Co-culture of human cryopreserved fragmented ovarian tissue with theca progenitor cells derived from theca stem cells.

PURPOSE: Despite the significant advances in the in vitro development of human primordial follicles, it is still a challenging approach with great potential for improvements. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of a feeder layer of human theca progenitor cells (hTPCs) on the development of primordial follicles embedded in human ovarian tissue. METHODS: Fragments of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue were activated using the vanadate-derivative dipotassium bisperoxo (5-hydroxy-pyridine-2-carboxylic) oxovanadate (V) and kit ligand for 24 h. Then, the specimens were divided into the co-culture and mono-culture groups and were cultured with and without a hTPC feeder layer for 6 days, respectively. Afterward, the follicles were counted and classified, and the hormone levels and expression levels of apoptosis- and folliculogenesis-related genes were assessed. RESULTS: Both culture groups showed significant follicle growth (P < 0.05). However, the co-culture group had a significantly higher number of growing follicles compared to the other group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression levels of ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, BMP-7, AMH, and GDF9 were significantly higher in the co-culture group compared to the other group (P < 0.05), while the expression levels of P53 and CASP3 were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Also, the concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and androstenedione were significantly higher in the co-culture group compared to the other group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study results provided novel evidence on the direct role of hTPCs in the growth and development of human primordial follicles. However, there is a need for future studies to illustrate the underlying mechanisms. Schematic summary of the results. According to our results, the expression of ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and GDF9 in the oocytes, AMH in the granulosa cells, and BMP4 in the theca cells of the co-culture group were significantly higher than those of the mono-culture and non-culture groups, while the expression of apoptotic genes (BAX, CASP3, and P53) was significantly lower. Moreover, the co-culture group showed significantly increased levels of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and androstenedione in its culture media compared to the mono-culture groups.

Proteomics study reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying cryotolerance induced by mild sublethal stress in human sperm.

The preconditioning of human sperm with sublethal nitrosative stress before cryopreservation can potentially improve the thawed sperm quality. However, the underlying mechanisms behind this protective strategy are not entirely understood. We compared the cryosurvival of human sperm exposed to 0.01 µM nitric oxide (NO) throughout the cryopreservation and used multiplexed quantitative proteomics approach to identify changes in the proteome profile of preconditioned sperm cells. Semen samples were obtained from 30 normospermia donors and then each sample was divided into three equal parts: fresh (F), frozen-control (C), and frozen exposed to nitric oxide (NO). The sperm undergoing mild sublethal stress showed higher values for motility and viability compared to the frozen control sperm. Moreover, out of 2912 identified proteins, 248 proteins were detected as differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) between cryopreserved groups and fresh group (F) (p < 0.05). Gene ontology (GO) analysis of differentially abundant proteins indicated that the abundance of proteins associated with glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and fertilization processes was reduced while oxidative phosphorylation pathway was increased in abundance in cryopreserved sperm compared to the fresh sperm. Moreover, redox protein such as thioredoxin 17 was increased in abundance in the NO group compared to the control freezing group. Therefore, the pre-conditioning of sperm prior to cryopreservation may play an important role in maintaining the redox balance in mitochondria of sperm after freezing. Overall, our results indicate that arylsulfatase A (ARSA), serine protease 37 (PRSS37), and sperm surface protein (SP17) may potentially serve as protein biomarkers associated with screening the fertilization potential of the thawed sperm.

Formation and activation induction of primordial follicles using granulosa and cumulus cells conditioned media.

Fertility preservation of prepubertal girls subjected to invasive cancer therapy necessitates defining protocols for activation of isolated primordial follicles. Granulosa (GCs) and cumulus cells (CCs) play pivotal role in oocyte development. Although GCs and CCs share some similarities, they differ in growth factors production. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of GCs, CCs and their conditioned media on mice primordial follicles activation. One-day-old mice ovaries were subjected to 6-day culture with base medium (BM), GC conditioned medium (GCCM), GC coculture (GCCC), CC conditioned medium (CCCM) or CC coculture (CCCC). Follicular growth and primordial to primary follicle transition was observed during 6-day culture, and follicular activation rate tended to be greater in GCCM than other groups (0.05

Establishment and characterization of human theca stem cells and their differentiation into theca progenitor cells.

In this study, we have characterized the human theca stem cells (hTSCs) and their differentiation into human theca progenitor cells (hTPCs). hTSCs were isolated from the theca layer of small antral follicles (3-5 mm in size). Alkaline phosphatase activity, cell cycle status, and cell surface markers were evaluated in hTSCs. The differentiation potential of these cells was investigated via differentiation of hTSCs into adipocyte-, osteocyte-, and chondrocyte-like cells. The cells also differentiated into hTPCs. The hTSCs were morphologically similar to human fibroblast cells (hFCs). Some of the cells were positive for alkaline phosphatase activity. The expression of OCT4 in hTSCs was significantly higher than that of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and hFCs. To determine the type of OCT4 (isoform A or B), RT PCR was performed. The data showed that OCT-4A was expressed in hBMSCs and hTSCs but immunofluorescence analyses using the OCT-4A-specific and OCT4 antibodies did not show OCT-4A protein. In addition, cell cycle status showed that the number of hTSCs in the S phase was significantly higher than that of hFCs. CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 were present in hTSCs. Osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation was confirmed by cytochemical staining and lineage-specific transcripts. Our results showed that specific Dulbecco modified Eagle medium F12 culture medium results in the presence of hTPC markers. hTPCs displayed lipid droplets, appropriate gene expression, and secreted dehydroepiandrosterone and estradiol. hTSCs have the ability to differentiate into mesenchymal lineages and hTPCs. This study may provide a novel in vitro model for further investigation of theca cell maturation and differentiation.

Slow freezing versus vitrification technique for human ovarian tissue cryopreservation: An evaluation of histological changes, WNT signaling pathway and apoptotic genes expression.

This study compared slow freezing and vitrification of ovarian tissue by evaluation of histological changes, WNT signaling pathway and apoptotic genes expression. Ovarian tissue was obtained from women aging 27-38 years old. Ovarian cortex from each patient was divided into three pieces and randomly grouped as slow freezing, vitrification and control groups for investigation of WNT signaling gene expression and ß-CATENIN presence as well as histological studies. The stromal structure of all ovaries were preserved. The number of secondary follicles decreased in vitrified group (P < 0.05). WNT-3, ß-CATENIN, FZD-2 and GSK-3ß expressions were significantly higher in slow frozen and vitrified groups, compared to control group (P < 0.05). On the contrary, AXIN1 expression in slow frozen samples were significantly lower than that of the vitrified and control group. The expression of apoptotic genes, excluding CASP3, was significantly decreased in slow-frozen samples (P < 0.05). Conversely, BAX:BCL-2 percentage significantly increased in vitrification versus slow freezing and control(P < 0.05). Follicles in slow frozen samples displayed nuclear and cytoplasmic ß-CATENIN staining, while control and vitrification groups only showed ß-CATENIN protein in the cytoplasm. The presented data show that slow freezing results in a better preservation regardless of the type of follicle. Therefore, it is concluded that slow freezing is still an ideal method for ovary cryopreservation.

In Vitro Development of Mouse Preantral Follicle with Using Amniotic Membrane Extract-Loaded Hydrogels.

An artificial ovary based on the alginate (ALG) hydrogel has been widely implemented to preserve prepubertal female fertility. However, this platform is not fully capable of successful an ovary microenvironment simulation for follicle development, holding great potential for its improvement. Therefore, this experimental study aimed to evaluate the effect of an amniotic membrane extract (AME) -loaded hydrogel on the mouse preantral follicles in vitro development. In order to have better follicle development, first, the impact of different concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was evaluated on the mouse preantral follicles encapsulated in ALG. Later, the appropriate dose was adjusted for the follicles encapsulated in the ALG-AME hydrogel. Results demonstrated that 100 mIU/ml FSH showed a significant follicle survival rate compared with 10 mIU/ml FSH (P=0.005). According to MTT assay finding, the rate of weight loss, and rheology evaluations, ALG containing 1 mg/ml AME was identified as an optimal sample of follicle culture instead of other AME concentrations. Follicle diameter significantly increased in the ALG-AME 1 hydrogel compared with the ALG control group without AME (P=0.027). The storage modulus of ALG-AME 1 was 773 Pa and retained the follicle morphology for 13 days. No statistically substantial difference was seen in survival, antrum cavity formation, and competent oocyte in terms of the normal chromosomal arrangement and meiotic spindle rate in comparison with the control group. It can be concluded that ALG-AME 1 could not significantly impact the mouse preantral follicle.

Cryopreservation of Limited Sperm Using A Combination of Sucrose and Taurine, Loaded on Two Different Devices, and Thawed at Two Different Temperatures.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of sperm is essential for patients with low sperm counts and couples undergoing infertility treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Taurine (T) and Sucrose (S) in individual sperm cryopreservation utilizing cryotop and petri dish and thawing at 37 and 42°C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 17 normospermic semen samples were processed using the "Swim-up" procedure and progressively motile sperm were then isolated from these samples using an inverted microscope. Sperm were added to droplets of "sucrose medium" with 25 mM Taurine antioxidant (S+T) and the commercial cryoprotectant "Sperm Freeze" (CPA), loaded on a petri dish and cryotop. After rapid freezing of the samples, they were thawed at two different temperatures (37°C and 42°C), and the sperm classical parameters, viability, and DNA fragmentation were assessed. RESULTS: Statistical analysis displayed a significant increase in total and progressive motility in individual sperm freezing on cryotop with CPA and thawing at 42°C (P<0.05). Other parameters did not show any differences between the CPA and S+T groups and two thawing temperatures in either of the cryopreservation methods. CONCLUSION: Although, both cryoprotectants (CPA and S+T) may preserve individual sperm effectively using cryotop, the CPA and thawing at 42°C showed a better effect on the motility percentage of the small number of sperm.

In-vitro generation of follicle-like structures from human germ cell-like cells derived from theca stem cell combined with ovarian somatic cells.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to induce the differentiation of human theca stem cells (hTSCs) into germ cell-like cells (hGCLCs) and assess their developmental progression following in vitro 3D culture with ovarian somatic cells within the follicle-like structures. To achieve this, the hTSCs were isolated from small antral follicles of three patients of varying ages and were then seeded in a differentiation medium for 40 days. The differentiated hGCLCs were subsequently aggregated with somatic ovarian cells (cumulus cells and hTSCs) in a ratio of 1:10 and cultured in a growth medium in a suspension culture dish. In addition to examining the morphologies, sizes, and viabilities of the differentiated hGCLCs, this study also analyzed the expression of DAZL and GDF9 proteins within the follicle-like structures. RESULTS: After 12 days, the hTSCs began to differentiate into hGCLCs, with their shapes changing from spindle-shaped to spherical. The sizes of hGCLCs increased during the differentiation period (from 25 µm to 50 µm). The survival rate of the hGCLCs after differentiation and in vitro development in primordial follicle-like structures was 54%. Unlike hTSCs, which did not express the DAZL protein, the hGCLCs and follicle-like structures successfully expressed DAZL protein (P-value < 0.05). However, hGCLCs poorly expressed the GDF9 protein. Further, the culture of hGCLCs in primordial follicle-like structures significantly increased GDF9 expression (P-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study demonstrated that 3D cultures with ovarian somatic cells in follicle-like structures caused the successful differentiation of reproducible hGCLCs from hTSCs derived from three patients of different ages. Moreover, this method not only enhanced the in vitro development of hGCLCs but also presented a novel approach for co-culturing and developing in vitro oocyte like cells, ultimately leading to the production of artificial follicles.

Production of transgenic goats expressing human coagulation factor IX in the mammary glands after nuclear transfer using transfected fetal fibroblast cells.

There are growing numbers of recombinant proteins that have been expressed in milk. Thus one can consider the placement of any gene of interest under the control of the regulatory elements of a milk protein gene in a dairy farm animal. Among the transgene introducing techniques, only nuclear transfer (NT) allows 100 % efficiency and bypasses the mosaicism associated with counterpart techniques. In this study, in an attempt to produce a transgenic goat carrying the human coagulation factor IX (hFIX) transgene, goat fetal fibroblasts were electroporated with a linearized marker-free construct in which the transgene was juxtaposed to ß-casein promoter designed to secret the recombinant protein in goat milk. Two different lines of transfected cells were used as donors for NT to enucleated oocytes. Two transgenic goats were liveborn. DNA sequencing of the corresponding transgene locus confirmed authenticity of the cloning procedure and the complementary experiments on the whey demonstrated expression of human factor IX in the milk of transgenic goats. In conclusion, our study has provided the groundwork for a prosperous and promising approach for large-scale production and therapeutic application of hFIX expressed in transgenic goats.

Epigenetic reprogramming in cloned mouse embryos following treatment with DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors.

We examined the effects of DNA methyltransferase inhibitor - RG108, and histone deacetylase inhibitor - SAHA, on the reprogramming parameters of cloned mouse embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer into oocytes. The programming parameters studied included dynamics of histone reacetylation, developmental rate, DNA methylation, and transcript levels of genes, all of which are pivotal to lineage specification and blastocyst formation. At the pronuclear stage, somatic nucleus-transplanted oocytes treated with 5 µM SAHA presented higher histone acetylation at H3K9, H3K14, H4K16 and H4K12, compared to untreated clones (p < 0.05). At the morula stage, cloned embryos treated with 5 µM RG108 or 5 µM SAHA presented lower DNA methylation intensity compared to untreated clones (p < 0.05), resembling the intensity levels of fertilized embryos. However, these effects were not observed when RG108 and SAHA were used in combination. The rate of morula formation was significantly higher in cloned embryos treated with 5 µM SAHA than in untreated clones, whereas treatment with RG108 resulted in no obvious effects on morula formation rates. On the other hand, the combined treatment with RG108 and SAHA resulted in inferior rates of cloned morula formation, compared to untreated clones. At the blastocyst stage, the aberrant expression levels of key developmental genes Oct4 and Cdx2, but not Nanog, were corrected in cloned embryos by the treatment with RG108. This is similar to the intensity levels seen in fertilized embryos. The expression of Rpl7l1 gene was significantly higher in embryos treated with both RG108 and SAHA than in untreated and in control groups. In summary, the present study showed that SAHA and RG108, when applied separately, improve the rate and quality of cloned mouse embryos.

Effect of Mechanical Micro-Vibrations on The Efficiency of Leopard Inter-Species Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer.

OBJECTIVE: Scarcity of oocytes for assisted reproduction in endangered species can be bypassed by interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT). In Felids, domestic cat (Felis catus) oocytes can serve as recipients for the nucleus of the endangered Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor). However, in vitro oocyte maturation is still suboptimal in cats, whereas it has been reported to benefit from micro-vibration in non-felid species. Therefore, the present study is aimed to determine whether micro-vibration, applied during in vitro maturation (IVM), improves the embryogenic potential of cat oocytes transplanted with fibroblast nuclei of the Persian leopard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the experimental study, cat cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were randomly assigned to the treatment group (micro-vibration) or control group (static culture). Resultant metaphase II (MII) oocytes were enucleated and reconstructed with nucleus transplants from leopard fibroblasts, followed by artificial oocyte activation and embryo culture under the same condition (static) for 7 days. RESULTS: While cumulus cell expansion and oocyte maturation profited from micro-vibration (P<0.05), the quantity and quality of blastocysts were significantly lower in micro-vibration than in the control group (P<0.05). The total number of blastocyst cells tended to be lower in the micro-vibration than in the control group (P=0.075). Nevertheless, the proportion of ICM and TE cells did not differ between the micro-vibration and control groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that micro-vibration at a frequency of 44 Hz for 5 secs per hour enhanced nuclear maturation and cumulus cell expansion of cat oocytes. However, exposure to micro-vibration during IVM impaired the survival rate of reconstructed oocytes during the iSCNT process and their developmental competence toward the blastocyst stage.

Effect of Maternal Age on Hippo Pathway Related Gene Expressions and Protein Localization Pattern in Human Embryos.

OBJECTIVE: The Hippo pathway plays an important role in embryo development, and separation of trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) cell lines. Therefore, this study investigated effect of maternal age on activity of Hippo pathway in human embryos. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, the developed up embryos to the blastocyst stage and the embryos whose growth stopped at the morula stage were collected from women aged 20-30 years old (young group, 94 embryos) and >37 years (old group, 89 embryos). Expression of OCT4, SOX2, CDX2, GATA3, YAP genes and the relevant proteins, in the both groups were evaluated using respectively quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunofluorescence methods. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the expression level of OCT4, SOX2, CDX2, GATA3 and YAP genes in blastocyst and morula stages, between the two groups. However, SOX2 and CDX2 gene expressions in morula stage embryos of the old group was statistically lower than that of the young group (P=0.007 and P=0.008, respectively). Additionally, in the embryos collected from women with >37 years of age, at the blastocyst stage, phospho-YAP (p-YAP) protein was found to be accumulated in the TE, but it was almost disappeared from the ICM. Additionally, in the old group, contrary to the expectation, YAP protein was expressed in the ICM, rather than TE. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that YAP and P-YAP among the Hippo signalling pathway may be altered by increasing age.

Human Ovarian Theca-Derived Multipotent Stem Cells Have The Potential to Differentiate into Oocyte-Like Cells In Vitro.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have examined human theca stem cells (hTSCs) in vitro differentiation capacity into human oocyte like cells (hOLCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this interventional experiment study, hTSCs were isolated from the theca layer of small antral follicles (3-5 mm in size). Isolated hTSCs were expanded and cultured in differentiation medium, containing 5% human follicular fluid, for 50 days. Gene expressions of PRDM1, PRDM14, VASA, DAZL, OCT4, ZP1, 2, 3 GDF9, SCP3 and DMC1 were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on days 0, 18, and 25 after monoculture as well as one week after co-culture with human granulosa cells (hGCs). In addition, GDF9, OCT4, DAZL, VASA, and ZP3 proteins were immune-localized in oocyte-like structures. RESULTS: After 16-18 days, the color of the medium became acidic. After 25 days, the cells started to differentiate into round-shaped cells (20-25 µm diameter). One week after co-culturing with hGCs, the size of the round cells increased 60 to70 µm and convert to hOLCs. However, these growing cells expressed some primordial germ cell (PGC)- and germ cell genes (PRDM1, PRDM14, VASA, DAZL, and OCT4) as well as oocyte specific genes (ZP1, 2, 3 and GDF9), and meiotic-specific markers (SCP3 and DMC1). In addition, GDF9, OCT4, DAZL, VASA, and ZP3 proteins were present in hOLCs. CONCLUSION: To sum up, hTSCs have the ability to differentiate into hOLCs. This introduced model paved the way for further in vitro studies of the exact mechanisms behind germ cell formation and differentiation. However, the functionality of hOLCs needs further investigation.

Optimization of The Electroporation Conditions for Transfection of Human Factor IX into The Goat Fetal Fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: Electroporation is the most common method used for the transfection of DNA. Although this method has been attributed for various cell using different buffer compositions, the effects of DNA concentration on the transfection efficiency has not yet been studied. Here the correlation between the efficiency of electroporation reaction and increments of DNA concentration has been investigated. Following this investigation, a study was set out to produce a transgenic goat which is capable of secreting recombinant human coagulation factor IX in its milk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, a linearized recombinant vector (pBC1) entailing human coagulation factor IX (5.7 kb) cDNA was introduced into goat fetal fibroblast cells (three sub passages) via electroporation in four separate experiments (while other variables were kept constant), beginning with 10 µg DNA per pulse in the first experiment and increments of 10 µg/pulse for the next three reactions. Thereafter, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive cell culture plates were diluted by several factors for further analysis of the transfected wells. Subsequently, positive cells were isolated for fluorescence in situ hybridization. Logistic regression model was used for data analyzing. Significance was defined as p< 0.05. RESULTS: The results showed no significant difference among three first concentrations except for group 1 (10 µg/pulse) and group 3 (30 µg/pulse), but there was a significant difference between these groups and the fourth group (p<0.05), as this group (40 µg/pulse) statistically showed the highest rate of transfection. As the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results indicated the transgene was integrated in a single position in PCR positive cells. CONCLUSION: Increasing amount of using the vector 40µg/pulse efficiently increased the number of transfected cells. Besides of voltage and buffer strength which had been previously shown to play a critical role in electroporation efficiency, our results showed an increase in DNA concentration could affect an exponential surge in the electroporation efficiency.