Cumulus Cell Transcriptome after Cumulus-Oocyte Complex Exposure to Nanomolar Cadmium in an In Vitro Animal Model of Prepubertal and Adult Age

Cadmium (Cd), a highly toxic pollutant, impairs oocyte fertilization, through oxidative damage on cumulus cells (CCs). This study analysed the transcriptomic profile of CCs of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from adult and prepubertal sheep, exposed to Cd nanomolar concentration during in vitro matu...

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Published in:Biology (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-02, Vol.12 (2), p.249
Main Authors: Martino, Nicola Antonio, Picardi, Ernesto, Ciani, Elena, D'Erchia, Anna Maria, Bogliolo, Luisa, Ariu, Federica, Mastrorocco, Antonella, Temerario, Letizia, Mansi, Luigi, Palumbo, Valeria, Pesole, Graziano, Dell'Aquila, Maria Elena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adult sheep
Age
Analysis
Animal models
Bioaccumulation
Biomarkers
Cadmium
Cell differentiation
Contaminants
cumulus cell
Fertility
Fertilization
Genes
Genomes
Human reproduction
In vitro fertilization
Information management
Laboratory animals
Livestock
Maturation
Oocytes
Ovaries
Ovulation
Oxidative stress
prepubertal lamb
Principal components analysis
Reproductive status
RNA
RNA sequencing
Sheep
Toxicity
transcriptome
Transcriptomes
Transcriptomics
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Summary:Cadmium (Cd), a highly toxic pollutant, impairs oocyte fertilization, through oxidative damage on cumulus cells (CCs). This study analysed the transcriptomic profile of CCs of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from adult and prepubertal sheep, exposed to Cd nanomolar concentration during in vitro maturation. In both age-groups, CCs of matured oocytes underwent RNA-seq, data analysis and validation. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in adult ( = 99 DEGs) and prepubertal ( = 18 DEGs) CCs upon Cd exposure. Transcriptomes of adult CCs clustered separately between Cd-exposed and control samples, whereas prepubertal ones did not as observed by Principal Component Analysis. The transcriptomic signature of Cd-induced CC toxicity was identified by gene annotation and literature search. Genes associated with previous studies on ovarian functions and/or Cd effects were confirmed and new genes were identified, thus implementing the knowledge on their involvement in such processes. Enrichment and validation analysis showed that, in adult CCs, Cd acted as endocrine disruptor on DEGs involved in hormone biosynthesis, cumulus expansion, regulation of cell signalling, growth and differentiation and oocyte maturation, whereas in prepubertal CCs, Cd affected DEGs involved in CC development and viability and CC-oocyte communications. In conclusion, these DEGs could be used as valuable non-invasive biomarkers for oocyte competence.
ISSN:2079-7737
2079-7737
DOI:10.3390/biology12020249