Beneficial Effect of Polysaccharide Gel Made of Xanthan Gum and Locust Bean Gum on Bovine Oocytes

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of polysaccharides gels made of xanthan gum and locust bean gum (gel culture system) on oocyte maturation and explored the molecules causing the beneficial effect of the gel culture system. Oocytes and cumulus cells complexes were collected from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries and cultured on a plastic plate or gel. The gel culture system improved the rate of development to the blastocyst stage. The oocytes that matured on the gel contained high lipid contents and F-actin formation, and the resultant 8-cell stage embryos had low DNA methylation levels compared to their plate counterparts. RNA sequencing of the oocytes and embryos revealed the differentially expressed genes between the gel and plate culture systems, and upstream regulator analysis revealed estradiol and TGFB1 as top activated upstream molecules. The medium of the gel culture system contained higher concentrations of estradiol and TGFB1 than that of the plate cultures system. Supplementation of the maturation medium with either estradiol or TGFB1 resulted in high lipid content in oocytes. In addition, TGFB1 improved the developmental ability of the oocytes and increased F-actin content while reducing DNA methylation levels in the 8-cell stage embryos. In conclusion, the gel culture system is useful for embryo production, potentially through the upregulation of TGFB1.

microRNAs associated with the quality of follicular fluids affect oocyte and early embryonic development

“…To examine this, we measured the TGFB1, E 2 , and P 4 levels in Good and Poor FFs. These measurements were made because TGFB1 affects oocyte maturation and embryonic development, 36 , 37 since E 2 and P 4 reflect the follicle condition. 38 However, no significant differences were observed between Good FF and Poor FF (Figure S3 ).…”

Recent Advances in 3D Cultures

“…On a related topic, Hara S. et al [15] examined the effect of a novel gel culture system made of polysaccharide gels (xanthan and locust bean gum) on oocyte maturation [16,17] and investigated the molecular pathways involved. They reported an improvement in the efficiency of developing blastocysts, with a lower DNA methylation level up to the morula stage, suggesting improved conditions compared to the standard plate culture.…”