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Maternal age and in vitro culture affect mitochondrial number and function in equine oocytes and embryos.
Abstract: Advanced maternal age and in vitro embryo production (IVP) predispose to pregnancy loss in horses. We investigated whether mare age and IVP were associated with alterations in mitochondrial (mt) DNA copy number or function that could compromise oocyte and embryo development. Effects of mare age (<12 vs ≥12 years) on mtDNA copy number, ATP content and expression of genes involved in mitochondrial replication (mitochondrial transcription factor (TFAM), mtDNA polymerase γ subunit B (mtPOLB) and mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB)), energy production (ATP synthase-coupling factor 6, mitochondrial-like (ATP-synth_F6)) and oxygen free radical scavenging (glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3)) were investigated in oocytes before and after in vitro maturation (IVM), and in early embryos. Expression of TFAM, mtPOLB and ATP-synth-F6 declined after IVM (P<0.05). However, maternal age did not affect oocyte ATP content or expression of genes involved in mitochondrial replication or function. Day 7 embryos from mares ≥12 years had fewer mtDNA copies (P=0.01) and lower mtDNA:total DNA ratios (P<0.01) than embryos from younger mares, indicating an effect not simply due to lower cell number. Day 8 IVP embryos had similar mtDNA copy numbers to Day 7 in vivo embryos, but higher mtPOLB (P=0.013) and a tendency to reduced GPX3 expression (P=0.09). The lower mtDNA number in embryos from older mares may compromise development, but could be an effect rather than cause of developmental retardation. The general down-regulation of genes involved in mitochondrial replication and function after IVM may compromise resulting embryos.
Publication Date: 2015-04-17 PubMed ID: 25881326DOI: 10.1071/RD14450Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigated the impact of a horse mother’s age and in-vitro fertilization processes on the number and functioning of mitochondria in horse oocytes and embryos. The findings suggested that older maternal age and specific in-vitro techniques might cause changes that could potentially harm the growth of oocytes and embryos.
Background of the Study
- The researchers focused on the probable complications linked to advanced maternal age and in-vitro embryo production (IVP) that might cause pregnancy loss in horses.
- Their aim was to see if mare age and IVP were linked to alterations in mitochondrial (mt) DNA copy number or function, which could potentially be detrimental to oocyte and embryo growth.
Methodology and Results
- The team evaluated the effects of mare age on mtDNA copy number, ATP content, and the expression of specific genes involved in mitochondrial replication. They also examined changes before and after in vitro maturation (IVM), and in early embryos.
- The findings indicated that the expression of genes crucial for mitochondrial replication declined after IVM. Surprisingly, maternal age did not impact oocyte ATP content or the expression of genes linked with mitochondrial replication or function.
- Embryos on day 7 from mares aged 12 years or older had less mtDNA copies than embryos from younger mares. This hinted at an effect unrelated to a lower cell number.
- Day 8 IVP embryos contained a similar number of mtDNA copies as the in-vivo embryos on day 7, but with higher mtPOLB and slightly reduced GPX3 expression.
Conclusions and Implications of the Study
- The researchers postulated that the reduced mtDNA in embryos from older mares could potentially harm development. However, they argued that this could be a result rather than a cause of developmental retardation.
- They also suggested that the general suppression of genes involved in mitochondrial replication and function after IVM could be harmful to resulting embryos, indicating a potential flaw in current IVP practices.
Cite This Article
APA
Hendriks WK, Colleoni S, Galli C, Paris DB, Colenbrander B, Roelen BA, Stout TA.
(2015).
Maternal age and in vitro culture affect mitochondrial number and function in equine oocytes and embryos.
Reprod Fertil Dev, 27(6), 957-968.
https://doi.org/10.1071/RD14450 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Avantea, Laboratorio di Tecnologie della Riproduzione, Via Porcellasco 7f, 26100 Cremona, Italy.
- Avantea, Laboratorio di Tecnologie della Riproduzione, Via Porcellasco 7f, 26100 Cremona, Italy.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- DNA, Mitochondrial
- Embryo Culture Techniques
- Embryonic Development / physiology
- Female
- Horses
- In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / veterinary
- Maternal Age
- Mitochondria / metabolism
- Oocytes / metabolism
- Pregnancy
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- Zhang W, Wu F. Effects of adverse fertility-related factors on mitochondrial DNA in the oocyte: a comprehensive review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023 Mar 17;21(1):27.
- Gong X, Zhang Y, Ai J, Li K. Application of Single-Cell RNA Sequencing in Ovarian Development. Biomolecules 2022 Dec 27;13(1).
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