Evaluation of diets with different soy levels on reared heifers

La actividad ganadera es una de las más importantes del país y es fundamental controlar la alimentación del ganado bovino en las distintas etapas productivas. Con el objetivo de determinar el efecto de la soja en la nutrición de vaquillonas destinadas a servicio, se emplearon 30 hembras braford pertenecientes al INTA-IIACS. Dos grupos de animales fueron alimentados durante 6 meses con las siguientes dietas, BS: bajo contenido de soja (0,3 % en base al peso vivo, PV) y AS: alto contenido de soja (0,8 % en base a PV). Se dispuso a las vaquillonas a servicio y durante 4 meses se alimentó al grupo BS solo con pastoreo de grama Rhodes sin adición de soja en la dieta, mientras que al grupo AS con una proporción del 0,6% de soja y pastoreo. Se evaluaron mensualmente parámetros productivos: PV y ganancia media diaria (GMD); y hematológicos: hematocrito y fórmula leucocitaria. Después del servicio se registraron los porcentajes de preñez de ambos grupos por tacto rectal. No se observaron cambios en los parámetros evaluados entre los animales antes del servicio. Durante el servicio las vaquillonas del grupo AS presentaron mayores niveles de GMD y hematocrito, mientras que en BS se registró una menor medida de ambos parámetros. No se observaron cambios significativos en las fórmulas leucocitarias. Cabe destacar que a pesar de las diferencias analizadas, las hembras de ambos grupos presentaron un 100% de preñez. El porcentaje de parición fue 100% en lote BS y 93% en lote AS, ya que se registró un aborto de causa indeterminada. Los datos obtenidos de GMD y hematocritos indican que la suplementación con altos porcentajes de soja favorece el estado nutricional de los animales sin afectar los parámetros reproductivos.Livestock activity is one of the most important in Argentina and it is essential to control the cattle feeding at different growth stages. In order to determine the effect of soy on the nutrition of heifers managed for service, 30 braford females from INTA-IIACS were used. Two groups of animals were fed for six months with the following diets, BS: low soy content (0.3% based on live weight, LW) and AS: high soy content (0.8% based on LW). During four months, on the managed for service period, the BS group was fed without addition of soy in the diet, according to Rhodes grass pasture, while the AS group with a proportion of 0.6% of soy based on LW and grazing. Productive parameters were evaluated monthly: LW and average daily gain (ADG) and hematological: hematocrit and leukocyte formula. During the service, the percentage of pregnancy of both groups by rectal examination was registered. There were no changes in the parameters evaluated between the animals before the service. During the service, heifers of the AS group showed an increase in the ADG and hematocrit values, while in BS group minor measures of these parameters were registered. There were no significant changes in leukocyte formulas. It should be noted that despite the differences observed, the females of both groups presented a 100% of pregnancy. The percentage of calving was 100% in BS group and 93% in AS group, since an abortion of indeterminate cause was registered. The data obtained from ADG and hematocrit indicate that supplementation with high rations of soy favors the nutritional status of the animals without affecting the reproductive parameters.Fil: Garcia, Daniela Celeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Martín, Alejandro Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Vella, Milda Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Nasca, Jose Andres. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; Argentin

Genistein affects proliferation and migration of bovine oviductal epithelial cells

Genistein is one of the most abundant isoflavones in soybean. This molecule induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in different normal and cancer cells. Genistein has been of considerable interest due to its adverse effects on bovine reproduction, altering estrous cycle, implantation and fetal development and producing subfertility or infertility. The objective of this work was to study the effects of genistein on the expression of selected genes involved in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Primary cultures of bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) were treated with different genistein concentrations (0.2, 2 and 10 μM) to analyze CYCLIN B1, BCL-2 and BAX gene expression by Real-time RT-PCR. Results showed that genistein down-regulated CYCLIN B1 expression, affecting cell cycle progression, and caused a decrease in the BCL-2/BAX ratio starting at 2 μM of genistein. In addition, in order to determine if genistein affects BOEC migration, in vitro wound healing assays were performed. A significant reduction in cell migration after 12 h of culture was observed at both 0.2 and 10 μM genistein concentrations. Also, in the presence of genistein the percentage of mitotic cells decreased, although apoptotic cells percentages were not affected. These findings indicate that genistein has an inhibitory effect on BOEC proliferation and migration, suggesting that it could influence the normal physiology of the oviductal epithelium.Fil: Garcia, Daniela Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Valdecantos, Pablo Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Miceli, Dora Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentin

A long-term in vitro culture of bovine epithelial cells on collagen rafts

In the present work, we established and characterized a 3D functional polarized primary bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) culture on free-floating type I collagen hydrogels (rafts) at an air-liquid interface (ALI). Intercellular junctions, ultrastructural cellular morphology and the expression of the OVGP1 closely recapitulated those of the in vivo epithelium lining. These morphological and physiological epithelial cell features were maintained under standard DMEM/F12 with 10% foetal bovine serum culture medium for at least 28 days of ALI culture. The versatility of the BOECs raft cultures should allow testing of toxicity compounds, in vitro evaluation of physiological or pathological oviductal states, and the study of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions that are critical for the maintenance of oviductal homeostasis.Fil: Peña Zanoni, Milagros. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Daniela Celeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Grupo de Investigación y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino | Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Grupo de Investigación y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Valdecantos, Pablo Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentin

Biochemical changes in the cytoplasm of bovine oocytes during the in vitro maturation process: a Raman microscopy study

The sequence and chronology of the main biochemical changes occurring in the cytoplasm of bovine oocytes during the in vitro maturation process were tracked by Raman microscopy applied to cells previously subjected to enzymatic digestion of the zona pellucida. Specific spectral markers for proteins, lipids and carbohydrates were used to evaluate the developmental status of the ooplasm at four different times. Spectral changes revealed that lipid accumulation was dominant during the first six hours of culture while protein content reached the average levels characteristic of mature oocytes within the last four hours of the maturation process. A time-dependent decrease in carbohydrates was also observed. Finally, the carbohydrate-to-protein (P1037/P1002) ratio proved to be sensitive enough to determine the cytoplasmic maturation state of bovine oocytes and promises to be useful in future research aimed at optimizing culture conditions through the promotion of protein accumulation in the ooplasm.Fil: Jimenez, Luis Emanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Juárez, Ana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Física; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Rosa Maria Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Física; Argentin

Expression of urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in the bovine oviduct: Relationship with uPA effect on oviductal epithelial cells

Urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) is an oviductal fluid component whose activity is regulated by binding to urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). In this study uPAR and uPA gene expression in bovine oviduct were evaluated and similar expression patterns for both uPAR and uPA mRNAs were observed during the estrous cycle. Immunolocalization of uPAR at the apical zone of epithelial cells suggests that uPA action would be focalized in the oviductal lumen, triggering intracellular signaling pathways. As uPAR expression was also observed in in vitro cultures of oviductal epithelial cells, the effect of uPA was explored using this culture model. Real-time RT-PCR demonstrated that c-fos expression in oviductal cell cultures increases under uPA stimulation. These results suggest that uPA/uPAR binding would be involved in signaling pathways that activate transcription factors and would regulate the synthesis of molecules concerned with the arrangement of a particular oviductal microenvironment. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.Fil: Garcia, Daniela Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Miceli, Dora Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Valdecantos, Pablo Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Elina Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentin

Progesterone receptors: Their localization, binding activity and expression in the pig oviduct during follicular and luteal phases

Estrogens (E) and progesterone (P) are known to require their respective steroid receptors in order to exert structural and functional effects on the oviduct. Cyclic changes in progesterone receptor (PR) localization in the oviductal tissue of female pigs were determined using an immunohistochemical technique with mouse monoclonal antibody mPRI against PR. The variations observed during the estrous cycle in the progesterone receptor (PR) intensity and proportion between ampulla and isthmus probably reflect different response of these regions to progesterone. Immediately before ovulation, during follicular phase, no staining was observed in either the ampulla or the isthmus stroma. However, a low expression of PR in the epithelium of the ampulla was observed. After ovulation, during luteal phase, PR immunostaining was more intense in the whole oviduct. According to immunohistochemical assays, the binding assays for nuclear and cytosolic PR (PRn and PRc, respectively), by using [3H] R5020 at 4°C for 15 h, also showed a higher specific binding during luteal phase. However, the PR mRNA in the oviduct, analyzed by RT-PCR, showed similar levels at both stages of the estrous cycle. Although this methods could not be quantitative, indicate the possibility that a post-transcriptional control could differentially regulate the PR in the pig oviduct.Fil: Peralta, Luisa E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Argañaraz, Martin Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ciocca, Daniel Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Miceli, Dora Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentin

Structural modifications induced by an in vitro maturation process in zona pellucida glycoproteins of bovine oocytes. A Raman microspectroscopy analysis

Oocyte quality is a determinant factor in the efficiency of an in vitro production process. Since the first oocyte–sperm interactions take place in the zona pellucida, the evaluation and characterization of this egg external matrix is of vital importance for the success of the in vitro fertilization process in mammals. Here we evaluate the modifications in the glycoproteins of the zona pellucida of bovine oocytes resulting from in vitro maturation. Using Raman microspectroscopy, subtle spectral differences were straightforwardly related to specific structural changes that could be correlated with known ultrastructural and morphological properties of the zona pellucida. We performed a detailed evaluation of features concerning both the protein backbone and the glycan moieties of the glycoproteins of the zona pellucida from immature and in vitro matured oocytes. Specific spectral differences involving amide I, amide III, and several bands belonging to the sugar residues allowed the characterization of these two stages in oocyte maturation. A molecular rearrangement of the glycoproteins consisting in the exposition of terminal sugar residues that play a key role in sperm recognition while the glycan core is covered by the polypeptide chain was derived from this study. These results demonstrate the efficiency of the Raman microspectroscopy technique to perform a biochemical characterization of the zona pellucida of bovine oocytes. This technique would be useful to discriminate between immature and in vitro matured oocytes and could also provide a basis for the understanding of the changes induced by maturation methods and of their impact on in vitro fertilization.Fil: Rizo, Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Miceli, Dora Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Jimenez, Luis Emanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Rosa Maria Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentin

Bone morphogenetic proteins in the bovine oviduct: Differential expression of BMP-5 in the isthmus during the estrous cycle

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play a crucial role in mammalian reproduction, but little is known about their expression and function in the oviduct, where preimplantation events take place. In the present study, messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of BMPs was examined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in bovine oviduct epithelial cells obtained from ampulla and isthmus at different stages of the estrous cycle. Expression of BMP-2, -3, -4, -7, -10 and -15 mRNA was detected in epithelial cells of both anatomic regions, whereas BMP-5 mRNA was specifically expressed in isthmus epithelial cells throughout the estrous cycle. High expression levels for BMP-5 and for BMP-2, -4, and -7 mRNA were observed during the preovulatory stage. Considering the region-specific gene expression of BMP-5, its protein localization in the oviduct and its presence in the oviductal fluid were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. BMP-5 protein staining was observed in isthmus sections with a more intense signal in the luminal epithelial cell layer. In addition, a 21 kDa protein corresponding to the BMP-5 mature monomeric form was detected in bovine oviductal fluid throughout the estrous cycle. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that different members of the BMP family are expressed in the bovine oviduct during the estrous cycle, and reveal that BMP-5 is differentially expressed in the isthmus. The expression of this factor in the oviduct epithelium and its presence in the luminal fluid suggest a possible action of BMP-5 as a new autocrine and/or paracrine regulator of the reproductive events that occur in the bovine oviductal environment.Fil: Garcia, Elina Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Valdecantos, Pablo Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Barrera, Antonio Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Miceli, Dora Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; Argentin

The urokinase plasminogen activator system components are regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor D in bovine oviduct

The mammalian oviduct plays a pivotal role in the success of early reproductive events. The urokinase plasminogen activator system (uPAS) is present in the bovine oviduct and is involved in extracellular matrix remodelling through plasmin generation. This system can be regulated by several members of the vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and their receptors. In this study, the VEGF-D effect on the regulation of uPAS was evaluated. First, RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were used to evidence the expression of VEGF-D and its receptors in oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC). VEGF-D, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 transcripts were found in ex vivo and in vitro BOEC, while only VEGFR2 mRNA was present after in vitro conditions. VEGF-D showed a regulatory effect on uPAS gene expression in a dose-dependent manner, inducing an increase in the expression of both uPA and its receptor (uPAR) at 24 h post-induction and decreases in the expression of its inhibitor (PAI-1). In addition, the regulation of cell migration induced by VEGF-D and uPA in BOEC monolayer cultures was analyzed. The wound areas of monolayer cultures incubated with VEGF-D 10 ng/ml or uPA 10 nM were modified and significant differences were found at 24 h for both stimulations. These results indicated that uPAS and VEGF-D systems can modify the arrangement of the bovine oviductal epithelium and contribute to the correct maintenance of the oviductal microenvironment.Fil: Garcia, Daniela Celeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Russo Maenza, María Agostina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Miceli, Dora Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Valdecantos, Pablo Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Biología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentin

Exogenous activation and inhibition of plasminogen/plasmin activity during in vitro maturation of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes: A biological and spectroscopic approach

This study deals with the effect of plasminogen/plasmin on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Exogenous plasminogen activator streptokinase (SK) added to the IVM medium revealed similar values of cumulus expansion and oocyte nuclear maturation compared to controls (standard IVM medium). However, a decrease in both determinations was observed in COCs matured with the supplementation of ɛ-aminocaproic acid (ɛ-ACA), a specific plasmin inhibitor. After in vitro fertilization, no differences were observed in either cleavage or blastocyst rates between SK and control groups; however, ε-ACA treatment caused a decrease in both developmental rates. Zona pellucida (ZP) digestion time decreased in the SK group while it increased in the ε-ACA group. Raman microspectroscopy revealed an increase in the intensity of the band corresponding to the glycerol group of sialic acid in the ZP of oocytes matured with SK, whereas ZP spectra of oocytes treated with ɛ-ACA presented similarities with immature oocytes. The results indicate that although treatment with SK did not alter oocyte developmental competence, it induced modifications in the ZP of oocytes that could modify the folding of glycoproteins. Plasmin inhibition impairs oocyte maturation and has an impact on embryo development, thus evidencing the importance of this protease during IVM.Fil: Rizo, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Barrera, Antonio Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Jimenez, Luis Emanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Elina Vanesa. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Daniela Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Roldan Olarte, Eugenia Mariela. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentin