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Lanci A, Perina F, Armani S, Merlo B, Iacono E, Castagnetti C, Mariella J. Could assisted reproductive techniques affect equine fetal membranes and neonatal outcome? Theriogenology 2024; 215:125-131. [PMID: 38052132 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.11.032] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Embryo transfer (ET) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are widely used in equine species, but their effects on fetal adnexa and neonates have not been investigated yet. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate whether pregnancies obtained by ET or ICSI could be associated with the presence of macroscopic alterations of fetal membranes (FM) and umbilical cord (UC) and if the use of these techniques could influence neonatal outcome. Sixty-six light breed mares hospitalized at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Bologna, for attending delivery were included in the study. Mares were divided into Artificial Insemination (AI; 32/66 mares, 48 %), Embryo Transfer (ET; 12/66 mares, 18.2 %) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI; 22/66 mares, 33 %) groups. All the medical reports of mares and their foals were reviewed and data about mare, pregnancy, foaling, fetal membranes, umbilical cord and foal were recorded. The occurrence of dystocia resulted statistically different between AI group and ICSI group (p = 0.0066), and between AI group and ET group (p = 0.044). Macroscopic examination of FM revealed alterations in 30/66 mares (46 %): 8/32 in AI (25 %), 7/12 in ET (58 %) and 15/22 in ICSI (68 %) with significant lower incidence in AI compared to ET (p = 0.04) and ICSI (p = 0.002) groups. Alterations reported were chorionic villi hypoplasia, chorioallantois edema, allantois cysts, necrotic areas and greenish-grey concretions. Total length of UC resulted significantly shorter in ICSI group (49 ± 9 cm; p < 0.03) compared to AI (60 ± 17 cm) and ET (59 ± 15 cm). However, there were no differences in the incidence of foals' diseases at birth and in foals' survival among groups (p > 0.05). The results demonstrate that transfer of in vivo or in vitro produced embryos may lead to alterations of placental development, as observed in other species, without being associated with a higher incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Further studies about trophoblast development, FM histological evaluation, and placental gene expression should be carried out to clarify the mechanisms underlying the placental alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliai Lanci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50- 40064-Ozzano Dell' Emilia (BO), Italy.
| | - Francesca Perina
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50- 40064-Ozzano Dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Sabrina Armani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50- 40064-Ozzano Dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Barbara Merlo
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50- 40064-Ozzano Dell' Emilia (BO), Italy; Health Science and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Iacono
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50- 40064-Ozzano Dell' Emilia (BO), Italy; Health Science and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carolina Castagnetti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50- 40064-Ozzano Dell' Emilia (BO), Italy; Health Science and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jole Mariella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50- 40064-Ozzano Dell' Emilia (BO), Italy
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Paulino LRFM, de Assis EIT, Azevedo VAN, Silva BR, da Cunha EV, Silva JRV. Why Is It So Difficult To Have Competent Oocytes from In vitro Cultured Preantral Follicles? Reprod Sci 2022; 29:3321-3334. [PMID: 35084715 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00840-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The developmental competence of oocytes is acquired gradually during follicular development, mainly through oocyte accumulation of RNA molecules and proteins that will be used during fertilization and early embryonic development. Several attempts to develop in vitro culture systems to support preantral follicle development up to maturation are reported in the literature, but oocyte competence has not yet been achieved in human and domestic animals. The difficulties to have fertilizable oocytes are related to thousands of mRNAs and proteins that need to be synthesized, long-term duration of follicular development, size of preovulatory follicles, composition of in vitro culture medium, and the need of multi-step culture systems. The development of a culture system that maintains bidirectional communication between the oocyte and granulosa cells and that meets the metabolic demands of each stage of follicle growth is the key to sustain an extended culture period. This review discusses the physiological and molecular mechanisms that determine acquisition of oocyte competence in vitro, like oocyte transcriptional activity, follicle and oocyte sizes, and length and regulation of follicular development in murine, human, and domestic animal species. The state of art of in vitro follicular development and the challenges to have complete follicular development in vitro are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís R F M Paulino
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Av. Comandante Maurocélio Rocha Ponte 100, Sobral, CE, CEP 62041-040, Brazil
| | - Ernando I T de Assis
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Av. Comandante Maurocélio Rocha Ponte 100, Sobral, CE, CEP 62041-040, Brazil
| | - Venância A N Azevedo
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Av. Comandante Maurocélio Rocha Ponte 100, Sobral, CE, CEP 62041-040, Brazil
| | - Bianca R Silva
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Av. Comandante Maurocélio Rocha Ponte 100, Sobral, CE, CEP 62041-040, Brazil
| | - Ellen V da Cunha
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Av. Comandante Maurocélio Rocha Ponte 100, Sobral, CE, CEP 62041-040, Brazil
| | - José R V Silva
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Av. Comandante Maurocélio Rocha Ponte 100, Sobral, CE, CEP 62041-040, Brazil.
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Baruselli PS, Rodrigues CA, Ferreira RM, Sales JNS, Elliff FM, Silva LG, Viziack MP, Factor L, D'Occhio MJ. Impact of oocyte donor age and breed on in vitro embryo production in cattle, and relationship of dairy and beef embryo recipients on pregnancy and the subsequent performance of offspring: A review. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 34:36-51. [PMID: 35231233 DOI: 10.1071/rd21285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic selection combined with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) with oocytes from heifer calves provides a powerful technology platform to reduce generation interval and significantly increase the rate of genetic gain in cattle. The ability to obtain oocytes with developmental competence from calves has been recognised for more than 60years. There is renewed interest in the potential of this reproductive technology as the beef and dairy industries seek to identify and multiply animals that satisfy consumer demand for efficient utilisation of natural resources, with minimal environmental impact and high product quality. Heifer calves show a good follicular response to FSH stimulation and oocytes can be recovered by ovum pick-up (OPU). However, the efficiency of OPU/IVEP remains lower for calves compared with peripubertal heifers and cows, in both indicus (Zebu, Bos indicus ) and taurus (Bos taurus ) breeds. Indicus cattle generally have more follicles, yield a greater number of oocytes, and have a better IVEP outcome, compared with taurus cattle. The treatment of prepubertal heifers with bovine somatotrophin (bST) and propylene glycol before OPU/IVEP has yet to show a major improvement in embryo production. Holstein (taurus) dairy heifers derived from different reproductive technologies (AI, MOET, OPU/IVEP) showed a similar age at puberty and first-lactation milk production. OPU/IVEP Holstein embryos transferred to beef or dairy cows likewise yielded heifers with the same performance. The gains in productivity that can be achieved with strategic use of OPU/IVEP in heifer calves make this a relevant and highly important reproductive technology in cattle breeding. Ongoing optimisation of the technology is needed for the potential of OPU/IVEP in young donors to be fully realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro S Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | | | - Roberta M Ferreira
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | | | - Flávia M Elliff
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Laísa G Silva
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Mariana P Viziack
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Luana Factor
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Michael J D'Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Duranthon V, Chavatte-Palmer P. Long term effects of ART: What do animals tell us? Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:348-368. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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