Abstract: Maturation is a critical step in the development of an oocyte, and it is during this time that the oocyte advances to metaphase II (MII) of the meiotic cycle and acquires developmental competence to be fertilized and become an embryo. However, in vitro maturation (IVM) remains one of the limiting steps in the in vitro production of embryos (IVP), with a variable percentage of oocytes reaching the MII stage and unpredictable levels of developmental competence. Understanding the dynamics of oocyte maturation is essential for the optimization of IVM culture conditions and subsequent IVP outcomes. Thus, the aim of this study was to elucidate the transcriptome dynamics of oocyte maturation by comparing transcriptomic changes during in vitro maturation in both oocytes and their surrounding cumulus cells. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were obtained from antral follicles and divided into two groups: immature and in vitro-matured (MII). RNA was extracted separately from oocytes (OC) and cumulus cells (CC), followed by library preparation and RNA sequencing. A total of 13,918 gene transcripts were identified in OC, with 538 differentially expressed genes (DEG) between immature OC and in vitro-matured OC. In CC, 13,104 genes were expressed with 871 DEG. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed an association between the DEGs and pathways relating to nuclear maturation in OC and GTPase activity, extracellular matrix organization, and collagen trimers in CC. Additionally, the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene () and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor gene () showed differential expressions between CC-MII and immature CC samples. Overall, these results serve as a foundation to further investigate the biological pathways relevant to oocyte maturation in horses and pave the road to improve the IVP outcomes and the overall clinical management of equine assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
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.
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
Overview
This study investigates the changes in gene expression (transcriptome) during the maturation of horse oocytes and their surrounding cumulus cells when matured in vitro.
The research aims to better understand how oocyte maturation occurs at the molecular level to improve in vitro embryo production (IVP) techniques in horses.
Background
Oocyte maturation is a key step for an egg cell to progress to metaphase II (MII) of meiosis, enabling it to be fertilized and develop into an embryo.
In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes, a laboratory technique to mature eggs outside the body, has variable success rates and affects the developmental potential of the oocytes.
Understanding the transcriptomic changes during maturation can help optimize IVM culture conditions and improve embryo production outcomes.
Study Design
Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), which include the oocyte and surrounding cumulus cells, were collected from horse antral follicles.
Two groups were created: immature oocytes and those matured in vitro to the MII stage.
RNA was extracted separately from the oocytes (OC) and cumulus cells (CC).
RNA sequencing was performed to analyze gene expression profiles in both cell types.
Key Findings
Approximately 13,918 gene transcripts were detected in oocytes, with 538 genes showing differential expression between immature and in vitro-matured oocytes.
In cumulus cells, 13,104 genes were identified, with 871 showing differential expression between immature and matured states.
Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed:
In oocytes, differentially expressed genes were associated with pathways involved in nuclear maturation, essential for meiotic progression.
In cumulus cells, enriched pathways involved GTPase activity, extracellular matrix organization, and collagen trimers, indicating roles in cell communication and structural remodeling during maturation.
The follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) genes showed significant differences in expression between immature and matured cumulus cells, which are crucial for hormone signaling during follicle growth and ovulation.
Implications
The study provides a detailed transcriptome signature that distinguishes immature and in vitro-matured equine oocytes and cumulus cells.
Identifying the gene pathways active during oocyte maturation helps clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying this complex process in horses.
These findings can guide improvements in in vitro maturation protocols, potentially enhancing the efficiency and success rates of equine embryo production in assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
Better understanding of cumulus cell function and gene expression changes also offers insight into supporting oocyte development during IVM.
Conclusion
This research sets a foundation for further studies on equine oocyte maturation at a molecular level.
Ultimately, the knowledge gained may improve clinical management and outcomes in equine ART by optimizing IVM and IVP methodologies.
Cite This Article
APA
de la Fuente A, Scoggin C, Bradecamp E, Martin-Pelaez S, van Heule M, Troedsson M, Daels P, Meyers S, Dini P.
(2023).
Transcriptome Signature of Immature and In Vitro-Matured Equine Cumulus-Oocytes Complex.
Int J Mol Sci, 24(18), 13718.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241813718
Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Scoggin, Charles
LeBlanc Reproduction Center, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40511, USA.
Bradecamp, Etta
LeBlanc Reproduction Center, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40511, USA.
Martin-Pelaez, Soledad
Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
van Heule, Machteld
Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Troedsson, Mats
Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA.
Daels, Peter
Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Meyers, Stuart
Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Dini, Pouya
Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
Animals
Horses
Female
Transcriptome
Oocytes
Ovarian Follicle
Gene Expression Profiling
Cumulus Cells
Grant Funding
Theriogenology Foundation
UCDavis Center for Equine Health
UCDavis Department of Population, Heath and Reproduction Seed Grant
Ma J-Y, Ou-Yang Y-C, Luo Y-B, Wang Z-B, Hou Y, Han Z-M, Liu Z, Schatten H, Sun Q-Y. Cyclin O Regulates Germinal Vesicle Breakdown in Mouse Oocytes1. Biol. Reprod. 2013;88:110.
Su YQ, Wu X, O’Brien MJ, Pendola FL, Denegre JN, Matzuk MM, Eppig JJ. Synergistic roles of BMP15 and GDF9 in the development and function of the oocyte-cumulus cell complex in mice: Genetic evidence for an oocyte-granulosa cell regulatory loop. Dev. Biol. 2004;276:64–73.
Zhang Y, Shao L, Xu Y, Cui Y, Liu J, Chian R-C. Effect of Anti-Mullerian Hormone in Culture Medium on Quality of Mouse Oocytes Matured In Vitro. PLoS ONE 2014;9:e99393.
Robinson JW, Zhang M, Shuhaibar LC, Norris RP, Geerts A, Wunder F, Eppig JJ, Potter LR, Jaffe LA. Luteinizing hormone reduces the activity of the NPR2 guanylyl cyclase in mouse ovarian follicles, contributing to the cyclic GMP decrease that promotes resumption of meiosis in oocytes. Dev. Biol. 2012;366:308–316.
Conti M, Franciosi F. Acquisition of oocyte competence to develop as an embryo: Integrated nuclear and cytoplasmic events. Hum. Reprod. Update 2018;24:245–266.
Nishi Y, Takeshita T, Sato K, Araki T. Change of the mitochondrial distribution in mouse ooplasm during in vitro maturation.. J. Nippon. Med. Sch. 2003;70:408–415.
Biase F.H., Kimble K.M.. Functional signaling and gene regulatory networks between the oocyte and the surrounding cumulus cells.. BMC Genom. 2018;19:351.
Su Y.Q., Denegre J.M., Wigglesworth K., Pendola F.L., O’Brien M.J., Eppig J.J.. Oocyte-dependent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2) in cumulus cells is required for the maturation of the mouse oocyte-cumulus cell complex.. Dev. Biol. 2003;263:126–138.
Eppig J.J.. The participation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the regulation of meiotic maturation of oocytes in the laboratory mouse.. J. Reprod. Fertil. Suppl. 1989;38:3–8.
Mori T., Amano T., Shimizu H.. Roles of Gap Junctional Communication of Cumulus Cells in Cytoplasmic Maturation of Porcine Oocytes Cultured In Vitro.. Biol. Reprod. 2000;62:913–919.
Ouandaogo Z.G., Haouzi D., Assou S., Dechaud H., Kadoch I.J., De Vos J., Hamamah S.. Human Cumulus Cells Molecular Signature in Relation to Oocyte Nuclear Maturity Stage.. PLoS ONE 2011;6:e27179.
Ouandaogo Z.G., Frydman N., Hesters L., Assou S., Haouzi D., Dechaud H., Frydman R., Hamamah S.. Differences in transcriptomic profiles of human cumulus cells isolated from oocytes at GV, MI and MII stages after in vivo and in vitro oocyte maturation.. Hum. Reprod. 2012;27:2438–2447.
Takeuchi H., Yamamoto M., Fukui M., Inoue A., Maezawa T., Nishioka M., Kondo E., Ikeda T., Matsumoto K., Miyamoto K.. Single-cell profiling of transcriptomic changes during in vitro maturation of human oocytes.. Reprod. Med. Biol. 2022;21:e12464.
Borsuk E.. Anucleate fragments of parthenogenetic eggs and of maturing oocytes contain complementary factors required for development of a male pronucleus.. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 1991;29:150–156.
Jaffe L.A., Egbert J.R.. Regulation of Mammalian Oocyte Meiosis by Intercellular Communication Within the Ovarian Follicle.. Annu. Rev. Physiol. 2017;79:237–260.
Heikinheimo O., Gibbons W.E.. The molecular mechanisms of oocyte maturation and early embryonic development are unveiling new insights into reproductive medicine.. Mol. Hum. Reprod. 1998;4:745–756.
Masciarelli S., Horner K., Liu C., Park S.H., Hinckley M., Hockman S., Nedachi T., Jin C., Conti M., Manganiello V.. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3A–deficient mice as a model of female infertility.. J. Clin. Invest. 2004;114:196–205.
Norris R.P., Freudzon M., Mehlmann L.M., Cowan A.E., Simon A.M., Paul D.L., Lampe P.D., Jaffe L.A.. Luteinizing hormone causes MAP kinase-dependent phosphorylation and closure of connexin 43 gap junctions in mouse ovarian follicles: One of two paths to meiotic resumption.. Development 2008;135:3229–3238.
Marchal R., Caillaud M., Martoriati A., Gérard N., Mermillod P., Goudet G.. Effect of Growth Hormone (GH) on In Vitro Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Oocyte Maturation, Cumulus Expansion, Hyaluronan Synthases, and Connexins 32 and 43 Expression, and GH Receptor Messenger RNA Expression in Equine and Porcine Species1.. Biol. Reprod. 2003;69:1013–1022.
Veitch G.I., Gittens J.E.I., Shao Q., Laird D.W., Kidder G.M.. Selective assembly of connexin37 into heterocellular gap junctions at the oocyte/granulosa cell interface.. J. Cell Sci. 2004;117:2699–2707.
Egbert J.R., Uliasz T.F., Shuhaibar L.C., Geerts A., Wunder F., Kleiman R.J., Humphrey J.M., Lampe P.D., Artemyev N.O., Rybalkin S.D.. Luteinizing Hormone Causes Phosphorylation and Activation of the cGMP Phosphodiesterase PDE5 in Rat Ovarian Follicles, Contributing, Together with PDE1 Activity, to the Resumption of Meiosis1.. Biol. Reprod. 2016;94:110.
Norris R.P., Ratzan W.J., Freudzon M., Mehlmann L.M., Krall J., Movsesian M.A., Wang H., Ke H., Nikolaev V.O., Jaffe L.A.. Cyclic GMP from the surrounding somatic cells regulates cyclic AMP and meiosis in the mouse oocyte.. Development 2009;136:1869–1878.
Yi Z.-Y., Meng T.-G., Ma X.-S., Li J., Zhang C.-H., Ouyang Y.-C., Schatten H., Qiao J., Sun Q.-Y., Qian W.-P.. CDC6 regulates both G2/M transition and metaphase-to-anaphase transition during the first meiosis of mouse oocytes.. J. Cell. Physiol. 2020;235:5541–5554.
Verlhac M.-H., Dumont J.. Interactions between chromosomes, microfilaments and microtubules revealed by the study of small GTPases in a big cell, the vertebrate oocyte.. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 2008;282:12–17.
Zhang Y., Duan X., Cao R., Liu H.-L., Cui X.-S., Kim N.-H., Rui R., Sun S.-C.. Small GTPase RhoA regulates cytoskeleton dynamics during porcine oocyte maturation and early embryo development.. Cell Cycle 2014;13:3390–3403.
Kawashima I., Okazaki T., Noma N., Nishibori M., Yamashita Y., Shimada M.. Sequential exposure of porcine cumulus cells to FSH and/or LH is critical for appropriate expression of steroidogenic and ovulation-related genes that impact oocyte maturation in vivo and in vitro.. Reproduction 2008;136:9–21.
Romero S., Sánchez F., Adriaenssens T., Smitz J.. Mouse Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes from In Vitro-Cultured Preantral Follicles Suggest an Anti-Luteinizing Role for the EGF Cascade in the Cumulus Cells1.. Biol. Reprod. 2011;84:1164–1170.
Liu W., Xin Q., Wang X., Wang S., Wang H., Zhang W., Yang Y., Zhang Y., Zhang Z., Wang C.. Estrogen receptors in granulosa cells govern meiotic resumption of pre-ovulatory oocytes in mammals.. Cell Death Dis. 2017;8:e2662.
Chen X., Zhou B., Yan J., Xu B., Tai P., Li J., Peng S., Zhang M., Xia G.. Epidermal growth factor receptor activation by protein kinase C is necessary for FSH-induced meiotic resumption in porcine cumulus–oocyte complexes.. J. Endocrinol. 2008;197:409–419.
Farin C.E., Rodriguez K.F., Alexander J.E., Hockney J.E., Herrick J.R., Kennedy-Stoskopf S.. The role of transcription in EGF- and FSH-mediated oocyte maturation in vitro.. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 2007;98:97–112.
Knight P.G., Glister C.. Local roles of TGF-beta superfamily members in the control of ovarian follicle development.. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 2003;78:165–183.
Grondahl C.. Oocyte maturation. Basic and clinical aspects of in vitro maturation (IVM) with special emphasis of the role of FF-MAS.. Dan. Med. Bull. 2008;55:1–16.
Baarends W.M., Uilenbroek J.T., Kramer P., Hoogerbrugge J.W., van Leeuwen E.C., Themmen A.P., Grootegoed J.A.. Anti-müllerian hormone and anti-müllerian hormone type II receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in rat ovaries during postnatal development, the estrous cycle, and gonadotropin-induced follicle growth.. Endocrinology 1995;136:4951–4962.
Munsterberg A., Lovell-Badge R.. Expression of the mouse anti-mullerian hormone gene suggests a role in both male and female sexual differentiation.. Development 1991;113:613–624.
Salmon N.A., Handyside A.H., Joyce I.M.. Oocyte regulation of anti-Müllerian hormone expression in granulosa cells during ovarian follicle development in mice.. Dev. Biol. 2004;266:201–208.
Elvin J.A., Clark A.T., Wang P., Wolfman N.M., Matzuk M.M.. Paracrine actions of growth differentiation factor-9 in the mammalian ovary.. Mol. Endocrinol. 1999;13:1035–1048.
Yu X., Li Z., Zhao X., Hua L., Liu S., He C., Yang L., Davis J.S., Liang A.. Anti-Müllerian Hormone Inhibits FSH-Induced Cumulus Oocyte Complex In Vitro Maturation and Cumulus Expansion in Mice.. Animals 2022;12:1209.
Patel O.V., Bettegowda A., Ireland J.J., Coussens P.M., Lonergan P., Smith G.W.. Functional genomics studies of oocyte competence: Evidence that reduced transcript abundance for follistatin is associated with poor developmental competence of bovine oocytes.. Reproduction 2007;133:95–106.
Turathum B., Gao E.-M., Chian R.-C.. The Function of Cumulus Cells in Oocyte Growth and Maturation and in Subsequent Ovulation and Fertilization.. Cells 2021;10:2292.
Chen L., Russell P.T., Larsen W.J.. Functional significance of cumulus expansion in the mouse: Roles for the preovulatory synthesis of hyaluronic acid within the cumulus mass.. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 1993;34:87–93.
Adriaenssens T., Mazoyer C., Segers I., Wathlet S., Smitz J.. Differences in Collagen Expression in Cumulus Cells after Exposure to Highly Purified Menotropin or Recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in a Mouse Follicle Culture Model1.. Biol. Reprod. 2009;80:1015–1025.
Ashida K., Nakatsukasa H., Higashi T., Ohguchi S., Hino N., Nouso K., Urabe Y., Yoshida K., Kinugasa N., Tsuji T. Cellular distribution of 92-kd type IV collagenase/gelatinase B in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Am. J. Pathol. 1996;149:1803–1811.
Hägglund A-C, Ny A, Leonardsson G, Ny T. Regulation and Localization of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases in the Mouse Ovary during Gonadotropin-Induced Ovulation1.. Endocrinology 1999;140:4351–4358.
Nalvarte I, Töhönen V, Lindeberg M, Varshney M, Gustafsson J-Å, Inzunza J. Estrogen receptor β controls MMP-19 expression in mouse ovaries during ovulation.. Reproduction 2016;151:253–259.
Luddi A, Gori M, Marrocco C, Capaldo A, Pavone V, Bianchi L, Boschi L, Morgante G, Piomboni P, de Leo V. Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in human cumulus and granulosa cells as biomarkers for oocyte quality estimation.. Fertil. Steril. 2018;109:930–939.e3.
Kim S-H, Yoon J-T. The Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases Activated Differently on In-Vitro Maturation of oocytes Cytoplasm and Cumulus Cells in Bovine.. JET 2018;33:99–105.
Skaletsky H, Kuroda-Kawaguchi T, Minx PJ, Cordum HS, Hillier L, Brown LG, Repping S, Pyntikova T, Ali J, Bieri T. The male-specific region of the human Y chromosome is a mosaic of discrete sequence classes.. Nature 2003;423:825–837.
Liao Y, Smyth GK, Shi W. featureCounts: An efficient general purpose program for assigning sequence reads to genomic features.. Bioinformatics 2014;30:923–930.
Huang DW, Sherman BT, Lempicki RA. Systematic and integrative analysis of large gene lists using DAVID bioinformatics resources.. Nat. Protoc. 2009;4:44–57.
Ramilowski JA, Goldberg T, Harshbarger J, Kloppmann E, Lizio M, Satagopam VP, Itoh M, Kawaji H, Carninci P, Rost B. A draft network of ligand–receptor-mediated multicellular signalling in human.. Nat. Commun. 2015;6:7866.