is to summarize some of our recent findings in relation to embryo maternal interaction during bovine pregnancy establishment and to put them in the wider context of fertility in cattle.
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García-Herreros M, Simintiras CA, Lonergan P. Temporally differential protein expression of glycolytic and glycogenic enzymes during in vitro preimplantation bovine embryo development. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 30:1245-1252. [PMID: 29566785 DOI: 10.1071/rd17429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteomic analyses are useful for understanding the metabolic pathways governing embryo development. This study investigated the presence of enzymes involved in glycolysis and glycogenesis in in vitro-produced bovine embryos at five developmental stages leading up to blastocyst formation. The enzymes examined were: (1) glycolytic: hexokinase-I (HK-I), phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1), pyruvate kinase mutase 1/2 (PKM-1/2), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and (2) glycogenic: glycogen synthase kinase-3 isoforms α/ β (GSK-3α/β). Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) was also analysed. The developmental stages examined were: (1) 2-4-cell, (2) 5-8-cell, (3) 16-cell, (4) morula and (5) expanded blastocyst. The enzymes HK-I, PFK-1, PKM-1/2, GAPDH and GLUT-1 were differentially expressed throughout all stages (P<0.05). GSK-3α and β were also differentially expressed from the 2-4-cell to the expanded blastocyst stage (P<0.05) and GLUT-1 was identified throughout. The general trend was that the abundance of PFK1, GAPDH and PKM-1/2 decreased whereas HK-I, phospho-GSK3α (P-GSK3α) and P-GSK3β levels increased as the embryo advanced. In contrast, GLUT-1 expression peaked at the 16-cell stage. These data combined suggest that in vitro bovine embryo metabolism switches from being glycolytic-centric to glycogenic-centric around the 16-cell stage, the developmental window also characterised by embryonic genome activation.
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Simintiras CA, Sánchez JM, McDonald M, Lonergan P. The influence of progesterone on bovine uterine fluid energy, nucleotide, vitamin, cofactor, peptide, and xenobiotic composition during the conceptus elongation-initiation window. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7716. [PMID: 31118434 PMCID: PMC6531537 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44040-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Conceptus elongation coincides with one of the periods of greatest pregnancy loss in cattle and is characterized by rapid trophectoderm expansion, commencing ~ Day 13 of pregnancy, i.e. before maternal pregnancy recognition. The process has yet to be recapitulated in vitro and does not occur in the absence of uterine gland secretions in vivo. Moreover, conceptus elongation rates are positively correlated to systemic progesterone in maternal circulation. It is, therefore, a maternally-driven and progesterone-correlated developmental phenomenon. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the biochemical composition of the uterine luminal fluid on Days 12-14 - the elongation-initiation window - in heifers with normal vs. high progesterone, to identify molecules potentially involved in conceptus elongation initiation. Specifically, nucleotide, vitamin, cofactor, xenobiotic, peptide, and energy metabolite profiles of uterine luminal fluid were examined. A total of 59 metabolites were identified, of which 6 and 3 displayed a respective progesterone and day effect, whereas 16 exhibited a day by progesterone interaction, of which 8 were nucleotide metabolites. Corresponding pathway enrichment analysis revealed that pyridoxal, ascorbate, tricarboxylic acid, purine, and pyrimidine metabolism are of likely importance to to conceptus elongation initiation. Moreover, progesterone reduced total metabolite abundance on Day 12 and may alter the uterine microbiome.
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Simintiras CA, Sánchez JM, McDonald M, Lonergan P. Progesterone alters the bovine uterine fluid lipidome during the period of elongation. Reproduction 2019; 157:399-411. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Successful bovine pregnancy establishment hinges on conceptus elongation, a key reproductive phenomenon coinciding with the period during which most pregnancies fail. Elongation is yet to be recapitulated in vitro, whereas in vivo it is directly driven by uterine secretions and indirectly influenced by prior circulating progesterone levels. To better understand the microenvironment evolved to facilitate this fundamental developmental event, uterine fluid was recovered on Days 12–14 of the oestrous cycle – the window of conceptus elongation initiation – from cycling heifers supplemented, or not, with progesterone. Subsequent lipidomic profiling of uterine luminal fluid by advanced high-throughput metabolomics revealed the consistent presence of 75 metabolites, of which 47% were intricately linked to membrane biogenesis, and with seven displaying a day by progesterone interaction (P ≤ 0.05). Four metabolic pathways were correspondingly enriched according to day and P4 – i.e. comprised metabolites whose concentrations differed between groups (normal vs high P4) at different times (Days 12 vs 13 vs 14). These were inositol, phospholipid, glycerolipid and primary bile acid metabolism. Moreover, P4 elevated total uterine luminal fluid lipid content on Day 14 (P < 0.0001) relative to all other comparisons. The data combined suggest that maternal lipid supply during the elongation-initiation window is primarily geared towards conceptus membrane biogenesis. In summary, progesterone supplementation alters the lipidomic profile of bovine uterine fluid during the period of conceptus elongation initiation.
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Leane S, Herlihy MM, Curran F, Kenneally J, Forde N, Simintiras CA, Sturmey RG, Lonergan P, Butler ST. Letter to the Editor: A response to Selvaraj and Boisclair (2019). J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:2826-2827. [PMID: 30878075 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Forde N, Simintiras CA, Sturmey RG, Graf A, Wolf E, Blum H, Lonergan P. Effect of lactation on conceptus-maternal interactions at the initiation of implantation in cattle: I. Effects on the conceptus transcriptome and amino acid composition of the uterine luminal fluid. Biol Reprod 2019; 97:798-809. [PMID: 29088315 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 65-75 days postpartum (dpp), the estrous cycles of nonlactating (dried off immediately postpartum: n = 12) and lactating (n = 13) Holstein Friesian cows were synchronized and on day 7 a single blastocyst derived from superovulated nulliparous Holstein Friesian heifers was transferred to each cow. A control group of nulliparous heifers (n = 8) were synchronized, inseminated to a standing heat, and slaughtered on the same day as nonlactating and lactating recipients (day 19; estrus = day 0). The uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum was flushed with 10 ml phosphate-buffered saline and the conceptus, and uterine luminal fluid (ULF) was snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Gene expression analysis of the conceptus was performed by RNA sequencing, while amino acid composition of ULF was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. No differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed between conceptuses recovered from nonlactating and lactating cows. Eight DEGs were identified between conceptuses recovered from nonlactating cows and heifers. A total of 269 DEGs (100 up- and 169 downregulated) were identified between conceptuses recovered from lactating cows compared to heifers. Alanine, glycine, serine, threonine, arginine, leucine, and valine were significantly lower in abundance in ULF recovered from heifers compared to nonlactating or lactating cows. This study demonstrates that the environment in which the embryo develops post the blastocyst stage can have an effect on the conceptus transcriptome and amino acid composition of the ULF but this was mainly observed between the two extreme groups in terms of metabolic status (nulliparous heifers vs postpartum lactating cows).
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Leane S, Herlihy MM, Curran F, Kenneally J, Forde N, Simintiras CA, Sturmey RG, Lucy MC, Lonergan P, Butler ST. The effect of exogenous glucose infusion on early embryonic development in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:11285-11296. [PMID: 30268607 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-14894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the effect of intravenous infusion of glucose on early embryonic development in lactating dairy cows. Nonpregnant, lactating dairy cows (n = 12) were enrolled in the study (276 ± 17 d in milk). On d 7 after a synchronized estrus, cows were randomly assigned to receive an intravenous infusion of either 750 g/d of exogenous glucose (GLUC; 78 mL/h of 40% glucose wt/vol) or saline (CTRL; 78 mL/h of 0.9% saline solution). The infusion period lasted 7 d and cows were confined to metabolism stalls for the duration of the study. Coincident with the commencement of the infusion on d 7 after estrus, 15 in vitro-produced grade 1 blastocysts were transferred into the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum. All animals were slaughtered on d 14 to recover conceptuses, uterine fluid, and endometrial tissue. Glucose infusion increased circulating glucose concentrations (4.70 ± 0.12 vs. 4.15 ± 0.12 mmol/L) but did not affect milk production or dry matter intake. Circulating β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were decreased (0.51 ± 0.01 vs. 0.70 ± 0.01 mmol/L for GLUC vs. CTRL, respectively) but plasma fatty acids, progesterone, and insulin concentrations were unaffected by treatment. Treatment did not affect either uterine lumen fluid glucose concentration or the mRNA abundance of specific glucose transporters in the endometrium. Mean conceptus length, width, and area on d 14 were reduced in the GLUC treatment compared with the CTRL treatment. A greater proportion of embryos in the CTRL group had elongated to all length cut-off measurements between 11 and 20 mm (measured in 1-mm increments) compared with the GLUC treatment. In conclusion, infusion of glucose into lactating dairy cows from d 7 to d 14 post-estrus during the critical period of conceptus elongation had an adverse impact on early embryonic development.
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Bauersachs S, Simintiras CA, Sturmey RG, Krebs S, Bick J, Blum H, Wolf E, Lonergan P, Forde N. Effect of metabolic status on conceptus-maternal interactions on day 19 in dairy cattle: II. Effects on the endometrial transcriptome. Biol Reprod 2018; 97:413-425. [PMID: 29024972 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the metabolic stresses associated with lactation alter the ability of the endometrium to respond appropriately to the conceptus by examining endometrial gene expression on day 19 of pregnancy. Immediately after calving, primiparous Holstein cows with similar production and fertility estimated breeding values were randomly divided into two groups and either dried off (i.e. never milked) immediately or milked twice daily. Approximately 65-75 days postpartum, grade 1 blastocysts recovered from superovulated Holstein heifer donors (n = 5) were transferred (1 per recipient) into lactating (n = 11) and nonlactating (n = 11) recipients. Control nulliparous Holstein heifers (n = 6) were artificially inseminated. RNA-sequencing was performed on intercaruncular endometrial samples recovered at slaughter from confirmed pregnant animals on day 19 (n = 5 lactating and nonlactating cows; n = 4 heifers). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between both postpartum groups compared to heifers and between lactating and nonlactating cows. Functional annotation of DEGs between cows and heifers revealed over-representation of categories, including endosome, cytoplasmic vesicle, endocytosis, regulation of exocytosis, and cytokine receptor activity. Functional categories including transcription factor binding sites, cell motility, and cell migration were enriched for DEGs between endometria from lactating and nonlactating cows. In conclusion, while the evidence for a major effect of lactation on the endometrial transcriptome is relatively weak, these data suggest that the metabolic status of the animal (heifer vs cow) modulates the response of the endometrium to the developing conceptus.
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Fernandez-Fuertes B, Rodríguez-Alonso B, Sánchez JM, Simintiras CA, Lonergan P, Rizos D. Looking at the big picture: understanding how the oviduct s dialogue with gametes and the embryo shapes reproductive success. Anim Reprod 2018; 15:751-764. [PMID: 36249838 PMCID: PMC9536066 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2018-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Simintiras CA, Sturmey RG. Genistein crosses the bioartificial oviduct and alters secretion composition. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 71:63-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Simintiras CA, Fröhlich T, Sathyapalan T, Arnold GJ, Ulbrich SE, Leese HJ, Sturmey RGS. Modelling oviduct fluid formation in vitro. Reproduction 2016; 153:REP-15-0508. [PMID: 27738189 DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Oviduct fluid is the microenvironment that supports early reproductive processes including fertilisation, embryo cleavage, and genome activation. However, the composition and regulation of this critical environment remains rather poorly defined. This study uses an in vitro preparation of the bovine oviduct epithelium, to investigate the formation and composition of in vitro derived oviduct fluid (ivDOF) within a controlled environment. We confirm the presence of oviduct specific glycoprotein 1 in ivDOF and show that the amino acid and carbohydrate content resembles that of previously reported in vivo data. In parallel, using a different culture system, a panel of oviduct epithelial solute carrier genes, and the corresponding flux of amino acids within ivDOF in response to steroid hormones were investigated. We next incorporated fibroblasts directly beneath the epithelium. This dual culture arrangement represents more faithfully the in vivo environment and impacts on ivDOF composition. Lastly, physiological and pathophysiological endocrine states were modelled and their impact on the in vitro oviduct preparation evaluated. These experiments help clarify the dynamic function of the oviduct in vitro and suggest a number of future research avenues, such as investigating epithelial-fibroblast interactions, probing the molecular aetiologies of subfertility, and optimising embryo culture media.
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Forde N, Maillo V, O'Gaora P, Simintiras CA, Sturmey RG, Ealy AD, Spencer TE, Gutierrez-Adan A, Rizos D, Lonergan P. Sexually Dimorphic Gene Expression in Bovine Conceptuses at the Initiation of Implantation. Biol Reprod 2016; 95:92. [PMID: 27488033 PMCID: PMC5333939 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.139857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In cattle, maternal recognition of pregnancy occurs on Day 16 via secretion of interferon tau (IFNT) by the conceptus. The endometrium can distinguish between embryos with different developmental competencies. In eutherian mammals, X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is required to ensure an equal transcriptional level of most X-linked genes for both male and female embryos in adult tissues, but this process is markedly different in cattle than mice. We examined how sexual dimorphism affected conceptus transcript abundance and amino acid composition as well as the endometrial transcriptome during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy. Of the 5132 genes that were differentially expressed on Day 19 in male compared to female conceptuses, 2.7% were located on the X chromosome. Concentrations of specific amino acids were higher in the uterine luminal fluid of male compared to female conceptuses, while female conceptuses had higher transcript abundance of specific amino acid transporters (SLC6A19 and SLC1A35). Of note, the endometrial transcriptome was not different in cattle gestating a male or a female conceptus. These data support the hypothesis that, far from being a blastocyst-specific phenomenon, XCI is incomplete before and during implantation in cattle. Despite differences in transcript abundance and amino acid utilization in male versus female conceptuses, the sex of the conceptus itself does not elicit a different transcriptomic response in the endometrium.
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