30 The importance of cumulus cells for the survival and timing of meiotic resumption of porcine oocytes vitrified at the immature stage

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
N. T. Hiep ◽  
T. Somfai ◽  
Y. Hirao ◽  
T. Q. Dang-Nguyen ◽  
N. T. Men ◽  
...  

Previous research revealed that vitrification at the immature (the germinal vesicle, GV) stage triggers premature meiotic resumption in cumulus-enclosed porcine oocytes and causes a damage in gap junctions (Appeltant et al. 2017 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 29, 2419-2429). However, the correlation between the two phenomena was not investigated yet. The present research was conducted to clarify whether premature meiotic resumption is caused by gap junction disruption and to assess the importance of cumulus cells for the survival of porcine oocytes vitrified at the GV stage. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from 3- to 6-mm antral follicles of slaughtered gilts. Immediately after collection, approximately half of them were denuded mechanically (DOs). In each replicate, groups of COCs and DOs were processed without vitrification (control groups). Treatment groups of COCs and DOs were vitrified on Cryotop sheets in a combination of 17.5% propylene glycol and 17.5% ethylene glycol and warmed in 0.4M sucrose. The oocytes were then cultured for 22h in a chemically defined porcine oocyte medium (POM) supplemented with 10ngmL−1 epidermal growth factor, 10IUmL−1 equine chorionic gonadotrophin, 10IUmL−1 human chorionic gonadotrophin, and 1mM dibutyryl cAMP. After culture, COCs were denuded and oocyte survival was assessed by morphological evaluation of membrane integrity under a stereo microscope. Then, live oocytes were fixed and stained with 1% orcein and nuclear status was evaluated under a phase-contrast microscope. The experiment was replicated 5 times. Data were analysed by ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. After vitrification and culture, the survival rate in the COC group was higher (P<0.05) than that of the DO group (160/191=84.7±3.4% vs. 153/237=65.0±6.2%, respectively) but reduced (P<0.05) compared with those in the control COC and DO groups (138/143=96.6±1.0% and 152/153=99.3±0.6%, respectively). The majority of the control COCs and DOs were at the GV stage with similar percentages (95.6±2.2% and 94.0±2.2%, respectively). In contrast, the percentages of oocytes at the GV stage in the vitrified COC and DO groups were reduced (71.6±9.4% and 45.7±10.5%, respectively; P<0.05) compared with the control groups, which were associated with increased frequencies of diakinesis and MI stages. Percentages of oocytes at the GV stage in the vitrified COC and DO groups were not significantly different (P=0.23). In conclusion, cumulus cells can prevent vitrification-related membrane damage of oocytes. Furthermore, vitrification induced premature meiosis both in the cumulus-enclosed and denuded oocytes even in the presence of the meiotic inhibitor, dibutyryl cAMP. Nevertheless, cumulus removal without vitrification did not induce premature meiosis in the oocytes. Therefore, disruption in communication with cumulus cells might not be the primary reason for premature meiosis in vitrified oocytes.

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
H. Funahashi ◽  
T. Koike

Glucose metabolism through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) seems to play a critical role in meiotic resumption in mouse oocytes (Downs et al. 1998 Biol. Reprod. 58, 1084–1094). However, the role is not clear in porcine oocytes. In the present study, we examined whether glucose affects morphological change of germinal vesicles and the resumption of meiosis in porcine oocytes in a chemically defined medium. In the first experiment, porcine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from 3–6-mm follicles of slaughterhouse ovaries and cultured in a chemically defined medium, mNCSU37-PVA with/without 5.55 mM glucose in the presence of eCG, hCG, and dibutyryl cAMP for 20–22 h and then in the absence of eCG, hCG, and dibutyryl cAMP for 24 h. In the second experiment, 5.55 mM glucose in the maturation medium was replaced with the same concentration of Na pyruvate. In the third experiment, the PPP inhibitor 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) was added to the maturation medium at various concentrations (0, 10, 50, and 100 �M). To determine the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), OCCs were fixed, blocked, and treated with anti-G6PD polyclonal antibody and the secondary antibody labeling a fluorescent material. Results from 3–5 replicates were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test. When OCCs were cultured in glucose-free chemically defined maturation media, regardless of the presence of hormones and dibutyryl cAMP, germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) of oocytes was inhibited (10.0–21.3%), as compared with OCCs cultured in the presence of glucose and hormones (91.4–92.0%). In a majority of oocytes in which GVBD was inhibited, the arrest occurred at the GV-I stage. When OCCs were cultured in maturation media in which glucose was replaced with Na pyruvate, GVBD was not inhibited any more than in control samples that were cultured in the presence of glucose (97.4% vs. 97.1%). However, the incidence of oocytes developing to the metaphase II stage was significantly lower in this condition than in controls (4.8% vs. 49.9%, respectively). A majority of the oocytes were at the metaphase I stage (86.0% vs. 45.5% in controls). The presence of 6-AN in maturation media significantly inhibited GVBD of oocytes (77.3, 29.0, 7.4, and 8.4% at 0, 10, 50, and 100 µM, respectively) and arrested the oocytes at the GV-I stage. Immunocytochemistry with anti-G6PD demonstrated the activity of G6PD in cumulus cells of OCCs. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that glucose plays a critical role in the release of porcine oocytes arrested at the GV-I stage, probably through PPP of cumulus cells. The current results also suggest the possibility of gluconeogenesis in porcine OCCs when glucose in maturation media was replaced with Na pyruvate.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
T. Somfai ◽  
N. T. Men ◽  
H. Kaneko ◽  
J. Noguchi ◽  
S. Haraguchi ◽  
...  

Previously we have reported a vitrification protocol that allows preservation of immature porcine oocytes in large numbers (Somfai et al. 2014 PLoS One 9, e97731). However, despite high survival rates, embryo development rates have remained low. The aim of our current research is to reveal factors potentially responsible for reduced developmental competence of vitrified oocytes. As a first step, we investigated the effects of vitrification at the germinal vesicle stage on subsequent nuclear progression and the normality of cytoplasmic functions during in vitro maturation (IVM). Cumulus-enclosed porcine oocytes were vitrified in microdrops, stored, and then warmed by our method (Somfai et al. 2015 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 27, 124). Then the oocytes were subjected to IVM for 46 h in a chemically defined porcine oocyte medium. During the first 22 h of IVM, the medium was supplemented with 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate, 10 IU mL–1 of eCG, and 10 IU mL–1 of hCG. The following 24 h of IVM was performed in porcine oocyte medium without any supplementation. We compared vitrified/warmed oocytes (vitrified group) with freshly collected immature oocytes (control group) in terms of (1) nuclear progression, (2) intracellular glutathione (GSH), and (3) adenosine triphosphate levels throughout IVM. Each experiment was replicated at least 3 times. Results were analysed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. A total of 510 oocytes were vitrified of which 422 (82.3%) survived. Only live oocytes were subjected to subsequent assays. Orcein staining revealed that after 22 h of IVM, a significantly higher percentage (P < 0.05) of vitrified oocytes showed germinal vesicle breakdown compared with the control group (22.0 v. 0.9%, respectively). In a similar fashion, after 30 h IVM, a significantly higher (P < 0.05) percentage of oocytes reached the metaphase-II (MII) stage in the vitrified group than in the control group (21.8 v. 0%, respectively). After 46 h of IVM, there was no difference between the vitrified and control groups in terms of the percentage of MII stage oocytes (93.9 and 86.3%, respectively). Analysis of GSH levels in oocytes by the 5,5′-dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoic acid-glutathione disulfide reductase recycling assay showed no significant difference between the vitrified and control groups at 0 h (6.7 and 7.0 pmol, respectively), 22 h (5.5 and 5.5 pmol, respectively), and 46 h (6.9 and 7.9 pmol, respectively) of IVM. Adenosine triphosphate assay (FL-ASC; Sigma-Aldrich Co., St. Louis, MO) revealed similar adenosine triphosphate contents in the oocytes of the vitrified and control groups at 0 h (1.53 and 1.61 pmol, respectively), 22 h (1.67 and 1.70 pmol, respectively), and 46 h (1.65 and 1.83 pmol, respectively) of IVM. In conclusion, vitrification triggered precocious nuclear maturation even in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate; however, it did not affect GSH levels and overall metabolism. This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Number: 26870839) and JST/JICA SATREPS.


Zygote ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lun Suo ◽  
Guang-Bin Zhou ◽  
Qing-Gang Meng ◽  
Chang-Liang Yan ◽  
Zhi-Qiang Fan ◽  
...  

SummaryCryopreservation can cause cumulus cell damage around the immature oocytes, which may result in poor subsequent development. To evaluate the effect of the meiosis stage on the cumulus cell cryoinjury and determine the suitable stage for cryopreservation in immature oocytes, mouse oocytes at germinal vesicle (GV) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stages were vitrified using open pulled straw (OPS) method. Cumulus cells damage was scored immediately after thawing by double-fluorescent staining. The survival rate of the oocytes was evaluated and the subsequent development of oocytes was assessed through in vitro culture (IVC) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) separately. After vitrification, a higher proportion of cumulus cells of GV oocytes were damaged than those of GVBD and untreated control groups. The survival rate of vitrified GVBD oocytes (94.1%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of GV oocytes (85.4%). Oocytes vitrified at GVBD stage (55.7%) showed similar cleavage rate compared to those at GV stage (49.2%), but significantly higher (p < 0.05) blastocyst rate (40.9% vs. 27.4%). These results demonstrate that oocytes at GVBD stage remain better cumulus membrane integrity and developmental ability during vitrification than those at GV stage, indicating they are more suitable for immature oocytes cryopreservation in mice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1038-1047
Author(s):  
Mawia & et al.

This study had as principal objective identification of osmotic-tolerant potato genotypes by using "in vitro" tissue culture and sorbitol as a stimulating agent, to induce water stress, which was added to the  culture nutritive medium in different concentration (0,50, 110, 220, 330 and 440 mM).  The starting point was represented by plantlets culture collection, belonging to eleven potato genotypes: Barcelona, Nectar, Alison, Jelly, Malice, Nazca, Toronto, Farida, Fabulla, Colomba and Spunta. Plantlets were multiplied between two internodes to obtain microcuttings (in sterile condition), which were inoculated on medium. Sorbitol-induced osmotic stress caused a significant reduction in the ascorbic acid, while the concentration of proline, H2O2 and solutes leakage increased compared with the control. Increased the proline content prevented lipid peroxidation, which played a pivotal role in the maintenance of membrane integrity under osmotic stress conditions. The extent of the cytoplasmic membrane damage depends on osmotic stress severity and the genotypic variation in the maintenance of membranes stability was highly associated with the ability of producing more amounts of osmoprotectants (proline) and the non-enzymic antioxidant ascorbic acid in response to osmotic stress level. The results showed that the genotypes Jelly, Nectar, Allison, Toronto, and Colomba are classified as highly osmotic stress tolerant genotypes, while the genotypes Nazca and Farida are classified as osmotic stress susceptible ones.


BMC Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin A. Ammendolia ◽  
William M. Bement ◽  
John H. Brumell

AbstractPlasma membrane integrity is essential for cellular homeostasis. In vivo, cells experience plasma membrane damage from a multitude of stressors in the extra- and intra-cellular environment. To avoid lethal consequences, cells are equipped with repair pathways to restore membrane integrity. Here, we assess plasma membrane damage and repair from a whole-body perspective. We highlight the role of tissue-specific stressors in health and disease and examine membrane repair pathways across diverse cell types. Furthermore, we outline the impact of genetic and environmental factors on plasma membrane integrity and how these contribute to disease pathogenesis in different tissues.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Miruna-Silvia Stan ◽  
Ionela Cristina Nica ◽  
Juliette Moreau ◽  
Maïté Callewaert ◽  
Cyril Cadiou ◽  
...  

Nanogels are a novel class of three-dimensional cross-linked polymers able to retain high amounts of water in their network structure, with large potential applications in nanomedicine. In our study, the polymer matrix selected was chitosan, as this polysaccharide biopolymer composed of N-acetylglucosamine and glucosamine residues exhibits great biocompatibility and low toxicity. The preparation was performed by ionic gelation in the presence of hyaluronic acid and sodium tripolyphosphate, with rhodamine or fluorescein isothiocyanate molecules grafted on a chitosan backbone. In order to validate the possible usage of these chitosan-fluorophores conjugates for fluorescence imaging purposes in cancer diagnostics and therapy, their biological effect was assessed on SVEC4-10 cells (a simian virus 40-transformed mouse microvascular endothelial cell line). Cell viability, membrane integrity and nanogels uptake were examined following exposure for 6 and 24 h at concentrations up to 120 µg/mL. A good biocompatibility was obtained after both time intervals of incubation with nanogels, with no increase in cell death or membrane damage being noticed as compared to control. By examination on confocal laser scanning microscopy, both types of fluorescent nanogels agglomerated on the surface of the cell membrane, their cellular internalization being observed only for few cells, preferentially at the cell periphery. In conclusion, based on the biocompatibility of the nanogels, these can further incorporate gadolinium for an improved magnetic resonance imaging effect in nanomedicine.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Clara Fanton ◽  
Craig Brodersen

Abstract Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is the xylem-dwelling bacterial agent associated with Pierce’s Disease (PD), which leads to significant declines in productivity in agriculturally important species like grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Xf spreads through the xylem network by digesting the pit membranes between adjacent vessels, thereby potentially changing the hydraulic properties of the stem. However, the effects of Xf on water transport varies depending on the plant host and the infection stage, presenting diverse outcomes. Here, we investigated the effects of polygalacturonase, an enzyme known to be secreted by Xf when it produces biofilm on the pit membrane surface, on stem hydraulic conductivity and pit membrane integrity. Experiments were performed on six grapevine genotypes with varying levels of PD resistance, with the expectation that pit membrane resistance to degradation by polygalacturonase may play a role in PD-resistance. Our objective was to study a single component of this pathosystem in isolation to better understand the mechanisms behind reported changes in hydraulics, thereby excluding the biological response of the plant to the presence of Xf in the vascular system. Pit membrane damage only occurred in stems perfused with polygalacturonase. Although the damaged pit membrane area was small (2-9% of the total pit aperture area), membrane digestion led to significant changes in the median air-seeding thresholds, and most importantly, shifted frequency distribution. Finally, enzyme perfusion also resulted in a universal reduction in stem hydraulic conductivity, suggesting the development of tyloses may not be the only contributing factor to reduced hydraulic conductivity in infected grapevine.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1556 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Morrow ◽  
J. Gosálvez ◽  
C. López-Fernández ◽  
F. Arroyo ◽  
W. V. Holt ◽  
...  

There is growing concern over the effect of sperm cryopreservation on DNA integrity and the subsequent development of offspring generated from this cryopreserved material. In the present study, membrane integrity and DNA stability of Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis spermatozoa were evaluated in response to cryopreservation with or without activation, a process that happens upon exposure to water to spermatozoa of some aquatic species. A dye exclusion assay revealed that sperm plasma membrane integrity in both species decreased after freezing, more so for X. laevis than X. tropicalis spermatozoa. The sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test showed that for both X. tropicalis and X. laevis, activated frozen spermatozoa produced the highest levels of DNA fragmentation compared with all fresh samples and frozen non-activated samples (P < 0.05). Understanding the nature of DNA and membrane damage that occurs in cryopreserved spermatozoa from Xenopus species represents the first step in exploiting these powerful model organisms to understand the developmental consequences of fertilising with cryopreservation-damaged spermatozoa.


Author(s):  
Dulama Richani ◽  
Robert B Gilchrist

Abstract Oocytes are maintained in a state of meiotic arrest following the first meiotic division until ovulation is triggered. Within the antral follicle, meiotic arrest is actively suppressed in a process facilitated by the cyclic nucleotides cGMP and cAMP. If removed from this inhibitory follicular environment and cultured in vitro, mammalian oocytes undergo spontaneous meiotic resumption in the absence of the usual stimulatory follicular stimuli, leading to asynchronicity with oocyte cytoplasmic maturation and lower developmental competence. For more than 50 years, pharmacological agents have been used to attenuate oocyte germinal vesicle (GV) breakdown in vitro. Agents which increase intra-oocyte cAMP or prevent its degradation have been predominantly used, however agents such as kinase and protein synthesis inhibitors have also been trialled. Twenty years of research demonstrates that maintaining GV arrest for a period before in vitro maturation (IVM) improves oocyte developmental competence, and is likely attributed to maintenance of bidirectional communication with cumulus cells leading to improved oocyte metabolic function. However, outcomes are influenced by various factors including the mode of action of the modulators, dose, treatment duration, species, and the degree of hormonal priming of the oocyte donor. Cyclic GMP and/or cAMP modulation in a prematuration step (called pre-IVM) prior to IVM has shown the greatest consistency in improving oocyte developmental competence, whereas kinase and protein synthesis inhibitors have proven less effective at improving IVM outcomes. Such pre-IVM approaches have shown potential to alter current use of artificial reproductive technologies in medical and veterinary practice.


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