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Liu Y, Peng X, Liu C, Zhang S, Weng Z, Yu L, Zhou S, Huang X. Live birth derived from a markedly large polar body oocyte: a rare case report. ZYGOTE 2024; 32:170-174. [PMID: 38619002 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199424000054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Oocytes with excessively large first polar bodies (PB1) often occur in assisted reproductive procedures. Many times these oocytes are discarded without insemination and, as a result, the application of this portion of oocytes has scarcely been reported to date. Few studies have examined large PB1 oocytes in infertile women and have virtually entirely studied genetic variations for large PB1 oocyte abnormalities. Here, we describe an unusual case of a live birth from a remarkably large PB1 oocyte in a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. This is the first instance of a successful live birth resulting from a PB1 oocyte with an extremely large polar body measuring 80 μM × 40 μM in size. The large PB1 oocyte was performed by an early rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (r-ICSI) and was formed into a blastocyst on day 5. Following FET, a healthy boy baby weighing 3100 g was finally delivered by caesarean section at 37 weeks and 5 days after conception. Additionally, there were no complications throughout the antenatal period or the perinatal phase of this following full-term delivery. In this study, it is revealed for the first time that a huge PB1 oocyte can be fertilized, resulting in the growth of a blastocyst, a subsequent pregnancy, and a live birth. This new information prompts us to reconsider the use of large PB1 oocytes. More insightful talks should be given attention to prevent the waste of embryos because not all oocytes with aberrant morphology are unavailable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiang Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinliang Peng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Caifeng Liu
- Health Center of Chini Town, Huadu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuting Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwei Weng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaohu Zhou
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuekun Huang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
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Wei Y, Wang J, Qu R, Zhang W, Tan Y, Sha Y, Li L, Yin T. Genetic mechanisms of fertilization failure and early embryonic arrest: a comprehensive review. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:48-80. [PMID: 37758324 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility and pregnancy loss are longstanding problems. Successful fertilization and high-quality embryos are prerequisites for an ongoing pregnancy. Studies have proven that every stage in the human reproductive process is regulated by multiple genes and any problem, at any step, may lead to fertilization failure (FF) or early embryonic arrest (EEA). Doctors can diagnose the pathogenic factors involved in FF and EEA by using genetic methods. With the progress in the development of new genetic technologies, such as single-cell RNA analysis and whole-exome sequencing, a new approach has opened up for us to directly study human germ cells and reproductive development. These findings will help us to identify the unique mechanism(s) that leads to FF and EEA in order to find potential treatments. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The goal of this review is to compile current genetic knowledge related to FF and EEA, clarifying the mechanisms involved and providing clues for clinical diagnosis and treatment. SEARCH METHODS PubMed was used to search for relevant research articles and reviews, primarily focusing on English-language publications from January 1978 to June 2023. The search terms included fertilization failure, early embryonic arrest, genetic, epigenetic, whole-exome sequencing, DNA methylation, chromosome, non-coding RNA, and other related keywords. Additional studies were identified by searching reference lists. This review primarily focuses on research conducted in humans. However, it also incorporates relevant data from animal models when applicable. The results were presented descriptively, and individual study quality was not assessed. OUTCOMES A total of 233 relevant articles were included in the final review, from 3925 records identified initially. The review provides an overview of genetic factors and mechanisms involved in the human reproductive process. The genetic mutations and other genetic mechanisms of FF and EEA were systematically reviewed, for example, globozoospermia, oocyte activation failure, maternal effect gene mutations, zygotic genome activation abnormalities, chromosome abnormalities, and epigenetic abnormalities. Additionally, the review summarizes progress in treatments for different gene defects, offering new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The information provided in this review will facilitate the development of more accurate molecular screening tools for diagnosing infertility using genetic markers and networks in human reproductive development. The findings will also help guide clinical practice by identifying appropriate interventions based on specific gene mutations. For example, when an individual has obvious gene mutations related to FF, ICSI is recommended instead of IVF. However, in the case of genetic defects such as phospholipase C zeta1 (PLCZ1), actin-like7A (ACTL7A), actin-like 9 (ACTL9), and IQ motif-containing N (IQCN), ICSI may also fail to fertilize. We can consider artificial oocyte activation technology with ICSI to improve fertilization rate and reduce monetary and time costs. In the future, fertility is expected to be improved or restored by interfering with or supplementing the relevant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqiu Wei
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingxuan Wang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Qu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiqian Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiling Tan
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tailang Yin
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Li C, Zhu L, Liu JX, Guo J, Xie J, Shi CM, Sun QY, Huang GN, Li JY. Cordycepin delays postovulatory aging of oocytes through inhibition of maternal mRNAs degradation via DCP1A polyadenylation suppression. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:372. [PMID: 38001238 PMCID: PMC10674002 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05030-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Postovulatory aging leads to the decline in oocyte quality and subsequent impairment of embryonic development, thereby reducing the success rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Potential preventative strategies preventing oocytes from aging and the associated underlying mechanisms warrant investigation. In this study, we identified that cordycepin, a natural nucleoside analogue, promoted the quality of oocytes aging in vitro, as indicated by reduced oocyte fragmentation, improved spindle/chromosomes morphology and mitochondrial function, as well as increased embryonic developmental competence. Proteomic and RNA sequencing analyses revealed that cordycepin inhibited the degradation of several crucial maternal proteins and mRNAs caused by aging. Strikingly, cordycepin was found to suppress the elevation of DCP1A protein by inhibiting polyadenylation during postovulatory aging, consequently impeding the decapping of maternal mRNAs. In humans, the increased degradation of DCP1A and total mRNA during postovulatory aging was also inhibited by cordycepin. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that cordycepin prevents postovulatory aging of mammalian oocytes by inhibition of maternal mRNAs degradation via suppressing polyadenylation of DCP1A mRNA, thereby promoting oocyte developmental competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Zhu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun-Xia Liu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Juan Xie
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun-Meng Shi
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases and Reproductive Health, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guo-Ning Huang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China.
| | - Jing-Yu Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China.
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Wan Y, Hong Z, Ma B, He X, Ma L, Wang M, Zhang Y. Identification of compound heterozygous variants in MSH4 as a novel genetic cause of diminished ovarian reserve. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023; 21:76. [PMID: 37620942 PMCID: PMC10464148 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01127-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a common cause of female infertility, with genetic factors being a significant contributor. However, due to high genetic heterogeneity, the etiology of DOR in many cases remains unknown. In this study, we analyzed the phenotype of a young woman with primary infertility and performed molecular genetic analysis to identify the genetic cause of her condition, thus providing important insights for genetic counseling and reproductive guidance. METHODS We collected the patient's basic information, clinical data, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic history and performed whole-exome sequencing on her peripheral blood. Candidate pathogenic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing in family members, and the pathogenicity of variants was analyzed using ACMG guidelines. We used bioinformatics tools to predict variant effects on splicing and protein function, and performed in vitro experiments including minigene assay and expression analysis to evaluate their functional effects on HEK293T. RESULTS We identified biallelic MSH4 variants, c.2374 A > G (p.Thr792Ala) and c.2222_2225delAAGA (p.Lys741Argfs*2) in the DOR patient. According to ACMG guidelines, the former was classified as likely pathogenic, while the latter was classified as pathogenic. The patient presented with poor oocyte quantity and quality, resulting in unsuccessful in vitro fertilization cycles. Bioinformatics and in vitro functional analysis showed that the c.2374 A > G variant altered the local conformation of the MutS_V domain without decreasing MSH4 protein expression, while the c.2222_2225delAAGA variant led to a reduction in MSH4 protein expression without impacting splicing. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we present evidence of biallelic variants in MSH4 as a potential cause of DOR. Our findings indicate a correlation between MSH4 variants and reduced oocyte quality, as well as abnormal morphology of the first polar body, thereby expanding the phenotypic spectrum associated with MSH4 variants. Furthermore, Our study emphasizes the importance of utilizing whole-exome sequencing and functional analysis in diagnosing genetic causes, as well as providing effective genetic counseling and reproductive guidance for DOR patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjing Wan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Science and Birth Health, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zhidan Hong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Science and Birth Health, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Binyu Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Science and Birth Health, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Xuanyi He
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Science and Birth Health, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ling Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
- Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Science and Birth Health, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Mei Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
- Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
- Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Science and Birth Health, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
| | - Yuanzhen Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
- Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
- Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Science and Birth Health, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.
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5
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Ozturk S. Genetic variants underlying developmental arrests in human preimplantation embryos. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad024. [PMID: 37335858 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental arrest in preimplantation embryos is one of the major causes of assisted reproduction failure. It is briefly defined as a delay or a failure of embryonic development in producing viable embryos during ART cycles. Permanent or partial developmental arrest can be observed in the human embryos from one-cell to blastocyst stages. These arrests mainly arise from different molecular biological defects, including epigenetic disturbances, ART processes, and genetic variants. Embryonic arrests were found to be associated with a number of variants in the genes playing key roles in embryonic genome activation, mitotic divisions, subcortical maternal complex formation, maternal mRNA clearance, repairing DNA damage, transcriptional, and translational controls. In this review, the biological impacts of these variants are comprehensively evaluated in the light of existing studies. The creation of diagnostic gene panels and potential ways of preventing developmental arrests to obtain competent embryos are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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Tong X, Jin J, Hu Z, Zhang Y, Fan HY, Zhang YL, Zhang S. Mutations in OOEP and NLRP5 identified in infertile patients with early embryonic arrest. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:1909-1920. [PMID: 35946397 PMCID: PMC10087254 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The subcortical maternal complex (SCMC), composed of several maternal-effect genes, is vital for the development of oocytes and early embryos. Variants of SCMC-encoding genes (NLRP2, NLRP5, TLE6, PADI6, and KHDC3L, but not OOEP and ZBED3) are associated with human oocyte maturation dysfunction, fertilization failure, and early embryonic arrest. In this study, we enrolled 118 Chinese patients who experienced recurrent preimplantation embryonic arrest during assisted reproductive technology treatments and performed whole-exome sequencing. We discovered compound heterozygous missense variants (c.110G>C and c.109C>G) in the OOEP gene in one patient who experienced recurrent preimplantation embryonic arrest. Arrested embryos from this affected patient were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing, which showed a downregulated transcriptome. In addition, six novel NLRP5 variants (c.971T>A, c.3341T>C, c.1575_1576delAG, c.1830_1831delGT, c.1202C>T, and c.2378T>G) were identified in four patients with arrested and severely fragmented embryos. These suspicious mutations were examined by in vitro studies in HEK293T cells. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence experiments showed that OOEP and partial NLRP5 mutations caused decreased protein levels. Our findings first demonstrated that biallelic variants in OOEP gene could also cause human early embryonic arrest, similar to other SCMC components. We expanded the genetic mutation spectrum of SCMC genes related to early embryogenesis in humans, especially early embryonic arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Tong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiamin Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhanhong Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingyi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.,Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yin-Li Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Songying Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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