Steroid hormones interact with natriuretic peptide C to delay nuclear maturation, to maintain oocyte–cumulus communication and to improve the quality of in vitro-produced embryos in cattle
Ana Caroline S. Soares A , Valentina Lodde B , Rodrigo G. Barros A , Christopher A. Price C , Alberto M. Luciano B and José Buratini A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Ovarian Molecular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, 18618-970, Brazil.
B Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10 - 20133, Milan, Italy.
C Centre de recherche en reproduction et fertility, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 7C6, Canada.
D Corresponding author. Email: buratini@ibb.unesp.br
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 29(11) 2217-2224 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD16320
Submitted: 16 August 2016 Accepted: 13 February 2017 Published: 30 March 2017
Abstract
In vivo, oocyte maturation is triggered by the ovulatory LH surge, whereas in vitro it is precociously induced when the cumulus–oocyte complex is removed from the follicle. Natriuretic peptide C (NPPC) delays germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) while increasing oocyte–cumulus communication during in vitro maturation (IVM) in cattle. In the present study we first tested the hypothesis that steroids secreted by the follicle (17β-oestradiol, progesterone and androstenedione) interact with NPPC to delay GVBD and to maintain oocyte–cumulus communication as assessed by transfer of a dye (Lucifer Yellow) from the oocyte to cumulus cells. Then, we assessed the effects of steroid hormones and NPPC, alone and in combination in a pre-IVM culture, on embryo production. The combination of NPPC with steroids delayed GVDB, increased natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2) mRNA abundance in cumulus cells during culture, and maintained oocyte–cumulus communication at levels not different from non-cultured controls. The addition of steroids and/or NPPC to a pre-IVM culture did not alter blastocyst rates after IVF, but supplementation with steroids increased blastocyst total cell number. The present study provides evidence, for the first time in cattle, that steroids interact with NPPC to regulate oocyte nuclear maturation and oocyte–cumulus communication, and improve oocyte developmental competence.
Additional keywords: amphiregulin, cumulus cells, follicle stimulating hormone, gap junctions, in vitro maturation, meiosis, natriuretic peptide receptor 2.
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