Oocyte cAMP Levels Research Articles

Melatonin improves the maturation and developmental ability of bovine oocytes by up-regulating GJA4 to enhance gap junction intercellular communication.

Melatonin (MT) increases oocyte maturation by reducing reactive oxygen species level and enhancing oocyte antioxidant capacity. However, the mechanisms via which MT works are still poorly understood. In the present study, the effects of MT on the maturation rate and development ability of bovine oocytes were investigated. Then, the transcriptome of oocytes treated by MT was sequenced. Finally, the expression of gap junction protein alpha 4 (GJA4) protein and cAMP level were detected in bovine oocytes, and isoprenaline (enhancer of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC)) and heptanol (inhibitor of GJIC) were used to investigate the effect of MT on GJIC activity in bovine oocytes. Our results showed that MT significantly improved the maturation, developmental ability and mRNA expression of GJA4 of bovine oocytes. Meanwhile, MT significantly increased GJA4 protein level and cAMP level in bovine oocytes. In contrast to heptanol, both isoproterenol and MT significantly increased GJIC activity, nuclear maturation and the development ability of bovine oocytes. However, MT significantly restored the nuclear maturation and developmental ability of oocytes treated by heptanol. In conclusion, our results showed that MT improves the maturation and developmental ability of bovine oocytes by enhancing GJIC activity via up-regulating GJA4 protein expression in IVM progress.

Alpha-linolenic acid enhances maturation and developmental competence via regulation of glutathione, cAMP and fatty acid accumulation during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes

The aim of present study was to investigate regulatory mechanism of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) during in vitro maturation (IVM) on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes. Basically, immature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated for 22 h in IVM-I to which hormone was added, and then further incubated for 22 h in IVM-II without hormone. As a result, relative cumulus expansion was increased at 22 h after IVM and it was enhanced by treatment of ALA compared with control group (p < 0.05). During IVM process within 22 h, cAMP level in oocytes was decreased at 6 h (p < 0.05) and it was recovered at 12 h in ALA-treated group, while oocytes in control group recovered cAMP level at 22 h. In cumulus cells, it was reduced in all time point (p < 0.05) and ALA did not affect. Treatment of ALA enhanced metaphase-I (MI) and MII population of oocytes compared with oocytes in control group at 22 and 44 h, respectively (p < 0.05). Intracellular GSH levels in ALA group was increased at 22 and 44 h after IVM (p < 0.05), whereas it was increased in control group at 44 h after IVM (p < 0.05). In particular, the GSH in ALA-treated oocytes during 22 h of IVM was higher than control group at 22 h (p < 0.05). Lipid amount in oocytes from ALA group was higher than control group (p < 0.05). Treatment of ALA did not influence to absorption of glucose from medium. Cleavage and blastocyst formation of ALA-treated oocytes were enhanced compared with control group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that supplementation of ALA could improve oocyte maturation and development competence through increasing GSH synthesis, lipid storage, and regulation of cAMP accumulation during early 22 h of IVM, and these might be mediated by cumulus expansion.

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate impairs primordial follicle assembly by increasing PDE3A expression in oocytes.

It is known that Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) may impact mammalian reproduction and that in females one target of the drug's action is follicle assembly. Here we revisited the phthalate's action on the ovary and from bioinformatics analyses of the transcriptome performed on newborn mouse ovaries exposed invitro to DEHP, up-regulation of PDE3A, as one of the most important alterations caused by DEHP on early folliculogenesis, was identified. We obtained some evidence suggesting that the decrease of cAMP level in oocytes and the parallel decrease of PKA expression, consequent on the PDE3A increase, were a major cause of the reduction of follicle assembly in the DEHP-exposed ovaries. In fact, Pde3a RNAi on cultured ovaries reducing cAMP and PKA decrease counteracted the primordial follicle assembly impairment caused by the compound. Moreover, RNAi normalized the level of Kit, Nobox, Figla mRNA and GDF9, BMP15, CX37, γH2AX proteins in oocytes, and KitL transcripts in granulosa cells as well as their proliferation rate altered by DEHP exposure. Taken together, these results identify PDE3A as a new critical target of the deleterious effects of DEHP on early oogenesis in mammals and highlight cAMP-dependent pathways as major regulators of oocyte and granulosa cell activities crucial for follicle assembly. Moreover, we suggest that the level of intracellular cAMP in the oocytes may be an important determinant for their capability to repair DNA lesions caused by DNA damaging compounds including DEHP.

Plasminogen activator, tissue type regulates germinal vesicle breakdown and cumulus expansion of bovine cumulus-oocyte complex in vitro†.

Plasminogen activator, tissue type (PLAT) and its inhibitor serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1) cooperatively regulate PLAT activity in various reproductive processes. However, it is unknown whether this includes bovine oocyte maturation. We addressed this question in the present study by evaluating PLAT and SERPINE1 protein localization in immature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), as well as PLAT mRNA and protein expression in cultured COCs after 0, 8, 16, and 24 h of in vitro maturation (IVM). We also examined the effects of PLAT and SERPINE1 on germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and oocyte cyclic 3' 5' adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, cumulus expansion index, and expansion-related gene expression in oocytes derived from bovine COCs cultured for 4, 8, and 12 h and in COCs cultured for 16 h. Both PLAT and SERPINE1 localized in cumulus cells but only the latter was detected in oocytes. PLAT and SERPINE1 transcript levels increased during IVM; however, from 8 to 16 h, the levels of PLAT remained stable whereas those of SERPINE1 increased, resulting in a decline in PLAT concentration. Additionally, PLAT delayed GVBD, increased oocyte cAMP levels, and blocked cumulus expansion and associated gene expression, which was reversed by SERPINE1 supplemented. Thus, PLAT delays bovine oocyte GVBD by enhancing oocyte cAMP levels during the first 8 h of IVM; suppression of PLAT activity via accumulation of SERPINE1 in COCs results in cumulus expansion from 8 to 16 h of IVM. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying in vitro bovine oocyte maturation.

Role of granulosa cell mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 in gonadotropin-mediated meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest of mammalian oocytes

In mammals, preovulatory oocytes are encircled by several layers of granulosa cells (GCs) in follicular microenvironment. These follicular oocytes are arrested at diplotene arrest due to high level of cyclic nucleotides from encircling GCs. Pituitary gonadotropin acts at the level of encircling GCs and increases adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and activates mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 (MAPK3/1) signaling pathway. The MAPK3/1 disrupts the gap junctions between encircling GCs and oocyte. The disruption of gap junctions interrupts the transfer of cyclic nucleotides to the oocyte that results a drop in intraoocyte cAMP level. A transient decrease in oocyte cAMP level triggers maturation promoting factor (MPF) destabilization. The destabilized MPF finally triggers meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest in follicular oocyte. Thus, MAPK3/1 from GCs origin plays important role in gonadotropin-mediated meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest in follicular oocyte of mammals.

Endothelin-1 promotes human germinal vesicle-stage oocyte maturation by downregulating connexin-26 expression in cumulus cells.

Does endothelin-1 (ET-1) promote human oocyte maturation and by what mechanism? Addition of ET-1 to the medium in which human germinal vesicle (GV)-stage immature oocytes are cultured enhances the GV breakdown (GVBD) rate; the resumption of meiosis may be initiated by ET-1 downregulating the expression of connexin-26 (Cx26) in cumulus cells via endothelin receptor type B (ETRB), leading to decreased cAMP levels in the oocyte. The paracrine factor ET-1 is secreted by ovarian somatic cells in pre-ovulatory follicles and regulates oocyte maturation in mice. Connexins, or gap junction proteins, form intercellular membrane channels that play important roles in the resumption of meiosis. This laboratory study was conducted over a 1-year period. The effects of ET-1 on meiotic resumption were evaluated in human GV-stage cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs; 70 oocytes/group). The transcriptome profiles of ET-1-treated or untreated cumulus cells were compared to explore the possible mechanisms by which ET-1 may regulate oocyte maturation. The ET-1, ETRA and ETRB expression levels in human cumulus cells from oocytes at different stages of maturation were evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR. Human GV-stage COCs collected from patients undergoing IVF at a university-affiliated infertility centre were cultured with or without ET-1, and cumulus cells were subsequently denuded using hyaluronidase and cultured in α-MEM. A GeneChip® Human Transcriptome Array was applied to explore differences in the whole-genome transcriptome profiles of cumulus cells treated with or without ET-1. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used respectively to examine Cx26 mRNA and protein levels in cumulus cells. Changes in cAMP levels in both oocytes and cumulus cells after ET-1 treatment were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cumulus cells from MII-stage oocytes exhibited upregulated ET-1 expression, compared to those from GV-stage oocytes. The addition of ET-1 to the culture medium enhanced the GVBD rate of cumulus cell-enclosed human oocytes. Whole-genome transcriptome microarray analyses revealed significantly downregulated Cx26 expression in cumulus cells after ET-1 treatment, and this action was blocked by an ETRB antagonist. The involvement of Cx26 was further supported by the finding that ET-1 treatment led to decreased cAMP levels in oocytes but increased cAMP levels in cumulus cells. Microarray data are published in the GEO database (GSE97684). The heterogeneity of human COCs collected from patients undergoing IVF might affect the maturation results in vitro. Although we focused on the effects of ET-1 on human oocyte maturation in the present study, mammalian oocyte maturation is a complicated process involving many endocrine and paracrine factors. Our present study suggests that in vitro, human GV-stage oocyte maturation could be enhanced by adding ET-1 to the culture medium. In the present study, we explored the molecular mechanisms by which ET-1 initiates the resumption of meiosis and demonstrated that ET-1 promotes oocyte maturation by downregulating the expression of the gap junction protein Cx26 in cumulus cells. These results expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying mammalian oocyte maturation and provide a basis for better in-vitro maturation strategies. This work was supported by grants from the China Natural Science Foundation (Grant Nos. 81170567 and 81370761). The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest associated with this manuscript.

Cilostamide and forskolin treatment during pre-IVM improves preimplantation development of cloned embryos by influencing meiotic progression and gap junction communication in pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of treatment with the cAMP modulators cilostamide and/or forskolin during pre-IVM culture on meiotic progression, gap junction communication, intraoocyte cAMP level and glutathione content, embryonic development after parthenogenesis, and somatic cell nuclear transfer in pigs. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were cultured for 24 hours in unsupplemented medium or media containing 20 μM cilostamide and/or 50 μM forskolin. After pre-IVM, oocytes were cultured for 41 to 44 hours in a standard IVM medium to induce oocyte maturation. When the nuclear status of oocytes was examined after pre-IVM for 24 hours, a higher (P < 0.01) proportion of oocytes treated with forskolin (85.5%) and cilostamide + forskolin (92.6%) remained at the germinal vesicle stage compared with untreated (20.6%) and cilostamide-treated oocytes (54.7%). cAMP level in pre-IVM oocytes was significantly increased by combined treatment with cilostamide + forskolin (21.38 fmol/oocyte) relative to the no pre-IVM control, no treatment, cilostamide, and forskolin groups (2.85, 1.88, 1.74, and 8.95 fmol/oocyte, respectively). Forskolin with or without cilostamide significantly maintained open-gap junction communication relative to no treatment. Blastocyst formation in parthenogenesis was significantly (P < 0.01) improved by forskolin (65.3%) relative to other treatments (28.3% to 48.1%). Supplementation of pre-IVM with dibutyryl cAMP showed similar blastocyst formation as forskolin treatment (61.1% and 61.0%, respectively). In somatic cell nuclear transfer, simultaneous treatment with cilostamide + forskolin significantly (P < 0.05) increased embryonic development to the blastocyst stage (42.9%) relative to the no pre-IVM, control, and cilostamide groups (32.3, 28.6, and 32.8%, respectively). The glutathione contents in pre-IVM oocytes were increased by no treatment, forskolin, and cilostamide + forskolin (1.38, 1.39, and 1.27 pixels/oocyte, respectively) compared with no pre-IVM and cilostamide (1.00 and 0.99 pixels/oocyte, respectively; P < 0.05). Our results reported that the meiotic progression of immature pig oocytes could be reversibly attenuated by cAMP, whereas treatment with cilostamide and forskolin during pre-IVM had positive effects on developmental competence of oocytes in pigs, probably by improving cytoplasmic maturation.

The catecholestrogen, 2-hydroxyestradiol-17beta, acts as a G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER/GPR30) antagonist to promote the resumption of meiosis in zebrafish oocytes.

Estradiol-17beta (E2) maintains high cAMP levels and meiotic arrest in zebrafish oocytes through activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). The catecholestrogen 2-hydroxyestradiol-17beta (2-OHE2) has an opposite effect to that of E2 on oocyte maturation (OM) and cAMP levels in Indian catfish oocytes. We tested the hypothesis that 2-OHE2 is produced in zebrafish ovaries and promotes the resumption of oocyte meiosis through its action as a GPER antagonist. Ovarian 2-OHE2 production by estrogen-2-hydroxylase (EH) was up-regulated by gonadotropin treatment at the onset of OM, consistent with a physiological role for 2-OHE2 in regulating OM. The increases in EH activity and OM were blocked by treatment with CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 inhibitors. Expression of cyp1a, cyp1b1, and cyp1c mRNAs was increased by gonadotropin treatment, further implicating these Cyp1s in 2-OHE2 synthesis prior to OM. Conversely, aromatase activity and cyp19a1 mRNA expression declined during gonadotropin induction of OM. 2-OHE2 treatment significantly increased spontaneous OM in defolliculated zebrafish oocytes and reversed the inhibition of OM by E2 and the GPER agonist G-1. 2-OHE2 was an effective competitor of [(3)H]-E2 binding to recombinant zebrafish GPER expressed in HEK-293 cells. 2-OHE2 also antagonized estrogen actions through GPER on cAMP production in zebrafish oocytes, resulting in a reduction in cAMP levels. Stimulation of OM by 2-OHE2 was blocked by pretreatment of defolliculated oocytes with the GPER antibody. Collectively, the results suggest that 2-OHE2 functions as a GPER antagonist and promotes OM in zebrafish through blocking GPER-dependent E2 inhibition of the resumption of OM.

CAMP modulation during sheep in vitro oocyte maturation delays progression of meiosis without affecting oocyte parthenogenetic developmental competence

Removal of oocytes from their natural inhibitory follicular environment results in spontaneous resumption of meiosis independent of normal signaling events that occur in vivo. Controlling the onset of meiotic resumption via maintenance of elevated oocyte cAMP levels with adenylyl cyclase (AC) activation and phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibition, and subsequent hormone stimulation with follicle FSH has been shown to dramatically improve developmental competence of bovine and murine IVM oocytes. This study evaluated the effect of cAMP modulation during IVM of sheep oocytes on meiotic progression and development to blastocyst after parthenogenetic activation. Changes in oocyte cAMP levels were quantified during the first 2h of in vitro maturation in control or cAMP-modulating medium. No significant changes in intra-oocyte cAMP were observed under control conditions, though a slight and transient drop was noticed at 15min of maturation. Addition of the AC stimulator Forskolin and the PDE inhibitors IBMX altered the cAMP profile, resulting in 10-fold elevation of cAMP by 15min and sustained >3-fold elevated levels from 30 to 120min. The effect of cAMP elevation on meiotic resumption was measured by completion of germinal vesicle breakdown. Modulated oocytes were significantly delayed when compared to control media oocytes. Also, progression to MII was significantly delayed in modulated versus control oocytes at 20 and 24h, though no differences persisted to 28h. Lastly, when control and modulated oocytes were parthenogenetically activated, no differences in blastocyst formation were observed. Thus, while cAMP modulation delayed meiotic progression, it did not improve developmental competence of sheep IVM oocytes.

A moderate increase of hydrogen peroxide level is beneficial for spontaneous resumption of meiosis from diplotene arrest in rat oocytes cultured in vitro.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) acts as a signaling molecule and modulates various aspects of cell functions in a wide variety of cells including mammalian germ cells. We examined whether a decreased level of intra-oocyte cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) leads to accumulation of H2O2, and if so, whether a moderate increase of H2O2 inactivates maturation promoting factor (MPF) during spontaneous resumption of meiosis in rat oocytes cultured in vitro. Removal of cumulus cells and culture of denuded oocytes in vitro significantly decreased oocyte cAMP level and led to spontaneous meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest. The reduced oocyte cAMP level was associated with an increased oocyte H2O2 level and reduced catalase activity. Exogenous supplementation of H2O2 induced meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in oocytes treated with 0.1 mM of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, while dibutyryl-cAMP and 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole inhibited the stimulatory effect of exogenous H2O2. The increased intra-oocyte H2O2 level induced Thr-14/Tyr-15 phosphorylation of CDK1, while Thr-161 phosphorylated CDK1 and cyclin B1 levels were reduced significantly. These results suggest that a decreased level of intra-oocyte cAMP is associated with an increased level of H2O2. The increased level of H2O2 was associated with high phosphorylation of Thr-14/Tyr-15 and dephosphorylation of the Thr-161 residue of CDK1 and reduced the cyclin B1 level, which eventually inactivated MPF. The MPF inactivation triggered spontaneous resumption of meiosis from diplotene arrest in rat oocytes cultured in vitro.

Simulated physiological oocyte maturation (SPOM): a novel in vitro maturation system that substantially improves embryo yield and pregnancy outcomes

Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) reduces the need for gonadotrophin-induced ovarian hyperstimulation and its associated health risks but the unacceptably low conception/pregnancy rates have limited its clinical uptake. We report the development of a novel in vitro simulated physiological oocyte maturation (SPOM) system. Bovine or mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were treated with cAMP modulators for the first 1-2 h in vitro (pre-IVM), increasing COC cAMP levels ∼100-fold. To maintain oocyte cAMP levels and prevent precocious oocyte maturation, COCs were treated during IVM with an oocyte-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor and simultaneously induced to mature with FSH. Using SPOM, the pre-IVM and IVM treatments synergized to increase bovine COC gap-junctional communication and slow meiotic progression (both P < 0.05 versus control), extending the normal IVM interval by 6 h in bovine and 4 h in mouse. FSH was required to complete maturation and this required epidermal growth factor signalling. These effects on COC had profound consequences for oocyte developmental potential. In serum-free conditions, SPOM increased bovine blastocyst yield (69 versus 27%) and improved blastocyst quality (184 versus 132 blastomeres; both P < 0.05 versus standard IVM). In mice, SPOM increased (all P < 0.05) blastocyst rate (86 versus 55%; SPOM versus control), implantation rate (53 versus 28%), fetal yield (26 versus 8%) and fetal weight (0.9 versus 0.5 g) to levels matching those of in vivo matured oocytes (conventional IVF). SPOM is a new approach to IVM, mimicing some characteristics of oocyte maturation in vivo and substantially improving oocyte developmental outcomes. Adaption of SPOM for clinical application should have significant implications for infertility management and bring important benefits to patients.

272 A NEW APPROACH TO IN VITRO MATURATION (IVM) AND EMBRYO IN VITRO PRODUCTION: INDUCED IVM SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVES EMBRYO YIELD AND PREGNANCY OUTCOMES

Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is the rate-limiting step in the in vitro production (IVP) of embryos. Oocyte maturation in vivo is a highly orchestrated, induced process, whereby cAMP-mediated meiotic arrest is overridden by the gonadotrophin surge prior to ovulation. However, aspirated oocytes resume maturation spontaneously compromising developmental competence. Hence, we hypothesized that establishing an induced system in vitro would synchronize oocyte-somatic cell communication leading to improved oocyte quality. Abattoir-collected bovine or 129/Sv mouse oocytes were treated for the first 1 to 2 h in vitro (pre-IVM) with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (100 μM, 50 μM, respectively) and a nonspecific phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, IBMX (500 μM, 50 μM), which substantially increased cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) cAMP (bovine, 180 v. 2 fmol/COC, treated v. control; P &lt; 0.001). To maintain oocyte cAMP levels and prevent precocious oocyte maturation, IVM media (VitroMat + BSA) contained an oocyte-specific (type 3) PDE inhibitor, cilostamide (20 μM, 0.1 μM), plus FSH to induce maturation. The net effect of this system (induced-IVM) was to increase oocyte-cumulus cell gap-junctional communication (bovine: 1000 ± 148 v. 340 ± 73 unit, treated v. control; P &lt; 0.05) and to slow meiotic progression through prophase I to metaphase II, extending the normal IVM interval (bovine: 30 v. 24 h, mouse: 22 v. 18 h; treated v. control). FSH was required to complete maturation and FSH-induced maturation was prevented by an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, AG1478 (2.5 μM), demonstrating induced oocyte maturation functions via secondary autocrine signaling within the cumulus cell compartment. These effects on COC functions had profound consequences for oocyte developmental potential. In completely serum-free bovine IVP, induced-IVM more than doubled blastocyst yield (69 v. 27%, treated v. control; P &lt; 0.05) and improved blastocyst quality (186 v. 132 blastomeres). To achieve these rates, the pre-IVM phase, the modified IVM conditions, and delayed IVF were all required. Adapting the system to the mouse, induced-IVM increased blastocyst rate (86 v. 55%, treated v. control; P &lt; 0.05), implantation rate (51 v. 25%; P &lt; 0.01), fetal survival rate (29 v. 5%; P &lt; 0.01) and fetal weight (0.9 v. 0.5 g; P &lt; 0.01). All these embryonic and fetal outcomes in mice were equivalent (P &gt; 0.05) using induced-IVM to levels obtained from in vivo-matured control oocytes (conventional IVF). Data were analyzed by ANOVA. In conclusion, induced-IVM mimics some of the characteristics of oocyte maturation in vivo and substantially improves oocyte developmental outcomes in 2 disparate mammalian species. Adaption of this new approach to clinical/field conditions should lead to new opportunities for a wide range of reproductive biotechnologies. Such a notable increase in IVM efficiency could see IVP as the preferred embryo production technology in future livestock artificial breeding programs. Funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant and Cook Australia. Thanks to M. Sasseville, M. Lane, and D. T. Armstrong.

131. INDUCED OOCYTE IN VITRO MATURATION (IVM) SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVES EMBRYO YIELD AND PREGNANCY OUTCOMES

Oocyte maturation in vivo is a highly orchestrated, induced process, whereby 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated meiotic arrest is overridden by the gonadotrophin surge prior to ovulation. However, in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes resume maturation spontaneously hence compromising developmental competence. Hence we hypothesized that establishing an induced system in vitro would synchronise oocyte-somatic cell communication leading to improved oocyte quality. Bovine or mouse oocytes were treated for the first 1-2 h in vitro with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin and a non-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, IBMX, which substantially increased cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) cAMP (180 vs. 2 fmol/ COC , treated vs. control, P&lt;0.001) to in vivo physiological levels. To maintain oocyte cAMP levels and prevent precocious oocyte maturation, oocytes were then cultured with an oocyte-specific (type 3) PDE inhibitor, cilostamide. The net effect of this system (“Induced IVM”) was to increase oocyte-somatic cell gap-junctional communication (bovine: 1000±148 vs. 340±73 units; treated vs. control, p&lt;0.05) and to slow meiotic progression through prophase I to metaphase II, extending the normal IVM interval (bovine: 30 vs. 24h, mouse: 22 vs. 18 h; treated vs. control). These effects on oocyte and somatic cell functions had profound consequences for oocyte developmental potential. In bovine, Induced IVM more than doubled embryo yield (69% vs. 27%; treated vs. control, p&lt;0.05). In mouse, Induced IVM increased blastocyst rate (86% vs. 55%; treated vs. control, p&lt;0.05), implantation rate (51 vs. 25%), fetal survival rate (29% vs. 5%) and fetal weight (0.9g vs. 0.5g, p&lt;0.01). All these developmental outcomes in mice were restored, by using Induced IVM, to levels obtained from in vivo matured control oocytes (conventional IVF). In conclusion, Induced IVM mimics some of the characteristics of oocyte maturation in vivo and substantially improves oocyte developmental outcomes. This should lead to an increase in the use of this technique in reproductive biotechnologies.

Signaling pathways in ascidian oocyte maturation: The role of cyclic AMP and follicle cells in germinal vesicle breakdown

Many ascidian oocytes undergo 'spontaneous' germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) when transferred from the ovary to normal pH 8.2 sea water (SW); however, low pH inhibits GVBD, which can then be stimulated while remaining in the low pH SW. Oocytes of Boltenia villosa blocked from GVBD by pH 4 SW undergo GVBD in response to permeant cyclic AMP (8-bromo-cyclic AMP), phosphodiesterase inhibitors (isobutylmethylxanthine and theophylline) or the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin. This suggests that cAMP increases during GVBD. Removal of the follicle cells or addition of a protease inhibitor inhibits GVBD in response to raised pH but not to forskolin, theophylline or 8 bromo-cAMP. Isolated follicle cells in low pH SW release protease activity in response to an increase in pH. These studies imply that the follicle cells release protease activity, which either itself stimulates an increase in oocyte cAMP level or reacts with other molecules to stimulate this process. Studies with the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitors U0126 and CI 1040 suggest that MAP kinase is not involved in GVBD. The Cdc25 inhibitor NSC 95397 inhibits GVBD at 200 nm in a reversible manner.

260. Synergistic effects of cAMP modulating agents in pre-IVM and in IVM on bovine cumulus and oocyte functions

Cyclic AMP plays a crucial role in oocyte maturation. It has been shown that prolonging spontaneous maturation by modulating oocyte cAMP levels during in vitro maturation (IVM) improves developmental outcomes. This study sought to assess the effect of inclusion of cAMP modulators during a pre-IVM phase and during IVM on cumulus cell (CC) and oocyte function. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were precultured for 2 h in medium supplemented with/without cAMP modulators: 0.5 mM IBMX and 0.1 mM forskolin (FK). Cyclic AMP in control COCs dropped significantly from 15 ± 4 to 2 ± 1 fmol/COC within 30 min, whereas FK+IBMX during pre-IVM increased levels to 180 ± 19 fmol/COC, which had notable persistent effects on several COC functions throughout IVM. Cyclic AMP modulators delayed oocyte GV progression; after 2 h of pre-IVM, 67 ± 5% were at GVII stage compared (P &lt; 0.0001) to 12 ± 3% in controls, 66 ± 5% of which had progressed to GVIII. This was associated with a significantly higher level of oocyte-CC gap junction mediated communication (1000 ± 148 v. 340 ± 73 units). We next assessed the interaction of cAMP modulators in pre-IVM and IVM (20uM cilostamide) phases. After 9 h of IVM, significantly more oocytes were arrested at GV stage when modulators were present in both pre-IVM and IVM phases, compared with in IVM alone (96 ± 1 v. 74 ± 2%, P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, progression to MII was delayed by modulators in pre-IVM and IVM (24 ± 1, 75 ± 2, 92 ± 1% MII at 20, 24 and 28 h, respectively), compared with in IVM alone (78 ± 1, 95 ± 1, 98 ± 2% MII). After 24 h of IVM, intra-oocyte cAMP levels remained 15-fold higher (P &lt; 0.05) with modulators in both phases compared with in IVM alone. These results show that the efficacy of cAMP modulators during IVM is substantially improved by management of COC cAMP levels during the pre-IVM phase. Such an approach has profound effects on CC and oocyte function, including increasing oocyte-CC communication and delaying meiotic resumption.

Meiotic Resumption of Porcine Immature Oocytes is Prevented by Ooplasmic Gs.ALPHA. Functions

A high cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level in fully-grown immature oocytes prevents meiotic resumption. In Xenopus, inhibitory cAMP is synthesized within oocytes depending on a stimulatory alpha-subunit of G-protein (Gsalpha). In the present study, we examined whether ooplasmic Gsalpha is involved in meiotic arrest of porcine oocytes. First, we studied the presence of Gsalpha molecules in porcine oocytes by immunoblotting, and this suggested the presence of reported isoforms (45 and 48 kDa) not only in cumulus cells but also in porcine oocytes. Then we injected an anti-Gsalpha antibody into porcine immature oocytes and found that inhibition of ooplasmic Gsalpha functions significantly promoted germinal vesicle breakdown of the oocytes, whose spontaneous meiotic resumption was prevented by 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (IBMX) treatment. Although cyclin B synthesis and M-phase promoting factor (MPF) activation were largely prevented until 30 h of culture in IBMX-treated oocytes, injection of anti-Gsalpha antibody into these oocytes partially recovered cyclin B synthesis and activated MPF activity at 30 h. These results suggest that meiotic resumption of porcine oocytes is prevented by ooplasmic Gsalpha, which may stimulate cAMP synthesis within porcine oocytes, and that synthesized cAMP prevents meiotic resumption of oocytes through the signaling pathways involved in MPF activation.

Gβγ signaling reduces intracellular cAMP to promote meiotic progression in mouse oocytes

In nearly every vertebrate species, elevated intracellular cAMP maintains oocytes in prophase I of meiosis. Prior to ovulation, gonadotropins trigger various intra-ovarian processes, including the breakdown of gap junctions, the activation of EGF receptors, and the secretion of steroids. These events in turn decrease intracellular cAMP levels in select oocytes to allow meiotic progression, or maturation, to resume. Studies suggest that cAMP levels are kept elevated in resting oocytes by constitutive G protein signaling, and that the drop in intracellular cAMP that accompanies maturation may be due in part to attenuation of this inhibitory G protein-mediated signaling. Interestingly, one of these G protein regulators of meiotic arrest is the Gαs protein, which stimulates adenylyl cyclase to raise intracellular cAMP in two important animal models of oocyte development: Xenopus leavis frogs and mice. In addition to Gαs, constitutive Gβγ activity similarly stimulates adenylyl cyclase to raise cAMP and prevent maturation in Xenopus oocytes; however, the role of Gβγ in regulating meiosis in mouse oocytes has not been examined. Here we show that Gβγ does not contribute to the maintenance of murine oocyte meiotic arrest. In fact, contrary to observations in frog oocytes, Gβγ signaling in mouse oocytes reduces cAMP and promotes oocyte maturation, suggesting that Gβγ might in fact play a positive role in promoting oocyte maturation. These observations emphasize that, while many general concepts and components of meiotic regulation are conserved from frogs to mice, specific differences exist that may lead to important insights regarding ovarian development in vertebrates.

Paradoxical antagonism of PACAP receptor signaling by VIP in Xenopus oocytes via the type-C natriuretic peptide receptor

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the closely-related peptides BNP and CNP are highly conserved cardiovascular hormones. They bind to single transmembrane-spanning receptors, triggering receptor-intrinsic guanylyl cyclase activity. The “truncated” type-C natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-C) has long been called a clearance receptor because it lacks the intracellular guanylyl cyclase domain, though data suggest it might negatively couple to adenylyl cyclase via G i. Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of the Xenopus laevis type-C natriuretic peptide receptor ( XNPR-C). Analysis confirms the presence of a short intracellular C-terminus, as well as a high similarity to fish and mammalian NPR-C. Injection of XNPR-C mRNA into Xenopus oocytes resulted in expression of high affinity [ 125I]ANP binding sites that were competitively and completely displaced by natriuretic analogs and the unrelated neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Measurement of cAMP levels in mRNA-injected oocytes revealed that XNPR-C is negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. When XNPR-C was co-expressed with PAC 1 receptors for pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), VIP and natriuretic peptides counteracted the cAMP induction by PACAP. These results suggest that VIP and natriuretic peptides can potentially modulate the action of PACAP in cells where these receptors are co-expressed.

The signaling pathways linking to lysophosphatidic acid-promoted meiotic maturation in mice

The signaling pathways linking to lysophosphatidic acid-promoted meiotic maturation in mice were studied. When mouse oocyte-cumulus cells complexes were cultured with 10 − 5 M lysophosphatidic acid (the LPA group), the rate of oocyte nuclear maturation was significantly increased. Additions of pertussis toxin, genistein, U73122, Ro320432, PD98059 or SB203580 significantly suppressed the increase in lysophosphatidic acid-stimulated nuclear maturation rate. These results suggested that Gi/o-coupled lysophosphatidic acid receptors activate phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, and result in ERK and MAP kinase activation, which is triggered by diacylglycerol-dependent protein kinase C. When intracellular cAMP concentrations of oocytes in the LPA and control groups were measured using the acetylation assay, the intracellular cAMP concentration of an oocyte in the LPA group was significantly lower than the control oocyte (0.117 ± 0.04 fmol/oocyte vs. 0.176 ± 0.036 fmol/oocyte, p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggested that lysophosphatidic acid stimulates phospholipase C through a Gi-protein linked receptor on the surface of mouse cumulus cells and stimulates both extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 mitogen-activated kinase, resulting in the closure or loose of gap junctions between cumulus cells and the oocyte. The resultant early decrease of oocyte cAMP levels may promote nuclear maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro.

The G-protein-coupled receptors GPR3 and GPR12 are involved in cAMP signaling and maintenance of meiotic arrest in rodent oocytes

In mammalian and amphibian oocytes, the meiotic arrest at the G2/M transition is dependent on cAMP regulation. Because genetic inactivation of a phosphodiesterase expressed in oocytes prevents reentry into the cell cycle, suggesting autonomous cAMP synthesis, we investigated the presence and properties of the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in rodent oocytes. The pattern of expression was defined using three independent strategies, including microarray analysis of GV oocyte mRNAs, EST database scanning, and RT-PCR amplification with degenerated primers against transmembrane regions conserved in the GPCR superfamily. Clustering of the GPCR mRNAs from rat and mouse oocytes indicated the expression of the closely related Gpr3, Gpr12, and Edg3, which recognize sphingosine and its metabolites as ligands. Expression of these mRNAs was confirmed by RT-PCR with specific primers as well as by in situ hybridization. That these receptors are involved in the control of cAMP levels in oocytes was indicated by the finding that expression of the mRNA for Gpr3 and Gpr12 is downregulated in Pde3a-deficient oocytes, which have a chronic elevation of cAMP levels. Expression of GPR3 or GPR12 in Xenopus laevis oocytes prevented progesterone-induced meiotic maturation, whereas expression of FSHR had no effect. A block in spontaneous oocyte maturation was also induced when Gpr3 or Gpr12 mRNA was injected into mouse oocytes. Downregulation of GPR3 and GPR12 caused meiotic resumption in mouse and rat oocytes, respectively. However, ablation of the Gpr12 gene in the mouse did not cause a leaky meiotic arrest, suggesting compensation by Gpr3. Incubation of mouse oocytes with the GPR3/12 ligands SPC and S1P delayed spontaneous oocyte maturation. We propose that the cAMP levels required for maintaining meiotic arrest in mouse and rat oocytes are dependent on the expression of Gpr3 and/or Gpr12.