1
|
Qian W, Good MC. Peeking under the hood of early embryogenesis: Using tools and synthetic biology to understand native control systems and sculpt tissues. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:43-49. [PMID: 35525819 PMCID: PMC9633583 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.016] [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: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Early embryogenesis requires rapid division of pluripotent blastomeres, regulated genome activation, precise spatiotemporal signaling to pattern cell fate, and morphogenesis to shape primitive tissue architectures. The complexity of this process has inspired researchers to move beyond simple genetic perturbation into engineered devices and synthetic biology tools to permit temporal and spatial manipulation of the control systems guiding development. By precise alteration of embryo organization, it is now possible to advance beyond basic analytical strategies and directly test the sufficiency of models for developmental regulation. Separately, advances in micropatterning and embryoid culture have facilitated the bottom-up construction of complex embryo tissues allowing ex vivo systems to recapitulate even later stages of development. Embryos fertilized and grown ex vivo offer an excellent opportunity to exogenously perturb fundamental pathways governing embryogenesis. Here we review the technologies developed to thermally modulate the embryo cell cycle, and optically regulate morphogen and signaling pathways in space and time, specifically in the blastula embryo. Additionally, we highlight recent advances in cell patterning in two and three dimensions that have helped reveal the self-organizing properties and gene regulatory networks guiding early embryo organization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Qian
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Matthew C. Good
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Lead Contact,Correspondence: (M.C.G), Address: 421 Curie Blvd, 1151 Biomedical Research Building, Philadelphia PA 19104
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rhoads ML. Review: Reproductive consequences of whole-body adaptations of dairy cattle to heat stress. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100847. [PMID: 37567679 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat stress has far-reaching ramifications for agricultural production and the severity of its impact has increased alongside the growing threats of global warming. Climate change is exacerbating the already-severe consequences of seasonal heat stress and is predicted to cause additional losses in reproductive performance, milk production and overall productivity. Estimated and predicted losses are staggering, and without advancement in production practices during heat stress, these projected losses will threaten the human food supply. This is particularly concerning as the worldwide population and, thus, demand for animal products grows. As such, there is an urgent need for the development of technologies and management strategies capable of improving animal production capacity and efficiency during periods of heat stress. Reproduction is a major component of animal productivity, and subfertility during thermal stress is ultimately the result of both reproductive and whole-body physiological responses to heat stress. Improving reproductive performance during seasonal heat stress requires a thorough understanding of its effects on the reproductive system as well as other physiological systems involved in the whole-body response to elevated ambient temperature. To that end, this review will explore the reproductive repercussions of whole-body consequences of heat stress, including elevated body temperature, altered metabolism and circulating lipopolysaccharide. A comprehensive understanding of the physiological responses to heat stress is a prerequisite for improving fertility, and thus, the overall productivity of dairy cattle experiencing heat stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M L Rhoads
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Coy P, Romar R, Romero-Aguirregomezcorta J. The embryo culture media in the era of epigenetics: is it time to go back to nature? Anim Reprod 2022; 19:e20210132. [PMID: 35493788 PMCID: PMC9037603 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2021-0132] [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: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This review is intended to draw attention to the importance of the culture media composition on the health of the embryos, fetuses, newborns, and adults derived from assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Although current research and industry trends are to use chemically defined media because of their suitability for manufacturing, commercialization, and regulatory purposes, compelling evidence indicates that those media fail to adequately account for the biological demands of early embryogenesis. Here, we list the main undesirable consequences of the ART described in the literature and results we and others have obtained over the past decade exploring an alternative and more natural way to support embryo growth in vitro: inclusion of endogenous reproductive fluids as additives in the ART culture media for pigs, cows, and humans. This review systematically assesses the pros and cons of using reproductive fluid additives, as well as the requirements to implement this approach in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Coy
- Universidad de Murcia, Spain; Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, Spain
| | - Raquel Romar
- Universidad de Murcia, Spain; Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Replacement of Albumin by Preovulatory Oviductal Fluid in Swim-Up Sperm Preparation Method Modifies Boar Sperm Parameters and Improves In Vitro Penetration of Oocytes. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051202. [PMID: 33922134 PMCID: PMC8143553 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Part of the success of assisted reproductive techniques lies in gamete manipulation before the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. Current chemically defined handling media lack crucial components for embryo development that exist under in vivo conditions. Recent studies of pigs have shown that the addition of reproductive fluids during in vitro fertilization and embryo culture improves embryo quality and their epigenetic profile in vitro. Porcine oviductal fluid (pOF) has been used to supplement the handling media used for sperm selection by centrifugation. However, its effect during sperm selection by the swim-up procedure is still unknown, as is the likely beneficial effect of replacing bovine serum albumin (BSA) by pOF as a protein source in sperm preparation media. In this study, four protein combinations in the swim-up medium were tested: 1 mg/mL BSA (the regular supplementation), 1% preovulatory pOF (1% pOF), 1 mg/mL BSA plus 1% pOF; and 5 mg/mL BSA. After sperm selection, various sperm parameters were assessed, and oocytes were inseminated in vitro. Results showed that the replacement of BSA by pOF improves some sperm motion parameters and increases in vitro oocyte penetration ability, whereas the combination of BSA + pOF did not show relevant effects. High concentrations of BSA had a detrimental effect, resulting in a decrease of sperm penetration. Abstract More suitable and efficient methods to protect gametes from external harmful effects during in vitro handling can be achieved by adding preovulatory porcine oviductal fluid (pOF) to in vitro culture media. The objective of this study was to assess the swim-up procedure’s suitability as a sperm selection method using a medium supplemented with 1mg/mL BSA, 1% preovulatory pOF (v/v), 1% v/v pOF plus 1mg/mL BSA, and 5mg/mL BSA. After selection, various sperm parameters were studied, such as sperm recovery rate, sperm morphology, motility (by CASA), vitality, acrosome status and intracellular calcium (by flow cytometry) and ability to penetrate oocytes in vitro. Around 2% of sperm were recovered after swim-up, and the replacement of BSA by pOF showed a beneficial reduction of motility parameters calcium concentration, resulting in an increased penetration rate. The combination of albumin and oviductal fluid in the medium did not improve the sperm parameters results, whereas a high concentration of BSA increased sperm morphological abnormalities, motility, and acrosome damage, with a reduction of calcium concentration and penetration rate. In conclusion, the replacement of albumin by preovulatory oviductal fluid in the swim-up sperm preparation method modifies boar sperm parameters and improves the in vitro penetration of oocytes.
Collapse
|
5
|
París-Oller E, Navarro-Serna S, Soriano-Úbeda C, Lopes JS, Matás C, Ruiz S, Latorre R, López-Albors O, Romar R, Cánovas S, Coy P. Reproductive fluids, used for the in vitro production of pig embryos, result in healthy offspring and avoid aberrant placental expression of PEG3 and LUM. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2021; 12:32. [PMID: 33583428 PMCID: PMC7883450 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-020-00544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In vitro embryo production (IVP) and embryo transfer (ET) are two very common assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in human and cattle. However, in pig, the combination of either procedures, or even their use separately, is still considered suboptimal due to the low efficiency of IVP plus the difficulty of performing ET in the long and contorted uterus of the sow. In addition, the potential impact of these two ART on the health of the offspring is unknown. We investigated here if the use of a modified IVP system, with natural reproductive fluids (RF) as supplements to the culture media, combined with a minimally invasive surgery to perform ET, affects the output of the own IVP system as well as the reproductive performance of the mother and placental molecular traits. Results The blastocyst rates obtained by both in vitro systems, conventional (C-IVP) and modified (RF-IVP), were similar. Pregnancy and farrowing rates were also similar. However, when compared to in vivo control (artificial insemination, AI), litter sizes of both IVP groups were lower, while placental efficiency was higher in AI than in RF-IVP. Gene expression studies revealed aberrant expression levels for PEG3 and LUM in placental tissue for C-IVP group when compared to AI, but not for RF-IVP group. Conclusions The use of reproductive fluids as additives for the culture media in pig IVP does not improve reproductive performance of recipient mothers but could mitigate the impact of artificial procedures in the offspring. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-020-00544-0.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E París-Oller
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - S Navarro-Serna
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Soriano-Úbeda
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - J S Lopes
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Matás
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - S Ruiz
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - R Latorre
- Department of Anatomy and Comparartive Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - O López-Albors
- Department of Anatomy and Comparartive Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - R Romar
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - S Cánovas
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain. .,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
| | - P Coy
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain. .,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
López-Albors O, Llamas-López PJ, Ortuño JÁ, Latorre R, García-Vázquez FA. In vivo measurement of pH and CO 2 levels in the uterus of sows through the estrous cycle and after insemination. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3194. [PMID: 33542361 PMCID: PMC7862298 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82620-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The pH-CO2-HCO3- system is a ubiquitous biological regulator with important functional implications for reproduction. Knowledge of the physiological values of its components is relevant for reproductive biology and the optimization of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). However, in situ measurements of these parameters in the uterus are scarce or null. This study describes a non-invasive method for in situ time-lapse recording of pH and CO2 within the uterus of non-anesthetized sows. Animals were at three different reproductive conditions, estrous with no insemination and two hours after insemination, and diestrous. From pH and CO2 data, HCO3- concentration was estimated. The non-invasive approach to the porcine uterus with novel optical probes allowed the obtaining of in situ physiological values of pH, CO2, and HCO3-. Variable oscillatory patterns of pH, CO2 and HCO3- were found independently of the estrous condition. Insemination did not immediately change the levels of uterine pH, CO2 (%) and HCO3- concentration, but all the values were affected by the estrous cycle decreasing significantly at diestrous condition. This study contributes to a better understanding of the in vivo regulation of the pH-CO2-HCO3- system in the uterus and may help to optimize the protocols of sperm treatment for in vitro fertilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Octavio López-Albors
- grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain ,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro José Llamas-López
- grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Joaquín Ángel Ortuño
- grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Rafael Latorre
- grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain ,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco Alberto García-Vázquez
- International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), Murcia, Spain ,grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain ,grid.452553.0Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu J, He B, Yin C, Chang Z, Zhao R. Transcriptomic responses of porcine cumulus cells to heat exposure during oocytes in vitro maturation. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 88:43-54. [PMID: 33331096 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The oocyte is vulnerable to various environmental stressors, including heat exposure. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) comprise functional units for oocytes in vitro maturation, and the cumulus cells provide essential supports and protect the oocyte from environmental insults. Heat exposure results in varied consequences in oocyte, presumably due to different responses of cumulus cells to heat exposure. In this study, we examined whether heat exposure of different duration affects porcine oocytes quality differently, and how such effects, if any, relate to transcriptomic profiles of cumulus cells. COCs were heat-exposed for 4 h (20-24 h, COC4) and 24 h (0-24 h, COC24), respectively, and the quality of oocytes in COC24 group showed significantly impaired with disrupted cumulus expansion and extracellular matrix (ECM) structure. The transcriptomic analysis identified 749 and 1238 differential expression genes (DEGs) in COC4 and COC24, respectively. Moreover, 852 DEGs were found when COC24 was compared with COC4, and the downregulated DEGs were mainly associated with Gene Ontology terms linked with ECM and cell proliferation. In the protein-protein interaction network, HSPE1, TNFAIP6, COL12A1, and COL18A1 were identified as hub genes playing important roles in heat-induced transcriptomic responses. These results indicate that impaired cumulus proliferation and ECM structure are responsible for heat-induced damage in oocytes quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin He
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Yin
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhanglin Chang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruqian Zhao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|