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Tsopp E, Kilk K, Taalberg E, Pärn P, Viljaste-Seera A, Kavak A, Jaakma Ü. Associations of the Single Bovine Embryo Growth Media Metabolome with Successful Pregnancy. Metabolites 2024; 14:89. [PMID: 38392981 PMCID: PMC10890179 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14020089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigated whether metabolomic fingerprints of bovine embryo growth media improve the prediction of successful embryo implantation. In this prospective cohort study, the metabolome from in vitro-produced day 7 blastocysts with successful implantation (n = 11), blastocysts with failed implantation (n = 10), and plain culture media without embryos (n = 5) were included. Samples were analyzed using an AbsoluteIDQ® p180 Targeted Metabolomics Kit with LC-MS/MS, and a total of 189 metabolites were analyzed from each sample. Blastocysts that resulted in successful embryo implantation had significantly higher levels of methionine sulfoxide (p < 0.001), DOPA (p < 0.05), spermidine (p < 0.001), acetylcarnitine-to-free-carnitine ratio (p < 0.05), C2 + C3-to-free-carnitine ratio (p < 0.05), and lower levels of threonine (nep < 0.001) and phosphatidylcholine PC ae C30:0 (p < 0.001) compared to control media. However, when compared to embryos that failed to implant, only DOPA, spermidine, C2/C0, (C2 + C3)/C0, and PC ae C30:0 levels differentiated significantly. In summary, our study identifies a panel of differential metabolites in the culture media of bovine blastocysts that could act as potential biomarkers for the selection of viable blastocysts before embryo transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Tsopp
- Chair of Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kalle Kilk
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Egon Taalberg
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Pille Pärn
- Chair of Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anni Viljaste-Seera
- Chair of Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ants Kavak
- Chair of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ülle Jaakma
- Chair of Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
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Keane JA, Ealy AD. An Overview of Reactive Oxygen Species Damage Occurring during In Vitro Bovine Oocyte and Embryo Development and the Efficacy of Antioxidant Use to Limit These Adverse Effects. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:330. [PMID: 38275789 PMCID: PMC10812430 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos has gained popularity worldwide and in recent years and its use for producing embryos from genetically elite heifers and cows has surpassed the use of conventional superovulation-based embryo production schemes. There are, however, several issues with the IVP of embryos that remain unresolved. One limitation of special concern is the low efficiency of the IVP of embryos. Exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one reason why the production of embryos with IVP is diminished. These highly reactive molecules are generated in small amounts through normal cellular metabolism, but their abundances increase in embryo culture because of oocyte and embryo exposure to temperature fluctuations, light exposure, pH changes, atmospheric oxygen tension, suboptimal culture media formulations, and cryopreservation. When uncontrolled, ROS produce detrimental effects on the structure and function of genomic and mitochondrial DNA, alter DNA methylation, increase lipid membrane damage, and modify protein activity. Several intrinsic enzymatic pathways control ROS abundance and damage, and antioxidants react with and reduce the reactive potential of ROS. This review will focus on exploring the efficiency of supplementing several of these antioxidant molecules on oocyte maturation, sperm viability, fertilization, and embryo culture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan D. Ealy
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA;
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Gimeno I, Salvetti P, Carrocera S, Gatien J, Le Bourhis D, Gómez E. The recipient metabolome explains the asymmetric ovarian impact on fetal sex development after embryo transfer in cattle. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae081. [PMID: 38567815 PMCID: PMC11005770 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae081] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
In cattle, lateral asymmetry affects ovarian function and embryonic sex, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The plasma metabolome of recipients serves to predict pregnancy after embryo transfer (ET). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the plasma metabolome exhibits distinct lateral patterns according to the sex of the fetus carried by the recipient and the active ovary side (AOS), i.e., the right ovary (RO) or the left ovary (LO). We analyzed the plasma of synchronized recipients by 1H+NMR on day 0 (estrus, n = 366) and day 7 (hours prior to ET; n = 367). Thereafter, a subset of samples from recipients that calved female (n = 50) or male (n = 69) was used to test the effects of embryonic sex and laterality on pregnancy establishment. Within the RO, the sex ratio of pregnancies carried was biased toward males. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in metabolite levels were evaluated based on the day of blood sample collection (days 0, 7 and day 7/day 0 ratio) using mixed generalized models for metabolite concentration. The most striking differences in metabolite concentrations were associated with the RO, both obtained by multivariate (OPLS-DA) and univariate (mixed generalized) analyses, mainly with metabolites measured on day 0. The metabolites consistently identified through the OPLS-DA with a higher variable importance in projection score, which allowed for discrimination between male fetus- and female fetus-carrying recipients, were hippuric acid, l-phenylalanine, and propionic acid. The concentrations of hydroxyisobutyric acid, propionic acid, l-lysine, methylhistidine, and hippuric acid were lowest when male fetuses were carried, in particular when the RO acted as AOS. No pathways were significantly regulated according to the AOS. In contrast, six pathways were found enriched for calf sex in the day 0 dataset, three for day 7, and nine for day 7/day 0 ratio. However, when the AOS was the right, 20 pathways were regulated on day 0, 8 on day 7, and 13 within the day 7/day 0 ratio, most of which were related to amino acid metabolism, with phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism pathways being identified throughout. Our study shows that certain metabolites in the recipient plasma are influenced by the AOS and can predict the likelihood of carrying male or female embryos to term, suggesting that maternal metabolism prior to or at the time of ET could favor the implantation and/or development of either male or female embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Gimeno
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - Pascal Salvetti
- ELIANCE, Experimental facilities, Le Perroi, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Susana Carrocera
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - Julie Gatien
- ELIANCE, Experimental facilities, Le Perroi, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Enrique Gómez
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
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Gimeno I, Salvetti P, Carrocera S, Gatien J, García-Manrique P, López-Hidalgo C, Valledor L, Gómez E. Biomarker metabolite mating of viable frozen-thawed in vitro-produced bovine embryos with pregnancy-competent recipients leads to improved birth rates. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:6515-6538. [PMID: 37268566 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23082] [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: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Selection of competent recipients before embryo transfer (ET) is indispensable for improving pregnancy and birth rates in cattle. However, pregnancy prediction can fail when the competence of the embryo is ignored. We hypothesized that the pregnancy potential of biomarkers could improve with information on embryonic competence. In vitro-produced embryos cultured singly for 24 h (from d 6 to 7) were transferred to d 7 synchronized recipients as fresh or after freezing and thawing. Recipient blood was collected on d 0 (estrus; n = 108) and d 7 (4-6 h before ET; n = 107) and plasma was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H+NMR). Spent embryo culture medium (CM) was collected and analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in a subset of n = 70 samples. Concentrations of metabolites quantified in plasma (n = 35) were statistically analyzed as a function of pregnancy diagnosed on d 40, d 62 and birth. Univariate analysis with plasma metabolites consisted of a block study with controllable fixed factors (i.e., embryo cryopreservation, recipient breed, and day of blood collection; Wilcoxon test and t-test). Metabolite concentrations in recipients and embryos were independently analyzed by iterations that reclassified embryos or recipients using the support vector machine. Iterations identified some competent embryos, but mostly competent recipients that had a pregnancy incompetent partner embryo. Misclassified recipients that could be classified as competent were reanalyzed in a new iteration to improve the predictive model. After subsequent iterations, the predictive potential of recipient biomarkers was recalculated. On d 0, creatine, acetone and l-phenylalanine were the most relevant biomarkers at d 40, d 62, and birth, and on d 7, l-glutamine, l-lysine, and ornithine. Creatine was the most representative biomarker within blocks (n = 20), with a uniform distribution over pregnancy endpoints and type of embryos. Biomarkers showed higher abundance on d 7 than d 0, were more predictive for d 40 and d 62 than at birth, and the pregnancy predictive ability was lower with frozen-thawed (F-T) embryos. Six metabolic pathways differed between d 40 pregnant recipients for fresh and F-T embryos. Within F-T embryos, more recipients were misclassified, probably due to pregnancy losses, but were accurately identified when combined with embryonic metabolite signals. After recalculation, 12 biomarkers increased receiver operator characteristic-area under the curve (>0.65) at birth, highlighting creatine (receiver operator characteristic-area under the curve = 0.851), and 5 new biomarkers were identified. Combining metabolic information of recipient and embryos improves the confidence and accuracy of single biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Gimeno
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - Pascal Salvetti
- ELIANCE, Experimental facilities, Le Perroi, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Susana Carrocera
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - Julie Gatien
- ELIANCE, Experimental facilities, Le Perroi, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Pablo García-Manrique
- Molecular Mass Spectrometry Unit, Scientific and Technical Services, University of Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Cristina López-Hidalgo
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luis Valledor
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Enrique Gómez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain.
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de Oliveira Fernandes G, de Lima CB, Fidelis AAG, Milazzotto MP, Dode MAN. Metabolic signature of spent culture media shows lipid metabolism as a determinant of pregnancy outcomes. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:117-128. [PMID: 36156318 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14271] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the spent culture media of in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos which did (group Pregnant) or did not (group Non-pregnant) establish pregnancy after transfer. For that purpose, IVP embryos on D5 were transferred to individual droplets for the last 48 h of culture. Embryos at the blastocyst stage were then transferred to synchronized recipients, while respective culture media drops were collected and evaluated individually. The list of metabolites present in spent culture media was obtained by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and analysed with Metaboanalyst® to characterize the metabolic profile of each group. The spectrometric analysis showed that pathways related to lipid metabolism, particularly fatty acids degradation via beta-oxidation, were more present in the Pregnant group whereas no significant pathway was identified in the group Non-pregnant. By using this method, we were able to identify a metabolic signature in culture media that allows for a better comprehension of preferential metabolic routes taken by the most viable embryos. These findings offer great insights into the biochemistry of embryo development and reveal a potential target for the development of better-quality IVP systems, as well as tools to identify bovine embryos with greater chances to establish and maintain pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Camila Bruna de Lima
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Département des Sciences Animales, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Laboratory of Embryonic Metabolism and Epigenetic, Center of Natural and Human Science, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, Brazil
| | | | - Marcella Pecora Milazzotto
- Laboratory of Embryonic Metabolism and Epigenetic, Center of Natural and Human Science, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre, Brazil
| | - Margot Alves Nunes Dode
- School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil.,Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Brasília, Brazil
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Gómez E, Murillo A, Carrocera S, Pérez-Jánez JJ, Benedito JL, Martín-González D, Gimeno I. Fitness of calves born from in vitro-produced fresh and cryopreserved embryos. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1006995. [PMID: 36504844 PMCID: PMC9730881 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1006995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In cattle, vitrified/warmed (V/W) and frozen/thawed (F/T), in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos, differ in their physiology and survival from fresh embryos. In this study, we analyzed the effects of embryo cryopreservation techniques on the offspring. IVP embryos cultured with albumin and with or without 0.1% serum until Day 6, and thereafter in single culture without protein, were transferred to recipients on Day 7 as F/T, V/W, or fresh, resulting in N = 24, 14, and 13 calves, respectively. Calves were clinically examined at birth, and blood was analyzed before and after colostrum intake (Day 0), and subsequently on Day 15 and Day 30. On Day 0, calves from V/W and F/T embryos showed increased creatinine and capillary refill time (CRT) and reduced heartbeats. Calves from F/T embryos showed lower PCO2, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume than calves from V/W embryos while V/W embryos led to calves with increased Na+ levels. Colostrum effects did not differ between calves from fresh and cryopreserved embryos, indicating similar adaptive ability among calves. However, PCO2 did not decrease in calves from V/W embryos after colostrum intake. Serum in culture led to calves with affected (P < 0.05) temperature, CRT, HCO 3 - , base excess (BE), TCO2, creatinine, urea, and anion gap. On Day 15, the effects of embryo cryopreservation disappeared among calves. In contrast, Day 30 values were influenced by diarrhea appearance, mainly in calves from V/W embryos (i.e., lower values of TCO2, HCO 3 - , and BE; and increased glucose, anion gap, and lactate), although with no more clinical compromise than calves from fresh and F/T embryos. Diarrhea affected PCO2 and Na+ in all groups. Embryo cryopreservation, and/or culture, yield metabolically different calves, including effects on protein and acid-base metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Gómez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain,*Correspondence: Enrique Gómez
| | - Antonio Murillo
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
| | - Susana Carrocera
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
| | | | - Jose Luis Benedito
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary School, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - David Martín-González
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
| | - Isabel Gimeno
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
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Gimeno I, García-Manrique P, Carrocera S, López-Hidalgo C, Muñoz M, Valledor L, Martín-González D, Gómez E. Non-Invasive Identification of Sex in Cultured Bovine Embryos by UHPLC-MS/MS Metabolomics. Metabolomics 2022; 18:53. [PMID: 35842860 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01910-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Different gene expression between male and female bovine embryos leads to metabolic differences. OBJECTIVE We used UHPLC-MS/MS to identify sex metabolite biomarkers in embryo culture medium (CM). METHODS Embryos were produced in vitro under highly variable conditions, i.e., fertilized with 7 bulls, two breeds, and cultured with BSA or BSA + serum until Day-6. On Day-6, embryos were cultured individually for 24 h. CM of Day-7 embryos (86 female and 81 male) was collected, and Day-6 and Day-7 embryonic stages recorded. RESULTS A study by sample subsets with fixed factors (culture, bull breed, and Day-6 and Day-7 stages) tentatively identified 31 differentially accumulated metabolites through 182 subsets. Day-6 and Day-7 stage together affected 13 and 11 metabolites respectively, while 19 metabolites were affected by one or another stage and/or day. Culture supplements and individual bull changed 19 and 15 metabolites, respectively. Single bull exerted the highest influence (20 metabolites with the significantly highest p values). Lipid (93 subsets; 11 metabolites) and amino acid (55 subsets; 13 metabolites) were the most relevant classes for sex identification. CONCLUSIONS Single biomarker led to inefficient sex diagnosis, while metabolite combinations accurately identified sex. Our study is a first in non-invasive sex identification in cattle by overcoming factors that induce metabolic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Gimeno
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394, Gijón, Spain
| | - Pablo García-Manrique
- Molecular Mass Spectrometry Unit, Scientific and Technical Services, University of Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uria s/n, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Susana Carrocera
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394, Gijón, Spain
| | - Cristina López-Hidalgo
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uria s/n, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Marta Muñoz
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394, Gijón, Spain
| | - Luis Valledor
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uria s/n, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - David Martín-González
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394, Gijón, Spain
| | - Enrique Gómez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394, Gijón, Spain.
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