Is FSH combined with equine chorionic gonadotropin able to modify lipid metabolism in bovine superstimulated antral follicles?

Lipid metabolism is essential for ensuring oocyte maturation and embryo development. ß-Oxidized fatty acids (FA) are a potent source of energy for cells, particularly for bovine somatic follicular cells. Superstimulatory protocols using follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or FSH combined with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) are capable of stimulating the follicular microenvironment and drive the expression of biomarker genes associated with lipid metabolism in the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) for better embryo development. In this study, we assesed the effects of FSH and FSH/eCG protocols on the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism in bovine granulosa cells (GCs). Further, we measured triglyceride levels in follicular fluid (FF) obtained from both superstimulatd and non-superstimulated cows (synchronized cows). In summary, superstimulation with gonadotropins maintained the TG levels in bovine FF and ensured GCs mRNA abundance of ACSL1, ACSL3, ACSL6, SCD, ELOVL5, ELOVL6, FASN, FADS2, and SREBP1. We, however, found the abundance of CPTIB mRNA to be lower in GCs obtained from cows subjected to FSH/eCG protocols than synchronized cows. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that ovarian superstimulation around the preovulatory phase has a mild impact on the lipid metabolism in GCs.

Dynamics of transcription is affected by oxygen tension and developmental speed during in vitro production of bovine embryos.

This study examines the impact of oxygen tension and embryo kinetics on gene transcription dynamics in pathways crucial for embryonic preimplantation development, including lipid metabolism, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, mitochondrial function, stress response, apoptosis and transcription regulation. Bovine embryos were generated in vitro and allocated into two groups based on oxygen tension (20% or 5%) at 18 h post insemination (hpi). At 40 hpi, embryos were categorized into Fast (≥4 cells) or Slow (2 cells) groups, resulting in four experimental groups: FCL20, FCL5, SCL20 and SCL5. Embryo collection also occurred at 72 hpi (16-cell stage; groups FMO20, FMO5, SMO20 and SMO5) and at 168 hpi (expanded blastocyst (BL) stage; groups FBL20, FBL5, SBL20 and SBL5). Pools of three embryos per group were analysed in four replicates using inventoried TaqMan assays specific for Bos taurus, targeting 93 genes. Gene expression patterns were analysed using the K-means algorithm, revealing three main clusters: genes with low relative abundance at the cleavage (CL) and 16-cell morula (MO) stages but increased at the BL stage (cluster 1); genes with higher abundances at CL but decreasing at MO and BL (cluster 2); and genes with low levels at CL, higher levels at MO and decreased levels at BL (cluster 3). Within each cluster, genes related to epigenetic mechanisms, cell differentiation events and glucose metabolism were particularly influenced by differences in developmental kinetics and oxygen tension. Fast-developing embryos, particularly those cultured under low oxygen tension, exhibited transcript dynamics more closely resembling that reported in vivo-produced embryos.

Expression of luteinizing hormone receptor during development of bovine fetal ovary.

Steroids and gonadotrophins are essential for the regulation of late stages of preantral development and antral follicular development. Although the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHCGR) has been detected in the preantral follicles of rats, rabbits, and pigs, its expression, in bovine fetal ovary, has not been demonstrated. Based on this, we aimed to investigate the expression of the LHCGR and LHCGR mRNA binding protein (LRBP), as well as, to quantify bta-miR-222 (a regulatory microRNA of the LHCGR gene) during the development of bovine fetal ovary. In summary, LHCGR expression was observed in the preantral follicle in bovine fetal ovary, from oogonias to primordial, primary and secondary stages, and the mRNA abundance was lower on day 150 than day 60. However, the mRNA abundance of LRBP followed the opposite pattern. Similar to LRBP, the abundance of bta-miR-222 was higher on day 150 than day 60 or 90 of gestation. The LHCGR protein was detected in oogonia, primordial, primary, and secondary follicles. Moreover, both oocytes and granulosa cells showed positive immunostaining for LHCGR. In conclusion, we suggest the involvement of LHCGR/LRBP/bta-mir222 with mechanisms related to the development of preantral follicles in cattle.

Pre-fertilization approach using α-l-fucosidase modulates zona pellucida hardening during bovine in vitro embryo production.

The polyspermy occurrence is considerably lower under in vivo compared to in vitro embryo culture conditions, suggesting that the presence of some factors in the maternal environment is responsible for this. The α-L-fucosidase (FUCA) is a natural glycosidase present in the oviductal fluid, therefore, this study aimed at investigating the effect of adding FUCA to the hardening of the zona pellucida (ZP), polyspermy control, and embryonic yield and quality of bovine blastocysts produced in vitro. In the first experiment, the effect of FUCA (0.125 U/mL) was evaluated during the entire in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, it was demonstrated to be embryotoxic by completely inhibiting the blastocyst formation. In the second experiment, the FUCA (0.125 U/mL) was tested as short-term incubation before IVF (pre-fertilization step) for 30 min or 2 h, which demonstrated that FUCA treatment for 30 min resulted in ZP hardening. In the third experiment, a pre-fertilization FUCA treatment (1 h) at different concentrations (0, 0.0625, and 0.125 U/mL) showed that FUCA (0.0625 U/mL) improved pre-fertilization ZP hardening and tended to increase monospermic fertilization rates but did not improve embryo yield and quality. Together, it has been demonstrated that FUCA can induce oocyte pre-fertilization ZP hardening and might improve monospermic fertilization performance, and this effect is dependent on both variables (protein concentration and incubation time).

Metabolic stressful environment drives epigenetic modifications in oviduct epithelial cells.

The oviduct provides a suitable microenvironment from the gametes' final maturation until initial embryo development. Dynamic functional changes are observed in the oviduct cells, mainly controlled by steroid hormones and well-orchestrated during the estrous cycle. However, based on the roles played by the oviduct, additional layers of complexity might be present in its regulatory process. There is a cellular process that includes metabolic adaptation that can guide molecular modifications. This process is known as metaboloepigenetics. Therefore, we aimed to better understand how this crosstalk occurs in oviductal epithelial cells (OEC). Due to limited in situ access to the oviduct, we used the primary in vitro cell culture as a culture model and glucose as a metabolic disturbed factor. For that, cells derived from the oviductal epithelial layer were collected from cows at either follicular or luteal stages (n = 4 animals per group). They were cultured on a monolayer culture system under normoglycemic (2.7 mM glucose) or hyperglycemic conditions (27 mM glucose). On day five of culture, attached cells were submitted to analysis of mitochondrial metabolism (mitochondrial membrane potential - MMP) and epigenetics markers (5- methylcytosine - 5 mC and histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation - H3K9ac). Moreover, the culture media were submitted to the metabolites analysis profile by Raman spectrometry. Data were analyzed considering the effect of glucose level (normoglycemic vs. hyperglycemic), stages when OEC were harvested (follicular vs. luteal), and their interaction (glucose level * cycle stage) by two-way ANOVA. As a result, the high glucose level decreased the H3K9ac and MMP levels but did not affect the 5 mC. Regardless of the metabolic profile of the culture media, the glucose level was the only factor that changed the Raman shifts abundance. Although this present study evaluated oviductal epithelial cells after being submitted to an in vitro monolayer culture system, which is known to lead to cell dedifferentiation, yet, these results provide evidence of a relationship between epigenetic reprogramming and energy metabolism under these cell culture conditions. In conclusion, the levels of metabolites in culture media may be crucial for cellular function and differentiation, meaning that it should be considered in studies culturing oviductal cells.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) selectively modulates the metabolic and lipid profile of bovine embryos according to their kinetics of development.

Supplementation of culture media with IGF-1 during in vitro culture of embryos has had controversial results over the years. In the present study, we show that differences previously observed in response to IGF addition might be related to intrinsic heterogeneity of the embryos. In other words, the effects exerted by IGF-1 are dependent on the characteristics of the embryos and their ability to modulate metabolism and overcome stressful conditions, such as the ones found in a non-optimized in vitro culture system. To test this hypothesis, in vitro produced bovine embryos with distinct morphokinetics (fast- and slow-cleavage) were submitted to treatment with IGF-1 and then evaluated for embryo production rates, total cell number, gene expression and lipid profile. Our results show that remarkable differences were found when fast and slow embryos treated with IGF-1 were compared. Fast embryos respond by upregulating genes related to mitochondrial function, stress response, and lipid metabolism, whereas slow embryos presented lower mitochondrial efficiency and lipid accumulation. We conclude that indeed the treatment with IGF-1 selectively affects embryonic metabolism according to early morphokinetics phenotypes, and this information is relevant for decision-making in the design of more appropriate in vitro culture systems.

Molecular phenotypes of bovine blastocyst derived from in vitro-matured oocyte supplemented with PAPP-A.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) regulates cellular lipid content, whereas pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) increases IGF-1 bioavailability. Using in vitro-matured cumulus-oocyte complexes, we aimed to evaluate the impact of PAPP-A on the blastocyst lipid content, embryo cryotolerance and embryonic transcriptional profile. We determined that PAPP-A did not affect the lipid content of oocytes, blastocysts, or blastocyst yield (P > 0.05). However, PAPP-A modulated the embryo transcriptional profiles by downregulating PPARGC1A and AKR1B1, which are related to lipid metabolism; CASP9, a pro-apoptotic gene; and IFN-τ, a marker of embryo quality (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the use of PAPP-A improved blastocyst re-expansion in the first 3 h of culture after vitrification (P < 0.05). Although PAPP-A did not affect the blastocyst lipid content or embryo production, we suggest that embryonic transcriptional modulation could contribute to maintain the balance in embryo lipid metabolism. Furthermore, PAPP-A's approach seems to control key intracellular pathways that improve post-cryopreservation development of blastocysts.

Ovarian follicular dynamics, progesterone concentrations, pregnancy rates and transcriptional patterns in Bos indicus females with a high or low antral follicle count.

We evaluated the effect of the antral follicle count (AFC) on ovarian follicular dynamics, pregnancy rates, progesterone concentrations, and transcriptional patterns of genes in Nelore cattle (Bos taurus indicus) after a timed artificial insemination (TAI) programme. Cows were separated based on the AFC, and those with a high AFC showed a larger (P < 0.0001) ovarian diameter and area than those with a very low AFC. Females with a very low AFC exhibited a larger (P < 0.01) diameter of the dominant follicle at TAI (13.6 ± 0.3 vs. 12.2 ± 0.4 mm) and a tendency (P = 0.06) to have different serum progesterone concentrations (2.9 ± 0.3 vs. 2.1 ± 0.3 ng/mL; on day 18, considering day 0 as the beginning of the synchronization protocol) than those with a high AFC. The pregnancy rate was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in animals with a very low (57.9%) and low (53.1%) AFC than in those with a high AFC (45.2%). The expression of genes related to intercellular communication, meiotic control, epigenetic modulation, cell division, follicular growth, cell maintenance, steroidogenesis and cellular stress response was assessed on day 5. In females with a low AFC, 8 and 21 genes in oocytes and cumulus cells, respectively, were upregulated (P < 0.05), while 3 and 6 genes in oocytes and cumulus cells, respectively, were downregulated. The results described here will help elucidate the differences in ovarian physiology and the reproductive success of Bos indicus females with a low or high AFC.

The dynamics between in vitro culture and metabolism: embryonic adaptation to environmental changes.

Previous studies have discussed the importance of an optimal range of metabolic activity during preimplantation development. To avoid factors than can trigger an undesirable trajectory, it is important to learn how nutrients and metabolites interact to help launching the correct developmental program of the embryo, and how much the in vitro culture system can impair this process. Here, using the bovine model, we describe a factorial experimental design used to investigate the biochemical and molecular signature of embryos in response to different combinations of morphological features-i.e. speed of development-and external stimuli during in vitro culture-i.e. different oxygen tensions and glucose supplementation. Our analyses demonstrate that the embryos present heterogeneous metabolic responses depending on early morphological phenotypes and the composition of their surroundings. However, despite the contribution of each single stimulus for the embryo phenotype, oxygen tension is determinant for such differences. The lower oxygen environment boosts the metabolism of embryos with faster kinetics, in particular those cultured in lower glucose concentrations.

Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Metabolites as Mediators of DNA Methylation Reprogramming in Bovine Preimplantation Embryos.

In many cell types, epigenetic changes are partially regulated by the availability of metabolites involved in the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes. Even so, the association between metabolism and the typical epigenetic reprogramming that occurs during preimplantation embryo development remains poorly understood. In this work, we explore the link between energy metabolism, more specifically the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), and epigenetic regulation in bovine preimplantation embryos. Using a morphokinetics model of embryonic development (fast- and slow-developing embryos), we show that DNA methylation (5mC) and hydroxymethylation (5hmC) are dynamically regulated and altered by the speed of the first cleavages. More specifically, slow-developing embryos fail to perform the typical reprogramming that is necessary to ensure the generation of blastocysts with higher ability to establish specific cell lineages. Transcriptome analysis revealed that such differences were mainly associated with enzymes involved in the TCA cycle rather than specific writers/erasers of DNA methylation marks. This relationship was later confirmed by disturbing the embryonic metabolism through changes in α-ketoglutarate or succinate availability in culture media. This was sufficient to interfere with the DNA methylation dynamics despite the fact that blastocyst rates and total cell number were not quite affected. These results provide the first evidence of a relationship between epigenetic reprogramming and energy metabolism in bovine embryos. Likewise, levels of metabolites in culture media may be crucial for precise epigenetic reprogramming, with possible further consequences in the molecular control and differentiation of cells.

Bona fide gene expression analysis of samples from the bovine reproductive system by microfluidic platform.

Sample types such as those from reproductive systems often yield scarce material, which limits RT-qPCR analysis to only a few targets. Recently developed high-throughput systems can potentially change this scenario, however, the nanoliter scale of such platforms requires extra processing, e.g., preamplification, which needs to be defined through observation and experience. In order to establish best practices in high-throughput PCR approaches using samples from reproductive systems, we evaluated the Biomark™ HD performance using 11 different sample types from the bovine reproductive system: blastocyst (single/pool), oocyte (pool), cumulus, granulosa, and theca cells, oviduct tissue, fetal ovary, testicle (adult/fetal), and uterine horn. We observed that the preamplification step is not just reliable, but mandatory. Our results indicated that 14-preamplification cycles associated to 5- and 7-fold-dilution is the best approach for those samples. Additionally, the Biomark™ HD system has a high intra and inter reproducibility, therefore its performance in duplicate is unnecessary for the ΔCq analysis, taking in consideration the cutoff value 4 < Cq < 22. In summary, this high-throughput approach is a reliable and excellent tool for studying the bovine reproductive system, especially using quantitatively-limited samples, as a larger number of target genes can be assessed from a very low amount of starting material.

Influence of cAMP modulator supplementation of in vitro culture medium on Bos taurus indicus embryos.

The effectiveness of the use of natriuretic peptide C (NPPC) in the blocking of meiosis has already been proven in several species. However, there are no reports on the use of NPPC in the activation of metabolic processes in embryos. Whereas modulations of cAMP concentrations alter the lipid metabolism of bovine oocytes, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of NPPC on the development, lipid content and transcript levels of genes related to lipid metabolism of IVP bovine embryos. For this purpose, ovaries were obtained from a slaughterhouse, and oocytes were fertilized in vitro (D0). From D5 of in vitro culture, embryos were treated with 100 nM NPPC (NPPC group) or with no NPPC (Control group) and evaluated in terms of Blastocyst (D7) and hatching rates (D10). For the assessment of the cytoplasmatic lipid amounts, blastocysts were stained with Sudan Black B dye. The embryonic lipid profile was investigated by electrospray ionization desorption-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS). The abundance of nine transcripts related to lipid metabolism were assessed using the Biomark HD system. For statistical analysis, blastocyst and hatching rates, lipid content by the Sudan Black B and variation of gene expression between groups were compared by Student t-test. For lipid profile analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and fold-change were performed. The embryo lipid content was similar between NPPC (881 ±â€¯3.7) and Control (883 ±â€¯5.2) groups (p > 0.05). However, cholesteryl esters and TAGs were downregulated by NPPC at multiple levels according to the DESI-MS profiles. Of the analyzed genes, ELOVL6 and SREBF1 showed an up-regulation in the control group (p < 0.05), while CPT2 was observed to be up-regulated in the NPPC-treated embryos. There was no significant difference in the blastocyst production rate between NPPC (44.4%) and Control (42.4%), however the hatching rate at D10 was higher (p < 0.05) in the NPPC group (69.77%) when compared to the Control group (48.33%). These findings demonstrate that NPPC alters the mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and that it exerts a positive effect on the hatching rates of IVP Bos taurus indicus embryos.

Equine chorionic gonadotropin drives the transcriptional profile of immature cumulus-oocyte complexes and in vitro-produced blastocysts of superstimulated Nelore cows.

Studies have shown that the use of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), which binds both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors, could modify the female reproductive tract. We, thus, aimed to quantify the messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance of genes related to cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and embryo quality in Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus) submitted to ovarian superstimulation using only FSH (FSH group; n = 10) or replacement of the last two doses of FSH by eCG (FSH/eCG group; n = 10). All animals were slaughtered and the ovarian antral follicles from both groups (10-14 mm in diameter) were aspirated for cumulus, oocyte and in vitro embryo production gene expression analysis. The relative mRNA abundance of 96 genes related to COCs development and embryo quality was measured by RT-qPCR. We found that oocytes are more affected by eCG use and that 35 genes involved in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, transcriptional control, and cellular development were upregulated in the FSH/eCG group. In blastocysts, lipid metabolism seems to be the main pathway regulated by eCG use. We suggest that these multiple effects could be due to the ability of eCG to bind LHR and FSHR, which could activate multiple signal transduction pathways in the superstimulated ovary, further impacting the transcriptional profile of COCs and blastocysts.

Modulation of long-chain Acyl-CoA synthetase on the development, lipid deposit and cryosurvival of in vitro produced bovine embryos.

In this study, we evaluated the modulation effect of long-chain Acyl-CoA synthetase during early embryo development. Bovine embryos were cultured in four groups: positive modulation (ACS+) with GW3965 hydrochloride, negative modulation (ACS-) with Triacsin C, association of both modulators (ACS±), and control. Embryo development rates were not altered (P>0.05) by treatments. Embryonic cytoplasmic lipid content increased in ACS+ but reduced in ACS- compared to the control (P < 0.05), whereas the membrane phospholipids profile was not altered by treatments. The total number of blastomeres did not differ (P > 0.05) between groups; however, an increased apoptotic cells percentage was found in ACS- compared to control. Twenty-four hours after warming, ACS+ and control grade I embryos presented the best hatching rates, whereas the ACS+ group equaled the hatching rates between their embryos of grades I, II and III 48 hours after warming. The relative abundance of transcripts for genes associated with lipid metabolism (ACSL3, ACSL6, ACAT1, SCD, and AUH), heatshock (HSP90AA1 and HSF1), oxidative stress (GPX4), and angiogenesis (VEGF), among other important genes for embryo development were affected by at least one of the treatments. The treatments were effective in modulating the level of transcripts for ACSL3 and the cytoplasmic lipid content. The ACS- was not effective in increasing embryonic cryosurvival, whereas ACS+ restored survival rates after vitrification of embryos with low quality, making them equivalent to embryos of excellent quality.

Differences in embryonic gene expression and quality indicate the benefit of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor during prematuration to improve competence in bovine oocytes.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is directly involved in oocyte meiotic resumption induced by a gonadotropic stimulus. Here, we used an EGFR inhibitor (AG1478) to inhibit spontaneous meiosis resumption in bovine oocytes (EGFR- group) during 8 hr prematuration and assessed the competence of such oocytes for embryonic development, apoptosis and gene expression in comparison with Control group which was not prematured. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Blastocysts rate on day 7 (40.81%, averaged) and hatching rate on day 9 (77.35%, averaged) were unaffected by treatment (p > 0.05). Similarly, treatment did not affect (p > 0.05) the total cell number on day 7 (119.05, averaged) and on day 9 (189.5, averaged). Apoptosis was reduced (p < 0.05) in EGFR- group day 7-embryos compared to Control group (3.7% ± 1.0 vs. 5.2% ± 0.8). Abundance of several transcripts was upregulated (p < 0.05) in EGFR- group, including genes related to embryo development and quality (NANOG and RPLP0), epigenetic regulation (H2AFZ), apoptosis (BID) and stress response (GPX4 and HIF1A). Taken together, the results presented here demonstrated a reduction in the apoptosis index and upregulation of NANOG, H2AFZ and RPLP0 mRNA levels, which are related to embryonic development. Our data suggest that temporary meiosis blockage with EGFR inhibitor during prematuration culture of bovine oocytes may be an interesting strategy to improve embryo quality.

Follicular environment as a predictive tool for embryo development and kinetics in cattle.

Follicular fluid composition and the transcription pattern of granulosa cells were analysed to better comprehend associations between embryo development and morphokinetics. Bovine follicles were punctured and their respective follicular fluid and granulosa cells were collected. Cumulus-oocyte complexes derived from these follicles were matured and fertilised invitro. Embryo morphology and kinetics were evaluated at 40h after insemination, when embryos were classified as fast (FCL, four or more cells), slow (SCL, 2-3 cells) or non-cleaved (NCL). Their development was followed until the blastocyst stage. Glucose, pyruvate, cholesterol and oestradiol were quantified in the follicular fluid and the transcription pattern of 96 target genes was evaluated in granulosa cells by large-scale quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Follicular fluid from the blastocyst group had increased levels of glucose, total cholesterol and pyruvate compared to the non-blastocyst group, whereas higher levels of oestradiol were observed in the follicular fluid of embryos and blastocysts with fast cleavage. The transcriptional pattern revealed altered metabolic pathways between groups, such as lipid metabolism, cellular stress and cell signalling. In conclusion, both follicular fluid and granulosa cells are associated with the possibility of identifying follicles that may generate embryos with high potential to properly develop to the blastocyst stage.

Can the antral follicular count modulate the gene expression of bovine oviducts in Aberdeen Angus and Nelore heifers?

The number of visible ovarian antral follicles (antral follicle count-AFC) is repeatable in bovine individuals, but highly variable between animals, and with differences between Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds. Several studies have tried to determine the correlation between AFC and increased fertility in cattle. While the impacts of AFC on embryo production, hormonal levels, and pregnancy rates have been described, the molecular effects of AFC on bovine oviducts have not yet been investigated. Here, the aim was to investigate the impact of breeds, such as Aberdeen Angus and Nelore heifer with high or low AFC, on abundance of transcripts and protein related to oviductal transport, sperm reservoir formation, monospermy control, and gamete interaction in the oviducts. In summary, the ovulation side was the major factor that affected transcript abundance on bovine oviducts. However, a discreet effect among AFC and cattle breeds was also observed. Based on this, we concluded and reinforced here that differential microenvironments between ipsilateral and contralateral oviducts have a major effect on modulating the transcripts related to oviductal transport, sperm reservoir formation, monospermy control, and gamete interaction. However, we cannot exclude that there is minimal effect of AFC or breed on regulation of some genes (such as AGTR1, ACE1, FUCA1, and VEGFA) in bovine oviducts.

Corrigendum to "Oxidative Stress Alters the Profile of Transcription Factors Related to Early Development on In Vitro Produced Embryos".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2017/1502489.].

Genome-wide screening of DNA methylation in bovine blastocysts with different kinetics of development.

BACKGROUND: The timing of the first cell divisions may predict the developmental potential of an embryo, including its ability to establish pregnancy. Besides differences related to metabolism, stress, and survival, embryos with different speeds of development present distinct patterns of gene expression, mainly related to energy and lipid metabolism. As gene expression is regulated by epigenetic factors, and that includes DNA methylation patterns, in this study we compared the global DNA methylation profile of embryos with different kinetics of development in order to identify general pathways and regions that are most influenced by this phenotype. For this purpose, bovine embryos were in vitro produced using sexed semen (female), classified as fast (four or more cells) or slow (two cells) at 40 hpi and cultured until blastocyst stage, when they were analyzed. RESULTS: Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis identified 11,584 differently methylated regions (DMRs) (7976 hypermethylated regions in fast and 3608 hypermethylated regions in slow embryos). Fast embryos presented more regions classified as hypermethylated distributed throughout the genome, as in introns, exons, promoters, and repeat elements while in slow embryos, hypermethylated regions were more present in CpG islands. DMRs were clustered by means of biological processes, and the most affected pathways were related to cell survival/differentiation and energy/lipid metabolism. Transcripts profiles from DM genes connected with these pathways were also assessed, and the most part disclosed changes in relative quantitation. CONCLUSION: The kinetics of the first cleavages influences the DNA methylation and expression profiles of genes related to metabolism and differentiation pathways and may affect embryo viability.

Supplementing in vitro embryo production media by NPPC and sildenafil affect the cytoplasmic lipid content and gene expression of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes and embryos.

In our study, we added natriuretic peptide type C (NPPC) and/or sildenafil during in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) followed by in vitro culture (IVC) of embryos with or without sildenafil. We evaluated the effects on the lipid content (LC) of oocytes and embryos and also verified the expression of 96 transcripts related to competence in matured COCs and 96 transcripts related to embryo quality in blastocysts. After IVM, LC was decreased in oocytes by NPPC while sildenafil did not affect LC in oocytes. The genes involved in lipid metabolism and lipid accumulation (DGAT1, PLIN2and PLIN3) were not affected in COCs after treatment during IVM, although the expression of PTX3 (a cumulus cells expansion biomarker) was increased and the hatched blastocyst rate was increased by NPPC during IVM. During IVM, sildenafil increased the mRNA relative abundance of HSF1 and PAF1 and decreased REST in blastocysts. The use of sildenafil in IVC increased the LC of blastocysts. The mRNA abundance in blastocysts produced during IVC with sildenafil was changed for ATF4, XBP1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, COX2, and SOX2. Although NPPC reduced the LC of oocytes after IVM and upregulated markers for cumulus expansion, embryo production was not affected and the produced blastocysts were able to regain their LC after IVC. Finally, the use of sildenafil during IVC increased the cytoplasmic LC of embryos but did not affect embryo quality, as measured by analysis of 96 transcripts related to embryo quality.