Transcriptome dynamics and molecular cross-talk between bovine oocyte and its companion cumulus cells.

BACKGROUND: The bi-directional communication between the oocyte and its companion cumulus cells (CCs) is crucial for development and functions of both cell types. Transcripts that are exclusively expressed either in oocytes or CCs and molecular mechanisms affected due to removal of the communication axis between the two cell types is not investigated at a larger scale. The main objectives of this study were: 1. To identify transcripts exclusively expressed either in oocyte or CCs and 2. To identify those which are differentially expressed when the oocyte is cultured with or without its companion CCs and vice versa. RESULTS: We analyzed transcriptome profile of different oocyte and CC samples using Affymetrix GeneChip Bovine Genome array containing 23000 transcripts. Out of 13162 genes detected in germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes and their companion CCs, 1516 and 2727 are exclusively expressed in oocytes and CCs, respectively, while 8919 are expressed in both. Similarly, of 13602 genes detected in metaphase II (MII) oocytes and CCs, 1423 and 3100 are exclusively expressed in oocytes and CCs, respectively, while 9079 are expressed in both. A total of 265 transcripts are differentially expressed between oocytes cultured with (OO+CCs) and without (OO-CCs) CCs, of which 217 and 48 are over expressed in the former and the later groups, respectively. Similarly, 566 transcripts are differentially expressed when CCs mature with (CCs+OO) or without (CCs-OO) their enclosed oocytes. Of these, 320 and 246 are over expressed in CCs+OO and CCs-OO, respectively.While oocyte specific transcripts include those involved in transcription (IRF6, POU5F1, MYF5, MED18), translation (EIF2AK1, EIF4ENIF1) and CCs specific ones include those involved in carbohydrate metabolism (HYAL1, PFKL, PYGL, MPI), protein metabolic processes (IHH, APOA1, PLOD1), steroid biosynthetic process (APOA1, CYP11A1, HSD3B1, HSD3B7). Similarly, while transcripts over expressed in OO+CCs are involved in carbohydrate metabolism (ACO1, 2), molecular transport (GAPDH, GFPT1) and nucleic acid metabolism (CBS, NOS2), those over expressed in CCs+ OO are involved in cellular growth and proliferation (FOS, GADD45A), cell cycle (HAS2, VEGFA), cellular development (AMD1, AURKA, DPP4) and gene expression (FOSB, TGFB2). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study has generated large scale gene expression data from different oocyte and CCs samples that would provide insights into gene functions and interactions within and across different pathways that are involved in the maturation of bovine oocytes. Moreover, the presence or absence of oocyte and CC factors during bovine oocyte maturation can have a profound effect on transcript abundance of each cell types, thereby showing the prevailing molecular cross-talk between oocytes and their corresponding CCs.

Effect of reproductive tract environment following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation treatment on embryo development and global transcriptome profile of blastocysts: implications for animal breeding and human assisted reproduction.

BACKGROUND: In mammals, the reproductive tract plays a crucial role in the success of early reproductive events and provides an optimal microenvironment for early embryonic development. However, changes in the reproductive tract environment associated with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and the influence on the embryo transcriptome profile have not been investigated. Therefore, we investigated differences in the development rate and the transcriptome profile of bovine blastocysts developing in the reproductive tract of unstimulated or superovulated heifers. METHODS: Nineteen Simmental heifers were synchronized, superovulated and artificially inseminated; nine heifers were flushed on Day 2 after insemination and 2-4-cell stage embryos were recovered and endoscopicaly transferred to the ipsilateral oviduct of unstimulated (i.e. single-ovulating) synchronized recipients (n= 4 recipients; 25-50 embryos per recipient). The remaining 10 superovulated heifers and the unstimulated recipients were then non-surgically flushed on Day 7 to collect embryos. The blastocyst transcriptome profile was examined using the Affymetrix GeneChip Bovine Genome Array. RESULTS: The proportion of embryos, which developed to the blastocyst stage, was lower in superovulated heifers than unstimulated heifers (P< 0.05). Blastocysts that developed under the abnormal endocrine conditions associated with ovulation induction showed higher cellular and metabolic activities, as genes involved in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, different metabolic processes and translation and transcription processes, in addition to genes expressed in response to stress, were highly expressed compared with embryos that developed in the oviduct of unstimulated animals. CONCLUSIONS: The environment in which the embryo develops in the oviduct/uterus significantly alters gene expression patterns, especially those genes that regulate metabolic activity in the embryo.

Nocturnal enuresis and upper airway obstruction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between nocturnal enuresis (NE) and upper airway obstruction (UAO) in pediatric population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study presents the results of our experience with 321 children who underwent adenotonsillar surgery. RESULTS: Among 321 children who were operated on, 111 (35%) had NE. Seventy-four of the 111 children who had NE have been evaluated postoperatively. After a follow-up period of 3 months 47 (63%) patients were free of their complaints, while three (4%) of them reported decrease in the frequency of NE and 24 had no change in their complaints. CONCLUSIONS: We do suggest that UAO is probably a more common etiological factor in NE than previously recognised.

Isolated bilateral paralysis of the hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerves (Bilateral Tapia's syndrome) after transoral intubation for general anesthesia.

Tapia's syndrome is due to extracranial involvement of the hypoglossal nerve and the recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagal nerve. The injury of these nerves is a rare complication of anesthetic airway management. We present a patient with a postoperative bilateral hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerves palsy after uncomplicated orotracheal intubation. Corticosteroid therapy was started after diagnosis. Forty-eight hours later, the movements of the vocal cords started to recover and full recovery was achieved by the fourth day. Within 3 days, tongue mobility was gradually improved and the patient's symptoms resolved completely by 4 weeks.