Structural and Functional Events on the Porcine Zona Pellucida During Maturation, Fertilization and Embryonic Development: a Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis

Porcine oocytes and pre-implantation embryos from the same, as well as from different animals, have an extremely heterogeneous morphology of the zona pellucida (ZP) surface, as shown by scanning electron microscopy. For years, it has been believed that this heterogeneous morphology plays an important role in the sperm-oocyte interaction. The aim of this study was to analyse the zona morphology and sperm-binding patterns on the porcine ZP. Oocytes were divided into four categories: immature, matured in vivo, or matured in vitro over a time period of 24 or 48 h. The zona morphology of early embryos grown in vivo or in vitro was also investigated. Four different types of zona morphology were detectable. They ranged from a porous, net-like structure to a nearly smooth and compact surface. No correlation could be established between the different kinds of maturation in terms of these zona types. All oocytes exhibited extremely heterogeneous zona morphologies, with no clear trend. During subsequent in vivo embryo development, the zona surface changes from a porous structure to one with a compact surface, while the morphology of in vitro embryos remained compact at all stages of development. The analysis of the number and distribution patterns of spermatozoa trapped in the ZP revealed extremely variable patterns, regardless of the zona morphology. Differences were only present if sorted or unsorted spermatozoa were used for insemination. Regardless of the number of inseminated spermatozoa after sorting, only a few (1-2) could be detected on the ZP. Whether oocytes were matured in vivo or in vitro was not a relevant factor. Unsorted spermatozoa bound in higher numbers than sorted ones. The number was directly dependent on the number of spermatozoa used for insemination.     

Effect of Sericin Supplementation During In Vitro Maturation on the Maturation,Fertilization and Development of Porcine Oocytes

This study aimed to examine the effects of sericin supplementation during in vitro oocyte maturation on the nuclear maturation, fertilization and development of porcine oocytes. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in maturation medium supplemented with 0 (control), 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0% sericin and were then subjected to in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. More COCs matured with 1.0% sericin underwent germinal vesicle breakdown and reached metaphase II compared with the control COCs matured without sericin (p < 0.01). The proportions of oocytes with DNA‐fragmented nuclei did not differ between the groups, regardless of the sericin level. The total fertilization rate of oocytes matured with 1.0% sericin was higher (p < 0.05) than that of oocytes matured with 0.1%, 2.5% and 5.0% sericin. Supplementation with more than 1.0% sericin decreased the DNA fragmentation index of the blastocysts compared with the control group (p < 0.05). However, the supplementation of the maturation medium with sericin had no beneficial effects on the cleavage, development to the blastocyst stage and the total cell number of the embryos. Our findings indicate that supplementation with 1.0% sericin during maturation culture may improve the nuclear maturation and the quality of the embryos but does not affect blastocyst formation.     

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.     

绍鸭性成熟过程中血清IGF-I和leptin浓度的变化

试验采用放射免疫学方法（RIA）测定了绍鸭性成熟过程中血清leptin和IGF-I浓度的变化.结果显示,性成熟前30 d（90日龄）时血清leptin浓度显著升高,此后呈下降趋势;在1～150日龄期间,血清IGF-I浓度出现两个峰值,即在发育早期（30日龄）和性成熟（120日龄）时.以上结果显示：leptin和IGF-I可能是性成熟启动的两个代谢相关激素信号.     

绍鸭性成熟过程中血清IGF-I和leptin浓度的变化

试验采用放射免疫学方法(R IA)测定了绍鸭性成熟过程中血清leptin和IGF-I浓度的变化。结果显示,性成熟前30 d(90日龄)时血清leptin浓度显著升高,此后呈下降趋势;在1~150日龄期间,血清IGF-I浓度出现两个峰值,即在发育早期(30日龄)和性成熟(120日龄)时。以上结果显示:leptin和IGF-I可能是性成熟启动的两个代谢相关激素信号。     

Melatonin Supplementation During In Vitro Maturation and Development Supports the Development of Porcine Embryos

Melatonin has been reported to improve the in vitro development of embryos in some species. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of melatonin supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) and development culture on the development and quality of porcine embryos. In the first experiment, when the in vitro fertilized embryos were cultured with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml) for 8 days, the blastocyst formation rate of embryos cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin (10.7%) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control embryos cultured without melatonin (4.2%). The proportion of DNA‐fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from embryos cultured with 50 ng/ml melatonin was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of embryos cultured without melatonin (2.1% vs 7.2%). In the second experiment, when oocytes were cultured in the maturation medium supplemented with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml), fertilized and then cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin for 8 days, there were no significant differences in the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation among the groups. However, the proportions (2.7–5.4%) of DNA‐fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from oocytes matured with melatonin were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared to those (8.9%) from oocytes matured without melatonin, irrespective of the concentration of melatonin. Our results suggest that supplementation of the culture media with melatonin (25 ng/ml) during IVM and development has beneficial effects on the developmental competence and quality of porcine embryos.     

北京黑猪性成熟过程中外周血清促黄体素浓度变化

同窝北京黑猪10头(公6,母4),自5日龄起每20d通过前腔静脉采血一次,直到185日龄.每头猪共采血10次.每次采血均在上午10:00～10:30之间进行.用天津德普公司(DPC)的LH双抗体放免试剂盒测定血清LH浓度.结果表明,北京黑猪母猪在5日龄时LH浓度较高,之后下降,25～65日龄之间保持低水平,85日龄时显著上升,至105日龄上升到高峰,之后又下降,125～165日龄之间LH浓度相对稳定,且显著高于25～65日龄之间,185日龄LH浓度较低.公猪在45日龄以前血清LH维持在低水平,65日龄开始上升,至105和125日龄时达高峰,之后又降低,直到165日龄,185日龄LH浓度又上升.5日龄和165日龄母猪血清LH浓度显著高于公猪,而25～65、125、185日龄则相反.85、105和145日龄两性的LH浓度无差异.由此看出,北京黑猪出生后性成熟过程中血清LH浓度有显著变化.     

Hanging Drop Monoculture for Selection of Optimal Antioxidants During In Vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes

We analysed the effect of three antioxidants that have different functional mechanisms on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. Single oocyte monoculture using the hanging drop (HD) system has some advantages such as improving analysis efficiency brought by the smaller number of samples than the number of oocytes cultured in one drop. Direct effects of ligands on single oocytes could also be detected without considering the effects of paracrine factors from other oocytes. After 22 h of pre‐culture, denuded oocytes were cultured for 22 h with 0.01 and 0.1 μg/ml of L‐carnitine (LC), lactoferrin (LF) or sulforaphane (SF) in the presence/non‐presence of oxidant stress induced by H₂O₂ supplementation to evaluate the reducing effects against oxidative stress on nuclear maturation. As a result, compared with LC and SF, LF showed effective reduction in oxidative stress at a lower concentration (0.01 μg/ml), suggesting that LF is a more effective antioxidant in porcine oocyte IVM. Additionally, LF also increased maturation rate even in culture without H₂O₂. Our results clearly suggest that the HD monoculture system is useful for screening the substances that affect porcine oocyte culture.     

猪卵母细胞体外成熟培养的主要影响因素

猪卵母细胞的体外成熟是猪体外受精技术的基础环节，随着克隆、转基因等高新生物技术的发展，尤其是猪在人类医学研究和临床中潜在的应用前景，已使该技术成为近年来的研究热点。本文主要就卵母细胞成熟培养的影响因素作一综述，供参考。     

Energy Status Characteristics of Porcine Oocytes During In Vitro Maturation is Influenced by Their Meiotic Competence

The characteristics of energy status in porcine oocytes as related to their meiotic competence and in vitro maturation were studied. Cycling pubertal gilts in the early luteal to early follicular phases of the ovarian cycle were used as oocyte donors. The oocytes recovered from medium (MF) or small follicles (SF) were considered meiotically more or less competent, respectively. A half of oocytes from each category was matured by the standard protocol. The oocytes were examined before or after maturation by confocal microscopy, a bioluminescent cell assay and Western blotting. Four experiments, each in triplicate, were performed to assess both SF and MF oocytes in terms of metabolic units formed by mitochondria and lipids, ATP and lipid consumption and lipid droplets with adipose differentiation‐related protein (ADRP) expression. The proportion of oocytes with metabolic units, the mean ATP content and the number of lipid droplets per oocyte, and the relative number of lipid droplets with ADRP expression were significantly higher in the MF compared to SF oocytes before maturation. On the other hand, after maturation, there was an increase in the proportion of oocytes with metabolic units and the relative number of lipid droplets with ADRP expression in the SF compared to MF oocytes. In conclusion, specific differences in energy characteristics between porcine oocytes with different meiotic competence were found. Meiotically more competent oocytes are more advanced in terms of energy reserves before maturation, while meiotically less competent oocytes are more active in replenishing energy stores during maturation.     

猪卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌激活参数研究

本研究比较了按不同方法贮藏的培养液对猪卵母细胞体外成熟及成熟后孤雌激活对胚胎发育的影响。此外,还探索了针对初情期前母猪体外成熟卵母细胞和孤雌激活方案。结果如下：①1.4 kv/cm、100 μs、1DC电激活后,卵母细胞死亡率明显高于2.0 kv/cm、30 μs、1DC和2.0 kv/cm、60 μs、1DC处理组,但激活后胚胎卵裂率和囊胚率相似;②使用钙离子载体和6-二甲基氨基嘌呤（Ionomycin+6-DMAP）处理后,胚胎卵裂及囊胚率都明显不如电激活处理;③6次独立试验结果证明：经4℃冷藏和-20℃冷冻保存的培养液用于猪卵母细胞培养,其体外成熟率、孤雌激活后的卵裂率及囊胚发育率无显著差异（P＞0.05）。说明成熟卵在2.0 kv/cm、30 μs、1DC或者 2.0 kv/cm、60 μs、1DC电击参数激活下可以降低死卵率;按本试验设计的电激活方案处理初情期前母猪成熟卵优于化学激活;在-20℃冷冻保存猪卵母细胞成熟液是可行的。      

人源促卵泡素对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

促卵泡素(FSH)一直在动物繁殖、体外培养及人类临床上广泛应用,但是无论是人源促卵泡素还是重组促卵泡素的效用、成分及活性都是不同的,由于这个原因,促卵泡素在实践中的应用一直没有一个规范的标准.试验着重研究了纯化于绝经后妇女尿液中的促卵泡素(hFSH)对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响,分别对猪体外成熟的卵母细胞进行地衣红染色和皮质颗粒的染色,来检测hFSH对卵母细胞的核及胞质成熟的影响,并检测了体外成熟猪卵丘细胞DNA凋亡的情况.     

猪卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟与冷冻保存

研究了激素、猪卵泡液、不同类型血清对猪卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟的影响 ;比较了卵泡直径小于 2 mm、2～ 5 mm和大于 5 mm的卵母细胞体外成熟能力的差异 ,并对不同发育阶段猪卵母细胞的冷冻保存进行了研究。结果表明 :猪卵母细胞体外培养 4 8h时 ,培养的前 2 4 h培养液中加入激素 ,后 2 4 h去掉激素 ,卵母细胞的 A级成熟率 (5 1.73% )和总成熟率 (83.2 5 % )最高 ,极显著高于前 2 4 h不加激素 ,后 2 4 h添加激素培养的成熟率 (P<0 .0 1) ;也显著高于不含激素的培养液连续培养 4 8h的成熟率 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;但与添加激素连续培养 4 8h的成熟率差异不显著 (P>0 .0 5 )。在体外成熟培养液中 ,添加 10 % (体积分数 ) ECS的成熟率 (72 .86 % )显著高于添加 10 % (体积分数 ) NCS的成熟率(6 2 .2 1% ) (P<0 .0 5 ) ,而添加 10 % p FF则抑制卵母细胞的体外成熟。随着卵泡直径的增大 ,卵母细胞体外成熟能力逐渐增强。采用程序冷冻保存方法 ,成熟卵母细胞的成活率 (35 .5 9% )显著高于培养前 (2 4 .6 4 % )和培养 2 4 h(2 3.36 % ) (P<0 .0 5 )。培养 2 4 h(77.2 2 % )和培养成熟 (72 .81% )的卵母细胞解冻后的形态完整率均显著高于培养前(5 3.2 4 % ) (P<0 .0 5 )     

注射hCG后不同时间猪所排卵泡内COC的形态和卵母细胞减数分裂进程

研究了超排处理注射 h CG后不同时间猪卵丘卵母细胞复合体 (COC)的回收率和形态、卵母细胞减数分裂进程以及 COC形态与生发泡 (GV)染色质构型之间的关系。结果表明 :(1)注射 h CG后 4 h COC的回收率为 5 3.1% ,明显低于注射 h CG后 18、2 2、2 4 h(71.2 %、76 .5 %、70 .0 % ,P<0 .0 5 ) ;(2 )注射 h CG后 18、2 2、2 4 h收集的 COC分别有98.9%、98.0 %、91.4 %的卵丘已经发生扩展 ,而注射 h CG后 4 h收集的 COC则无一发生卵丘扩展 ;(3)注射 h CG后 4h,有少量卵母细胞开始恢复减数分裂 ,至 18h左右开始发生生发泡破裂 (GVBD) ,到 2 2～ 2 4 h有 5 8.4 %～ 6 0 .0 %的卵母细胞发生 GVBD;(4)外层卵丘扩展、放射冠轻微扩展的卵母细胞处于 GV- 1期的比例 (6 9.6 % )明显高于卵丘完全扩展的卵母细胞 (47.8% )和放射冠部分扩展、卵丘已经脱落的卵母细胞 (2 9.3% ) ,而后 2者发生 GVBD的比例(40 %、4 4 % )则略高于前者 (2 7% )。     

促卵泡素和促黄体素对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

本实验探讨了促性腺激素(FSH、LH)对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响,并最终找到了其合理的使用剂量.实验选取具有3层致密卵丘细胞层及均匀细胞质的猪卵丘-卵母细胞复合物(COCs)在体外进行成熟培养.体外成熟培养液为改良的TCM-199液,根据实验设计再添加不同浓度的FSH和LH.卵母细胞体外成熟培养条件为39 ℃、5%CO2与饱和湿度下,成熟培养48 h.培养结束后,以第1极体排出作为卵母细胞成熟的标准.在成熟液中添加LH浓度分别为1、5、10 IU/mL时,与没有添加FSH与LH的对照组(成熟率为15.9%)相比,成熟率有显著提高,前者成熟率分别为49.1%、30.0%、36.3%.LH浓度为1 IU/mL的实验组成熟率最高,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);然后以成熟液中只添加浓度为1 IU/mL LH为对照组,实验组添加FSH浓度分别为1、5、10 IU/mL.结果表明,添加FSH浓度为5 IU/mL和10 IU/mL时其成熟率分别为40.1%、27.6%,低于对照组(49.0%).添加FSH浓度为1 IU/mL时其成熟率(49.1%)高于对照组(49.0%),但差异不显著(P＞0.05).试验表明,随着FSH与LH添加浓度逐渐增加,成熟率呈下降趋势.添加FSH与LH浓度均为1 IU/mL可得到最佳的成熟效果.     

猪卵泡卵母细胞的体外成熟与体外受精

本试验对猪卵泡卵母细胞不同体外成熟培养时间、不同精子获能时间、不同精卵共孵育时间对体外受精的影响进行了研究。结果表明,体外成熟培养44 h左右,精子获能时间在1～2 h之间,精卵共孵育时间在6～8 h之间,受精后卵裂率最高。     

不同因素对猪卵母细胞体外成熟培养的影响

本试验旨在探讨不同外源激素组合的添加、胰岛素—转铁蛋白—亚硒酸钠(ITS)的添加、不同培养皿、石蜡油的添加对卵母细胞体外成熟培养(IVM)的影响。结果显示:①孕马血清促性腺激素+人绒毛膜促性腺激素+促卵泡素(PMSG+HCG+FSH)组高于促卵泡素+促黄体素(FSH+LH)组和尿促性腺激素(hMG)组,相互之间差异显著(80.1%、68.3%、53.3%,P<0.05);②添加1% ITS到猪卵母细胞培养液中对卵母细胞成熟率无显著提高(P>0.05),但显著提高了孤雌激活后孤雌胚胎的卵裂率和囊胚率(63.3%、55.1%,18.7%、12.1%,P<0.05);③凹槽皿组猪卵母细胞成熟率显著高于四孔板和30 mm塑料皿组(73.3%、68.0%、68.3%,P<0.05);④石蜡油的添加对卵丘细胞扩展和卵母细胞体外成熟率均有显著提高(84.8%、69.9%,P<0.05)。结果表明培养液中添加PMSG+HCG+FSH和ITS及选用凹槽皿、成熟培养液上覆石蜡油可提高猪卵母细胞IVM效果。     

Influence of the Cumulus and Gonadotropins on the Metabolic Profile of Porcine Cumulus–Oocyte Complexes During In Vitro Maturation

The aim of this work was to examine the influence of the cumulus and gonadotropins on the metabolic profile of porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro maturation. Immature COCs were assigned to morphological classes A₁ (with a dense cumulus), A₂ (with a translucent cumulus), B₁ (with the corona radiata), B₂ (with only some remaining cumulus cells) and matured with or without gonadotropins. Glycolysis and ammonia production were higher in the A class COCs; gonadotropins increased both, especially in the A₁ COCs (p < 0.05). The A class COCs had the highest initial protein contents and at the end of in vitro maturation. Furthermore, hormonal stimulation induced a similar increase in protein contents of both A classes (p < 0.05). The neutral lipid content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were similar in the immature oocytes of the COCs of all classes. A reduction was seen in both these variables when maturation proceeded either in the presence or absence of gonadotropins. The cumulus type surrounding the oocyte is related to the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids by the COC during in vitro maturation under gonadotropic stimulation. Oocyte lipolytic activity and ROS production appear to be independent of the surrounding cumulus and the presence of gonadotropins.     

RFRP-3对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

旨在研究RFRP-3对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响。本研究采用从屠宰场收集健康母猪的卵巢中挑取的GV期卵母细胞,随机分为3组,在培养基中分别添加0、10^-6和10^-8mol·L^-1 RFRP-3培养猪卵母细胞44 h后统计各组卵母细胞的成熟率;在后续试验中将收集到的卵母细胞随机分为2组,在培养基中分别添加0和10^-8 mol·L^-1 RFRP-3培养猪卵母细胞44 h,观察猪卵母细胞的卵丘扩展情况并计算各组的卵丘扩展指数和各组卵母细胞的成熟率;利用qRT-PCR检测卵丘扩展因子(PTGS2、HAS2、PTX3)、卵母细胞分泌因子(GDF9、BMP15)和周期蛋白相关基因(CCNB1和CDK1)的表达变化;利用ELISA试剂盒检测MPF和cAMP的含量;采用放射免疫法检测孕酮和雌激素的浓度,每组卵母细胞量不少于100枚,每个试验重复3次。结果表明,与对照组相比,添加10^-8mol·L^-1 RFRP-3培养猪卵母细胞可极显著降低卵母细胞的成熟率(P<0.01);通过显微镜观察并计算卵丘扩展指数发现,试验组中卵丘扩展无明显变化(P>0.05),但卵丘扩展因子(PTGS2、HAS2、PTX3)的表达极显著下降(P<0.01);RFRP-3可以极显著降低猪卵母细胞MPF的含量(P<0.01),对cAMP的含量无显著影响(P>0.05);添加RFRP-3可促进GDF9(P<0.01)和BMP15(P<0.05)的表达,抑制CCNB1(P<0.05)和CDK1(P<0.05)的表达;同时试验组培养基中孕酮、雌激素的浓度也极显著下降(P<0.01)。综上,RFRP-3通过调控猪卵母细胞成熟相关因子和卵丘扩展因子的表达以及类固醇激素的分泌,从而抑制卵母细胞的体外成熟。本研究为阐明RFRP-3对哺乳动物卵母细胞的调控作用奠定理论基础。     

猪卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌培养体系的建立和优化

试验系统探讨了猪卵母细胞的体外成熟和孤雌激活方法。结果表明:在成熟液中分别添加FSH(促卵泡素:0.1ng/mL)和hMG(人绝经期促性腺激素:0.01IU/mL)的卵母细胞成熟率差异显著,但2组间的分裂率和囊胚率差异不显著。在成熟液中添加0、10、30、50、70ng/mL或90ng/mL的EGF(表皮生长因子),50ng/mLEGF组的分裂率达到84.90%,囊胚率达到30.20%,显著高于其余各组。分别使用以TCM-199和NCSU-23为基础液的成熟液来成熟培养猪卵母细胞,NCSU-23组的分裂率,成熟率和囊胚率均高于TCM-199组。使用离子酶素激活方法和电激活方法进行对比,离子酶素激活后孤雌胚胎发育效果好,差异极显著(P<0.01)。