1
|
Blastocyst Transplantation Strategies in Women of Different Ages. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041618. [PMID: 36836152 PMCID: PMC9958534 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Single blastocyst transfers (SBT) and double blastocyst transfers (DBT) are widely used in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the application of these two strategies in women of different ages. (2) Methods: Analysis was carried out on 5477 frozen embryo transfer cycles of women in different ages. All the cycles were divided into three groups according to the age of the included women: <35, 35-39, and >39. The live birth rate (LBR) and multiple birth rate (MBR) between the SBT and DBT among these groups, respectively, were compared. (3) Results: In the women < 35 group, the LBR was similar in SBT and DBT, but the MBR was higher in DBT than SBT. In women 35-39, with >10 oocytes retrieved, the MBR in DBT was significantly higher than SBT, but there was no significant difference in LBR between the two groups; with ≤10 oocytes retrieved, the LBR in DBT were significantly higher than SBT, but the MBT was not significantly different between the two groups. In women > 39, the LBR and MBR were lower in the SBT than DBT, but the differences were not statistically significant. (4) Conclusions: Selective SET is appropriate for most young women, whereas older women are advised to make individualized choices based on the number of oocytes retrieved and blastocyst quality.
Collapse
|
2
|
Micro-TESE surgery combined with ICSI regimen in the treatment of non-obstructive azoospermia patients and its effect analysis. ZYGOTE 2023; 31:55-61. [PMID: 36268556 DOI: 10.1017/s096719942200051x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze the clinical effects of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) surgery combined with an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) regimen in the treatment of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients with different etiologies. In total, 128 NOA patients participated in this study, in which they received infertility treatment by micro-TESE surgery combined with an ICSI regimen, and all patients were divided into three groups [the Klinefelter syndrome (KS), the idiopathic and the secondary NOA groups]. In addition, the sperm retrieval rate (SRR), fertilization rate, embryo development status and clinical treatment effects were analyzed. Among the 128 NOA patients, the SRR of KS NOA patients was 48.65%, those of idiopathic and the secondary patients were 33.82% and 73.91%, respectively. Regardless of etiologies, there was no correlation with age, hormone value or testicular volume. Further analysis showed that the SRR of the KS group was positively related with testosterone (T) values, and the SRR of the secondary group had a positive relationship with follicle-stimulating hormone or luteinizing hormone values. In the subsequent clinical treatment, the retrieved sperm was subjected to ICSI and achieved good treatment effects, especially in the secondary group, and the implantation rate (55.56%) and clinical pregnancy rate (68.42%) were both higher than those of the idiopathic group (28.75% and 40.00%) and KS group (22.05% and 30.77%). Micro-TESE surgery combined with ICSI insemination is the most effective treatment regimen for NOA patients. The SRR of NOA patients with different etiologies are related to certain specific factors, and micro-TESE surgery seems to be the ideal and only way to have biological children.
Collapse
|
3
|
Akashi K, Yamada M, Jwa SC, Utsuno H, Kamijo S, Hirota Y, Tanaka M, Osuga Y, Kuji N. Artificial oocyte activation using Ca 2+ ionophores following intracytoplasmic sperm injection for low fertilization rate. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1131808. [PMID: 36967799 PMCID: PMC10034378 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1131808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This large multi-center retrospective study examined whether artificial oocyte activation (AOA) using Ca2+ ionophore following ICSI improves the live birth rate for couples with previous ICSI cycles of unexplained low fertilization rate. In this large-scale multi-center retrospective study conducted in Japan, data were collected from Keio University and 17 collaborating institutions of the Japanese Institution for Standardizing Assisted Reproductive Technology. Between January 2015 and December 2019, 198 couples were included in this study. Oocytes for both the intervention and control groups were procured from the same pool of couples. Oocytes obtained from ICSI cycles with no or low fertilization rate (<50%) with unknown causes were included in the control (conventional ICSI) group while oocytes procured from ICSI cycles followed by performing AOA were assigned to the intervention (ICSI-AOA) group. Those fertilized with surgically retrieved sperm were excluded. ICSI-AOA efficacy and safety were evaluated by comparing these two groups. Live birth rate was the primary outcome. The ICSI-AOA group (2,920 oocytes) showed a significantly higher live birth per embryo transfer rate (18.0% [57/316]) compared to that of the conventional ICSI group with no or low fertilization rate (1,973 oocytes; 4.7% [4/85]) (odds ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval 1.6-12.6; P<0.05). A higher live birth rate was observed in younger patients without a history of oocyte retrieval. Miscarriage, preterm delivery, and fetal congenital malformation rates were similar between the two groups. ICSI-AOA may reduce fertilization failure without increasing risks during the perinatal period. AOA may be offered to couples with an ICSI fertilization rate < 50%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Akashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsutoshi Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Mitsutoshi Yamada,
| | - Seung Chik Jwa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroki Utsuno
- Clinical Laboratory, Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shintaro Kamijo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Hirota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mamoru Tanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Osuga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoaki Kuji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhu Q, Ding D, Yang H, Zou W, Yang D, Wang K, Zhang C, Chen B, Ji D, Hao Y, Xue R, Xu Y, Wang Q, Wang J, Yan B, Cao Y, Zou H, Zhang Z. Melatonin Protects Mitochondrial Function and Inhibits Oxidative Damage against the Decline of Human Oocytes Development Caused by Prolonged Cryopreservation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244018. [PMID: 36552782 PMCID: PMC9776420 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin (MT) can improve the effect of cryopreservation on oocytes by suppressing oxidative stress and maintaining the permeability of the oolemma. In this study, MT was firstly applied to human oocytes' cryopreservation to explore the effect of prolonged cryopreservation on developmental competence and its role. Collected in vitro-matured human oocytes were cryopreserved in MT-containing or MT-free medium for 0 and 6 months; after warming, viable oocytes were assessed for developmental viability, intracellular protein expression, mitochondrial function, and oxidation-antioxidant system. Meanwhile, fresh oocytes were set as the control. The results showed that with the extension of cryopreservation time, the developmental competence of oocytes gradually declined, accompanied by the down-regulation of most mitochondrial function-related proteins, the reduction in ATP and GSH production, the increase in ROS accumulation, and the aggravation of the imbalance of ROS/GSH in oocytes. However, the participation of MT seemed to effectively mitigate these negative effects. Therefore, we speculate that melatonin may maintain normal ATP production and ROS/GSH balance in cryopreserved oocytes by protecting mitochondrial function and inhibiting oxidative damage, thereby effectively maintaining the developmental competence of human oocytes in prolonged cryopreservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ding Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Han Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Weiwei Zou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Dandan Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Kaijuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Beili Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Dongmei Ji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Rufeng Xue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qiushuang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Bo Yan
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Huijuan Zou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Trehalose Suppresses Lysosomal Anomalies in Supporting Cells of Oocytes and Maintains Female Fertility. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14102156. [PMID: 35631296 PMCID: PMC9148094 DOI: 10.3390/nu14102156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Supporting cells of oocytes, i.e., cumulus cells, control oocyte quality, which determines fertilization success. Therefore, the transformation of mature and immature cumulus cells (MCCs and ICCs, respectively) into dysmature cumulus cells (DCCs) with dead characteristics deteriorates oocyte quality. However, the molecular basis for this transformation remains unclear. Here, we explored the link between autophagic decline and cumulus transformation using cumulus cells from patients with infertility, female mice, and human granulosa cell-derived KGN cell lines. When human cumulus cells were labeled with LysoTracker probes, fluorescence corresponding to lysosomes was enhanced in DCCs compared to that in MCCs and ICCs. Similarly, treatment with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine elevated LysoTracker fluorescence in both mouse cumulus cells and KGN cells, subsequently suppressing ovulation in female mice. Electron microscopy analysis revealed the proliferation of abnormal lysosomes in chloroquine-treated KGN cells. Conversely, the addition of an autophagy inducer, trehalose, suppressed chloroquine-driven problematic lysosomal anomalies and ameliorated ovulation problems. Our results suggest that autophagy maintains the healthy state of the supporting cells of human oocytes by suppressing the formation of lysosomes. Thus, our results provide insights into the therapeutic effects of trehalose on female fertility.
Collapse
|
6
|
Tran AN, Chandler M, Halman J, Beasock D, Fessler A, McKeough RQ, Lam PA, Furr DP, Wang J, Cedrone E, Dobrovolskaia MA, Dokholyan NV, Trammell SR, Afonin KA. Anhydrous Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles for Storage and Handling at Broad Range of Temperatures. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2104814. [PMID: 35128787 PMCID: PMC8976831 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in nanotechnology now allow for the methodical implementation of therapeutic nucleic acids (TNAs) into modular nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) with tunable physicochemical properties which can match the desired biological effects, provide uniformity, and regulate the delivery of multiple TNAs for combinatorial therapy. Despite the potential of novel NANPs, the maintenance of their structural integrity during storage and shipping remains a vital issue that impedes their broader applications. Cold chain storage is required to maintain the potency of NANPs in the liquid phase, which greatly increases transportation costs. To promote long-term storage and retention of biological activities at higher temperatures (e.g., +50 °C), a panel of representative NANPs is first exposed to three different drying mechanisms-vacuum concentration (SpeedVac), lyophilization (Lyo), and light-assisted drying (LAD)-and then rehydrated and analyzed. While SpeedVac primarily operates using heat, Lyo avoids temperature increases by taking advantage of pressure reduction and LAD involves a near-infrared laser for uniform drying in the presence of trehalose. This work compares and defines refinements crucial in formulating an optimal strategy for producing stable, fully functional NANPs and presents a forward advancement in their development for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison N Tran
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Morgan Chandler
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Justin Halman
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Damian Beasock
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Adam Fessler
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Riley Q McKeough
- Department of Physics and Optical Science, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Phuong Anh Lam
- Department of Physics and Optical Science, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Daniel P Furr
- Department of Physics and Optical Science, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Edward Cedrone
- Nanotechnology Characterization Lab, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Marina A Dobrovolskaia
- Nanotechnology Characterization Lab, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Nikolay V Dokholyan
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Susan R Trammell
- Department of Physics and Optical Science, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hatırnaz Ş, Hatırnaz ES, Ellibeş Kaya A, Hatırnaz K, Soyer Çalışkan C, Sezer Ö, Dokuzeylül Güngor N, Demirel C, Baltacı V, Tan S, Dahan M. Oocyte maturation abnormalities - A systematic review of the evidence and mechanisms in a rare but difficult to manage fertility pheneomina. Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 19:60-80. [PMID: 35343221 PMCID: PMC8966321 DOI: 10.4274/tjod.galenos.2022.76329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A small proportion of infertile women experience repeated oocyte maturation abnormalities (OMAS). OMAS include degenerated and dysmorphic oocytes, empty follicle syndrome, oocyte maturation arrest (OMA), resistant ovary syndrome and maturation defects due to primary ovarian insufficiency. Genetic factors play an important role in OMAS but still need specifications. This review documents the spectrum of OMAS and to evaluate the multiple subtypes classified as OMAS. In this review, readers will be able to understand the oocyte maturation mechanism, gene expression and their regulation that lead to different subtypes of OMAs, and it will discuss the animal and human studies related to OMAS and lastly the treatment options for OMAs. Literature searches using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence were performed to identify articles written in English focusing on Oocyte Maturation Abnormalities by looking for the following relevant keywords. A search was made with the specified keywords and included books and documents, clinical trials, animal studies, human studies, meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials, reviews, systematic reviews and options written in english. The search detected 3,953 sources published from 1961 to 2021. After title and abstract screening for study type, duplicates and relevancy, 2,914 studies were excluded. The remaining 1,039 records were assessed for eligibility by full-text reading and 886 records were then excluded. Two hundred and twenty seven full-text articles and 0 book chapters from the database were selected for inclusion. Overall, 227 articles, one unpublished and one abstract paper were included in this final review. In this review study, OMAS were classified and extensively evaluatedand possible treatment options under the light of current information, present literature and ongoing studies. Either genetic studies or in vitro maturation studies that will be handled in the future will lead more informations to be reached and may make it possible to obtain pregnancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Şafak Hatırnaz
- Medicana Samsun International Hospital, In Vitro Fertilization-In Vitro Maturation Unit, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Ebru Saynur Hatırnaz
- Medicana Samsun International Hospital, In Vitro Fertilization-In Vitro Maturation Unit, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Aşkı Ellibeş Kaya
- Private Office, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Kaan Hatırnaz
- Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Canan Soyer Çalışkan
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Özlem Sezer
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Genetics, Samsun, Turkey
| | | | - Cem Demirel
- Memorial Ataşehir Hospital, In Vitro Fertilization Unit, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Seang Tan
- James Edmund Dodds Chair in ObGyn, Department of ObGyn, McGill University, OriginElle Fertility Clinic and Women, QC, Canada
| | - Michael Dahan
- McGill Reproductive Centre, Department of ObGyn, McGill University Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yang D, Yang H, Yang B, Wang K, Zhu Q, Wang J, Ding F, Rao B, Xue R, Peng J, Wang Q, Cao Y, Zou W, Chen B, Zhang Z. Embryological Characteristics of Human Oocytes With Agar-Like Zona Pellucida and Its Clinical Treatment Strategy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:859361. [PMID: 35813655 PMCID: PMC9259955 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.859361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Zona pellucida (ZP) abnormalities are the cause of low fertility or infertility, agar-like ZP is more common in abnormal ZP. The purpose of this exploration is to systematically analyze the fertilization competence of agar-like ZP oocytes, the development characteristics of subsequent embryos as well as the results of embryo transfer, aiming to explore effective clinical treatment strategies. A total of 58 patients with agar-like ZP were set as the case group and the control group involved 3866 patients, in which the patients' oocytes presented normal ZP. BMI, basal hormone levels, and hormone levels were similar in both groups. The case patients suffered significantly longer infertility years than control (p<0.05), and most patients were diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory diseases. A distinct difference was observed in the structure of oocyte corona cumulus complexes between the two groups. The embryo development parameters, which include the rates of cleavage, high-quality embryo, blastocyst, and high-quality blastocyst in the case group were greatly lower than that in the control group (p<0.05). The rates of cumulative clinical pregnancy and live birth were comparable between the two groups. In the subsequent follow-up, thirty-four of the 58 patients receiving intracytoplasmic single sperm injection (ICSI) or early rescue ICSI (R-ICSI) treatment successfully gave birth to babies, and all of the newborns were with no neonatal defects. In addition, the fertilization rate of the R-ICSI group was significantly lower than that of the ICSI group (p<0.05). The occurrence of agar-like ZP impairs the development competence of human oocytes, however, the human oocytes with agar-like ZP can develop into healthy offspring, and an ICSI regimen is the optimal treatment strategy for them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Han Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Kaijuan Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fangfang Ding
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bihua Rao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Rufeng Xue
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Jing Peng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiushuang Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Weiwei Zou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiguo Zhang, ; Beili Chen, ; Weiwei Zou,
| | - Beili Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiguo Zhang, ; Beili Chen, ; Weiwei Zou,
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiguo Zhang, ; Beili Chen, ; Weiwei Zou,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kashir J, Ganesh D, Jones C, Coward K. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Open 2022; 2022:hoac003. [PMID: 35261925 PMCID: PMC8894871 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoac003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oocyte activation deficiency (OAD) is attributed to the majority of cases underlying failure of ICSI cycles, the standard treatment for male factor infertility. Oocyte activation encompasses a series of concerted events, triggered by sperm-specific phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ), which elicits increases in free cytoplasmic calcium (Ca2+) in spatially and temporally specific oscillations. Defects in this specific pattern of Ca2+ release are directly attributable to most cases of OAD. Ca2+ release can be clinically mediated via assisted oocyte activation (AOA), a combination of mechanical, electrical and/or chemical stimuli which artificially promote an increase in the levels of intra-cytoplasmic Ca2+. However, concerns regarding safety and efficacy underlie potential risks that must be addressed before such methods can be safely widely used. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Recent advances in current AOA techniques warrant a review of the safety and efficacy of these practices, to determine the extent to which AOA may be implemented in the clinic. Importantly, the primary challenges to obtaining data on the safety and efficacy of AOA must be determined. Such questions require urgent attention before widespread clinical utilization of such protocols can be advocated. SEARCH METHODS A literature review was performed using databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, etc. using AOA, OAD, calcium ionophores, ICSI, PLCζ, oocyte activation, failed fertilization and fertilization failure as keywords. Relevant articles published until June 2019 were analysed and included in the review, with an emphasis on studies assessing large-scale efficacy and safety. OUTCOMES Contradictory studies on the safety and efficacy of AOA do not yet allow for the establishment of AOA as standard practice in the clinic. Heterogeneity in study methodology, inconsistent sample inclusion criteria, non-standardized outcome assessments, restricted sample size and animal model limitations render AOA strictly experimental. The main scientific concern impeding AOA utilization in the clinic is the non-physiological method of Ca2+ release mediated by most AOA agents, coupled with a lack of holistic understanding regarding the physiological mechanism(s) underlying Ca2+ release at oocyte activation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The number of studies with clinical relevance using AOA remains significantly low. A much wider range of studies examining outcomes using multiple AOA agents are required. WIDER IMPLICATIONS In addition to addressing the five main challenges of studies assessing AOA safety and efficacy, more standardized, large-scale, multi-centre studies of AOA, as well as long-term follow-up studies of children born from AOA, would provide evidence for establishing AOA as a treatment for infertility. The delivery of an activating agent that can more accurately recapitulate physiological fertilization, such as recombinant PLCζ, is a promising prospect for the future of AOA. Further to PLCζ, many other avenues of physiological oocyte activation also require urgent investigation to assess other potential physiological avenues of AOA. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS D.G. was supported by Stanford University’s Bing Overseas Study Program. J.K. was supported by a Healthcare Research Fellowship Award (HF-14-16) made by Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW), alongside a National Science, Technology, and Innovation plan (NSTIP) project grant (15-MED4186-20) awarded by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). The authors have no competing interests to declare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Celine Jones
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women’s Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Coward
- Correspondence address. Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women’s Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OS3 9DU, UK. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3577-4041
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lin Y, Da L, Du S, Chen Q, Chen S, Zheng B. The vitrification system may affect preterm and cesarean delivery rates after single vitrified blastocyst transfer. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2021; 68:113-120. [PMID: 34886718 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2021.2005717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effects of different vitrification systems on single vitrified blastocyst transfer cycles. The clinical and birth outcomes of 412 patients who underwent single vitrified blastocyst transfer between January 2018 and June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed and compared between patients who underwent blastocyst vitrification with kit A (group A, 196 patients) and those who underwent blastocyst vitrification with kit B (group B, 216 patients). Clinical outcomes, including the clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, early miscarriage rate, late miscarriage rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, twin pregnancy rate, and induced labor rate due to fetal malformation, were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). The preterm delivery rate among singleton newborns (11.57% vs. 3.23%, P < 0.05) and the cesarean delivery rate were significantly higher in group B than in group A (70.25% vs. 57.26%, P < 0.05). Birth outcomes, including the male-to-female ratio, low-birth-weight rate, macrosomia rate, birth defect rate, newborn gestational age, neonatal body weight, and singleton neonatal body length, were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Our findings suggest that different vitrification systems might differentially affect birth outcomes. Such disparity could reflect differences in kit composition and/or protocol.ABBREVIATIONS: DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; ES: equilibration solution; VS: vitrification solution; BMI: body mass index; ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection; OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunhong Lin
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lincui Da
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengrong Du
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingfen Chen
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Suzhu Chen
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Beihong Zheng
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Angel-Velez D, De Coster T, Azari-Dolatabad N, Fernandez-Montoro A, Benedetti C, Bogado Pascottini O, Woelders H, Van Soom A, Smits K. New Alternative Mixtures of Cryoprotectants for Equine Immature Oocyte Vitrification. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113077. [PMID: 34827809 PMCID: PMC8614364 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Oocyte cryopreservation allows female gametes to be conserved for long periods, which would be of benefit for mares of high genetic merit, but its efficiency is not satisfactory yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to optimize a vitrification protocol for equine oocytes using a systematic approach. We performed a side-by-side comparison of different cryoprotective agents (CPAs) during the vitrification and warming of equine oocytes. In the first experiment, a fixed mixture of CPAs that enter the oocyte was used, and three sugars were compared, which cannot penetrate the oocyte but provide protection through an osmotic effect. In the second experiment, one sugar from the first experiment was selected to compare three mixtures of CPAs that enter the oocyte. Overall, the embryo development was reduced after oocyte cryopreservation when compared to fresh oocytes. Yet, we were able to produce embryos with all six cryoprotective agent mixtures, and we identified one promising combination of cryoprotectants, consisting of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and galactose, that resulted in blastocyst rates in the same range as the fresh control group. Abstract Equine oocyte vitrification would benefit the growing in vitro embryo production programs, but further optimization of the protocol is necessary to reach clinical efficiency. Therefore, we aimed to perform a direct comparison of non-permeating and permeating cryoprotective agents (CPAs) during the vitrification and warming of equine immature oocytes. In the first experiment, cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) were vitrified comparing sucrose, trehalose, and galactose in combination with ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In the second experiment, the COCs were vitrified using three mixtures of permeating CPAs in a 50:50 volume ratio (ethylene glycol-dimethyl sulfoxide (ED), propylene glycol-ethylene glycol (PE), and propylene glycol-dimethyl sulfoxide (PD)) with galactose and warmed in different galactose concentrations (0.3 or 0.5 mol/L). Overall, all the treatments supported blastocyst formation, but the developmental rates were lower for all the vitrified groups in the first (4.3 to 7.6%) and the second (3.5 to 9.4%) experiment compared to the control (26.5 and 34.2%, respectively; p < 0.01). In the first experiment, the maturation was not affected by vitrification. The sucrose exhibited lower cleavage than the control (p = 0.02). Although the galactose tended to have lower maturation than trehalose (p = 0.060) and control (p = 0.069), the highest numerical cleavage and blastocyst rates were obtained with this CPA. In the second experiment, the maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst rates were similar between the treatments. Compared to the control, only the ED reached similar maturation (p = 0.02) and PE similar cleavage (p = 0.1). The galactose concentration during warming did not affect the maturation, cleavage, or blastocyst rates (p > 0.1), but the PE-0.3 exhibited the highest blastocyst rate (15.1%) among the treatments, being the only one comparable to the control (34.2%). As such, PE–galactose provides a valuable option for equine immature oocyte vitrification and should be considered for the future optimization of the protocol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Angel-Velez
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
- Research Group in Animal Sciences—INCA-CES, Universidad CES, Medellin 050021, Colombia
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +32-4-5614-4543
| | - Tine De Coster
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Nima Azari-Dolatabad
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Andrea Fernandez-Montoro
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Camilla Benedetti
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
- Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Henri Woelders
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Fujita Y, Nishimura M, Komori N, Sawamoto O, Kaneda S. Protein-free solution containing trehalose and dextran 40 for cryopreservation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. Cryobiology 2021; 100:46-57. [PMID: 33823188 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We tested the efficacy of lactated Ringer's solution with 3% trehalose and 5% dextran 40 (LR-3T-5D) as a vehicle solution for cryopreservation using human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hADSCs) with dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO). We also tested the effect of the Me2SO concentration in the cryopreservation solution, and the effect of washing with lactated Ringer's solution with 3% trehalose (LR-3T) and replacement with LR-3T or LR-3T-5D. LR-3T-5D was more effective for cell viability, viable cell recovery ratio, annexin V-positive ratio, and colony-forming capacity as a vehicle solution for cryopreservation with 10% Me2SO than LR. The additive effects as cryoprotectants of trehalose and dextran 40 were confirmed to be dose dependent. The cell viability, cell proliferation ability, cell differentiation ability, and the ratio of cell surface positive/negative markers of hADSCs were well maintained after cryopreservation with LR-3T-5D containing 10% Me2SO in liquid nitrogen or in a -80 °C freezer. The cell viability and the proliferation curve in LR-3T-5D with 5% Me2SO were comparable to those with 10% Me2SO. LR-3T-5D was superior to LR-3T as a replacement solution in terms of viability and annexin V positivity. Our data showed that LR-3T-5D is effective as a vehicle solution for cryopreservation. Reducing Me2SO concentration to 5%, and washing and replacement with fresh LR-3T and LR-3T-5D after thawing, are feasible approaches to maintain cryopreservation efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Fujita
- Research and Development Center, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc, Naruto, Tokushima, Japan.
| | - Masuhiro Nishimura
- Research and Development Center, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc, Naruto, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Natsuki Komori
- Research and Development Center, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc, Naruto, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Osamu Sawamoto
- Research and Development Center, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc, Naruto, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shinya Kaneda
- Research and Development Center, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc, Naruto, Tokushima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang Z, Mu Y, Ding D, Zou W, Li X, Chen B, Leung PC, Chang HM, Zhu Q, Wang K, Xue R, Xu Y, Zou H, Zhou P, Wei Z, Cao Y. Melatonin improves the effect of cryopreservation on human oocytes by suppressing oxidative stress and maintaining the permeability of the oolemma. J Pineal Res 2021; 70:e12707. [PMID: 33274466 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation causes cryoinjury to oocytes and impairs their developmental competence. Melatonin (MLT) can improve the effect of cryopreservation in animal oocytes. However, no such studies on human oocytes have been reported. In this study, collected in vitro-matured human oocytes were randomly divided into the following groups: fresh group, MLT-treated cryopreservation (MC) group, and no-MLT-treated cryopreservation (NC) group. After vitrification and warming, viable oocytes from these three groups were assessed for their mitochondrial function, ultrastructure, permeability of oolemma, early apoptosis, developmental competence, and cryotolerance-related gene expression. First, fluorescence staining results revealed that oocytes from the 10-9 M subgroup showed the lowest intracellular reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ levels and highest mitochondrial membrane potential among the MC subgroups (10-11 , 10-9 , 10-7 , and 10-5 M). In subsequent experiments, oocytes from the 10-9 M-MC group were observed to maintain the normal ultrastructural features and the permeability of the oolemma. Compared with those of the oocytes in the NC group, the early apoptosis rate significantly decreased (P < .01), whereas both the high-quality cleavage embryo and blastocyst rates significantly increased (both P < .05) in the oocytes of the 10-9 M-MC group. Finally, single-cell RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence results revealed that aquaporin (AQP) 1/2/11 gene expression and AQP1 protein expression were upregulated in the MC group. Therefore, these results suggest that MLT can improve the effect of cryopreservation on human oocytes by suppressing oxidative stress and maintaining the permeability of the oolemma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract (Anhui Medical University), Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yaoqin Mu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract (Anhui Medical University), Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui, China
| | - Ding Ding
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract (Anhui Medical University), Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui, China
| | - Weiwei Zou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract (Anhui Medical University), Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui, China
| | - Xinyuan Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
| | - Beili Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
| | - Peter Ck Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Qi Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Kaijuan Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
| | - Rufeng Xue
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Anhui, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
| | - Huijuan Zou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract (Anhui Medical University), Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract (Anhui Medical University), Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui, China
| | - Zhaolian Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract (Anhui Medical University), Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract (Anhui Medical University), Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Anhui, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
De Coster T, Velez DA, Van Soom A, Woelders H, Smits K. Cryopreservation of equine oocytes: looking into the crystal ball. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:453-467. [PMID: 32172776 DOI: 10.1071/rd19229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Invitro embryo production has evolved rapidly in the horse over the past decade, but blastocyst rates from vitrified equine oocytes remain quite poor and further research is needed to warrant application. Oocyte vitrification is affected by several technical and biological factors. In the horse, short exposure of immature oocytes to the combination of permeating and non-permeating cryoprotective agents has been associated with the best results so far. High cooling and warming rates are also crucial and can be obtained by using minimal volumes and open cryodevices. Vitrification of invivo-matured oocytes has yielded better results, but is less practical. The presence of the corona radiata seems to partially protect those factors that are necessary for the construction of the normal spindle and for chromosome alignment, but multiple layers of cumulus cells may impair permeation of cryoprotective agents. In addition to the spindle, the oolemma and mitochondria are also particularly sensitive to vitrification damage, which should be minimised in future vitrification procedures. This review presents promising protocols and novel strategies in equine oocyte vitrification, with a focus on blastocyst development and foal production as most reliable outcome parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tine De Coster
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; and Corresponding authors. ;
| | - Daniel Angel Velez
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; and Corresponding authors. ;
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Henri Woelders
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Artificial oocyte activation to improve reproductive outcomes in couples with various causes of infertility: a retrospective cohort study. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 40:501-509. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
16
|
Niu X, Ruan Q, Witz CA, Wang W. Comparison of Human Oocyte Activation Between Round-Headed Sperm Injection Followed by Calcium Ionophore Treatment and Normal Sperm Injection in a Patient With Globozoospermia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:183. [PMID: 32318024 PMCID: PMC7154056 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilization failure is common in patients with round-headed sperm, a form of globozoospermia. Artificial oocyte activation is able to assist oocyte fertilization after sperm injection in these patients. Comparisons between oocyte fertilization with or without calcium ionophore have been reported in patients with round-headed sperm. However, no comparison has been reported between round-headed sperm injection followed by calcium ionophone activation and normal sperm injection. In this case report, half of oocytes from a patient were injected with her partner's round-headed sperm followed by calcium ionophore activation, and the other half of oocytes were injected with a donor sperm without calcium ionophore activation. The injected oocytes were cultured to examine fertilization, embryo development, and embryonic aneuploidies in the resulting blastocysts. The fertilization rate was lower in round-headed sperm injected oocytes (3/6) than that in donor sperm injected oocytes (5/6), but rates of blastocyst and aneuploidies were similar in the resulting embryos between the two groups. A euploid blastocyst resulted from round-headed sperm injection was transferred, and a healthy baby was delivered. These results indicate that calcium ionophore treatment can assist oocyte activation in patients with round-headed sperm, but its efficiency to activate oocytes is lower than that induced by a normal sperm injection. However, embryo development and chromosome integrity may not be affected by calcium ionophore treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangli Niu
- Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Qiuyan Ruan
- Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Craig A. Witz
- Houston Fertility Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Weihua Wang
- Prelude-Houston Fertility Laboratory, Houston, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Weihua Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mutsenko V, Barlič A, Pezić T, Dermol-Černe J, Dovgan B, Sydykov B, Wolkers WF, Katkov II, Glasmacher B, Miklavčič D, Gryshkov O. Me 2SO- and serum-free cryopreservation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells using electroporation-assisted delivery of sugars. Cryobiology 2019; 91:104-114. [PMID: 31593692 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation is the universal technology used to enable long-term storage and continuous availability of cell stocks and tissues for regenerative medicine demands. The main components of standard freezing media are dimethyl sulfoxide (hereinafter Me2SO) and fetal bovine serum (FBS). However, for manufacturing of cells and tissue-engineered products in accordance with the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), current considerations in regenerative medicine suggest development of Me2SO- and serum-free biopreservation strategies due to safety concerns over Me2SO-induced side effects and immunogenicity of animal serum. In this work, the effect of electroporation-assisted pre-freeze delivery of sucrose, trehalose and raffinose into human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) on their post-thaw survival was investigated. The optimal strength of electric field at 8 pulses with 100 μs duration and 1 Hz pulse repetition frequency was determined to be 1.5 kV/cm from permeabilization (propidium iodide uptake) vs. cell recovery data (resazurin reduction assay). Using sugars as sole cryoprotectants with electroporation, concentration-dependent increase in cell survival was observed. Irrespective of sugar type, the highest cell survival (up to 80%) was achieved at 400 mM extracellular concentration and electroporation. Cell freezing without electroporation yielded significantly lower survival rates. In the optimal scenario, cells were able to attach 24 h after thawing demonstrating characteristic shape and sugar-loaded vacuoles. Application of 10% Me2SO/90% FBS as a positive control provided cell survival exceeding 90%. Next, high glass transition temperatures determined for optimal concentrations of sugars by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) suggest the possibility to store samples at -80 °C. In summary, using electroporation to incorporate cryoprotective sugars into cells is an effective strategy towards Me2SO- and serum-free cryopreservation and may pave the way for further progress in establishing clinically safe biopreservation strategies for efficient long-term biobanking of cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vitalii Mutsenko
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
| | | | - Tamara Pezić
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Dermol-Černe
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Dovgan
- Educell Ltd, Trzin, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bulat Sydykov
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Willem F Wolkers
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Igor I Katkov
- Laboratory of the Amorphous State, Institute for Natural and Engineering Sciences, Belgorod National Research University, Belgorod, Russia; MIP Vitronix, ltd, Belgorod, Russia
| | - Birgit Glasmacher
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Oleksandr Gryshkov
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Effect of vitrification on human oocyte maturation rate during in vitro maturation procedure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cryobiology 2018; 83:84-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
19
|
Finley J. Transposable elements, placental development, and oocyte activation: Cellular stress and AMPK links jumping genes with the creation of human life. Med Hypotheses 2018; 118:44-54. [PMID: 30037614 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs), also known as "jumping genes", are DNA sequences first described by Nobel laureate Barbara McClintock that comprise nearly half of the human genome and are able to transpose or move from one genomic location to another. As McClintock also noted that a genome "shock" or stress may induce TE activation and transposition, accumulating evidence suggests that cellular stress (e.g. mediated by increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species [ROS] and calcium [Ca2+], etc.) induces TE mobilization in several model organisms and L1s (a member of the retrotransposon class of TEs) are active and capable of retrotransposition in human oocytes, human sperm, and in human neural progenitor cells. Cellular stress also plays a critical role in human placental development, with cytotrophoblast (CTB) differentiation leading to the formation of the syncytiotrophoblast (STB), a cellular layer that facilitates nutrient and gas exchange between the mother and the fetus. Syncytin-1, a protein that promotes fusion of CTB cells and is necessary for STB formation, and its receptor is found in human sperm and human oocytes, respectively, and increases in ROS and Ca2+ promote trophoblast differentiation and syncytin-1 expression. Cellular stress is also essential in promoting human oocyte maturation and activation which, similar to TE mobilization, can be induced by compounds that increase intracellular Ca2+ and ROS levels. AMPK is a master metabolic regulator activated by increases in ROS, Ca2+, and/or an AMP(ADP)/ATP ratio increase, etc. as well as compounds that induce L1 mobilization in human cells. AMPK knockdown inhibits trophoblast differentiation and AMPK-activating compounds that promote L1 mobility also enhance trophoblast differentiation. Cellular stressors that induce TE mobilization (e.g. heat shock) also promote oocyte maturation in an AMPK-dependent manner and the antibiotic ionomycin activates AMPK, promotes TE activation, and induces human oocyte activation, producing normal, healthy children. Metformin promotes AMPK-dependent telomerase activation (critical for telomere maintenance) and induces activation of the endonuclease RAG1 (promotes DNA cleavage and transposition) via AMPK. Both RAG1 and telomerase are derived from TEs. It is our hypothesis that cellular stress and AMPK links TE activation and transposition with placental development and oocyte activation, facilitating both human genome evolution and the creation of all human life. We also propose the novel observation that various cellular stress-inducing compounds (e.g. metformin, resveratrol, etc.) may facilitate beneficial TE activation and transposition and enhance fertilization and embryological development through a common mechanism of AMPK activation.
Collapse
|