54 Altrenogest supplementation during early pregnancy improves swine embryonic development

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
B. Muro ◽  
R. Carnevale ◽  
M. Mendonça ◽  
D. Leal ◽  
M. Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Interferon Tau ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Implantation Period

Progesterone (P4) is of paramount importance in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy for mammals. Progesterone stimulates the endometrial secretion of several molecules involved in conceptus growth and development during the peri-implantation period. Indeed, several studies involving ruminants have reported that exogenous P4 supplementation is related to increased early embryo development, higher levels of interferon tau, and improved pregnancy rate. However, there is a lack of information about P4 supplementation during early pregnancy regarding swine embryonic development. Additionally, some of the few studies involving pigs have shown an impaired pregnancy rate when supplementation was performed before Day 6 of pregnancy. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of progesterone/progestin supplementation from Day 6 of pregnancy on total number of embryos (TE), pregnancy rate (PR), embryo development, and maternal serum 17β-oestradiol concentration (17β-E). A total of 31 crossbred, 2 to 6 parity sows were used. All sows were inseminated every 24h through the first oestrus following a 21-day lactation, and ovulation was detected by transrectal real-time ultrasound to determine Day 0 of pregnancy. On Day 6 of pregnancy, animals were randomly allocated to one of the following groups: CON (n=11), non-supplemented sows; RU (n=11), sows supplemented daily with 20mg of Altrenogest-Regumate® from Day 6 to 12 of pregnancy; and PG (n=9), sows supplemented with 2.15 mg/kg of long-acting P4 IM on Day 6 of pregnancy. Sows were treated with altrenogest p.o. as a top dressing over a small portion of feed. Blood samples were collected from 12 sows (4 per group) on Day 12 of pregnancy to measure the level of plasma 17β-E by radioimmunoassay. Sows were slaughtered on Day 28 of pregnancy. The uterus from each sow was collected and embryos were counted to determine TE. Embryos were individually separated from their placentas, weighed, and crown-to-rump length was determined. Data were analysed by the SAS program. All variables were analysed by PROC-MIXED t-test. Statistical difference was considered when P<0.05. The PR did not differ among groups (91, 90, and 88%, for CON, RU, and PG, respectively; P>0.05). No difference was observed among groups for TE and 17β-E level (P>0.05). However, embryonic weight and crown-to-rump length differed among the 3 groups (P<0.001). The RU-treated sows had heavier and bigger embryos when compared with the other groups. In contrast, PG-treated sows had the lowest averages for the same variables (weight: 1.39±0.01, 1.46±0.02, and 1.22±0.01; crown-to-rump: 21.07±0.08, 21.61±0.11, and 20.66±0.11; for CON, RU, and PG, respectively). In conclusion, altrenogest supplementation from Day 6 to 12 of pregnancy increases size and weight of porcine embryos, whereas 2.15mg kg−1 of long-acting P4 on Day 6 of pregnancy decreased these variables when compared with non-supplemented sows. Research was supported by FAPESP Grant 2017/00290-0.

Nutritional Status Impacts Epigenetic Regulation in Early Embryo Development: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Cai ◽  
Shuang Quan ◽  
Guangxin Yang ◽  
Meixia Chen ◽  
Qianhong Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Epigenetic Regulation ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Epigenetic Modification ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Epigenetic Modifications ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Early Embryo Development

ABSTRACTWith the increasing maternal age and the use of assisted reproductive technology in various countries worldwide, the influence of epigenetic modification on embryonic development is increasingly notable and prominent. Epigenetic modification disorders caused by various nutritional imbalance would cause embryonic development abnormalities and even have an indelible impact on health in adulthood. In this scoping review, we summarize the main epigenetic modifications in mammals and the synergies among different epigenetic modifications, especially DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and histone methylation. We performed an in-depth analysis of the regulation of various epigenetic modifications on mammals from zygote formation to cleavage stage and blastocyst stage, and reviewed the modifications of key sites and their potential molecular mechanisms. In addition, we discuss the effects of nutrition (protein, lipids, and one-carbon metabolism) on epigenetic modification in embryos and emphasize the importance of various nutrients in embryonic development and epigenetics during pregnancy. Failures in epigenetic regulation have been implicated in mammalian and human early embryo loss and disease. With the use of reproductive technologies, it is becoming even more important to establish developmentally competent embryos. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the extent to which embryos are sensitive to these epigenetic modifications and nutrition status. Understanding the epigenetic regulation of early embryo development will help us make better use of reproductive technologies and nutrition regulation to improve reproductive health in mammals.

Embryo development and placentome formation during early pregnancy in red deer

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 723 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. McMahon ◽  
M. W. Fisher ◽  
B. G. Mockett ◽  
R. P. Littlejohn
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Limb Buds ◽  
Early Embryo Development ◽  
Histological Processing

Early embryo development and placentome formation were assessed in red deer between Days 27 and 55 of gestation. Uteri were collected from 12 pregnant hinds in which mating was observed following a synchronized oestrus, and the tissues retained for measurements and histological processing for light microscopy. Twelve embryos were recovered with mean embryo weights increasing from 0·02 ± 0·01 g at Day 27 to 7·56 ± 1·39 g at Day 55 of gestation. Similarly, crown-rump lengths increased from 5·7 ± 0·7 mm to 55·3 ± 5·9 mm over this period. The trophoblast had extended throughout both uterine horns and gastrulation was completed by Day 27. Limb buds were apparent by Day 34, and by Day 48 the phalanges had separated into hooves and dew claws. Plaques were evident on the trophoblast at Day 34 and, by Day 41, placentomes had formed adjacent to the embryo. These placentomes grew in size as pregnancy advanced; by Day 55 most caruncles had formed placentomes. It is therefore conrmed that placentome formation occurs at about the sixth week of gestation. These results indicate that embryo growth and placentome formation in red deer are generally typical of that observed in other ruminants.Extra keyword: caruncle.

Dynamics of paternal contributions to early embryo development in large animals

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradford W Daigneault
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Early Embryo Development ◽  
Genomic Studies ◽  
Large Animals

Abstract This review focuses on current knowledge of paternal contributions to preimplantation embryonic development with particular emphasis on large animals. Specifically, the included content aims to summarize genomic and epigenomic contributions of paternally expressed genes, their regulation, and chromatin structure that are indispensable for early embryo development. The accumulation of current knowledge will summarize conserved allelic function among species to include functional molecular and genomic studies across large domestic animals in context with reference to founding experimental models.

scholarly journals Dose-response effects of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) on early embryonic development and viable pregnancy rate in rats

Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 283-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
CF Tain ◽  
HH Goh ◽  
SC Ng
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Early Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Yield ◽  
Female Wistar Rats ◽  
High Doses

The present study examined the dose-response effects of eCG treatment alone and in combination with various doses of hCG on early embryonic development in vivo and viable pregnancy rate in rats. Mated female Wistar rats were treated with eCG alone (0, 10, 20 or 40 iu), or with 20 iu eCG in combination with various doses of hCG (10, 20, 40 or 80 iu) administered 48 h later. The animals were killed on days 2, 3, 4, 5 or 14 of pregnancy and the numbers of embryos and fetuses recovered were scored. All rats treated with 0 or 10 iu eCG were pregnant. The pregnancy rate was reduced from 62.5% on day 2 to 25% on day 14 and from 31% on day 2 to 10% on day 14 in the groups treated with 20 and 40 iu eCG, respectively. The reduction in pregnancy rate induced by 20 iu eCG was negated by the increasing doses of hCG used. A 100% pregnancy rate was noted on days 2 and 3 in the groups treated with doses of hCG between 10 and 80 iu and from day 2 to day 4 in the groups treated with doses of hCG between 20 and 80 iu. However, a higher viable pregnancy rate was observed only in the group treated with 10 iu hCG compared with the group treated with 20 iu eCG and 0 iu hCG. These results imply that hyperstimulation of rats with high doses of eCG compromises pregnancy rate and markedly reduces litter size and that the addition of hCG is required for complete ovulation, which results in higher embryo yield and a delay in early embryo demise.

181 Equine androgenic embryos: ability of the equine sperm to develop in a heterospecific ooplasm

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
M. B. Rodriguez ◽  
A. Gambini ◽  
D. F. Salamone
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Early Embryo Development ◽  
Sperm Dna ◽  
Haploid Embryos ◽  
Androgenic Embryos

Androgenic haploid embryos were originally produced for the study of certain aspects of early embryo development. The generation of androgenic haploid embryos allows us to better understand the complementary parental contribution to embryonic development, and to examine the effects of haploid development on gene expression. Because mare oocytes for research are scarce, the generation of heterospecific androgenic embryos could be useful to study aspects of the biology of early embryo development, or to identify genes and their variations or mutations that are responsible for reproduction-related problems in mares and stallions, which is of interest for the breeding industry. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the capability of equine sperm to induce embryonic development after injection into an enucleated oocyte from a different species. Porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were obtained from abattoir ovaries and placed in 100-µL drops in vitro maturation (IVM) medium for 42h. Cumulus cells were removed with hyaluronidase and vortexing. Then, mature oocytes were subjected to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with stallion frozen-thawed semen (according to Rodriguez et al. 2015). Immediately after the last injection, the zona pellucida of injected oocytes was removed with protease treatment, the oocytes were treated with cytochalasin B, and the metaphase II enucleated with a 20-µm micropipette. Finally, embryos were placed in culture medium (SOF) in plates with the well-of-the-well (WOW) system. As control treatment, non-enucleated pig oocytes were injected with stallion (CE) and boar (CC) semen. At Day 4, embryos were evaluated for cleavage and number of blastomeres, and stained with Hoechst 33342 to verify the presence of DNA in each blastomere under the UV light. Embryos were stored for future PCR studies to validate the presence of equine DNA. Data were analysed by chi-squared test to compare the cleavage of both controls with the androgenic embryos. From a total of 53 androgenic haploid embryos, the cleavage rate was 62% (33/53). Embryos were cleaved in 2 to 4 cells in 72.7%, 5 to 8 cells in 18.2%, and 9+ cells in 9.1% at Day 4. Presence of DNA in all blastomeres was observed in 60.6% (20/33) of the androgenic haploid embryos, while 21.2% (7/33) of the embryos had 10 to 50% of blastomeres with DNA, and 18.6% (6/33) of the embryos did not have DNA in their blastomeres. The ICSI control embryos cleaved in 45.3% (34/75) and 64.9% (98/151) for groups CC and CE, respectively. Cleavage rates in control CE were significantly higher than those in control CC (P<0.004). No statistical difference was observed in the control groups versus androgenic embryos. This preliminary results showed that a heterospecific ooplasm can be successfully used to allow an equine sperm DNA to decondense and to develop, even in absence of the female counterpart. Using this method, copies of a single sperm DNA can be produced to potentially evaluate individual aspects of early embryo development concerning the male contribution. This is the first report of successful androgenic embryos using a heterospecific oocyte to create copies of a horse sperm DNA.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles Mediated Early Embryo–Maternal Interactions

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 1163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Bridi ◽  
Felipe Perecin ◽  
Juliano Coelho da Silveira
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Uterine Fluid ◽  
Zygote Stage

Embryo–maternal crosstalk is an important event that involves many biological processes, which must occur perfectly for pregnancy success. This complex communication starts from the zygote stage within the oviduct and continues in the uterus up to the end of pregnancy. Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are part of this communication and carry bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, mRNA, and miRNA. Small EVs are present in the oviductal and uterine fluid and have important functions during fertilization and early embryonic development. Embryonic cells are able to uptake oviductal and endometrium-derived small EVs. Conversely, embryo-derived EVs might modulate oviductal and uterine function. In this review, our aim is to demonstrate the role of extracellular vesicles modulating embryo–maternal interactions during early pregnancy.

scholarly journals Early embryonic development of bovine oocytes challenged with LPS in vitro or in vivo

Reproduction ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 158 (5) ◽  
pp. 453-463
Author(s):  
Joao Alveiro Alvarado Rincón ◽  
Patricia Carvalho Gindri ◽  
Bruna Mion ◽  
Ferronato Giuliana de Ávila ◽  
Antônio Amaral Barbosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Early Embryo Development ◽  
Lps Challenge ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exposing bovine oocytes to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in vivo and in vitro on early embryo development. In experiment 1, cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs, n = 700/group) were challenged with 0, 0.1, 1.0 or 5.0 μg/mL of LPS during in vitro maturation (IVM). Later, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) were performed. In experiment 2, COCs (n = 200/group) matured and in vitro fertilized without LPS were subjected to IVC with the same doses of LPS from experiment 1. In experiment 3, heifers received two injections of saline solution (n = 8) or 0.5 μg/kg of LPS (n = 8) 24 h apart, and 3 days later, COCs were recovered and submitted to IVM, IVF, and IVC. In experiments 1 and 3, the expression of TLR4, TNF, AREG and EREG genes in cumulus cells was evaluated. Exposure to 1 and 5 μg/mL of LPS during IVM decreased nuclear maturation (39.4 and 39.6%, respectively) compared with control (63.6%, P < 0.05). Despite that, no effect on cleavage and blastocyst rates were observed. Exposure to LPS during IVC did not affect embryonic development. In vivo exposure to LPS decreased the in vitro cleavage rate (54.3 vs 70.2%, P = 0.032), but cleaved embryos developed normally. Number of cells per embryo and gene expression were not affected by the LPS challenge in any experiment. In conclusion, although in vitro exposure to LPS did not affect early embryo development, in vivo LPS exposure reduced cleavage rate.

Oxidative stress induced by methomyl exposure reduces the quality of early embryo development in mice

Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Daohong He ◽  
Guobo Han ◽  
Xiaomeng Zhang ◽  
Jingyu Sun ◽  
Yongnan Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Early Embryonic Development ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Early Embryo Development ◽  
Early Embryos

Summary Methomyl is a widely used carbamate insecticide and environmental oestrogen that has adverse effects on the reproductive system. However, there have been no reports on the effect of methomyl on early embryos in mammals. In this study, we explored the effect of methomyl exposure on the quality of early embryonic development in mice and the possible mechanisms. During in vitro culture, different concentrations of methomyl (10, 20, 30 and 35 μM) were added to mouse zygote medium. The results showed that methomyl had an adverse effect on early embryonic development. Compared with the control group, the addition of 30 μM methomyl significantly reduced the rate of early embryo blastocyst formation. Methomyl exposure can increase oxidative stress and impair mitochondrial function, which may be the cause of blastocyst formation. In addition, we found that methomyl exposure promoted apoptosis and autophagy in mouse blastocysts. The toxic effect of methomyl on early embryos may be the result of oxidative stress induction. Taken together, our results indicate that methomyl can cause embryonic development defects in mice, thereby reducing the quality of early embryo development.

scholarly journals BPA and BPS Affect the Expression of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Its Receptor During Bovine Oocyte Maturation and Early Embryo Development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Christina Saleh ◽  
Reem Sabry ◽  
Gabriela Fabiana Mastromonaco ◽  
Laura Alessandra Favetta
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Bisphenol S ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Preimplantation Embryo Development

Abstract Background Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS), is widespread and has negative implications on embryonic development. Preliminary evidence revealed that in women undergoing IVF treatment, urinary BPA levels were associated with low serum anti-Mullerian hormone, however a definitive relationship between the two has not yet been characterized. Methods This study aimed to evaluate BPA and BPS effects on in vitro oocyte maturation and early preimplantation embryo development through i) analysis of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and anti-Mullerian hormone receptor II (AMHRII), ii) investigation of developmental parameters, such as cleavage, blastocyst rates and developmental arrest, iii) detection of apoptosis and iv) assessment of possible sex ratio skew. An in vitro bovine model was used as a translational model for human early embryonic development. We first assessed AMH and AMHRII levels after bisphenol exposure during oocyte maturation. Zygotes were also analyzed during cleavage and blastocysts stages. Techniques used include in vitro fertilization, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blotting, TUNEL and immunofluorescence. Results Our findings show that BPA significantly decreased cleavage (p < 0.001), blastocyst (p < 0.005) and overall developmental rates as well as significantly increased embryonic arrest at the 2–4 cell stage (p < 0.05). Additionally, both BPA and BPS significantly increased DNA fragmentation in 2–4 cells, 8–16 cells and blastocyst embryos (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BPA and BPS alter AMH and AMHRII at the mRNA and protein level in both oocytes and blastocysts. BPA, but not BPS, also significantly skews sex ratios towards female blastocysts (p < 0.05) Conclusion This study shows that BPA affects AMH and AMHRII expression during oocyte maturation and that BPS exerts its effects to a greater extent after fertilization and therefore may not be a safer alternative to BPA. Our data lay the foundation for future functional studies, such as receptor kinetics, downstream effectors, and promoter activation/inhibition to prove a functional relationship between bisphenols and the AMH signalling system.

scholarly journals Does miRNA Expression in the Spent Media Change During Early Embryo Development?

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Del Rio ◽  
Pavneesh Madan
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Early Embryo Development ◽  
Total Rna ◽  
Implantation Period ◽  
Spent Media

Distinct miRNA populations have been detected in the spent media of in-vitro culture systems. However, profiling has been limited to media conditioned with blastocyst-stage embryos. Therefore, the aim of the study was to profile extracellular miRNAs throughout the pre-implantation period in bovine embryos. To achieve this, cumulus oocyte complexes were aspirated from ovaries, in-vitro matured, fertilized, and cultured under standard laboratory procedures to the 2-cell, 8-cell, or blastocyst stage of development. At each developmental stage, 25 μl of spent in-vitro culture media was collected, pooled to 300 μl, and processed for total RNA extraction. In-vitro culture media, which never came in contact with any embryos, were additionally processed for total RNA extraction to serve as a negative control. Following hybridization on a GeneChip miRNA 4.0 array, comparative analysis was conducted between spent media and control samples. In total, 111 miRNAs were detected in the spent media samples, with 56 miRNAs identified in blastocyst spent media, 14 miRNAs shared between 8-cell and blastocyst spent media, 7 miRNAs shared between all 3 conditions, and 6 miRNAs exclusive to 2-cell spent media. miRNA-mRNA target prediction analysis revealed that the majority of genes predicted to be regulated by the miRNAs identified in the study have roles in cellular process, metabolic process, and biological regulation. Overall, the study suggest that miRNAs can be detected in the spent media of in-vitro culture system throughout the pre-implantation period and the detected miRNAs may influence genes impacting early embryo development.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document