Morphokinetic analysis of cleavage stage embryos and assessment of specific gene expression in cumulus cells independently predict human embryo development to expanded blastocyst: a preliminary study

Canosa, Stefano; Bergandi, Loredana; Macrì, Chiara; Charrier, Lorena; Paschero, Carlotta; Carosso, Andrea; Segni, Noemi Di; Silvagno, Francesca; Gennarelli, Gianluca; Benedetto, Chiara; Revelli, Alberto

doi:10.1007/s10815-020-01806-6

Cited by 10 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 60 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A fast, convenient, and non-invasive approach to estimate the quality of blastocyst-stage embryos on day 5 in advance is needed. According to Canosa, et al, reduced levels of Cx43 expression in the cumulus cells, coupled with increased expression of the BMP-15 mRNA, are considered markers of a higher probability of blastocyst development on day 5 (28). Alfaidy, et al identified PROK1 expression levels in individual FF samples as a predictor the in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes (29).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roles of miR-10a-5p and miR-103a-3p, Regulators of BDNF Expression in Follicular Fluid, in the Outcomes of IVF-ET

Zhang

Kong

et al. 2021

Front. Endocrinol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family, plays critical roles in the physiological process of oocyte mature and IVF outcomes of patients with infertility. However, the regulation of BDNF expression in the microenvironment surrounding the oocyte is still unknown. We initially predicted some microRNA (miRNA) candidates targeting bdnf with a series of bioinformatics analysis tools to determine the underlying regulatory mechanisms of BDNF, particularly the effect of miRNAs on BDNF expression. Then, we assessed whether the expression of these 14 selected miRNAs was negatively associated with BDNF expression in follicular fluid (FF) samples obtained from mature (>18 mm) or immature (<15 mm) follicles. Finally, we used the candidate miRNAs, miR-103a-3p and miR-10a-5p, to further investigate the relationship between their expression in FF and the outcomes of infertile patients undergoing IVF–ET treatment. The results of the bioinformatics analysis revealed 14 miRNAs that might directly regulate BDNF expression and might have a close relationship with oocyte development. BDNF was expressed at significantly lower levels in FF from immature follicles than in FF from mature follicles, and only the expression of miR-103a-3p and miR-10a-5p was negatively correlated with BDNF expression in FF. Moreover, in another cohort of 106 infertile women undergoing IVF-ET treatment, miR-103a-3p or miR-10a-5p expression predicted the developmental status of the corresponding oocytes in which high expression of miR-103a-3p or miR-10a-5p resulted in a poor quality of embryo on days 3 and 5 during the IVF-ET treatment. In conclusion, our study is the first to show that miR-103a-3p or miR-10a-5p negatively affects the maturation of oocytes by regulating the expression of BDNF in human FF. Additionally, the expression levels of miR-103a-3p or miR-10a-5p in FF may predict the outcomes of IVF, which are helpful for improving embryo selection and consequently the IVF success rate in the clinic.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roles of miR-10a-5p and miR-103a-3p, Regulators of BDNF Expression in Follicular Fluid, in the Outcomes of IVF-ET

Zhang

Kong

et al. 2021

Front. Endocrinol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This then leads to cell damage. Significantly increased levels of HO-1 expression in granulosa cells may be associated with impaired oocyte competence ( Bergandi et al, 2014 ), suggesting that an excessive ROS production can trigger oocyte damage ( Canosa et al, 2020 ). The addition of protective agents, such as antioxidants, can then prevent cell damage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of carbon monoxide on meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes

Němeček

Eva

Petr

et al. 2021

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Oxidative stress impairs the correct course of meiotic maturation, and it is known that the oocytes are exposed to increased oxidative stress during meiotic maturation in in vitro conditions. Thus, reduction of oxidative stress can lead to improved quality of cultured oocytes. The gasotransmitter carbon monoxide (CO) has a cytoprotective effect in somatic cells. The CO is produced in cells by the enzyme heme oxygenase (HO) and the heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide (HO/CO) pathway has been shown to have an antioxidant effect in somatic cells. It has not yet been investigated whether the CO has an antioxidant effect in oocytes as well. We assessed the level of expression of HO mRNA, using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The HO protein localization was evaluated by the immunocytochemical method. The influence of CO or HO inhibition on meiotic maturation was evaluated in oocytes cultured in a culture medium containing CO donor (CORM-2 or CORM-A1) or HO inhibitor Zn-protoporphyrin IX (Zn-PP IX). Detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was performed using the oxidant-sensing probe 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. We demonstrated the expression of mRNA and proteins of both HO isoforms in porcine oocytes during meiotic maturation. The inhibition of HO enzymes by Zn-PP IX did not affect meiotic maturation. CO delivered by CORM-2 or CORM-A1 donors led to a reduction in the level of ROS in the oocytes during meiotic maturation. However, exogenously delivered CO also inhibited meiotic maturation, especially at higher concentrations. In summary, the CO signaling molecule has antioxidant properties in porcine oocytes and may also be involved in the regulation of meiotic maturation.

show abstract

“…In the present study, embryo development was assessed using the TLS Geri plus ® [ 20 ], providing a continuous surveillance of embryo growth, while maintaining stable culture conditions. TLS was claimed to have the potential to improve embryo selection capability and, in turn, IVF outcome [ 56 ]; indeed, some studies reported higher pregnancy rates using this technology [ 57 ], whereas others did not confirm any advantage vs. standard morphological embryo selection protocols [ 58 , 59 , 60 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This hypothesis is further confirmed by the evidence that Myo-Inositol and Alpha-Lipoic acid administration may significantly reduce the endometrial inflammasome, defined as the endometrial pro-inflammatory cytokine system, expression and activation in patients with recurrent miscarriage [ 66 ]. Unfortunately, our study was powered to assess oocyte and embryo development characteristics based on previously published power analysis [ 2 , 20 ], and, as a consequence, is highly underpowered to discuss in a meaningful way any clinical variation of IVF outcome. The occasional observation of better outcomes in the MI + ALA + FA group should only be intended as a preliminary finding, encouraging the design of further studies with an adequate number of observations to investigate the effects of MI + ALA + FA on clinical IVF results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was previously reported that some birefringent characteristics of the meiotic spindle (MS) and of the zona pellucida (ZP) are associated with a high level of structural organization of the human oocyte and positively related to the developmental potential of the deriving embryo [ 18 , 19 ]. On the other hand, morphokinetic features of the cleavage stage embryo were claimed to predict blastocyst development in vitro [ 20 , 21 ]. The present study was designed as a pilot randomized prospective study aimed at clarifying whether this combination of nutraceuticals, given during three months preceding IVF, could affect measurable oocyte quality parameters assessed by Polarized Light microscopy (PLM) and/or embryo morphology and in vitro development kinetics evaluated by Time-Lapse system (TLS) analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effect of a Combination of Myo-Inositol, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Folic Acid on Oocyte Morphology and Embryo Morphokinetics in non-PCOS Overweight/Obese Patients Undergoing IVF: A Pilot, Prospective, Randomized Study

Canosa

Paschero

Carosso

et al. 2020

JCM

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Herein we aimed at assessing whether Myo-Inositol (MI), Alpha–Lipoic acid (ALA), and Folic acid (FA) could improve oocyte quality and embryo development in non-PCOS overweight/obese women undergoing IVF. Three hundred and twenty-four mature oocytes were obtained from non-PCOS overweight/obese patients, randomized to receive either MI, ALA, and FA (MI + ALA + FA group, n = 155 oocytes) or FA alone (FA-only group, n = 169 oocytes). Oocytes were examined using Polarized Light Microscopy to assess morphological features of zona pellucida (ZP) and meiotic spindle (MS). One hundred and seventy-six embryos (n = 84 in the MI + ALA + FA group, n = 92 in the FA-only group) were assessed by conventional morphology on days 2 and 5, as well as using the Time-Lapse System morphokinetic analysis. A significantly higher ZP retardance, area, and thickness (p < 0.05), and a shorter MS axis (p < 0.05) were observed in the MI + ALA + FA group, suggesting a positive effect on oocyte quality. Conventional morphology evaluation on day 2 showed a higher mean embryo score in the MI + ALA + FA group, whereas embryo morphokinetic was comparable in the two groups. Overall, our data show a possible beneficial effect of the combination of MI, ALA, and FA on oocyte and embryo morphology, encouraging testing of this combination in adequately powered randomized trials to assess their impact of clinical IVF results.

show abstract

Morphokinetic analysis of cleavage stage embryos and assessment of specific gene expression in cumulus cells independently predict human embryo development to expanded blastocyst: a preliminary study

Cited by 10 publications

References 60 publications

Roles of miR-10a-5p and miR-103a-3p, Regulators of BDNF Expression in Follicular Fluid, in the Outcomes of IVF-ET

Roles of miR-10a-5p and miR-103a-3p, Regulators of BDNF Expression in Follicular Fluid, in the Outcomes of IVF-ET

The effect of carbon monoxide on meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes

Effect of a Combination of Myo-Inositol, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Folic Acid on Oocyte Morphology and Embryo Morphokinetics in non-PCOS Overweight/Obese Patients Undergoing IVF: A Pilot, Prospective, Randomized Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About