马卵母细胞体外成熟的研究进展

随着全球马产业的发展,马发挥的经济价值越来越大。辅助生殖技术有利于发挥优良马匹的潜在价值。马卵母细胞体外成熟(IVM)是辅助生殖技术重要的组成部分,卵母细胞的获取是体外成熟的前提,切刮法能从离体卵巢中获得较多的马卵母细胞,而活体采卵技术(OPU)则能持续地获得卵母细胞,并能较好的保存马卵母细胞的发育能力。扩张型卵母细胞的成熟率高于紧密型卵母细胞,母马的年龄会影响到其卵母细胞的质量。马卵母细胞体外存放较长时间不会影响其发育能力,现在已有较为成熟的体系能使马卵母细胞在体外保存24 h以上而不影响其成熟率。在马卵母细胞成熟体系中常用的基础培养液是M199,添加胎牛血清(FBS)、促卵泡素(FSH)、促黄体生成素(LH)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)等物质能显著提高成熟率,常用培养环境为38~39℃,5%CO2饱和湿度下培养,培养时间30 h。成熟的卵母细胞有扩张的卵丘细胞和极体,且成熟的卵母细胞的细胞骨架及微管结构也会发生变化。本文针对马卵母细胞的采集和体外成熟培养的相关研究进行总结,重点阐述了不同采集技术的回收率以及影响马卵母细胞体外成熟率的关键因素,以期对今后马卵母细胞体外成熟的进一步研究及后期体外受精技术的发展提供借鉴与参考。     

Post‐Warming Competence of In Vivo Matured Rabbit Oocytes Treated with Cytoskeletal Stabilization (Taxol) and Cytoskeletal Relaxant (Cytochalasin B) Before Vitrification

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Taxol and Cytochalasin B on the spindle, chromosome configuration and development to blastocyst stage after parthenogenesis activation of in vivo matured rabbit oocytes after vitrification. Oocytes were randomized into four groups: oocytes treated with Cytochalasin B or Taxol before vitrification, oocytes without treatment before vitrification and fresh oocytes. Oocytes were vitrified using Cryotop method, and meiotic spindle and chromosomal distribution were assessed with a confocal laser scanning microscopy. To determine oocyte competence, in vitro development of oocytes was assessed with parthenogenesis activation. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of normal spindle (33.0%, 31.0% and 32.6%, for non‐treated, Taxol‐treated and Cytochalasin B‐treated oocytes, respectively) and chromosome (48.3%, 46.6% and 34.8%, for non‐treated, Taxol‐treated oocytes and Cytochalasin B‐treated oocytes respectively) in vitrified groups, but significantly lower than those of fresh group (89.7% and 90.2%, for normal spindle and chromosome organization, respectively). No statistical differences were found in the cleavage and blastocyst development rates between non‐treated and Taxol‐treated oocytes (7.7% and 1.5% and 13.7% and 4.6%, for non‐treated and Taxol‐treated oocytes, respectively), although they were significantly lower than in the fresh group (42.3% and 32.1%, for cleavage and blastocyst development, respectively). Oocytes treated with Cytochalasin B failed to reach blastocyst stage. Normal spindle, chromosome configuration and blastocyst development of in vivo matured rabbit oocytes were damaged in vitrification, which was not improved by Taxol and Cytochalasin B pre‐treatment before vitrification. Moreover, a detrimental effect on blastocyst development of Cytochalasin B pre‐treatment before vitrification was observed.     

Influence of Cysteamine on In Vitro Maturation, In Vitro and In Vivo Fertilization of Equine Oocytes

The effect of cysteamine on in vitro nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of equine oocytes collected by transvaginal ultrasound guided follicular aspiration was assessed. Oocytes were matured in vitro with (cysteamine group) or without (control group) cysteamine. The nuclear stage after DNA Hoechst staining, penetration rates after two different in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques (IVF media with ionophore and Hepes buffer with heparin) and the embryo yield following oocyte intra-oviductal transfer were used as a criterion for assessing nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, respectively. Contrary to the data described in other domestic species, there was no effect of cysteamine on in vitro nuclear maturation, IVF or in vivo embryonic development under our conditions. Ovum pick up yields (52%) and maturation rates (control group: 47% and cysteamine group: 55%) were similar to those previously reported. From 57 oocytes transferred to the oviduct in each group, the number of embryos collected was 10 (17%) in the control group and five in the cysteamine group (9%). Those two percentages were not statistically different (p > 0.05). No effect of IVF technique was seen on the success rate (6%) in each group.     

Effect of Initial Cumulus Morphology on Meiotic Dynamic and Status of Mitochondria in Horse Oocytes during IVM

The aim of this investigation was to examine the chromatin configuration of the nucleus, pattern of mitochondrial aggregation and mitochondrial activity in parallel studies in the same horse oocytes. Horse oocytes recovered by ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration in vivo were classified according to two main initial cumulus morphologies as having compact or expanded cumulus. The percentage of oocytes with a diplotene meiotic configuration at the time of recovery from the follicles was highest in compact oocytes. Oocytes with expanded cumulus layers at the time of recovery matured more rapidly in vitro and reached a proportion >50% at the metaphase II stage (M 2) sooner during in vitro maturation (IVM), than did compact oocytes. The mitochondrial aggregation pattern changed from finely distributed (Type 1) through crystalline (Type 2) to an aggregated, granulated appearance (Type 3) during IVM. The pattern of mitochondrial aggregation at the time of recovery was associated with the initial cumulus morphology of the oocyte, in that compact oocytes had a higher proportion of Type 1 aggregation, whereas expanded oocytes had a higher proportion of Type 3. The fluorescence intensity of metabolic active mitochondria, measured by fluorescence intensity (Em 570) per oocyte after MitoTracker CMTM Ros orange labelling, increased in the oocytes during IVM and depended on initial cumulus investment. Oocytes with the granulated type of aggregated mitochondria Type 3 had the highest level of metabolic activity and were in more progressed stages of meiosis (A 1-M 2). Oocytes initially having expanded layers of cumulus reached significantly higher levels of mitochondrial activity after IVM than did oocytes initially having compact cumuli. During resumption of meiosis the mitochondrial activity of oocytes with initially expanded cumulus increased continuously up to M 2, whereas in oocytes from compact cumulus-oocyte complex (COC), the activity declined after A 1/T 1 stages of meiosis.     

The Nuclear Morphology and Cortical Granule Distribution of Oocytes from Different Diameter Follicles of Sheep

This experiment was conducted to discuss the nuclear morphology and cortical granule distribution of sheep oocyte in vivo.In this study, the sheep antral follicles were divide into early period antral follicles group (1 mm≤diameter≤2.5 mm) and middle period antral follicles group(2.5 mm相似文献   

不同直径的绵羊卵泡中卵母细胞核相及皮质颗粒分布特征分析

为了探讨绵羊体内卵母细胞的核相及皮质颗粒的分布特征,本研究根据绵羊卵泡直径将绵羊有腔卵泡分为早期有腔卵泡(1mm≤直径≤2.5mm)与中期有腔卵泡(2.5mm<直径≤7.5mm)两组,用地衣红染色方法观察两组绵羊卵泡中卵母细胞的核相特征及所占比例,用FITC-PNA、Hoechst 33342双染方法观察两组绵羊卵泡中的不同核相时期的卵母细胞的皮质颗粒分布特征。结果表明,绵羊早期有腔卵泡中的卵母细胞大部分处于GV1期,其核膜边缘不整齐,染色体呈细丝状,紧贴于核膜下均匀分布或集中于核膜下某处分布,皮质颗粒在胞质中密集、均匀的分布。绵羊中期有腔卵泡中的卵母细胞,大部分处于GV3~GV4期,其核膜边缘清晰、着色较轻,染色体短而粗,在核质中均匀分布,核质明显脱颗粒化,皮质颗粒开始向细胞膜迁移,部分卵母细胞的皮质颗粒在细胞膜下形成一圈密集的带状区域。由此可见,绵羊早期与中期有腔卵泡中的卵母细胞大部分处于GV期的不同阶段,其胞质中皮质颗粒开始发生迁移的时间早于生发泡破裂(GVBD)期。     

哺乳动物卵母细胞纺锤体的形成及纺锤体检验点的作用机制

染色体精确分离是在纺锤体的正确组装和纺锤体检查点(spindle assembly checkpoint,SAC)的监控下完成的,对于哺乳动物卵母细胞来说,纺锤体的形成和SAC都是保证染色体精确分离的重要因素,如果染色体分离错误将直接导致自发性流产或其他出生缺陷。卵母细胞中心体缺失后,细胞依然能够依靠独立于中心体而围绕染色体成核的微管反向平行排列能形成双极纺锤体,即自我组装纺锤体。由微观组织中心(microtubue organizing center,MTOC)召集微管聚集,成熟促进因子(maturation promoting factor,MPF)维持两次减数分裂过程中纺锤体的形成过程,细胞静止因子(cytostatic factor,CSF)维持分裂中期结构,使纺锤体在染色体没有全部集合到赤道板时保持稳定。大体积的卵母细胞容易产生非整倍体,且卵母细胞中不含有中心体这一特殊性导致卵母细胞中是否存在SAC在很长一段时间内存在争议,但现在SAC是确保卵母细胞染色体精确分离的机制之一已被初步证明。在减数分裂中期染色体之间存在一种黏连,细胞会产生"等待-后期"信号抑制SAC活性,从而保持这种黏连稳定,直至所有染色体完成与纺锤体的连接,"等待-后期"信号失活,SAC启动,使染色体间的黏连失活,进而在纺锤体的作用下染色体分离。作者综述了减数分裂过程中纺锤体的特异性组装过程和纺锤体检查点的组成及作用机制,丰富了减数分裂的相关知识,并为减数分裂过程中非整倍体的形成机制提供依据。     

Ultrastructural Morphology and Nuclear Maturation Rates of Immature Equine Oocytes Vitrified with Different Solutions and Exposure Times

Ultrastructural morphological injuries and maturation rates were investigated in equine oocytes exposed to vitrification solutions (VS) containing synthetic ice blockers (SIBs) during different exposure times. In experiment 1, compact cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs; n = 30) were randomly allocated to treatments: (1) fresh fixed (control); (2) VS-1 (1.4 M dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] + 1.8 M ethylene glycol [EG] + 1% SIB) for 3 minutes of equilibrium time and VS-2 (2.8 M DMSO + 3.6 M EG + 0.6 M sucrose + 1% SIB) for 1 minute (Eq-long); and (3) VS-1 for 1.5 minutes and VS-2 for 30 seconds (Eq-short). In experiment 2, compact (n = 248) and expanded (n = 264) COCs were evenly distributed to the following treatments: (1) immediate maturation in vitro (control); (2) vitrification using the Eq-short protocol as in experiment 1; and (3) vitrification using a stock solution containing 2.8 M formamide, 2.8 M DMSO, 2.7 M EG, 7% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 1% SIB (Eq-short-mod). More (P < .02) oocytes with normal ultrastructural morphology were seen in fresh control and Eq-short groups than in Eq-long group. Metaphase-II (MII) rates were higher (P < .05) for oocytes with expanded cumulus than compact cumulus in the control group, and higher (P < .05) for oocytes with expanded cumulus than compact cumulus in Eq-short and Eq-short-mod groups. No difference in MII rates was detected among groups within each type of COC. In conclusion, reduction of exposure time to VS better preserved oocyte ultrastructural features, and MII rates were higher for vitrified oocytes with expanded cumulus. This study advances our knowledge on potential alternatives for vitrification of immature equine oocytes.     

Effect of Porcine and Ovine FSH on Nuclear Maturation of Pig Oocytes In Vitro

The effect of porcine or ovine FSH on the maturation rate of porcine oocytes and on the time course of meiotic progression was studied. Groups of 20 grade‐A cumulus oocyte complexes, aspirated from slaughterhouse cycling‐gilt ovaries, were cultured in vitro in 400 μl of Modified Parker's Medium supplemented with oestrous cow serum and porcine FSH (Folltropin®‐V, 0.50 mg/ml) or ovine FSH (Ovagen^TM, 0.44 iu/ml), in four‐well dishes under mineral oil, at 38.5°C, 5% CO₂ in humidified air. At the end of each 3‐h interval, from 3 to 42 h of culture, the nuclear status of oocytes was assessed microscopically (1000×), after fixation (methanol/acetic acid: 3/1) and orcein (2%) staining. Oocytes were classified as (i) immature (IMM), i.e. oocytes at germinal vesicle stage, germinal vesicle break down and prophase I, (ii) metaphase I (MI) and (iii) metaphase II (MII), i.e. oocytes at anaphase I, telophase I and metaphase II. Data were analysed using regression analysis, chi‐square and t‐test. Nuclear status was assessed in 1610 oocytes (porcine FSH: 787, ovine FSH: 823). Most of the oocytes were at MI from 24 to 33 h (porcine FSH 60.27%, ovine FSH 42.80%, p < 0.001) and at MII from 36 to 42 h (porcine FSH 80.38%, ovine FSH 67.45%, p < 0.01) of culture. Significantly higher maturation rate was observed in porcine FSH than in ovine FSH treated oocytes (86.69 ± 12.97%, 71.34 ± 9.86%, mean ± SD, p < 0.05), after 42 h of culture. In conclusion, under the specific culture conditions, porcine FSH seems to support pig oocyte maturation better than ovine FSH.     

Time Course of In Vitro Maturation of Compact Cumulus Horse Oocytes after Roscovitine‐Induced Meiotic Inhibition: Effects on the Coordination Between Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Maturation

This study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of a pre‐maturation step in improving the coordination between cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation of horse compact cumulus oocytes by the addition of roscovitine (ROSC). Oocytes were collected by scraping and pre‐cultured for 18 h in a maturation medium TCM199 supplemented with pyruvate, LH, FSH, insulin growth factor (IGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, transferrin and selenium (IVM‐ROSC) or in a simple medium (M199‐ROSC). After pre‐maturation, oocytes from both the groups were in part denuded and fixed‐stained and in part in vitro matured to assess the kinetic of in vitro maturation (IVM). The nuclear progression and the cytoskeletal organization of microfilaments and cortical granules (CG) of treated and untreated oocytes were assessed by fluorescent probes. Oocytes immediately fixed after recovery and oocytes pre‐cultured in M199‐ROSC for 18 h did not show metaphase II (MII) plates, whereas in IVM‐ROSC group, 6/69 oocytes (8.7%) showed MII plates. After inhibition, during maturation kinetics at 11, 18 and 29 h, maturation rate of M199‐ROSC group progressively increased and at 29 h of IVM, reached the maturation rate of control group (13/66, 19.7% vs 31/125, 24.8%). No statistically significant differences in cytoplasmic maturation were found. The number of MII plates after 29 h of IVM, was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in IVM‐ROSC group (34/90) compared with M199‐ROSC (13/66) and control groups (31/125) as well as the number of oocytes with microfilaments and CG distributed in cortical region (25/34 vs 3/13 and 7/31 respectively). Our results showed that pre‐culturing in the presence of Roscovitine in a fully supplemented maturation medium containing gonadotropins and growth factors partially suppressed the meiotic maturation, but established a more suitable environment for improving cytoplasmic maturation of horse compact cumulus oocytes as defined by microfilaments and CG configuration.     

Nuclear Replacement of In Vitro‐Matured Porcine Oocytes by a Serial Centrifugation and Fusion Method

The objective of the present study was to establish a method for nuclear replacement in metaphase‐II (M‐II) stage porcine oocytes. Karyoplasts containing M‐II chromosomes (K) and cytoplasts without chromosomes (C) were produced from in vitro‐matured oocytes by a serial centrifugation method. The oocytes were then reconstructed by fusion of one karyoplast with 1, 2, 3 or 4 cytoplasts (K + 1C, K + 2C, K + 3C and K + 4C, respectively). Reconstructed oocytes, karyoplasts without fusion of any cytoplast (K) and zona‐free M‐II oocytes (control) were used for experiments. The rates of female pronucleus formation after parthenogenetic activation in all groups of reconstructed oocytes (58.2–77.4%) were not different from those of the K and control groups (58.2% and 66.0%, respectively). In vitro fertilization was carried out to assay the fertilization ability and subsequent embryonic development of the reconstructed oocytes. The cytoplast : karyoplast ratio did not affect the fertilization status (penetration and male pronuclear formation rates) of the oocytes. A significantly high monospermy rate was found in K oocytes (p < 0.05, 61.6%) compared with the other groups (18.2–32.8%). Blastocyst formation rates increased significantly as the number of the cytoplasts fused with karyoplasts increased (p < 0.05, 0.0–15.3%). The blastocyst rate in the K + 4C group (15.3%) was comparable with that of the control (17.8%). Total cell numbers in both the K + 3C and K + 4C groups (16.0 and 15.3 cells, respectively) were comparable with that of the control (26.2 cells). Our results demonstrate that a serial centrifugation and fusion (Centri‐Fusion) is an effective method for producing M‐II chromosome transferred oocytes with normal fertilization ability and in vitro development. It is suggested that the number of cytoplasts fused with a karyoplast plays a critical role in embryonic development.     

In vitro Growth and Maturation of Caprine Oocytes

This study was conducted to culture in vitro caprine pre-antral follicles for determining the competence of growth and maturation of oocytes and establishing a suitable culture system for oocyte maturation from pre-antral follicles. Two different culture methods (microdrop and agar gel clot) were employed to culture caprine pre-antral follicles. The pre-antral follicles were isolated from prepubertal goat ovaries by treatment with collagenase and DNase. The isolated pre-antral follicles were cultured in basic culture medium for 9 days (for growth). And oocytes were cultured in maturation culture medium for another 2 days for maturation. The result demonstrated that the growth rate of oocytes cultured in microdrops was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that in agar gel clots, whereas the viability of oocytes in microdrops was considerably (p < 0.05) lower than that in agar gel clots. The oocytes grew over 150 microm in diameter, and two of 151 oocytes cultured in microdrops yielded morphologically abnormal first polar bodies. However, the size of oocytes cultured in agar gel approached to 120 microm in diameter and no polar body was produced.     

Effect of Follicle Stimulation Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone on Cumulus Cell Expansion and In Vitro Nuclear Maturation of Canine Oocytes

In general, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) play important roles in the regulation of cumulus cell expansion and oocyte maturation. We investigated the effects of supplementation of FSH or LH in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium on the incidence of cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation in canine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mg/ml cysteine, 0.2 mm pyruvic acid and different concentrations of FSH or LH (control, 0.5, 5 or 50 microg/ml) at 38.5 degrees C, 5% CO(2) in air for 72 h. The cumulus cell expansion was measured by microscopic visualization, and nuclear maturation of denuded oocytes was determined by staining with 10 microg/ml Hoechst33342 for 30 min. The cumulus cell expansion in the 5 microg/ml FSH group (397.2 +/- 64.3 microm) was significantly higher than those in the control, 0.5, and 50 microg/ml FSH groups (168.3 +/- 19.1, 286.0 +/- 69.7 and 300.0 +/- 84.3 microm, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in cumulus cell expansion among the control, 0.5, 5 and 50 microg/ml LH groups (165.6 +/- 20.2, 160 +/- 26.5, 172 +/- 20.5 and 168 +/- 23.1 microm, respectively; p > 0.05). After 72 h of IVM, the proportion of nuclear development to the MI-MII stage in the 0.5 microg/ml FSH group (15.1%) was higher than those in the control, 0.5 and 50 microg/ml FSH groups (0.9%, 6.5% and 8.0%, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in nuclear maturation to the MI-MII stage among control, 0.5, 5 and 50 microg/ml LH groups (4.6%, 2.3%, 5.4% and 8.6%, respectively; p > 0.05). This study indicated that a FSH supplement in IVM medium can increase cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation, while the nuclear maturation rate remained low. Further studies are required to improve the nuclear development to the MI-MII stages in canine oocytes.     

Dynamic Study on Nuclear Pore Complexes in Swine Oocyte Matured In Vivo and In Vitro Using Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy

Veterinary Research Communications -     

In Vivo Histologically Equivalent Evaluation of Gastric Mucosal Topologic Morphology in Dogs By using Confocal Endomicroscopy

Background

Confocal endomicroscopy (CEM) is an endoscopic technology permitting in vivo cellular and subcellular imaging. CEM aids real‐time clinical assessment and diagnosis of various gastrointestinal diseases in people. CEM allows in vivo characterization of small intestinal mucosal morphology in dogs.

Objective

To determine the feasibility of CEM to evaluate gastric mucosal morphology in dogs and to characterize the appearance in healthy dogs.

Animals

Fourteen clinically healthy research colony dogs.

Methods

Experimental study. Under general anesthesia, dogs underwent standard endoscopic evaluation and CEM of the gastric mucosa. In the initial 6 dogs, fluorescent contrast was provided with the fluorophore acriflavine (0.05% solution), applied topically. Subsequently, 8 dogs were assessed using a combination of fluorescein (10% solution, 15 mg/kg IV), followed by acriflavine administered topically. For each fluorophore, a minimum of 5 sites were assessed.

Results

Confocal endomicroscopy provided high quality in vivo histologically equivalent images of the gastric mucosa, but reduced flexibility of the endoscope tip limited imaging of the cranial stomach in some dogs. Intravenous administration of fluorescein allowed assessment of cellular cytoplasmic and microvasculature features. Topical application of acriflavine preferentially stained cellular nucleic acids, allowing additional evaluation of nuclear morphology. Identification of Helicobacter‐like organisms was possible in 13 dogs.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Confocal endomicroscopy provides in vivo images allowing assessment of gastric mucosal morphology during endoscopy, potentially permitting real‐time diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease.     

山羊卵泡卵母细胞体外受精及受精卵的体外发育

对山羊卵泡卵母细胞的体外成熟、体外受精及受精卵体外培养的系列研究表明,在成熟培养液中添加１５μｇ／Ｌ重组牛生长激素（ｒｂＧＨ）,与ＦＳＨ和ＬＨ配合使用,卵泡卵母细胞的成熟率（６７．９％）显著高于不含ｒｂＧＨ的培养组（５３．１％,Ｐ＜０．０５）;３８．５℃和３９．０℃的培养温度对卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟培养的影响无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）;ＢＯ液上浮法对山羊冷冻精子的活精子分离效果优于Ｐｅｒｃｏｌ分层液法,并得到较高的受精率（６４．３％∶４９．０％,Ｐ＜０．０５）;颗粒细胞单层和输卵管上皮细胞单层的共同培养体系均有益于受精卵的体外发育。