Chromosome condensation activity in ovulated metaphase II mouse oocytes assayed by fusion with interphase blastomeres

1986 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-138
Author(s):  
R. Czolowska ◽  
M. Waksmundzka ◽  
J.Z. Kubiak ◽  
A.K. Tarkowski
Keyword(s):  
Interphase Nucleus ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Experimental Protocol ◽  
Premature Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Condensation Activity ◽  
Fusion Products

Fusion of large and small karyoplasts produced from metaphase II mouse oocytes with interphase blastomeres from 2-cell and 8-cell embryos (volume ratio of partners, 1:1) results in premature chromosome condensation (PCC) of the interphase nucleus in the majority of the fusion products (hybrids). Fused under the same experimental protocol, oocyte-derived cytoplasts also induce PCC of the blastomere nucleus in the fusion products (cybrids) provided they originate from recently ovulated oocytes (141/2-15 h after injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)). In cytoplasts derived from older oocytes (16–20 h post-HCG) chromosome condensation activity gradually decreases with time as can be inferred from the increasing proportion of cybrids retaining interphase blastomere nuclei. However, even the oldest cytoplasts (19–20 h post-HCG) can induce PCC if the cytoplast volume significantly exceeds the volume of the interphase partner (7:1). We postulate that the condensation activity is predominantly bound to the nuclear apparatus (most probably to the chromosomes), and that in the cytoplasm of metaphase II mouse oocyte it decreases with post-ovulatory age.

Chromosome condensation activity (CCA) in bisected C57BL/6JxCBA mouse oocytes

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Fulka ◽  
N Ouhibi ◽  
J Fulka ◽  
J Kanka ◽  
RM Moor
Keyword(s):  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Chromosome Condensation ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Nuclear Transplantation ◽  
Premature Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Subsequent Response ◽  
Condensation Activity

Chromosome condensation activity (CCA) has been analysed in C57BL/6Jx CBA mouse oocytes bisected (i) shortly after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), (ii) in metaphase I (MI) and (iii) in metaphase II (MII) into two equal halves (nucleated, enucleated) which were thereafter fused to S- or G2-phase 4-cell-stage mouse blastomeres. In nucleated halves, premature chromosome condensation (PCC) in transplanted nuclei was always induced irrespective of the cell cycle stage of the blastomere, whereas in enucleated halves only G2 nuclei underwent PCC after transplantation. Premature chromosome condensation in S-phase nuclei was induced only in enucleated halves produced shortly after GVBD. Although S-phase nuclei transplanted to MI or MII enucleated halves remained intact, their capacity to synthesize DNA was invariably suppressed. When spindles were destroyed by preincubation of the oocytes in colcemid before bisection, both nucleated and enucleated halves produced at MI or MII induced PCC of both G2- or S-phase nuclei. These results demonstrate that chromosome condensation activity in mammalian oocytes is compartmentalized rather than uniformly distributed across the cell, and that the enucleation of mammalian oocytes before nuclear transplantation may, under some conditions, influence the levels of CCA and subsequent response of introduced nuclei to cytoplasmic factors.

scholarly journals Behaviour of thymocyte nuclei in non-activated and activated mouse oocytes

1984 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34
Author(s):  
R. Czolowska ◽  
J.A. Modlinski ◽  
A.K. Tarkowski
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Premature Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Newborn Mice ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Female Pronucleus ◽  
Hybrid Character ◽  
Metaphase Ii Oocytes

Cells originating from the thymus of newborn mice were fused with mouse oocytes using polyethylene glycol. The behaviour of thymocyte nuclei was studied in non-activated metaphase II oocytes, and in oocytes activated in vitro with ethanol. In non-activated oocytes all thymocyte nuclei undergo premature chromosome condensation with individualization of chromosomes; the chromosomes form separate groups in the cytoplasm, or are assembled around the metaphase II spindle, or located on the extra-spindle. In activated oocytes thymocyte nuclei start to develop along a pronucleus-like pathway (decondensation, visualization of nucleoli, swelling) and increase up to 200 times in volume during 24 h culture in vitro, eventually reaching the size of a fully grown pronucleus. Activation/fusion timing seems to be critical for the full remodelling of thymocyte nuclei. Nuclei introduced before (10-30 min) or shortly after (up to 60 min) activation often grow larger than the female pronucleus. Those introduced into oocytes long before activation (greater than 30 min) undergo premature condensation with subsequent reformation of nuclei that are sometimes deficient (as indicated by the presence of micronuclei), or of hybrid character. Nuclei introduced late after activation (greater than 60 min) are mostly doomed to retarded development. The implications of the present observations for nuclear transfer experiments in mammals are discussed.

Progression of mouse oocytes from metaphase I to metaphase II is inhibited by fusion with G2 cells

Zygote ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Grabarek ◽  
Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Factor Activity ◽  
Premature Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
M Phase ◽  
G2 Cells ◽  
Cytostatic Factor ◽  
Metaphase Ii Oocytes ◽  
Metaphase I

We show that in contrast to metaphase II oocytes, metaphase I oocytes cannot be activated by fusion with the zygote. Fusion of metaphase I oocytes with G2 zygotes was followed by premature chromosome condensation, with 60% of the hybrids becoming arrested at metaphase I, the remainder progressing and arresting at metaphase II. Hybrids of metaphase I oocytes and M-phase zygotes underwent accelerated maturation, but all arrested at metaphase II. In both cases the arrest could be overcome by treatment with the parthenogenetic activators ethanol and cycloheximide. We discuss these findings in relation to the possibility that the metaphase I oocyte contains cytostatic factor activity that is activated by its zygotic partner. Alternatively, the G2 zygote may provide an inhibitor of anaphase, normally never present in the metaphase I oocyte and which is absent from the M-phase zygote.

scholarly journals Dose-dependent relationship between oocyte cytoplasmic volume and transformation of sperm nuclei to metaphase chromosomes

1987 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 831-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
HJ Clarke ◽  
Y Masui
Keyword(s):  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Sperm Nucleus ◽  
Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Metaphase Chromosomes ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Cytoplasmic Material ◽  
Dependent Relationship ◽  
Condensation Activity ◽  
Sperm Nuclei ◽  
Chromosome Formation

We have studied the chromosome condensation activity of mouse oocytes that have been inseminated during meiotic maturation. These oocytes remain unactivated, and in those penetrated by up to three or four sperm, each sperm nucleus is transformed, without prior development of a pronucleus, into metaphase chromosomes. However, those penetrated by more than four sperm never transform any of the nuclei into metaphase chromosomes (Clarke, H. J., and Y. Masui, 1986, J. Cell Biol. 102:1039-1046). We report here that, when the cytoplasmic volume of oocytes was doubled or tripled by cell fusion, up to five or eight sperm nuclei, respectively, could be transformed into metaphase chromosomes. Conversely, when the cytoplasmic volume was reduced by bisection of oocytes after the germinal vesicle (GV) had broken down, no more than two sperm could be transformed into metaphase chromosomes. Thus, the capacity of the oocyte cytoplasm to transform sperm nuclei to metaphase chromosomes was proportional to its volume. The contribution of the nucleoplasm of the GV and the cytoplasm outside the GV to the chromosome condensation activity was investigated by bisecting oocytes that contained a GV and then inseminating the nucleate and anucleate fragments. The anucleate fragments never induced sperm chromosome formation, indicating that GV nucleoplasm is required for this activity. In the nucleate fragments, the capacity to induce sperm chromosome formation was reduced as compared with whole oocytes, in spite of the fact that the fragments contained the entire GV nucleoplasm. This implies that non-GV cytoplasmic material also was required for chromosome condensation activity. When inseminated oocytes were incubated in the presence of puromycin, the sperm nuclei were transformed into interphase-like nuclei, but no metaphase chromosomes developed. However, when protein synthesis resumed, the interphase nuclei were transformed to metaphase chromosomes. These results suggest that the transformation of sperm nuclei to metaphase chromosomes in the cytoplasm of mouse oocytes requires both the nucleoplasm of the GV and non-GV cytoplasmic substances, including proteins synthesized during maturation.

THE PRECISION OF THE OVARIAN ASCORBIC ACID DEPLETION TEST FOR LUTEINIZING HORMONE

1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-160
Author(s):  
Jørgen Falck Larsen ◽  
Christian Hamburger
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Clinical Analysis ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin

ABSTRACT Various modifications of the Parlow test for luteinizing hormone (ovarian ascorbic acid depletion in rats) were tried. Human chorionic gonadotrophin was used instead of hypophyseal luteinizing hormone. The precision of the method was found to be so low, however, that the test could not be used for routine clinical analysis. The low precision found in this and other laboratories is thought to be due to the strains of rats used.

STUDIES ON THE AROMATISATION OF NEUTRAL STEROIDS IN PREGNANT WOMEN

1964 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Bolté ◽  
S. Mancuso ◽  
G. Eriksson ◽  
N. Wiqvist ◽  
E. Diczfalusy
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽  
Radioactive Material ◽  
Placental Barrier ◽  
Therapeutic Abortion ◽  
Limited Ability ◽  
Better Than

ABSTRACT In 15 cases of therapeutic abortion by laparotomy the placenta was disconnected from the foetus and perfused in situ with tracer amounts of radioactive dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS), androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (A), testosterone (T) and 17β-oestradiol (OE2). Analysis of the placentas, perfusates and urine samples revealed an extensive aromatisation of DHA, A and T; more than 70% of the radioactive material recovered was phenolic, and at least 80 % of this phenolic material was identified as oestrone (OE1), 17β-oestradiol (OE2) and oestriol (OE3), the latter being detected only in the urine. Comparative studies indicated that A and T were aromatised somewhat better than DHA and that all three unconjugated steroids were aromatised to a much greater extent than DHAS. Radioactive OE1 and OE2 were isolated and identified in the placentas and perfusates, but no OE3, epimeric oestriols, or ring D ketols could be detected in these sources, not even when human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was added to the blood prior to perfusion. Lack of placental 16-hydroxylation was also apparent when OE2 was perfused. Regardless of the precursor perfused, there was three times more OE2 than OE1 in the placenta and three times more OE1 than OE2 in the perfusate. This was also the case following perfusion with OE2. The results are interpreted as suggesting the existence in the pregnant human of a placental »barrier« limiting the passage of circulating androgen. The barrier consists of a) limited ability to transfer directly DHAS and b) an enzymic mechanism resulting in the rapid and extensive aromatisation of the important androgens DHA, A and T.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document