Meiotic progression, mitochondrial features and fertilisation characteristics of porcine oocytes with different G6PDH activities

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 830 ◽  
Author(s):  
István Egerszegi ◽  
Hannelore Alm ◽  
József Rátky ◽  
Bassiouni Heleil ◽  
Klaus-Peter Brüssow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
G6pdh Activity ◽  
Cresyl Blue ◽  
Meiotic Progression ◽  
Germinal Vesicles ◽  
Nuclear Development ◽  
Chromatin Configuration ◽  
Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase

The aim of the present study was to investigate the developmental competence, mitochondrial characteristics and chromatin status of immature follicular porcine oocytes selected for their glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity by brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining. In Experiment 1, the oocyte parameters were determined in parallel right after BCB staining (T0), after 22 h of in vitro maturation (IVM) (T22) and after 44 h of IVM (T44) (n = 496). BCB-stained oocytes (BCB+) at T0 were characterised by fibrillated chromatin filaments in their germinal vesicles (GV) and diakinesis stages whereas unstained (BCB–) oocytes at T0 contained in their GV mainly condensed stages of chromatin (P < 0.05). After 22 h of IVM BCB+ oocytes showed a prominent chromatin configuration of metaphase I and after 44 h the majority developed a M II nuclear configuration in contrast to the BCB– group (P < 0.0001). Differences were also observed between the two oocyte populations in their mitochondrial activity (P < 0.05). At the beginning of IVM BCB+ oocytes were characterised by high mitochondrial activity in their cytoplasm. The BCB+ oocytes showed clear visible homogenous distributions of mitochondria (P < 0.005) and contained more aggregated clusters of mitochondria in contrast to BCB– oocytes (P < 0.005). In Experiment 2, 318 oocytes were tested for their G6PDH activity and introduced to IVM and IVF. Only oocytes from the BCB+ group, which were matured after 44 h up to the stage of M II (81.6%) were fertilised (17.4%), penetrated (46%) or activated (15.6%) after IVF. These results indicate a relationship between the G6PDH activity of porcine oocytes before IVM and their subsequent nuclear development, mitochondrial activity and aggregation.

254 MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF OOCYTES SCREENED FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE BASED ON G6PDH ACTIVITY

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
H. Torner ◽  
N. Ghanem ◽  
C. Ambros ◽  
M. Hoelker ◽  
W. Tomek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Map Kinase ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Gene Expression Profiles ◽  
Atp Synthesis ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
G6pdh Activity ◽  
Cresyl Blue

Oocyte selection based on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity has been successfully used to differentiate between competent and incompetent bovine oocytes (Alm 2005 Theriogenology 63, 2194–2205). However, the intrinsic molecular and subcellular characteristics of these oocytes have not yet been investigated. Here we aim to compare the developmental, molecular, and subcellular characteristics of oocytes selected using brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining based on G6PDH activity. Immature compact cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were stained with 26 µm BCB (B-5388, Sigma-Alderich, Taufenkirchen, Germany) for 90 min. Based on their coloration, oocytes were divided into BCB– (colorless cytoplasm, high G6PDH activity) and BCB+ (colored cytoplasm, low G6PDH activity). The chromatin configuration and the mitochondrial activity of oocytes were determined by fluorescence labelling and photometric measurement (n = 337). The abundance and phosphorylation pattern of protein kinases Akt and MAP kinase were estimated by western blot analysis (n = 500). A bovine cDNA microarray with 2000 clones was used to analyze the gene expression profiles of BCB+ and BCB– oocytes (n = 580). BCB+ oocytes were found to result in a higher blastocyst rate (33.1 � 3.1%) until Day 8 of in vitro culture compared to BCB– ones (12.1 � 1.5%). Moreover, BCB+ oocytes showed higher phosphorylation levels of Akt and MAP kinase compared to the BCB– oocytes. After array data analysis, BCB+ oocytes were found to be enriched with genes regulating transcription (SMARCA5), cell cycle (NASP), and protein biosynthesis (RPS274A and EEF1A1), while the BCB– oocytes had a higher level of genes involved in ATP synthesis (ATP5A1), mitochondrial electron transport (FL405), calcium ion binding (S100A10), and growth factor activity (BMP-15). Independent real-time quantitative PCR validated 90% (9/10) of the genes investigated to be in agreement with the array expression profile. The study has shown evidence of differences in molecular and subcellular organization of oocytes with different G6PDH activity.

scholarly journals 237 INCREASE OF BLASTOCYST DEVELOPMENTAL RATE IN VITRO BY SELECTION OF DEVELOPMENTALLY COMPETENT COW OOCYTES BEFORE IVM USING A STAINING TEST

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 269
Author(s):  
H. Alm ◽  
H. Torner ◽  
B. Loehrke ◽  
T. Viergutz ◽  
I. Ghoneim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Rate ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
G6pdh Activity ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Brilliant Cresyl Blue ◽  
Immature Oocytes ◽  
Cresyl Blue

A large proportion of bovine oocytes fail to develop to blastocyst stage following maturation, fertilization, and culture in vitro. While suboptimal culture conditions undoubtedly contribute to this poor development, it is recognized that immature oocytes, especially from cows with reduced reproductive performance or which are slaughtered on the end of their use, are heterogeneous in quality and developmental competence (Gordon 2003). The aim of the present study was to increase the efficiency of blastocyst production from cows after IVM/IVF by oocyte selection before maturation. Immature oocytes are known to synthesize a variety of proteins (Wassarman PM 1988, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 57, 415–442), among them, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). This enzyme is active in the growing oocyte, but has decreased activity in oocytes that have finished their growth phase. Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) has been used to measure G6PDH activity. The BCB test is based on the capability of the G6PDH to convert the BCB stain from blue to colorless (Erisson et al. 1993 Theriogenology 39, 214). The ovaries were obtained from a slaughterhouse and transported to the laboratory; cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered by slicing the surface of the ovary. Only oocytes with a compact cumulus investment were used. Oocytes were placed into three groups: (1) control – placed immediately into culture; (2) holding control – COCs kept in PBS containing 0.4% BSA for 90 min at 38.5°C before placement into culture; and (3) treatment – incubation with brilliant cresyl blue for 90 min at 38.5°C before culture. Treated oocytes were then divided into BCB− (colorless cytoplasm, increased G6PDH) and BCB+ (colored cytoplasm, low G6PDH) on their ability to metabolize the stain. Activity of G6PDH was determined via measurement of NADP reduction in control, BCB−, and BCB+ groups; activity was significantly increased in BCB− COCs in comparison to the control and BCB+ COCs. After IVM, oocytes were fertilized in vitro. Embryos were cultured to Day 8. The rate of maturation to metaphase II was significantly higher for control and BCB+ oocytes (77.1 and 72.5%, respectively) than for BCB− oocytes (58.1%). The BCB+ oocytes yielded a significantly higher proportion of blastocysts (34.1%) than either control group (18.3 and 19.2%); and both controls and BCB+ oocytes had significantly higher blastocyst development than did BCB− oocytes (3.9%). The number of nuclei in the blastocysts was comparable in BCB+ and both control groups (105.5 ± 5.8 and 117.5 ± 8.5, 101.8 ± 6.2, respectively). Blastocysts in the BCB− group had a significantly lower cell number (61.0 ± 2.6) than did controls. The results show that the staining of COCs from cows before IVM may be useful in increasing the efficiency of blastocyst production during standard IVF procedures. In addition, classification of G6PDH activity on the basis of BCB staining may be used to effectively select cow oocytes with further developmental competence. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the association between G6PDH activity in oocytes and further blastocyst development in cows.

161 Dichloroacetate influences the mitochondrial activity of bovine oocytes impairing meiotic progression

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
N. Pagano ◽  
K. Annes ◽  
C. De Canditiis ◽  
J. Ispada ◽  
B. Gasparrini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Meiotic Progression ◽  
Thermo Fisher Scientific ◽  
Maturation Rate ◽  
Bovine Oocytes ◽  
Fisher Scientific

Pyruvate is a key energy substrate for the oocyte during maturation and acquisition of developmental competence. Mitochondrial activity is also essential for oocyte competence. Dichloroacetate (DCA) is an inhibitor of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase that indirectly stimulates pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), increasing pyruvate oxidation. PDH converts pyruvate into acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) and thereby modulates the entry of glucose-derived carbons into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the main ATP production pathway within the oocyte. It was reported that DCA addition to embryo culture media improves embryo development in aged mice, by enhancing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and decreasing oxidative stress (McPherson et al. 2014 Fertil. Steril. 101, 1458-1466). We hypothesised that increased pyruvate metabolism through the oxidative pathway, by stimulating PDH activity with DCA, could influence in vitro oocyte maturation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of DCA during in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes on maturation rate and mitochondrial activity, by assessing MMP and levels of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH2), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Abattoir-derived bovine cumulus-oocytes complexes (COC; n=360, over 4 replicates) were in vitro-matured with 0 (Control; n=120), 0.5mM (n=120) and 5mM (n=120) of DCA. After maturation, all matured COC were denuded by mechanical pipetting and meiotic progression was assessed by Hoechst 33342 staining and MMP by MitoTracker Red CMXRos test (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). Moreover, FADH2 and NADH levels were evaluated by autofluorescence (Dumollard et al. Development 134, 455-465) and ROS levels by CellRox® Green test (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Data were analysed by ANOVA, and the Tukey post hoc test was used to evaluate the difference among groups. The α-level was set at 0.05. Treatment with both concentrations of DCA decreased maturation rate (86.1, 67.8, and 67.6% in 0, 0.5, and 5mM groups, respectively; P&lt;0.05). The MMP increased in oocytes matured with the highest concentration of DCA (3.42±0.28, 4.44±0.51, and 6.32±0.89 pixel/mm2, with 0, 0.5, and 5mM DCA, respectively; P&lt;0.05). In line with this, higher levels of FADH2 (3.16±0.15, 3.96±0.24, and 3.83±0.20 pixel/mm2, with 0, 0.5, and 5mM DCA, respectively; P&lt;0.05) and NADH (3.86±0.14, 4.80±0.16, and 4.95±0.17 pixel/mm2, with 0, 0.5, and 5mM DCA, respectively; P&lt;0.05) were found in both DCA-treated groups compared with the control. Unexpectedly, ROS levels increased in the presence of DCA (0.9±0.07, 1.30±0.12, and 1.54±0.16 pixel/mm2, with 0, 0.5, and 5mM DCA, respectively; P&lt;0.05) compared with the control. These results suggest that DCA was effective in stimulating mitochondrial activity of bovine oocytes, but also resulting in increased oxidative stress that likely accounts for the decreased maturation rate. Therefore, alternative strategies should be identified for the manipulation of the oocyte metabolic profile to improve oocyte developmental competence.

scholarly journals Brilliant Cresyl Blue stain selects largest oocytes with highest mitochondrial activity, maturation-promoting factor activity and embryo developmental competence in prepubertal sheep

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 142 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gracia Catalá ◽  
Dolors Izquierdo ◽  
Svetlana Uzbekova ◽  
Roser Morató ◽  
Montserrat Roura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Oocyte Diameter ◽  
Constitutive Function ◽  
Brilliant Cresyl Blue ◽  
Cresyl Blue ◽  
Maturation Promoting Factor

The aim of this study was to test the Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) stain to select prepubertal sheep oocytes for in vitro blastocyst production. Oocyte diameter, mitochondrial activity, maturation-promoting factor (MPF) activity and mRNA relative expression (RE) of genes related to metabolism (ATPase Na+/K+ transporting α 1 (ATP1A1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1)) and constitutive function of the cell (cytoplasmic polyadenylation-element-binding protein (CPEB) and S100A10) were assessed. Immature oocytes were exposed to different BCB concentrations (13, 26, 39 and 52 μM) and classified according to their cytoplasm colouration as grown BCB+ (blue cytoplasm) and growing BCB− (colourless cytoplasm). Staining oocytes with 13 μM BCB during 60 min allows selection of (BCB+) the largest (123.66 μm) and most competent oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage (21%) with a higher number of cells (69.71±6.19 s.e.m.) compared with non-stained BCB− oocytes (106.82 μm, 9% and 45.91±3.35 s.e.m. respectively). Mitochondrial activity, assessed by MitoTracker Orange CMTMRos probe, was significantly higher in BCB+ than in BCB− oocytes after in vitro maturation (3369 and 1565 AU respectively). MPF activity was assessed by CDC2 kinase activity assay showing significantly higher activity at metaphase II stage in BCB+ than in BCB− oocytes (1.479±0.09 and 1.184±0.05 optical density respectively). The genes analysed in this work, ATP1A1, COX1, CPEB and S100A10, did not show significant effect in mRNA RE between BCB selected oocytes. In conclusion, BCB stains larger and more competent oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage with more active mitochondria and MPF activity and higher blastocyst cell number.

scholarly journals Molecular and subcellular characterisation of oocytes screened for their developmental competence based on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity

Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Torner ◽  
Nasser Ghanem ◽  
Christina Ambros ◽  
Michael Hölker ◽  
Wolfgang Tomek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Map Kinases ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Atp Synthesis ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Functional Markers ◽  
G6pdh Activity ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase

Oocyte selection based on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity has been successfully used to differentiate between competent and incompetent bovine oocytes. However, the intrinsic molecular and subcellular characteristics of these oocytes have not yet been investigated. Here, we aim to identify molecular and functional markers associated with oocyte developmental potential when selected based on G6PDH activity. Immature compact cumulus–oocyte complexes were stained with brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) for 90 min. Based on their colouration, oocytes were divided into BCB−(colourless cytoplasm, high G6PDH activity) and BCB+(coloured cytoplasm, low G6PDH activity). The chromatin configuration of the nucleus and the mitochondrial activity of oocytes were determined by fluorescence labelling and photometric measurement. The abundance and phosphorylation pattern of protein kinases Akt and MAP were estimated by Western blot analysis. A bovine cDNA microarray was used to analyse the gene expression profiles of BCB+and BCB−oocytes. Consequently, marked differences were found in blastocyst rate at day 8 between BCB+(33.1±3.1%) and BCB−(12.1±1.5%) oocytes. Moreover, BCB+oocytes were found to show higher phosphorylation levels of Akt and MAP kinases and are enriched with genes regulating transcription (SMARCA5), cell cycle (nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein,NASP) and protein biosynthesis (RPS274Aand mRNA for elongation factor 1α,EF1A). BCB−oocytes, which revealed higher mitochondrial activity and still nucleoli in their germinal vesicles, were enriched with genes involved in ATP synthesis (ATP5A1), mitochondrial electron transport (FL405), calcium ion binding (S100A10) and growth factor activity (bone morphogenetic protein 15,BMP15). This study has evidenced molecular and subcellular organisational differences of oocytes with different G6PDH activity.

scholarly journals Selection of Ovine Oocytes by Brilliant Cresyl Blue Staining

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqin Wang ◽  
Jiapeng Lin ◽  
Juncheng Huang ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Yuncheng Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
G6pd Activity ◽  
Blue Staining ◽  
Animal Cloning ◽  
Cresyl Blue ◽  
Deep Blue ◽  
Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase

Sheep oocytes derived from the ovaries collected from the slaughterhouse are often used for research onin vitroembryo production, animal cloning, transgenesis, embryonic stem cells, and other embryo biotechnology aspects. Improving thein vitroculture efficiency of oocytes can provide more materials for similar studies. Generally, determination of oocyte quality is mostly based on the layers of cumulus cells and cytoplasm or cytoplasm uniformity and colors. This requires considerable experience to better identify oocyte quality because of the intense subjectivity involved (Gordon (2003), Madison et al. (1992) and De Loos et al. (1992)). BCB staining is a function of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity, an enzyme synthesized in developing oocytes, which decreases in activity with maturation. Therefore, unstained oocytes (BCB−) are high in G6PD activity, while the less mature oocytes stains are deep blue (BCB+) due to insuffcient G6PD activity to decolorize the BCB dye.

253 OXIDATIVE STRESS MAY IMPAIR OOCYTE QUALITY IN DAIRY COWS OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE WITH A REDUCED ANTRAL FOLLICLE COUNT

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 274 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Tessaro ◽  
F. Franciosi ◽  
V. Lodde ◽  
D. Corbani ◽  
A. M. Luciano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Oxide System ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity

In dairy cattle, oocytes isolated from ovaries with a reduced antral follicle count (AFC) have a low embryonic developmental competence. This may be related to oxidative stress, as indicated by our recent finding that ovaries with reduced AFC show a defective endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide system. To further test this hypothesis, we evaluated whether the poor developmental competence of these oocytes was possibly due 1) to an imbalance of the reduced glutathione (GSH) system, because GSH is the major antioxidant compound stored within the oocyte and protects the zygote and early embryos from oxidative damage, and 2) to reduced mitochondrial activity. Ovaries were obtained from the abattoir, and oocytes were collected from ovaries with reduced AFC, with fewer than 10 follicles of 2 to 6 mm in diameter, and aged-matched controls, with more than 10 follicles of 2 to 6 mm in diameter. Oocyte GSH content was evaluated using the 5,5′-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)-GSH reductase recycling micro-GSH assay before and after in vitro maturation (IVM) in the presence or absence of 100 µM cysteamine, a GSH precursor. At the same time the developmental competence after IVF was assessed. Moreover, the mitochondrial activity during IVM was evaluated in additional oocytes from the two ovarian categories by specific MitoTracker dyes (MitoTracker FM Green and MitoTracker Orange CMTMRos, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) and subsequent image analysis (ImageJ software). All data were analysed by ANOVA followed by Fisher’s least significant differences test, and P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Experiments were repeated at least three times. Oocytes isolated from ovaries with a low AFC had a similar GSH content compared with oocytes isolated from control ovaries (n = 65 and 85, respectively; 4.31 ± 0.41 v. 4.51 ± 0.42 pmol oocyte–1). After IVM, oocytes from ovaries with reduced AFC showed a significantly lower GSH content compared with control oocytes (n = 55 and 65, respectively; 4.36 ± 0.31 v. 6.59 ± 0.39 pmol oocyte–1); however, cysteamine supplementation during IVM induced GSH accumulation similar to the control (n = 80 and 85, respectively; 9.88 ± 0.77 v. 10.45 ± 0.88 pmol oocyte–1). It is interesting that the increase in intracellular GSH content significantly improved the developmental competence of oocytes from ovaries with a reduced AFC (n = 196 and 201, respectively; 20.1 ± 2.9% v. 6.2 ± 1.6%), although the blastocyst rate remained lower than the control either with or without cysteamine (n = 218 and 212, respectively; 33.3 ± 3.8% and 34.2 ± 2.4%). Further, immature oocytes from ovaries with a low AFC showed a reduced mitochondrial membrane potential compared with control oocytes (n = 13 and 18, respectively; 1.74 ± 1.19 v. 2.22 ± 1.72, calculated as the ratio between the fluorescence of active and total mitochondria), whereas at the end of IVM, it declined in both categories at a comparable level (n = 17 and 24, respectively; 1.19 ± 0.10 and 1.30 ± 0.06). Our data confirmed the hypothesis that both the GSH imbalance and defective mitochondrial activity contribute to the limited developmental competence of oocytes from ovaries with a reduced AFC. This work was supported by Dote ricerca applicata-FSE, Regione Lombardia, Italy (VL, IT).

scholarly journals Use of oocytes selected by brilliant cresyl blue staining enhances rabbit cloned embryo development in vitro

Zygote ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linying Jia ◽  
Bo Ding ◽  
Chong Shen ◽  
Shiwei Luo ◽  
Yanru Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Mass ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Blue Staining ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Brilliant Cresyl Blue ◽  
Positive Group ◽  
Cresyl Blue ◽  
And Control

SummaryRabbits play an important role in people’s lives due to their high nutritional value and high-quality hair that can be used as raw material for textiles. Furthermore, rabbits are an important animal model for human disease, as genome-edited animals are particularly valuable for studying gene functions and pathogenesis. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is an important technique for producing genome-edited animals and it has great value in saving endangered species and in clone stem cell therapy. However, the low efficiency of SCNT limits its application, with the selection of suitable rabbit oocytes being crucial to its success. In the present study, we collected oocytes from ovarian follicles and stained them with 26 μM brilliant cresyl blue (BCB). We then matured the oocytes in vitro and used them for SCNT. Comparison of the BCB-positive oocytes with BCB-negative oocytes and the control group showed that the BCB-positive group had a significantly higher maturation rate (81.4% vs. 48.9% and 65.3% for the negative and control groups, respectively), cleavage rate (86.6% vs. 67.9% and 77.9%), blastocyst rate (30.5% vs. 12.8% and 19.6%), total number of blastocysts (90±7.5 vs. 65.3±6.3 and 67.5±5.7), and inner cell mass (ICM)/ trophectoderm (TE) index (42.3±4.2 vs. 30.2±2.1 and 33.9±5.1) (P<0.05). The BCB-positive group had a significantly lower apoptosis index (2.1±0.6 vs. 8.2±0.9 and 6.7±1.1 for the negative and control groups, respectively) (P<0.05). These findings demonstrate that BCB-positive oocytes have a higher maturation ability and developmental competence in vitro, indicating that BCB staining is a reliable method for selecting oocytes to enhance the efficiency of SCNT.

scholarly journals Mitochondria directly influence fertilisation outcome in the pig

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahinaz H El Shourbagy ◽  
Emma C Spikings ◽  
Mariana Freitas ◽  
Justin C St John
Keyword(s):  
Copy Number ◽  
Mtdna Copy Number ◽  
Oocyte Maturity ◽  
Oocyte Competence ◽  
Cresyl Blue ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mtdna Replication ◽  
Mitochondrial Number ◽  
Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase

The mitochondrion is explicitly involved in cytoplasmic regulation and is the cell’s major generator of ATP. Our aim was to determine whether mitochondria alone could influence fertilisation outcome. In vitro, oocyte competence can be assessed through the presence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) as indicated by the dye, brilliant cresyl blue (BCB). Using porcine in vitro fertilisation (IVF), we have assessed oocyte maturation, cytoplasmic volume, fertilisation outcome, mitochondrial number as determined by mtDNA copy number, and whether mitochondria are uniformly distributed between blastomeres of each embryo. After staining with BCB, we observed a significant difference in cytoplasmic volume between BCB positive (BCB+) and BCB negative (BCB−) oocytes. There was also a significant difference in mtDNA copy number between fertilised and unfertilised oocytes and unequal mitochondrial segregation between blastomeres during early cleavage stages. Furthermore, we have supplemented BCB− oocytes with mitochondria from maternal relatives and observed a significant difference in fertilisation outcomes following both IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) between supplemented, sham-injected and non-treated BCB− oocytes. We have therefore demonstrated a relationship between oocyte maturity, cytoplasmic volume, and fertilisation outcome and mitochondrial content. These data suggest that mitochondrial number is important for fertilisation outcome and embryonic development. Furthermore, a mitochondrial pre-fertilisation threshold may ensure that, as mitochondria are diluted out during post-fertilisation cleavage, there are sufficient copies of mtDNA per blastomere to allow transmission of mtDNA to each cell of the post-implantation embryo after the initiation of mtDNA replication during the early postimplantation stages.

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