Human cumulus-enclosed germinal vesicle oocytes from early antral follicles reveal heterogeneous cellular and molecular features associated with in vitro maturation capacity

F. Sanchez; S. Romero; M. De Vos; G. Verheyen; J. Smitz

doi:10.1093/humrep/dev083

Melatonin Promotes In Vitro Maturation of Vitrified-Warmed Mouse Germinal Vesicle Oocytes, Potentially by Reducing Oxidative Stress through the Nrf2 Pathway

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082324 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2324

Author(s):

Shichao Guo ◽

Jinyu Yang ◽

Jianpeng Qin ◽

Izhar Hyder Qazi ◽

Bo Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

In Vitro Maturation ◽

Germinal Vesicle ◽

Melatonin Receptors ◽

Development Rates ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway ◽

Mouse Gv Oocytes ◽

Intracellular Oxidative Stress

Previously it was reported that melatonin could mitigate oxidative stress caused by oocyte cryopreservation; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms which cause this remain unclear. The objective was to explore whether melatonin could reduce oxidative stress during in vitro maturation of vitrified-warmed mouse germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes through the Nrf2 signaling pathway or its receptors. During in vitro maturation of vitrified-warmed mouse GV oocytes, there were decreases (p < 0.05) in the development rates of metaphase I (MI) oocytes and metaphase II (MII) and spindle morphology grades; increases (p < 0.05) in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels; and decreases (p < 0.05) in expressions of Nrf2 signaling pathway-related genes (Nrf2, SOD1) and proteins (Nrf2, HO-1). However, adding 10−7 mol/L melatonin to both the warming solution and maturation solutions improved (p < 0.05) these indicators. When the Nrf2 protein was specifically inhibited by Brusatol, melatonin did not increase development rates, spindle morphology grades, genes, or protein expressions, nor did it reduce vitrification-induced intracellular oxidative stress in GV oocytes during in vitro maturation. In addition, when melatonin receptors were inhibited by luzindole, the ability of melatonin to scavenge intracellular ROS was decreased, and the expressions of genes (Nrf2, SOD1) and proteins (Nrf2, HO-1) were not restored to control levels. Therefore, we concluded that 10−7 mol/L melatonin acted on the Nrf2 signaling pathway through its receptors to regulate the expression of genes (Nrf2, SOD1) and proteins (Nrf2, HO-1), and mitigate intracellular oxidative stress, thereby enhancing in vitro development of vitrified-warmed mouse GV oocytes.

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Incubation with sperm enhances in vitro maturation of the oocyte from the germinal vesicle to the M2 stage

Fertility and Sterility ◽

10.1016/s0015-0282(97)81522-1 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 318-322 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Jacob Farhi ◽

Hana Nahum ◽

Haim Zakut ◽

David Levran

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Maturation ◽

Germinal Vesicle

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Evaluation of amniotic hydrogel’s impact on the development of murine pre-antral follicles in mouse model

Science and Technology Development Journal - Natural Sciences ◽

10.32508/stdjns.v2i4.807 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 32-39

Author(s):

Van Ngoc Le Trinh ◽

Hang Thi Kim Tran ◽

Thu Thuy Anh Vo ◽

Tuyet Thi Vi Le ◽

Ha Le Bao Tran

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Maturation ◽

High Demand ◽

Antral Follicles ◽

Secondary Follicle ◽

The Moment ◽

Main Component ◽

Supporting Frame ◽

Mature Process

Global average infertility rate is about 6– 12%, and in Vietnam at around 7.7%. As a result, there is a high demand for treatment, especially for female infertility. In vitro maturation (IVM) was evaluated and proven to be the most popular and promising at the moment. In long-term cultivation, the follicle was observed to extend, therefore, the usage of a supporting frame is quite necessary to maintain follicle’s natural sphere structure as well as completing the mature process. Amniotic membrane is an avascular membrane, composed of collagen, fibronectin, nidogen, proteoglycan, containing a big number of growth – factors with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, low immunogenicity and viscoelasticity properties. Amniotic hydrogel owns structure formed with thin fibers to help preserve the main component as collagen, which can turn to gel form at 37 degree Celsius. With those properties, amniotic hydrogel showed high potential as a scaffold for the follicle. When amniotic hydrogel is used as a scaffold for cultivating of secondary follicle (100 – 130 µm), the size of oocyte and follicle increased after 12 days of culturing, along with the formation of antrum. The results demonstrated the possibility to use amniotic hydrogel as a scaffold for the development of the secondary follicle.

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Embryo transfer following in vitro maturation and cryopreservation of oocytes recovered from antral follicles during conservative surgery for ovarian cancer

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics ◽

10.1007/s10815-012-9768-0 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 29 (8) ◽

pp. 779-781 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Rubens Fadini ◽

Mariabeatrice Dal Canto ◽

Mario Mignini Renzini ◽

Rodolfo Milani ◽

Robert Fruscio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Embryo Transfer ◽

In Vitro Maturation ◽

Conservative Surgery ◽

Antral Follicles

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326 EVALUATION OF CULTURE DURATION AND PARTIAL CUMULUS CELL REMOVAL DURING CANINE OOCYTE MATURATION

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv18n2ab326 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 270

Author(s):

C. Hanna ◽

C. Long ◽

M. Westhusin ◽

D. Kraemer

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Maturation ◽

Calf Serum ◽

Cumulus Cell ◽

Germinal Vesicle ◽

Cumulus Cells ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Culture Duration

The objectives of this study were to determine whether the percentage of canine oocytes that resume meiosis during in vitro maturation could be increased by either increasing culture duration or by removing approximately one-half of the cumulus cells 24 h after oocytes were placed into culture. Canine female reproductive tracts were collected from a local clinic and ovaries were minced in warm TL-HEPES. Oocytes with a consistently dark ooplasm and at least two layers of cumulus cells were selected, cultured in a basic canine oocyte in vitro maturation medium consisting of TCM-199 with Earl's salts, 2.92 mM Ca-lactate, 20 mM pyruvic acid, 4.43 mM HEPES, 10% fetal calf serum, 1% Penicillin/Streptomycin (GibcoBRL, Grand Island, NY, USA), and 5 μg/mL porcine somatotropin, and incubated at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in humidified air. Treatment groups were randomly assigned and oocytes were cultured for 60, 84, or 132 h (Basic). From each of these groups, one-half of the oocytes were pipetted through a fine bore pipette to partially remove the cumulus cells 24 h after the start of culture (Basic–1/2). At the end of culture, all oocytes were denuded and the nuclear status was observed with Hoechst 33342 under ultraviolet fluorescence. All data were analyzed by ANOVA with P < 0.05. Since the canine oocyte is ovulated at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage of meiosis and requires up to five days to mature in the oviduct, it was hypothesized that an increased culture time would allow for more oocytes to undergo nuclear maturation to metaphase II (MII). It was also hypothesized that partial removal of cumulus cells would decrease the cumulus cell component in the ooplasm that sustains meiotic arrest, allowing for more oocytes to resume meiosis (RM = germinal vesicle breakdown to MII). Results within each treatment group indicate that there is no significant difference between culture duration and the percent of oocytes that mature to MII. Additionally, there was no significance in the percent of oocytes that resumed meiosis after partial cumulus cell removal. Taken together, these data suggest that neither treatment is effective in canine in vitro maturation systems, given the current maturation culture conditions. Table 1. Nuclear status* of oocytes for three time periods with or without partial cumulus cell removal

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336 MEIOTIC DEVELOPMENT AND CORTICAL GRANULES DISTRIBUTION IN CANINE OOCYTES DURING IN VITRO MATURATION

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv22n1ab336 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 324 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. De los Reyes ◽

D. Luna ◽

J. Palomino

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Maturation ◽

Germinal Vesicle ◽

Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽

Cumulus Cells ◽

Homogeneous Distribution ◽

Cortical Granules ◽

Dapi Staining ◽

Nuclear Maturation ◽

Cytoplasmic Maturation

Low development of IVM canine oocytes could be in part attributed to an impaired cytoplasmic maturation. In mammalian oocytes, migration and the redistribution of cortical granules (CGs) around the periphery of the oocyte contribute to the inhibition of polyspermy and it is an important criterion to evaluate cytoplasmic maturation. The state of nuclear maturation and the distribution of CGs were evaluated in canine oocytes cultured for different periods in order to compare the synchrony of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation during in vitro maturation. Bitch ovaries at different stages of the estrous cycle were obtained following ovariectomy. COCs with compact cumulus cells showing a homogeneous cytoplasm were selected for experiments. Thirty-six COCs were processed at immature stage, placed in PBS medium until evaluation. A total of 275 COCs were matured in vitro for 48, 72, and 96 h in TCM-199 with Earle’s salt supplemented with 25 mM Hepes, 10% FCS, 0.25 mM pyruvate, 10 IU mL-1 of hCG, 300 IU mL-1 penicillin, and 20 mg mL-1 streptomycin, at 38.5°C and 5% CO2. At each culture period, the oocytes were stained with Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, and the CGs distributions were examined under a fluorescent microscope. The nuclear status of the denuded oocytes was determined by DAPI staining under a fluorescence microscope. For each treatment, at least four replicates were performed and the data was analyzed by ANOVA using Tukey’s test to determine the differences P < 0.05. Three types of CGs distribution were distinguished during canine oocyte maturation: (1) homogeneous distribution throughout the cytoplasm including the cortex; (2) heterogeneous (clusters) within the cytoplasm and (3) densely distributed beneath the oolemma. Nuclear stages were classified as immature or germinal vesicle (GV) stage; resumption of meiosis or germinal vesicle break down (GVBD); metaphase I to telophase I (MI toTel I); and mature or second metaphase (MII). The distribution patterns of GCs were different (P < 0.05) among oocytes cultured for different periods and the nuclear maturation status also differed between oocytes cultured for different intervals (P < 0.05). Most (>84%) of the immature oocytes at GV showed a uniform distribution of CGs throughout the cytoplasm. At 48 h of culture, CGs distribution was mainly Type 2 (25%) and 3 (61%) and the oocytes were at GVBD (33%) and MI-Tel I (33%) stages. Most nuclei of the type 3 oocytes were in the MI (40%) and MII (11%) stages, corresponding to those oocytes matured for 72 (88%) or 96 h (71%). These results indicate that canine oocytes migrate to the cortex during IVM and this process is not finished before 72 h of culture. In addition, although the re-distribution of the CGs occurred in parallel with nuclear maturation, the oocytes cannot always proceed to the MII stage; however, in such oocytes the CGs are distributed beneath the oolemma. Supported by Grant FONDECYT 1080618.

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312 EFFECTS OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR ALPHA AND INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR 1 SUPPLEMENTATION ON IN VITRO MATURATION OF CANINE OOCYTES

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv27n1ab312 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 245

Author(s):

A. Sato ◽

B. Sarentonglaga ◽

K. Ogata ◽

M. Yamaguchi ◽

A. Hara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Factor ◽

Synergistic Effect ◽

Oocyte Maturation ◽

In Vitro Maturation ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Germinal Vesicle ◽

Control Group ◽

Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽

Treatment Groups

Although in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes has been successfully established for many species, the efficiency of IVM in canine oocytes is still very low. As growth factors have been shown to promote oocyte maturation in some species, we investigated whether use of transforming growth factor α (TGF-a) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) might overcome the difficulties of achieving meiotic maturation in cultured canine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC). Ovaries were obtained from bitches at 6 months to 7 years of age by ovariohysterectomy and were sliced repeatedly to release COC. In the first experiment, the COC were cultured at 38.8°C for 48 h in 5% CO2 in air in medium 199 supplemented with either TGF-a (0, 1, 10, or 100 ng mL–1) or IGF-1 (0, 0.5, 5, 10, or 50 µg mL–1). In the second experiment, the synergistic effect of TGF-a and IGF-1 was investigated by culturing COC in medium 199 supplemented with both TGF-a (0, 1, 10, or 100 ng mL–1) and IGF-1 (0, 0.5, 5, 10, or 50 µg mL–1). At the end of the culture period, the oocytes were denuded of cumulus cells by pipetting with a fine bore glass pipette; the denuded oocytes were then fixed in Carnoy's solution and stained with Hoechst 33342. The nuclear configuration and chromatin morphology of the oocytes were evaluated under confocal laser scanning microscopy. The cells were assigned to 1 of the following meiotic stages: germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), metaphase I (MI), or metaphase II (MII). Data were analysed by ANOVA with Fisher's PLSD test. In experiment 1, no significant difference were observed in the rates of cells maturing to the MI and MII stages, but that in the 10 ng mL–1 of TGF-a group (56.3%) were larger than in the other treatment groups (38.8–51.0%). The frequencies of MII stage cells in the 5, 10, and 50 µg mL–1 of IGF-1 treatment groups (9.8, 13.3, and 12.2%, respectively) were significantly higher than in the 0.5 µg mL–1 of IGF-1 group and the control group (5.3 and 2.2%, respectively). In experiment 2, the frequency of MI and MII cells in the control, 1 ng mL–1 of TGF-a plus 0.5 µg mL–1 of IGF-1, 10 ng mL–1 of TGF-a plus 5 µg mL–1 of IGF-1, 10 ng mL–1 of TGF-a plus 10 µg mL–1 of IGF-1, and 100 ng mL–1 of TGF-a plus 50 µg mL–1 of IGF-1 group were 44.1, 36.1, 63.5, 70.8, and 50.8%, respectively. The frequency of MII cells in the control group and the same treatment groups were 2.8, 7.2, 10.4, 15.3, and 10.8%, respectively. Both frequencies in the 10 ng mL–1 of TGF-a plus 10 µg mL–1 of IGF-1 group were significantly higher than in the control group. The TGF-a may act in a paracrine fashion on the surrounding granulosa cells, and IGF-1 may play multiple roles in cellular metabolism, proliferation, growth, and differentiation in canine oocyte maturation, as has been reported for many other species. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that a synergistic effect between TGF-a and IGF-1 produces an increased rate of in vitro maturation to the MI and MII stages in canine oocytes.

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45 THE EFFECT OF MEIOTIC STAGE OF BOVINE OOCYTES ON THE SURVIVAL OF VITRIFIED CUMULUS–OOCYTE COMPLEXES

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv24n1ab45 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 135 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. R. Prentice ◽

J. Singh ◽

M. Anzar

Keyword(s):

Embryo Development ◽

Culture System ◽

In Vitro Maturation ◽

Germinal Vesicle ◽

Early Embryo ◽

Time Intervals ◽

Early Embryo Development ◽

In Vitro Culture System ◽

Bovine Oocytes

Vitrification is a rapid freezing method in which cells/tissues are frozen in a glass state without ice crystal formation. However, vitrification of bovine oocytes is challenging due to their complex structure and sensitivity to chilling. Oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage of maturation are thought to be less prone to chromosomal and microtubular damage during cryopreservation because no spindle is present and genetic material is contained within the nucleus. However, immature oocytes are thought to be more sensitive to osmotic stress and have lower cell membrane stability than mature, metaphase II (MII) stage oocytes. The present studies aimed to validate the in vitro culture system used in our laboratory and to evaluate the effect of vitrification of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) at different meiotic stages on their in vitro maturation (IVM), cleavage and early embryo development. Analyses were conducted on each dataset with PROC GLIMMIX in SAS using binary distribution (for yes/no response variable) and considering replicate as a random factor. In Experiment 1, meiotic progression of oocytes was evaluated at different time intervals during IVM. The following COC stages were predominantly found at different IVM time intervals: GV (89%) at 0 h, GV (47%) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD; 44%) at 6 h, metaphase I (MI; 90%) at 12 h and MII (84%) at 22 h (n > 62 oocytes at each time group). In Experiment 2, bovine COC at 0, 6, 12 and 22 h of IVM were exposed to vitrification solution (15% dimethyl sulfoxide + 15% ethylene glycol + 0.5 M sucrose + 20% CS in TCM-199), loaded onto a cryotop device and vitrified by plunging in liquid nitrogen. Following warming (1 min in 0.5 M sucrose + 20% CS in TCM-199), COC completed 22 h of IVM and the nuclear stage was evaluated with lamin A/C-4′6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. Upon completion of 22 h of IVM, 23, 23, 35 and 89% of oocytes from 0-, 6-, 12- and 22-h groups, respectively were detected at MII (P < 0.0001). In Experiment 3, cleavage and embryo development of oocytes vitrified at 0, 12 and 22 h of IVM were evaluated. The cleavage rate did not differ among vitrification groups (i.e. 14% at 0 h, 17% at 12 h and 14% at 22 h; P = 0.825). Cleavage and blastocyst rates were higher (P < 0.0001) in the non-vitrified (control) group than in vitrified groups (i.e. 73 vs 15% and 22 vs 0.3%, respectively). In conclusion, the maturation kinetics validated our in vitro culture system and vitrification adversely affected the ability of bovine oocytes to undergo in vitro maturation to the MII stage, in vitro fertilization and early embryo development. Vitrification of oocytes at GV, MI and MII stages of nuclear maturation did not differ in their subsequent survivability. This study was supported by the Canadian Animal Genetic Resources Program, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

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