Ca2+ Cascade and Meiotic Resumption of the Caprine Primary Oocyte

In this study, we investigated the fluctuations of concentration of intracytoplasmic free Ca(2+) during in vitro maturation of caprine primary oocytes and its role in meiotic resumption. Oocytes that were extracted from caprine ovaries were cultured and allowed to mature in vitro to determine their developmental stages including germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), metaphase of the first meiotic division (MI) and metaphase of the second meiotic division (MII). Intracytoplasmic free Ca(2+) turnovers of caprine oocytes at these different developmental stages were measured using the calcium fluorescent probe Fura-2/AM (C(44)H(47)N(3)O(24)) to investigate the dynamics of cytosolic free Ca(2+) during in vitro maturation of oocytes and the role of Ca(2+) in inducing the initiation of meiotic resumption of oocytes. Moreover, the oocytes were cultured in Ca(2+) culture medium and Ca(2+)-free culture medium to examine the effect of extracellular Ca(2+) on the oocyte maturation. The results indicated that Ca(2+) concentrations at GV, GVBD, MI and MII stages were 78.06, 147.41, 126.97 and 97.73 nmol/l, respectively, and that 86.30% of oocytes remained at the GV stage and no oocyte developed to MII in Ca(2+)-free culture medium, and 1.1% of oocytes stayed at the GV stage and 83.5% of oocytes developed to MII in Ca(2+) culture medium. These results suggest that the occurrence of GVBD and cell cycle progression to MI and MII stages are closely related to Ca(2+), and that extracellular Ca(2+) performs a specific function for the initiation of meiotic resumption in caprine oocytes.     

Changes of HCO3-/Cl- exchanger activity during meiotic maturation in Balb/c strain mouse oocytes and zygotes

Intracellular pH-regulatory mechanisms are acquired by growing mouse oocytes with meiotic competence, and these mechanisms become fully active when the oocytes develop to the germinal vesicle (GV) stage as shown in CF1 and Balb/c strains mice. On the other hand, there is some evidence showing that intracellular pH-regulatory mechanisms are inhibited at the stages of Metaphase I (MI) and II (MII) oocytes in the CF1 strain mouse and hamster. Since it has been shown that the intracellular pH regulatory mechanism can be functionally different among mouse strains (e.g., CF1, Balb/c), the aim of this study was to investigate the activity of HCO3-/Cl- exchanger (anion exchanger, AE), which protects cells against alkalosis during the meiotic maturation process, in the GV oocyte up to the pronuclear (PN) zygote derived from the Balb/c strain mouse. Intracellular pH (pHi) was recorded using a microspectrofluorometric technique during meiotic maturation stages. KSOM-based solutions were used as culture and recording solutions. AE activity was determined using a Cl- removal assay and was reported as the change in pHi per minute. AE activity was high in GV stage oocytes but was significantly inhibited at the MI and MII stages. AE activity was higher in the PN zygote stage. This activity was significantly inhibited in all oocyte and zygote stages by 4,4'-Diisocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid disodium salt. After alkalosis induction, the pHi of MI and MII stage oocytes did not completely recover; however, almost complete recovery occurred in the GV stage oocytes and PN zygotes. These results suggest that AE is inhibited during the meiotic maturation process in the Balb/c strain mouse.     

Maternal gene transcription in mouse oocytes: genes implicated in oocyte maturation and fertilization

Maternal gene expression is an important biological process in oocyte maturation and early cleavage. To gain insights into oocyte maturation and early embryo development, we used microarray analysis to compare the gene expression profiles of germinal vesicle (GV)- and metaphase II (MII)-stage oocytes. The differences in spot intensities were normalized and grouped using the Avadis Prophetic software platform. Of the 12164 genes examined, we found 1682 genes with more highly expression in GV-stage oocytes than in MII-stage oocytes, while 1936 genes were more highly expressed in MII-stage oocytes (P<0.05). The genes were grouped on the basis of the Panther classification system according to their involvement in particular biological processes. The genes that were up-regulated in GV oocytes were more likely to be involved in protein metabolism and modification, the mitotic cell cycle, electron transport, or fertilization or belong to the microtubule/cytoskeletal protein family. The genes specifically upregulated in the MII oocytes were more likely to be involved in DNA replication, amino acid metabolism, or expression of G protein-coupled receptors and signaling molecules. Identification of genes that are preferentially expressed at particular oocyte maturation stages provides insights into the complex gene regulatory networks that drive oocyte maturation and fertilization.     

Identification of candidate miRNAs and expression profile of yak oocytes before and after in vitro maturation by high‐throughput sequencing

Small RNA represents several unique non‐coding RNA classes that have important function in a wide range of biological processes including development of germ cells and early embryonic, cell differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis in diverse organisms. However, little is known about their expression profiles and effects in yak oocytes maturation and early development. To investigate the function of small RNAs in the maturation process of yak oocyte and early development, two small RNA libraries of oocytes were constructed from germinal vesicle stage (GV) and maturation in vitro to metaphase II‐arrested stage (M II) and then sequenced using small RNA high‐throughput sequencing technology. A total of 9,742,592 and 12,168,523 clean reads were obtained from GV and M II oocytes, respectively. In total, 801 and 1,018 known miRNAs were acquired from GV and M II oocytes, and 75 miRNAs were found to be significantly differentially expressed: 47 miRNAs were upregulated and 28 miRNAs were downregulated in the M II oocytes compared to the GV stage. Among the upregulated miRNAs, miR‐342 has the largest fold change (9.25‐fold). Six highly expressed miRNAs (let‐7i, miR‐10b, miR‐10c, miR‐143, miR‐146b and miR‐148) were validated by real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) and consistent with the sequencing results. Furthermore, the expression patterns of two miRNAs and their potential targets were analysed in different developmental stages of oocytes and early embryos. This study provides the first miRNA profile in the mature process of yak oocyte. Seventy‐five miRNAs are expressed differentially in GV and M II oocytes as well as among different development stages of early embryos, suggesting miRNAs involved in regulating oocyte maturation and early development of yak. These results showed specific miRNAs in yak oocytes had dynamic changes during meiosis. Further functional and mechanistic studies on the miRNAs during meiosis may beneficial to understanding the role of miRNAs on meiotic division.     

Inhibition of PSMD4 alters ZP1 ubiquitination state and sperm–oocyte‐binding ability in pigs

The aim of this study was to determine how the duration of culture affects the ubiquitination of zona pellucida (ZP) proteins (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3) during porcine oocyte maturation in vitro. We analysed the changes in ZP protein ubiquitination under three conditions: (i) during oocyte maturation from stage GV to MII; (ii) in oocytes cultured for different periods of time; and (iii) in oocytes treated with an antibody against PSMD4. Our results show that ZP1 and ZP2 are ubiquitinated at the GV stage, while ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 are ubiquitinated at the MII stage, and band intensities for these proteins were significantly different between the GV and MII stages (p < .05). We also found that ubiquitination occurs in ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 after cultured for 46, 52, 58 and 64 hr, and that the level of ubiquitinated ZP1 was significantly different in oocytes that were cultured for different time periods. Finally, treatment with an antibody against PSMD4 resulted in a significant decrease in ZP1 ubiquitination (p < .05), without affecting ZP2 or ZP3. The number of attached sperms per oocyte was also significantly different between control and anti‐PSMD4‐treated groups. Thus, we concluded that ZP1 and ZP2 are ubiquitinated at the GV stage, and ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 are ubiquitinated at the MII stage. As the duration of culture increases, the ubiquitination levels of ZP proteins decrease. We also found that PSMD4 improves ZP1 ubiquitination during in vitro culture of porcine oocytes and effectively inhibits sperm–oocyte binding.     

Intermediate Filament Keratin Dynamics During Oocyte Maturation Requires Maturation/M‐Phase Promoting Factor and Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Activities in the Hamster

Research related to intermediate filaments in mammalian oocytes remains poorly advanced. We investigated keratin reorganization in oocytes during meiotic maturation using immunofluorescence, and examined effects of inhibitors for cdc2 and mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) on keratin assembly. In germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes (n = 26), large and oval‐shaped aggregates of non‐fibrillar keratin were found in the cortical ooplasm (designated as a ‘cortical’ pattern). The delicate network of keratin filaments was concentrated in the GV periphery. The large keratin aggregates began to divide into small fragments at the pro‐MI/MI stage (n = 22, designated as a ‘fragmented’ pattern). Some keratin fragments were occasionally broken down into several granules at the peripheral region. In the MII oocytes (n = 24), the filament network was extended over the ooplasm and numerous keratin granules were scattered across the oocyte (designated as a ‘granular’ pattern). After 12 h of incubation with roscovitine, 66.7% of the oocytes (20/30) were at the GV stage and showed a cortical pattern of keratin. After incubation with U0126, most oocytes (83.9%, 26/31) were at the MII stage; most of them (76.9%, 20/26) showed a fragmented pattern of keratin. The increasing complexity of keratin filament network from the GV to MII stages suggests a possible role in maintaining cell integrity under physical stress after ovulation. In fact, maturation/M‐phase promoting factor is necessary for such keratin reorganization, as is meiotic nuclear progression. In addition, MAPKK is involved in keratin reorganization from a fragmented pattern to a granular pattern.     

Ultrastructure of immature and mature human oocytes after cryotop vitrification

In vitro maturation of vitrified immature germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes is a promising fertility preservation option. We analyzed the ultrastructure of human GV oocytes after Cryotop vitrification (GVv) and compared it with fresh GV (GVc), fresh mature metaphase II (MIIc) and Cryotop-vitrified mature (MIIv) oocytes. By phase contrast microscopy and light microscopy, the oolemmal and cytoplasmic organization of fresh and vitrified oocytes did not show significant changes. GVv oocytes showed significant ultrastructural alterations of the microvilli in 40% of the samples; small vacuoles and occasional large/isolated vacuoles were abnormally present in the ooplasm periphery of 50% of samples. The ultrastructure of nuclei and mitochondria-vesicle (MV) complexes, as well as the distribution and characteristics of cortical granules (CGs), were comparable with those of GVc oocytes. MIIv oocytes showed an abnormal ultrastructure of microvilli in 30% of the samples and isolated large vacuoles in 70% of the samples. MV complexes were normal, but mitochondria-smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates appeared to be of reduced size. CGs were normally located under the oolemma but presented abnormalities in distribution and matrix electron density. In conclusion, Cryotop vitrification preserved main oocyte characteristics in the GV and MII stages, even if peculiar ultrastructural alterations appeared in both stages. This study also showed that the GV stage appears more suitable for vitrification than the MII stage, as indicated by the good ultrastructural preservation of important structures that are present only in immature oocytes, like the nucleus and migrating CGs.     

Distribution of protein disulfide isomerase during maturation of pig oocytes

Oocyte maturation in mammals is characterized by a dramatic reorganization of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In mice, the ER forms accumulations in the germinal vesicle (GV) stage and distinctive cortical clusters in metaphase II (MII) of the oocyte. Multiple evidence suggests that this ER distribution is important in preparing the oocyte for Ca²⁺ oscillations, which trigger oocyte activation at fertilization. In this study, we investigated the time course and illustrated the possible functional role of ER distribution during maturation of porcine oocytes by immunostaining with protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). PDI forms clusters in the cytoplasm of oocytes. After immunostaining, PDI clusters were identified throughout the cytoplasm from the GV to metaphase I (MI) stage; however, at the MII stage, the PDI formed large clusters (1–2 µm) in the animal pole around the first polar body. PDI distribution was prevented by bacitracin, a PDI inhibitor. Our experiments indicated that, during porcine oocyte maturation, PDI undergoes a dramatic reorganization. This characteristic distribution is different from that in the mouse oocyte. Moreover, our study suggested that formation of PDI clusters in the animal pole is a specific characteristic of matured porcine oocytes.     

Meiotic competence of mouse oocytes reconstructed by replacing the germinal vesicle with a male pronucleus and somatic nucleus

The present study examines the contribution of the nucleus to meiotic competence in mouse oocytes that were reconstructed using nuclear transfer. Three types of reconstructed oocytes were produced: MP‐GV, by transplanting the male pronucleus (MP) into germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes; 3T3‐GV, by transplanting the nucleus of a National Institute of Health (NIH) 3T3 cell into a GV stage oocyte; and 3T3‐MII, by transplanting the nucleus of an NIH 3T3 cell into a metaphase II (MII) stage oocyte. The fusion rates differed, but not significantly, in the MP‐GV, 3T3‐GV, and 3T3‐MII groups (77, 63, 56%, respectively). Then, meiotic competence was compared in MP‐GV, 3T3‐GV and non‐manipulated GV stage oocytes as a control. Nuclear envelope breakdown occurred in all the reconstructed oocytes, as well as the control ones. The percentage of first polar body extrusion differed between the MP‐GV (100%), 3T3‐GV (72%), and control (67%) groups. DNA staining with Hoechst 33342 revealed that in the MP‐GV‐group oocytes that had reached MII stage, the chromosomes were condensed and aligned in a regular array similar to the normal metaphase plate. By contrast, in 3T3‐GV group oocytes, the condensed chromosomes were irregularly scattered in the cytoplasm. These results suggest that the donor nucleus affects meiotic competence in reconstructed oocytes.     

Vitrification of fully grown and growing porcine oocytes using germinal vesicle transfer

The survival rate of vitrified germinal vesicle (GV) stage porcine oocytes is very low, and it is not known if the vitrification damages the nucleus, cytoplasm or both. We have evaluated the eventual GV or cytoplasmic damage in fully grown (FG) and growing vitrified oocytes. Fifty-five percent of nonvitrified FG cumulus-denuded oocytes reached the metaphase II (MII) stage in culture. When growing oocytes from preantral (PA) and early antral (EA) follicles were matured in vitro, almost all oocytes were arrested at the GV stage (GV stage: PA 88.9 and EA 79.5%, respectively). When fresh GVs from FG, PA and EA oocytes were transferred into fresh enucleated FG oocytes and matured in vitro, some of them reached the MII stage (MII stage: FG/FG 57.5%, PA/FG 9.3% and EA/FG 35.3%, respectively). The maturation rate of vitrified FG oocytes was only 6.1% but increased dramatically when vitrified GVs from FG, PA and EA oocytes were transferred into fresh enucleated FG oocytes (MII stage: VitFG/FG 43.9%, VitPA/FG 7.1% and VitEA/FG 26.3%, respectively). These results were not significantly different from those for the nonvitrified groups (MII stage: FG/FG 57.5%, PA/FG 9.3% and EA/FG 35.3%, respectively). We activated the reconstructed oocytes that received fresh or vitrified GVs (FG/FG, EA/FG, VitFG/FG and VitEA/FG) and examined their embryonic development. Cleaved embryos (nonvitrified groups 13.0-61.8%, vitrified groups 33.3-40.0%) and blastocysts (nonvitrified groups 0.0-18.2%, vitrified groups 0.0-2.9%) were obtained after activation. These results demonstrate that vitrified porcine GVs maintain maturational and developmental competence and that vitrification predominantly damages the cytoplasm.     

Expression of Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) in Porcine Oocytes During Maturation

Perilipins have been reported to limit the interaction of lipases with neutral lipids within the droplets, thereby regulating neutral lipid accumulation and utilization. This study aimed to identify the location and expression of PLIN1 and PLIN2 in porcine oocytes during maturation. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), immunostaining and Western blot methods were used to characterize the expression and distribution patterns of PLIN1 and PLIN2 in porcine oocytes. The results showed that PLIN1 was not detectable in porcine oocytes. PLIN2 and BODIPY 493/503‐detected neutral lipid droplets appeared identical distribution patterns and extensive colocalization in both GV and MII porcine oocytes. PLIN2 protein expression was higher in GV oocytes than that in MII oocytes (p < 0.05), although PLIN2 mRNA expression was similar in both groups. These findings suggested that PLIN2 was a major lipid droplet‐associated protein in porcine oocytes.     

Improvement of cumulus-free oocyte maturation in vitro and its application to microinsemination with primary spermatocytes in mice

In micromanipulation experiments using immature oocytes, final ooplasmic maturation is often compromised because the oocytes are usually first freed from their nurturing cumulus cells. This study was undertaken to determine whether cumulus-free in vitro maturation (IVM) in mice could be improved by modifying IVM medium having defined components. Cumulus-free germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes were subjected to IVM in either alphaMEM medium, TYH medium, or a 1:1 mixture of the two (termed TaM). TYH medium produced a better maturation rate (181/196; 92.3%) than alphaMEM (184/257; 71.6%). However, alphaMEM supported better embryo development to the morula/blastocyst stage than TYH following in vitro fertilization (93.3% vs. 76.5%) or parthenogenetic activation (82.4% vs. 60.4%). Mitochondrial distribution in MII oocytes was diffuse following IVM in alphaMEM, but was aggregated with TYH. The maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity in MII oocytes was significantly higher in TYH than in alphaMEM (P<0.05). Oocytes cultured in TaM had intermediate characteristics and essentially resembled in vivo matured oocytes, with the mitochondrial distribution pattern being most typical of that condition. The highest rate of development from GV oocytes to full-term fetuses following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer to foster mothers (23.8%) was obtained using TaM. When this IVM system was applied to MI oocytes injected with spermatocytes, offspring were first obtained without cytoplasmic replacement at MII. Thus, optimization of the culture medium can considerably improve the quality of cumulus-free oocyte IVM in mice.     

G蛋白偶联受体50在牦牛卵母细胞体外成熟过程中的表达与亚细胞定位研究

试验旨在研究G蛋白偶联受体50（G protein-coupled receptor 50,GPR50）在牦牛卵母细胞体外成熟过程中的表达与定位规律,为进一步解析卵母细胞成熟的分子机制及理解牦牛繁殖的特异性提供依据。通过牦牛卵母细胞体外成熟培养,利用免疫荧光染色监测不同时间点（0~24 h）纺锤丝形态和核相的变化,确定牦牛卵母细胞减数分裂4个时期,包括生发泡期（germinal vesicle,GV）、生发泡破裂期（germinal vesicle break down,GVBD）、第一次减数分裂中期（metaphase Ⅰ,MⅠ）与第二次减数分裂中期（metaphase Ⅱ,MⅡ）的时间点。在此基础上,通过实时荧光定量PCR检测GPR50基因在牦牛卵母细胞成熟过程中的动态表达量,免疫荧光染色检测GPR50蛋白在卵母细胞成熟过程中的的亚细胞动态定位情况。结果表明,牦牛卵母细胞体外成熟0 h时90%处于GV期,6 h时94%处于GVBD期,16 h时92%细胞处于MⅠ期,24 h时94%处于MⅡ期。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,GPR50基因在牦牛卵母细胞GV期即有表达,并在GVBD、MⅠ、MⅡ期成熟过程中逐渐升高,在MⅡ期达到顶峰,且极显著高于GV与GVBD期（P<0.01）。GPR50蛋白在牦牛卵母细胞GV期时集中在膜上表达,并随着成熟进程的发展在细胞质和细胞膜均大量表达,在MⅡ期高亮度弥散表达。以上结果表明,GPR50基因参与牦牛卵母细胞减数分裂过程并发挥重要作用,为研究GPR50在牦牛卵母细胞成熟过程中的作用及机制提供了依据。     

猪卵母细胞GV/MⅡ期mRNA/lncRNA差异表达的研究

为解决体外成熟的猪卵母细胞受精后形成原核率低、多精入卵率高及体外成熟的卵母细胞囊胚率低等问题,本实验以猪卵母细胞为材料,采用转录组学的方法探讨卵母细胞成熟过程中mRNA/lncRNA的表达差异,筛选出影响猪卵母细胞成熟的关键mRNA/lncRNA。结果表明:本研究构建了2个时期的RNA文库,2组文库一共检测到已知的mRNA 1753030个,其中共表达mRNA16469个,2486个mRNA差异显著,其中上调基因752个,下调基因1734个;此次转录组测序共鉴定出lncRNA 22811个,2个时期差异表达已知lncRNA 15个,通过随机挑选10个测序所得到的mRNA转录本和12个lncRNA转录本进行QRT-PCR验证,基本与高通量测序保持一致,说明此次转录组测序结果符合要求,数据准确可靠,可以用于后续分析研究。     

Exposure to L-Ascorbic Acid or α-Tocopherol Facilitates the Development of Porcine Denuded Oocytes from Metaphase I to Metaphase II and Prevents Cumulus Cells from Fragmentation

It is known that alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can modulate many biochemical processes intracellularly or extracellularly as antioxidants. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of alpha-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid on porcine oocyte meiotic maturation, viability and the functions of cumulus cells. In two independent experiments, porcine oocytes with or free from cumulus cells were exposed to different levels of alpha-tocopherol (0, 10, 100 and 200 microM) or L-ascorbic acid (0, 50, 250 and 750 microM). Cumulus expansion, cumulus cell DNA fragmentation, meiotic maturation and degeneration of oocytes were assessed 48 h after in vitro culture. The results showed that: (1) neither alpha-tocopherol nor L-ascorbic acid influenced cumulus expansion but both prevented cumulus cell DNA fragmentation. (2) Alpha-tocopherol lowered the percentage of denuded oocytes (DOs) arrested at germinal vesicle stage (GV). Among the oocytes undergoing germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) proportion, fewer DOs treated by alpha-tocopherol were at metaphase I (MI) and more at metaphase II (MII). L-ascorbic acid caused lower percentage of DOs arrested at GV stage and higher percentage of DOs undergoing GVBD, especially at MII. The influences of alpha-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid were not obvious in cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEOs). (3) Both vitamins compromised the viability of CEOs and DOs. These results indicate that exposure to alpha-tocopherol or L-ascorbic acid promotes the development of porcine DOs from MI to MII and prevents cumulus cell DNA fragmentation at certain levels, especially 10 microM alpha-tocopherol or 250 microM L-ascorbic acid.     

Phosphorylation of histone H3 on Ser10 by auto-phosphorylated PAK1 is not essential for chromatin condensation and meiotic progression in porcine oocytes

Background

The p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is essential for mitosis and plays an important role in the regulation of microtubule assembly during oocyte meiotic maturation in mice; however, little is known about its role in porcine oocytes.

Result

Total p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and phosphorylated PAK1 at Thr423 (PAK1^Thr423) were consistently expressed in porcine oocytes from the germinal vesicle (GV) to the second metaphase (MII) stages, but phosphorylation of histone H3 at Ser10 (H3^Ser10) was only expressed after the GV stage. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that PAK1^Thr423 and H3^Ser10 colocalized on chromosomes after the GV stage. Blocking of endogenous PAK1^Thr423 by injecting a specific antibody decreased the phosphorylation level of H3^Ser10; however, it had no impact on chromatin condensation, meiotic progression, cleavage rate of blastomeres or the rate of blastocyst formation.

Conclusion

Phosphorylation of PAK1^Thr423 is a spontaneous activation process and the activated PAK1^Thr423 can promote the phosphorylation of H3^Ser10; however, this pathway is not required for meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes or early embryonic development.