Identification of a novel C2 domain factor in ovaries of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Follicle consists of an oocyte and a lot of surrounding follicular cells, and significant interactions exist between the oocyte and the somatic cells. In this study, a novel cDNA has been screened from a subtractive cDNA library between tail bud embryos and blastula embryos in the protogynous hermaphrodite orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Its full-length cDNA is 821 bp, and has an ORF of 414 by for encoding a peptide of 137 aa, which shows 38%, 37%, 33%, and 33% homology with 4 putative proteins screened from zebrafish (Danio rerio). Conserved domain search in NCBI reveals a single C2 domain existing in the C2 domain superfamily proteins, and has only 7 beta strands in comparison with 8 beta strands of C2 domains in other C2 domain superfamily proteins. Artificial sex reversal, RT-PCR analysis and Western blot detection demonstrated ovary-specific expression of the C2 domain factor, and therefore the novel gene was designated as E. coioides ovary-specific C2 domain factor, EcOC2 factor. Moreover, predominant expression of EcOC2 factor was further revealed in grouper mature ovary, and its strong immunofluorescence signals were located between granulosa cells and oocyte zona radiata in grouper mature follicles. The data indicate that the novel EcOC2 factor might be a main component that associates between granulosa cells and the oocyte during oocyte maturation, and might play significant roles in regulating oocyte maturation and ovulation. Further studies on its developmental behaviour and physiological functions will elucidate the interactions between oocyte and the surrounding somatic cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identification of a Spindlin homolog in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

Spindlin has been suggested to play an important role during the transition from oocyte maturation to embryo development in mouse, but its homolog similar to the mouse Spindlin in molecular and expression characterization has not been identified up to now in other vertebrates. In this study, a full length of cDNA sequence is cloned and sequenced from the gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). It contains 1240 nucleotides with an open reading frame of 771 nt encoding 257 amino acids. Based on its amino acid sequence alignment and comparison analysis with the known Spin family proteins, the newly cloned Spin is named Carassius auratus gibelio Spindlin (CagSpin). Its product could be detected from mature eggs to blastula embryos, but its content decreased from the two-cell stage, and could not be detected after the gastrula stage. It suggests that the CagSpin should be a maternal protein that is expressed during oocyte maturation, and plays a crucial role in early cleavage of embryogenesis. CagSpin is the first homolog similar to mouse spindlin identified in fish, and also in other vertebrates. GST pull-down assay reveals the first biochemical evidence for the association of CagSpin and p-tubulin, the microtubule component. Therefore, CagSpin may play important functions by interacting with beta-tubulin and other spindle proteins during oocyte maturation and egg fertilization. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and benzo[a]pyrene on modulating vitellogenin expression in primary culture of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) hepatocytes

Vitellogenin (Vtg) is the precursor of yolk protein. Its expression and secretion are estrogen-regulated and are crucial for oocyte maturation. An in vitro xenoestrogen screening model was established by measuring Vtg induction in cultured primary hepatocytes from crucian carp. Vtg production was detected by biotin-avidin sandwich ELISA method while Vtg and cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA induction were measured by semi- quantitative PCR-primer dropping technique. Vtg and Vtg mRNA were dose-dependently induced by diethylstilbestrol (DES, 0.2-200 ng/mL) in hepatocytes of crucian carp. Co-treatment of the DES-induced hepatocytes with either 2,3,7,8-TCDD (TCDD, 0.1-4 pg/mL) or benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P, 5-1000 ng/mL) resulted in a reduction of Vtg production and an increment of CYP1A1 mRNA expression both in a dose dependent manner, indicating the anti-estrogenic effects of the compounds. However, at lower tested concentrations, TCDD (0.1, 0.2 pg/mL), B[a]P (5 ng/mL) seemed to have a potentiating effect on Vtg expression and secretion, although by their own these compounds had no observable estrogenic effect on Vtg induction. Tamoxifen (a selective estrogen receptor modulators, 1 nmol/L-1 mumol/L), and P-naphtho-flavone (beta-NF, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor inducing compounds, 2.5-1000 ng/mL) also were employed to study the possible interactions in DES-induced Vtg expression. In co-treatment of the DES-induced hepatocytes with beta-NF or tamoxifen, the decrease in Vtg production did parallel induction of CYP1A1 for beta-NF, but tamoxifen inhibited Vtg induction did not parallel induced CYP1A1 expression in all test concentrations. On the contrary, it was found that in co-treatment of the TCDD-induced hepatocytes with DES, TCDD induced CYP1A1 mRNA production was inhibited by DES also. These results implicated a possible cross talk between estrogen receptor- and aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated pathways in the hepatocytes.

Identification of a novel C1q family member in color crucian carp (Carassius auratus) ovary

Potential roles of Clq/tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily proteins have been observed in vertebrate oogenesis and oocyte maturation, but no ovary-specific member has been identified so far. In this study, we have cloned and identified a novel member of Clq family with a Clq domain in the C-terminal from fully grown oocyte cDNA library of color crucian carp and demonstrated that the gene might be specifically expressed in ovary and therefore designated as Carassius auratus ovary-specific Clq-like factor, CaOClq-like factor. It encodes a 213 amino acid protein with a 17 amino acid signal peptide. There is only one protein band of about 24.5 kDa in the extracts from phase I to phase IV oocytes, but two positive protein bands are detected in the extracts of mature eggs and fertilized eggs. Furthermore, the mobility shift of the smaller target protein band cannot be eliminated by phosphatase treatment, but the larger protein band increases its mobility on the gel after phosphatase treatment, suggesting that the larger protein might be a phosphorylated form. Immunofluorescence localization indicates that the CaOClq-like proteins localize in cytoplasm, cytoplasm membrane and egg envelope of the oocytes at cortical granule stage and vitellogenesis stage, whereas they were compressed to cytoplasm margin in ovulated mature eggs and discharged into perivitelline space between cytoplasm membrane and egg envelope after egg fertilization. Further studies on distribution and translocation mechanism of the CaOClq-like factor will be benefit to elucidate the unique function in oogenesis, oocyte maturation and egg fertilization. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Differential screening and characterization analysis of the egg envelope glycoprotein ZP3 cDNAs between gynogenetic and gonochoristic crucian carp

Gynogenetic silver crucian carp, Carassius auratus gibelio, is an intriguing model. system. In the present work, a systemic study has been initiated by introducing suppression subtractive hybridization technique into this model system to identify the differentially expressed genes in oocytes between gynogenetic silver crucian carp and its closely related gonochoristic color crucian carp. Five differential cDNA fragments were identified from the preliminary screening, and two of them are ZP3 homologues. Moreover, the full length ZP3 cDNAs were cloned from their oocyte cDNA libraries. The length of ZP3 cDNAs were 1378 bp for gyno-carp and 1367 bp for gono-carp, and they can be translated into proteins with 435 amino acids. Obvious differences are not only in the composition of amino acids, but also in the number of potential O-linked oligosaccharide sites. In addition, gyno-carp ZP3 amino acid sequence has an unexpected higher identity value with common carp (83.5%) than that with the closely related gono-carp (74.7%). The unique homology may be originated from the ancient hybridization. Northern blot analysis confirmed that expression of the ZP3 gene occurred exclusively in the oocytes. Because O-linked oligosaccharides on ZP3 have been demonstrated to play very important roles in fertilization, it is suggested that the extra O-linked glycosylation sites may be related to the unique sperm-egg recognition mechanism in gynogenesis.

Role of animal pole protuberance and microtubules during meiosis in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus oocytes

Fully grown oocytes of Apostichopus japonicus have a cytoplasmic protuberance where the oocyte attaches to the follicle. The protuberance and the oolamina located on the opposite side of the oocyte indicate the animal-vegetal axis. Two pre-meiotic centrosomes are anchored to the protuberance by microtubules between centrosomes and protuberance. After meiosis reinitiation induced by DTT solution, the germinal vesicle (GV) migrates towards the protuberance. The GV breaks down after it migrates to the oocyte membrane on the protuberance side. The protuberance then contracts back into the oocyte and the first polar body extrudes from the site of the former protuberance. The second polar body forms beneath the first. Thus the oocyte protuberance indicates the presumptive animal pole well before maturation of the oocyte.

硬壳蛤性腺发育和卵母细胞成熟机理初步研究

采用体外药物诱导的方法，研究了5-羟色胺（5-hydroxytryptamine，5-HT）诱导的硬壳蛤卵母细胞成熟过程中cAMP信号通路的作用。结果表明，5-HT （0.01—100µM）均能够显著地诱导硬壳蛤卵母细胞的成熟。磷酸二酯酶抑制剂—咖啡因、茶碱和IBMX（3-异丁基-1-甲基黄嘌呤）可以单独抑制卵母细胞的自发成熟，但效果不显著。10mM的咖啡因和茶碱以及5mM的IBMX能够显著地抑制5-HT的诱导效果。dbcAMP（双丁酰基环腺苷一磷酸）不但能够抑制卵母细胞的自发成熟，而且还可以抑制5-HT诱导的成熟。因此，cAMP信号通路参与了5-HT诱导的硬壳蛤卵母细胞的成熟过程，并且该信号通路起着负调控的作用。 研究了PLC（磷脂酶C）和PKC（蛋白激酶C）的激活剂/抑制剂对5-羟色胺诱导的卵母细胞成熟的影响。高浓度的新霉素（PLC抑制剂）可以抑制5-HT诱导的卵母细胞的成熟，而DMBA（9,10-Dimethy-1,2-benzanthracene，9,10–二甲基胆蒽，PLC激活剂）则能够促进成熟。PMA（phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate，佛波十四烷酸乙酸酯，PKC激活剂）能够抑制5-HT诱导的成熟，而Spingosine（PKC抑制剂）则可以促进卵母细胞的成熟。从而推测，5-HT诱导的卵母细胞成熟需要磷脂酰肌醇信号通路的激活。PLC浓度的降低能够抑制5-HT诱导的卵母细胞成熟；PKC浓度的降低则会促进卵母细胞的成熟。因此，在硬壳蛤卵母细胞的成熟过程中，PLC起促进的作用，DAG（二酰肌甘油）–PKC通路则起抑制的作用。 细胞外高浓度Ca2+能够促进硬壳蛤卵母细胞的成熟，Ca2+离子载体A23187也可以促进硬壳蛤卵母细胞的成熟。1-100µM异搏定（Verapamil，钙离子通道阻断剂）能够抑制卵母细胞的成熟，而100µM的Verapamil能够完全抑制其成熟。上述结果表明细胞外Ca2+对硬壳蛤卵母细胞的成熟是必需的，而且起到促进卵母细胞成熟的作用。三氟拉嗪（TFP，Ca2+与CaM结合的拮抗剂）能够抑制卵母细胞的成熟，高浓度的三氟拉嗪（1mM）能够完全抑制卵母细胞的成熟。说明CaM起到促进卵母细胞成熟的作用。可见，Ca2+通过与CaM的相互作用，共同起到促进硬壳蛤卵母细胞成熟的作用。 5-HT诱导成熟的卵母细胞可以完成受精过程，其受精过程以及幼虫发育情况与正常受精发育过程类似，没有显著差异。高浓度的新霉素可以抑制受精过程，而茶碱和咖啡因对受精没有影响。从而推测，磷脂酰肌醇信号通路参与了硬壳蛤卵母细胞的受精过程，而cAMP信号通路可能没有参与受精过程。 发现硬壳蛤的性腺发育与我国常见的双壳类如泥蚶相似。硬壳蛤卵母细胞中卵黄粒主要由线粒体、高尔基液泡、内质网和微吞饮泡形成。

刺参遗传连锁图谱构建及卵母细胞成熟过程研究

第一部分 刺参遗传连锁图谱的构建 利用AFLP和微卫星标记以一个远缘地理杂交家系为作图群体，以拟测交理论为作图策略，构建了刺参Apostichopus japonicus的雌性和雄性遗传连锁图谱。利用62对AFLP引物组合，对亲本和93个个体进行了分离分析，共得到3572个标记，其中具有多态性的标记为点数为1133个，多态性比例为31.5%。平均每个引物对产生18.3个多态片段。1133个多态性位点中，294个标记在父母本中都出现并在后代中分离，839个标记在父本或母本中出现并在子代分离，其中母本443(52.8%)个分离标记，父本396(47.2%)个分离标记。卡方检验显示，556个标记符合孟德尔1:1分离。筛选微卫星标记中30个在家系中具有作图信息，其中19个可用于母本作图，19个可用于父本作图。 利用Mapmaker 3.0/EXP软件对分离标记进行连锁分析。358个分子标记用于雌性遗传连锁分析，其中包括19个微卫星标记，199个AFLP标记和11个微卫星标记定位在雌性框架图谱中。雌性框架图谱共有25个连锁群，总长度为3148.3 cM。标记之间最大间隔为37.5 cM，平均间隔为17.0 cM，连锁群的分子标记数最大为21个最小为4个。用于雄性连锁分析的分子标记共有332个，其中包含19个微卫星标记。207个标记定位于23个连锁群上，其中AFLP标记数为196个，微卫星标记数为11个。23个连锁群总长度为3059.8 cM，标记间最大间隔38.6 cM，平均间隔16.6 cM。每个连锁群的长度范围在40 cM到271.4 cM之间，标记数在18到4个之间，包括二、三连体在内的雄性连锁图谱共覆盖3227 cM。雌雄基因组的预测长度分别为4053.7 cM和3816.3 cM，因此，所构建的雌雄连锁图谱覆盖率分别为84.0%和84.5%。通过共有微卫星标记，有3个连锁群在两个图谱中对应。分子标记在两个图谱中呈均匀分布，没有成簇现象。 分子标记筛选、遗传图谱的构建为刺参分子标记辅助选择育种，经济性状QTL定位和比较基因作图打下基础，并且最终将促进中国刺参遗传改良和新品种的培育工作。 第二部分 卵母细胞成熟过程研究 对刺参卵母细胞的体外诱导成熟方法进行探索，并且通过透射电子显微镜、扫描电子显微镜和激光共聚焦显微镜结合超薄切片技术及间接免疫荧光染色技术研究卵母细胞成熟的生物学过程。 分别利用在海参中有诱导作用的海星神经提取液和二硫苏糖醇(DTT)对从成熟卵巢解剖出的刺参卵母细胞进行诱导成熟试验，结果显示，刺参的卵母细胞在海水中不会发生自发成熟，海星神经提取液以及神经提取液加滤泡悬浮液对卵母细胞没有诱导成熟的作用，而二硫苏糖醇处理可以诱导卵母细胞生发泡破裂，当DTT溶液的浓度处于10-1 mol/L到10-3 mol/L之间时，对刺参卵母细胞的促熟作用较为明显，在10-2 mol/L左右时，卵母细胞的诱导成熟率可以达到90%以上。未成熟的卵母细胞处于第一次减数分裂前期，不具备受精能力。经DTT诱导后，生发泡发生移动并破裂，染色体排列到赤道板上，然后第一、二极体先后排出，诱导成熟的卵母细胞排出极体的时间与自然受精的卵子一致。在卵母细胞成熟过程中有受精膜举起的现象，说明精子入卵不是受精膜举起的必要条件。卵母细胞只有在生发泡破裂之后才具有受精能力，从生发泡破裂到第二极体排出前的整个减数分裂过程中，卵母细胞都可以受精，但是只有在第一极体排出前受精的卵母细胞才能发生卵裂。人工促熟的卵母细胞受精后，形成的胚胎似乎并不能正常发育，试验过程中最多只得到了8细胞期的胚胎，之后细胞便产生畸形并停止分裂，最终裂解消失。 利用DTT诱导刺参卵母细胞成熟，综合运用光镜、电子显微镜及激光共聚焦技术观察卵母细胞成熟过程，分析了卵母细胞表面动物极突起在卵母细胞脱滤泡中的作用，以及卵母细胞动物极突起和微管组织在生发泡移动过程中所起的作用。卵母细胞通过动物极突起连接到滤泡上，在脱滤泡作用开始时，卵母细胞动物极突起刺入并穿过滤泡膜，使得滤泡膜表面形成一个缺口，然后整个卵母细胞开始从缺口处挤出。脱滤泡的作用力来源有两种：胶膜层的水合作用以及滤泡的收缩。通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察，未成熟的卵母细胞中存在5种类型的微管，并且有两个微管组织中心锚定在卵母细胞突起下方。减数分裂重新启动时，生发泡沿微管向动物极移动，至细胞膜下时破裂。微管解聚对照实验证明驱动生发泡移动的细胞结构为微管束。生发泡破裂后，两个微管组织中心组织形成减数分裂纺锤体，然后第一极体以“收缩-排出”的独特方式排出。 本研究填补了刺参繁殖生物学研究中的缺失环节，为刺参人工繁育技术提供理论基础和指导。

Impact of various endocrine and paracrine factors on in vitro culture of preantral follicles in rodents

Folliculogenesis is a complex process regulated by various paracrine and autocrine factors. In vitro growth systems of primordial and preantral follicles have been developed for future use of immature oocytes, as sources of fertilizable oocytes and for studying follicular growth and oocyte maturation mechanisms. Rodents were often chosen for in vitro follicular culture research and a lot of factors implicated in folliculogenesis have been identified using this model. To date, the mouse is the only species in which the whole process of follicular growth, oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo transfer into recipient females was successfully performed. However, the efficiency of in vitro culture systems must still be considerably improved. Within the follicle, numerous events affect cell proliferation and the acquisition of oocyte developmental competency in vitro, including interactions between the follicular cells and the oocyte, and the composition of the culture medium. Effects of the acting factors depend on the stage of follicle development, the culture system used and the species. This paper reviews the action of endocrine, paracrine factors and other components of culture medium on in vitro growth of preantral follicles in rodents.

Emi2-mediated inhibition of E2-substrate ubiquitin transfer by the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome through a D-box-independent mechanism.

Vertebrate eggs are arrested at Metaphase II by Emi2, the meiotic anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) inhibitor. Although the importance of Emi2 during oocyte maturation has been widely recognized and its regulation extensively studied, its mechanism of action remained elusive. Many APC/C inhibitors have been reported to act as pseudosubstrates, inhibiting the APC/C by preventing substrate binding. Here we show that a previously identified zinc-binding region is critical for the function of Emi2, whereas the D-box is largely dispensable. We further demonstrate that instead of acting through a "pseudosubstrate" mechanism as previously hypothesized, Emi2 can inhibit Cdc20-dependent activation of the APC/C substoichiometrically, blocking ubiquitin transfer from the ubiquitin-charged E2 to the substrate. These findings provide a novel mechanism of APC/C inhibition wherein the final step of ubiquitin transfer is targeted and raise the interesting possibility that APC/C is inhibited by Emi2 in a catalytic manner.

Identity of a Tilapia Pheromone Released by Dominant Males that Primes Females for Reproduction

Knowledge of the chemical identity and role of urinary pheromones in fish is scarce, yet it is necessary in order to understand the integration of multiple senses in adaptive responses and the evolution of chemical communication [1]. In nature, Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) males form hierarchies, and females mate preferentially with dominant territorial males, which they visit in aggregations or leks [2]. Dominant males have thicker urinary bladder muscular walls than subordinates or females and store large volumes of urine, which they release at increased frequency in the presence of subordinate males or preovulatory, but not postspawned, females [3–5]. Females exposed to dominant-male urine augment their release of the oocyte maturation-inducing steroid 17α,20β-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (17,20β-P) [6]. Here we isolate and identify a male Mozambique tilapia urinary sex pheromone as two epimeric (20α- and 20β-) pregnanetriol 3-glucuronates. We show that both males and females have high olfactory sensitivity to the two steroids, which cross-adapt upon stimulation. Females exposed to both steroids show a rapid, 10-fold increase in production of 17,20β-P. Thus, the identified urinary steroids prime the female endocrine system to accelerate oocyte maturation and possibly promote spawning synchrony. Tilapia are globally important as a food source but are also invasive species, with devastating impact on local freshwater ecosystems [7, 8]. Identifying the chemical cues that mediate reproduction may lead to the development of tools for population control [9–11].

TGF-beta superfamily members and ovarian follicle development

In recent years, exciting progress has been made towards unravelling the complex intraovarian control mechanisms that, in concert with systemic signals, coordinate the recruitment, selection and growth of follicles from the primordial stage through to ovulation and corpus luteum formation. A plethora of growth factors, many belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, are expressed by ovarian somatic cells and oocytes in a developmental, stage-related manner and function as intraovarian regulators of folliculogenesis. Two such factors, bone morphogenetic proteins, RMP-4 and BMP-7, are expressed by ovarian stromal cells and/or theca cells and have recently been implicated as positive regulators of the primordial-to-primary follicle transition. In contrast, evidence indicates a negative role for anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH, also known as Mullerian-inhibiting substance) of pre-granulosa/granulosa cell origin in this key event and subsequent progression to the antral stage. Two other TGF-beta superfamily members, growth and differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and BMP-15 (also known as GDF-9B) are expressed in an oocyte-specific manner from a very early stage and play key roles in promoting follicle growth beyond the primary stage; mice with null mutations in the gdf-9 gene or ewes with inactivating mutations in gdf-9 or bmp-15 genes are infertile with follicle development arrested at the primary stage. Studies on later stages of follicle development indicate positive roles for granulosa cell-derived activin, BMP-2, -5 and -6, theca cell-derived BMP-2, -4 and -7 and oocyte-derived BMP-6 in promoting granulosa cell proliferation, follicle survival and prevention of premature luteinization and/or atresia. Concomitantly, activin, TGF-beta and several BMPs may exert paracrine actions on theca cells to attenuate LH-dependent androgen production in small to medium-size antral follicles. Dominant follicle selection in monovular species may depend on differential FSH sensitivity amongst a growing cohort of small antral follicles. Changes in intrafollicular activins, GDF-9, AMH and several BMPs may contribute to this selection process by modulating both FSH- and IGF-dependent signalling pathways in granulosa cells. Activin may also play a positive role in oocyte maturation and acquisition of developmental competence. in addition to its endocrine role to suppress FSH secretion, increased output of inhibin by the selected dominant follicle(s) may upregulate LH-induced androgen secretion that is required to sustain a high level of oestradiol secretion during the pre-ovulatory phase. Advances in our understanding of intraovarian regulatory mechanisms should facilitate the development of new approaches for monitoring and manipulating ovarian function and improving fertility in domesticated livestock, endangered species and man.

Local roles of TGF-beta superfamily members in the control of ovarian follicle development

Members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily have wide-ranging influences on many tissue and organ systems including the ovary. Two recently discovered TGF-beta superfamily members, growth/differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15; also designated as GDF-9B) are expressed in an oocyte-specific manner from a very early stage and play a key role in promoting follicle growth beyond the primary stage. Follicle growth to the small antral stage does not require gonadotrophins but appears to be driven by local autocrine/paracrine signals from both somatic cell types (granulosa and theca) and from the oocyte. TGF-beta superfamily members expressed by follicular cells and implicated in this phase of follicle development include TGF-beta, activin, GDF-9/9B and several BMPs. Acquisition of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) responsiveness is a pre-requisite for growth beyond the small antral stage and evidence indicates an autocrine role for granulosa-derived activin in promoting granulosa cell proliferation, FSH receptor expression and aromatase activity. Indeed, some of the effects of FSH on granulosa cells may be mediated by endogenous activin. At the same time, activin may act on theca cells to attenuate luteinizing hormone (LH)-dependent androgen production in small to medium-size antral follicles. Dominant follicle selection appears to depend on differential FSH sensitivity amongst a growing cohort of small antral follicles. Activin may contribute to this selection process by sensitizing those follicles with the highest "activin tone" to FSH. Production of inhibin, like oestradiol, increases in selected dominant follicles, in an FSH- and insulin-like growth factor-dependent manner and may exert a paracrine action on theca cells to upregulate LH-induced secretion of androgen, an essential requirement for further oestradiol secretion by the pre-ovulatory follicle. Like activin, BMP-4 and -7 (mostly from theca), and BMP-6 (mostly from oocyte), can enhance oestradiol and inhibin secretion by bovine granulosa cells while suppressing progesterone secretion; this suggests a functional role in delaying follicle luteinization and/or atresia. Follistatin, on the other hand, may favor luteinization and/or atresia by bio-neutralizing intrafollicular activin and BMPs. Activin receptors are expressed by the oocyte and activin may have a further intrafollicular role in the terminal stages of follicle differentiation to promote oocyte maturation and developmental competence. In a reciprocal manner, oocyte-derived GDF-9/9B may act on the surrounding cumulus granulosa cells to attenuate oestradiol output and promote progesterone and hyaluronic acid production, mucification and cumulus expansion.(C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases in oocytes of cattle

Nitric oxide (NO) is a chemical messenger generated by the activity of the nitric oxide synthases (NOS). The NOS/NO system appears to be involved in oocyte maturation, but there are few studies on gene expression and protein activity in oocytes of cattle. The present study aimed to investigate gene expression and protein activity of NOS in immature and in vitro matured oocytes of cattle. The influence of pre-maturation culture with butyrolactone I in NOS gene expression was also assessed. The following experiments were performed: (1) detection of the endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) isoforms in the ovary by immunohistochemistry; (2) detection of eNOS and iNOS in the oocytes before and after in vitro maturation (W) by immunofluorescence; (3) eNOS and iNOS mRNA and protein in immature and in vitro matured oocytes, with or without pre-maturation, by real time PCR and Western blotting, respectively; and (4) NOS activity in immature and in vitro matured oocytes by NADPH-diaphorase. eNOS and iNOS were detected in oocytes within all follicle categories (primary, secondary and tertiary), and other compartments of the ovary and in the cytoplasm of immature and in vitro matured oocytes. Amount of mRNA for both isoforms decreased after IVM but was maintained after pre-maturation culture. The NOS protein was detected in immature (pre-mature or not) and was still detected in similar amount after pre-maturation and maturation for both isoforms. NOS activity was detected only in part of the immature oocytes. In conclusion, isoforms of NOS (eNOS and iNOS) are present in oocytes of cattle from early folliculogenesis up to maturation; in vitro maturation influences amount of mRNA and NOS activity. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Embryo Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Is Reversed During Early Embryogenesis in Cattle

The extensive replication of mitochondria during oogenesis and the wide variability in mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA) copy numbers present in fully grown oocytes indicate that mtDNA amount may play an important role during early embryogenesis. Using bovine oocytes derived from follicles of different sizes to study the influence of mtDNA content on development, we showed that oocytes obtained from small follicles, known to be less competent in developing into blastocysts, contain less mtDNA than those originating from larger follicles. However, because of the high variability in copy number, a more accurate approach was examined in which parthenogenetic one-cell embryos were biopsied to measure their mtDNA content and then cultured to assess development capacity. Contrasting with previous findings, mtDNA copy number in biopsies was not different between competent and incompetent embryos, indicating that mtDNA content is not related to early developmental competence. To further examine the importance of mtDNA on development, one-cell embryos were partially depleted of their mtDNA (64% +/- 4.1% less) by centrifugation followed by the removal of the mitochondrial-enriched cytoplasmic fraction. Surprisingly, depleted embryos developed normally into blastocysts, which contained mtDNA copy numbers similar to nonmanipulated controls. Development in depleted embryos was accompanied by an increase in the expression of genes (TFAM and NRF1) controlling mtDNA replication and transcription, indicating an intrinsic ability to restore the content of mtDNA at the blastocyst stage. Therefore, we concluded that competent bovine embryos are able to regulate their mtDNA content at the blastocyst stage regardless of the copy numbers accumulated during oogenesis.