Oviductal microenvironment: role in canine oocyte maturation in vivo and in vitro

In most mammals, oocytes are ovulated at the metaphase II stage, and the meiosis inhibition is then lifted by fertilization. In bitches and other Canidae species however, oocytes are released at the prophase I stage, and another 48 to 72h are necessary for themtomature into themetaphase II stage and become fertilizable. This specificity is currently hindering the development of reproductive biotechnologies in these species. In vitro maturation rates of canine oocytes are very low, as only 10 to 30%will reach the metaphase stage after 72h in culture. In bitches, nuclear maturation occurs in the oviduct, and tubal derivatives (culture media, such as Synthetic Oviductal Fluid, oviductal explants, coculture on tubal cell layers) were used to improve the yield, but so far not very successfully. This failure may be due to the lack of data on the composition of oviductal fluid in bitches. Further studies on the oviductal microenvironment of bitches are therefore necessary, as it is probably quite different from the oviductalmicroenvironment of other females, e.g. the presence of preovulatory luteinisation in bitches only. Creating a maturation medium based on the composition of oviductal fluid could be an interesting avenue to explore to improve in vitro maturation rates.Chez la plupart des mammifères, les ovocytes sont bloqués en métaphase II au moment de l'ovulation et cette inhibition de la méiose est ensuite levée par la fécondation. Chez les chiennes et les autres femelles de canidés, les ovocytes sont libérés au stade de prophase I, et il faut encore attendre 48 à 72 heures pour qu'ils atteignent le stade de métaphase II et deviennent fécondables. Cette particularité constitue aujourd'hui un frein au développement des biotechnologies de la reproduction chez les canidés. En effet, dans les essais de maturation in vitro d'ovocytes canins, seuls 10 à 30 % des ovocytes atteignent le stade de métaphase au bout de 72 heures de culture. Chez la chienne, la maturation nucléaire se produisant dans l'oviducte, des substituts de l'oviducte (milieux de culture comme le Synthetic Oviductal Fluid, explants d'oviductes, cultures sur tapis de cellules tubaires) ont été utilisés pour les cultures d'ovocytes in vitro, afin d'en améliorer le rendement, mais sans grand succès jusqu'à maintenant. Cet échec peut être dû au manque de données sur la composition du liquide tubaire de la chienne. L'étude de ce microenvironnement prend donc tout son intérêt, celui-ci étant probablement assez différent de celui des autres femelles, ne serait-ce que par l'existence du processus de lutéinisation préovulatoire dans cette espèce. À terme, la conception d'un milieu de maturation sur la base de la composition du liquide tubaire pourrait être une voie intéressante pour augmenter les taux de maturation in vitro

In vitro maturation of canine oocyte

Compared to other mammals, the canine oocyte offers a very unusual model of meiosis. Its maturation in vitro, studied only over the past ten years, is still poorly controlled: low rate of metaphase II (10 to 20% vs. over 90% in cattle), and high rate of degeneration in cultures (20 to 60%) despite attempts to improve culture media. However, in dogs as well as in canidae threatened by extinction, in vitro maturation is a key step for reproductive biotechnologies, such as in vitro fertilization and embryo production. It is therefore urgent to improve our understanding of the canine oocyte to improve maturation rates. We initiated studies on oocyte maturation in bitches. We examined the role of cAMP in the resumption of meiosis in vitro in bitches, using substances which reduce (Rp-cAMP) or increase (dbcAMP and forskolin) its level inside the oocyte. We also used denuded oocytes to prevent any cAMP supply from the granulosa cells. With this model, we showed that cAMP might play a role in maintaining meiosis, and that the resumption of meiosis may also be controlled by another pathway, possibly involving calcium. Another of our research projects explores changes in the oocyte ultrastructure during in vivo and in vitro maturation. Transmission electron microscopy may provide precise information on possible cytoplasmic anomalies induced by maturation. This fundamental work will eventually help us improve in vitro maturation of canine oocytes.L'ovocyte de chienne constitue un modèle de méiose très particulier parmi les mammifères. Sa maturation in vitro, étudiée depuis une dizaine d'années seulement, reste très mal maîtrisée : faible taux de métaphase II (10 à 20 % contre plus de 90 % chez les bovins) et fort taux de dégénérescence en culture (20 à 60 %) malgré les essais d'amélioration des milieux de culture. Or la maturation in vitro est une étape indispensable pour avoir accès, tant chez le chien que chez les Canidés en voie de disparition, aux biotechnologies de la reproduction (fécondation et production d'embryons in vitro notamment). Il est indispensable de mieux comprendre la biologie de l'ovocyte chez la chienne pour améliorer les taux de maturation. Nous nous sommes intéressées, en premier lieu, au rôle de l'AMPc dans la reprise de la méiose in vitro. Nous avons modulé la concentration intraovocytaire d'AMPc en soumettant les ovocytes à des molécules qui la diminuent (Rp-AMPc) ou l'augmentent (dbAMPc et forskoline), ou en dénudant l'ovocyte pour arrêter tout apport par les cellules du cumulus. Nous avons ainsi montré que l'AMPc jouerait un rôle dans la poursuite de la méiose dont la reprise serait également contrôlée par une autre voie, peut-être calcique. En parallèle, nous explorons l'évolution de l'ultrastructure de l'ovocyte au cours de la maturation in vivo et in vitro, pour détecter les anomalies cytoplasmiques qui peuvent apparaître au cours de la maturation

Polyovular ovarian follicles: physiological and not so rare

In mammalian ovaries, the vast majority of follicles contain only one oocyte. However, follicles containing several oocytes, or polyovular follicles, are also found in most species. Their frequency ranges from < 0.1% to 14% of the total number of follicles, and they can contain from 2 to 17 oocytes (or even 100 in certain marsupials). Three hypotheses have been proposed to explain their occurrence: division of an oocyte initially containing several nuclei, fusion of several different follicles, or nonseparation of several oocytes at the time of the formation of the primordial follicles. This latter hypothesis seems the most likely. The fate of these follicles has not been studied extensively, and for a long time they were considered as pathological. Studies conducted in pigs and dogs have shown that these polyovular follicles can grow, reach the preovulatory stage, and ovulate. However, all the oocytes in a single follicle are not equal. The examination of oocytes retrieved from a single follicle suggests that only one oocyte shows good morphological characteristics, whereas the others are at various stages of more or less advanced degeneration. The regulation of the number of polyovular follicles is still poorly understood and the data on the effects of age, gonadotropins, and steroids is contradictory. Their frequency can be increased by using treatments with estrogenic effects, or endocrine disruptors. In mice, the control is also genetic. The mechanisms leading to the formation of polyovular follicles remain to be explored, and the study of the functioning of these particular follicles would improve our understanding of the oocyte-follicle dialogue.Dans les ovaires des mammifères, la très grande majorité des follicules ne contient qu'un seul ovocyte. Mais, dans la plupart des espèces, certains follicules contiennent plusieurs ovocytes: on parle alors de follicules polyovocytaires ou multiovocytaires. Leur fréquence varie entre <0.1 % et 14% des follicules totaux et ils peuvent contenir de 2 à 17 ovocytes (et même plus de 100 chez certains marsupiaux). Trois hypothèses pourraient expliquer leur formation: la division d'un ovocyte ayant initialement plusieurs noyaux, la fusion de plusieurs follicules différents ou la non-séparation de plusieurs ovocytes au moment de la formation des follicules primordiaux. Cette dernière hypothèse semble la plus probable. La destinée de ces follicules a été encore peu explorée et ils ont été longtemps considérés comme pathologiques. Des travaux menés notamment chez le porc et le chien montrent que ces follicules polyovocytaires peuvent grandir, atteindre le stade préovulatoire et ovuler. Cependant, tous les ovocytes d'un même follicule ne sont pas équivalents. L'observation des ovocytes après ponction du follicule suggère qu'un seul ovocyte semble de bonne qualité morphologique, tandis que les autres sont à des stades de dégénérescence plus ou moins avancés. La régulation du nombre des follicules polyovocytaires est peu connue et il existe des données contradictoires sur les effets de l'âge, des gonadotrophines et des stéroïdes. Leur fréquence peut être augmentée par des traitements à effets œstrogéniques ou par l'action de perturbateurs endocriniens. Chez la souris, le contrôle est également génétique. Les mécanismes conduisant à la formation des follicules polyovocytaires restent à explorer et l'étude du fonctionnement de ces follicules pourrait contribuer à une meilleure connaissance du dialogue ovocyte-follicule

Embryo biotechnologies in dogs

There is very little data available on the specificities of oocyte and embryo biology in bitches. The main difference with other mammals is the time of meiosis resumption: it does not occur before ovulation, but in the oviduct 48 to 60 hours later. The factors responsible for this delay are not known, which may explain why current in vitro maturation rates are so low (10 to 30%). Oocyte harvesting is also a major limiting factor, as there is no effective protocol for the induction of cycles and superovulation. In vitro fertilisation rates are equally low (10%), with a high rate of polyspermia. No puppy has yet been born from an embryo produced in vitro. As for embryos produced in vivo, their collection is difficult due to anatomical reasons and to the fact that superovulation cannot be induced. Embryo transfer to donor bitches is also hindered by difficulties to synchronise ovulations between donor and recipient bitches. Only 6 such trials have been reported in the literature, resulting in the birth of 45 puppies. In vitro cultures are very rarely used, and only four puppies were born from somatic cell cloning with only few hours of in vitro culture. Canine reproductive biotechnologies have thus largely fallen behind, due to a lack of fundamental research to improve our understanding of its specific physiological mechanisms. This deficit is all the more damaging that dogs are increasingly used as relevant biomedical models.La biologie de l'ovocyte et de l'embryon canins, qui présentent des particularités spécifiques, est très mal connue. La chienne se distingue principalement par les modalités de reprise de la méiose ovocytaire : celle-ci n'a pas lieu au moment de l'ovulation, comme chez les autres femelles mammifères, mais dans l'oviducte 48 à 60 heures après l'ovulation. Les facteurs responsables de ce retard ne sont pas connus. Ceci explique sans doute pourquoi les taux de maturation in vitro obtenus à l'heure actuelle sont faibles (10 à 30 %). La collecte des ovocytes est aussi un facteur limitant majeur, en l'absence de protocole efficace d'induction des cycles et de superovulation. Les rendements de fécondation in vitro sont également faibles (10 %), avec un taux élevé de polyspermie. À l'heure actuelle, aucun chiot n'est encore né à partir d'un embryon produit in vitro. Quant aux embryons produits in vivo, leur collecte est difficile pour des raisons anatomiques et le rendement est limité par l'impossibilité d'induire des superovulations; par ailleurs, leur transfert chez des femelles receveuses se heurte aux difficultés de synchronisation des ovulations entre la femelle donneuse et les receveuses, et la littérature ne décrit que six essais, qui ont abouti à la naissance de 45 chiots. Avec un très faible recours à la culture in vitro, quatre naissances de chiots ont été obtenues par clonage de cellules somatiques. Les biotechnologies de la reproduction sont donc largement en retard dans l'espèce canine, qui souffre d'un manque de travaux fondamentaux visant à mieux comprendre ses mécanismes physiologiques spécifiques. Ce déficit est d'autant plus dommageable que le chien prend une place croissante et pertinente en tant que modèle biomédical

The Step-Wise Assembly of a Functional Nucleolus in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos Involves the Cajal (Coiled) Body

AbstractAfter fertilization, ribosomal RNA synthesis is silenced during a period which depends on the species. Data concerning the reassembly of a functional nucleolus remain scarce. We have examined by immunocytochemistry, Western blots, and BrUTP microinjection the dynamics of major nucleolar proteins during the first cycles of mouse embryogenesis, in relation to rDNA transcription sites and coilin, a marker of Cajal bodies. We show that: (1) the reinitiation of rDNA transcription occurs at the two-cell stage, 44–45 h after hCG injection (hphCG), at the surface of the nucleolar precursor bodies (NPBs), where the RNA polymerase I (pol I) transcription complex is recruited 4–5 h before; (2) the NPBs are not equal in their ability to support recruitment of pol I and rDNA transcription; (3) maternally inherited fibrillarin undergoes a dynamic redistribution during the second cell stage, together with coilin, leading to the assembly of the Cajal body around 40 hphCG; and (4) the pol I complex is first recruited to the Cajal body before reaching its rDNA template. We also find that fibrillarin and B23 are both directly assembled around NPBs prior to ongoing pre-rRNA synthesis. Altogether, our results reveal a role of the Cajal bodies in the building of a functional nucleolus

The step-wise assembly of a functional nucleolus in preimplantation mouse embryos involves the cajal (coiled) body

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H3K27ME3 AT PERICENTROMERIC HETEROCHROMATIN IS A DEFINING FEATURE OF THE EARLY MOUSE BLASTOCYST

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Expression of nuclear progesterone receptor and progesterone receptor membrane components 1 and 2 in the oviduct of cyclic and pregnant cows during the post-ovulation period

Abstract Background Progesterone (P4) may modulate oviductal functions to promote early embryo development in cattle. In addition to its nuclear receptor (PR), P4 may mediate its actions through P4 receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and its relative, PGRMC2. Two successive experiments were undertaken to characterise the expression of PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 in the bovine oviduct during the post-ovulation period, and to relate their expression to the presence of an embryo, the proximity of the CL and to the region of the oviduct. Methods In the first experiment (Exp. I), whole oviduct sections were collected from Holstein cows at Day 1.5, Day 4 and Day 5 post-ovulation (n = 2 cows per stage). The expression of PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 was studied in the ampulla and isthmus by RT-PCR, western-blot and immunohistochemistry. In Exp. II, oviduct epithelial cells were collected from cyclic and pregnant Charolais cows (n = 4 cows per status) at Day 3.5 post-ovulation and mRNA expression of PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 was examined in the ampulla and isthmus by real-time quantitative PCR. Results In Exp. I, PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 were expressed in all oviduct samples. PGRMC1 was mainly localised in the luminal epithelium whereas PR and PGRMC2 were localised in the epithelium as well as in the muscle and stroma layers of the oviduct. The expression was primarily nuclear for PR, primarily cytoplasmic for PGRMC1 and both nuclear and cytoplasmic for PGRMC2. In Exp. II, mRNA levels for PR, PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 were not affected by either the pregnancy status or the side relative to the CL. However, the expression of PR and PGRMC2 varied significantly with the region of the oviduct: PR was more highly expressed in the isthmus whereas PGRMC2 was more highly expressed in the ampulla. Conclusions This is the first evidence of PGRMC2 expression in the bovine oviduct. Our findings suggest that P4 regulates the functions of the bovine oviduct in a region-specific manner and through both classical and non classical pathways during the post-ovulation period.</p