Abstract
Previous studies have discussed the importance of an optimal range of metabolic activity during preimplantation development. To avoid factors than can trigger an undesirable trajectory, it is important to learn how nutrients and metabolites interact to help launching the correct developmental program of the embryo, and how much the in vitro culture system can impair this process. Here, using the bovine model, we describe a factorial experimental design used to investigate the biochemical and molecular signature of embryos in response to different combinations of morphological features—i.e. speed of development—and external stimuli during in vitro culture—i.e. different oxygen tensions and glucose supplementation. Our analyses demonstrate that the embryos present heterogeneous metabolic responses depending on early morphological phenotypes and the composition of their surroundings. However, despite the contribution of each single stimulus for the embryo phenotype, oxygen tension is determinant for such differences. The lower oxygen environment boosts the metabolism of embryos with faster kinetics, in particular those cultured in lower glucose concentrations.
Highlights
Previous studies have discussed the importance of an optimal range of metabolic activity during preimplantation development
The scenario described above allows us to recognize the heterogeneity of embryonic metabolism and responses to external factors when fast and slow embryos are compared. Such heterogeneity should be considered as we explore some overarching questions: (a) Is there a range to up/downregulate embryo metabolism while still sustaining its viability? (b) How does heterogeneity affect metabolism and the ability to respond to environmental stressors? (c) Can we produce embryo with an efficient energy metabolism using the available in vitro culture systems? Avoidance of factors triggering undesirable trajectories should become easier as we learn about the influences of specific nutrients and metabolites on the developmental programming of the embryos[1]
The study groups clustered mainly according to the oxygen tension in which the embryos were cultivated (20% O2 [Node A] opposing to 5% O 2 [Node B]), suggesting this category superimposes the others
Summary
Previous studies have discussed the importance of an optimal range of metabolic activity during preimplantation development. Internalized glucose can be partially converted to lactate (known as the Warburg Effect), which, in vivo, could facilitate key events such as invasion, angiogenesis and modulation of the immune response during the implantation process[6]. This plasticity is important for the initial embryo development given that highly proliferative cells have other metabolic requirements beyond the production of ATP. Studies measuring simultaneously energy efficiency and nutrients uptake/production are still lacking
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