Short term temperature elevation during IVM affects embryo yield and alters gene expression pattern in oocytes, cumulus cells and blastocysts in cattle

• Published in: Theriogenology 2020-10, Vol.156, p.36-45
• Main Authors: Stamperna, Konstantina, Giannoulis, Themistoklis, Nanas, Ioannis, Kalemkeridou, Maria, Dadouli, Katerina, Moutou, Katerina, Amiridis, Georgios S., Dovolou, Eleni
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cattle; Embryo; Gene expression; Heat stress; In vitro maturation
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.039

Heat stress causes subfertility in cattle by inducing alterations in steroidogenic capacity, follicular function and ovulation defects, which eventually negatively affect oocyte quality and embryo survival. Here, the effects of short, moderate temperature elevation during IVM, on embryo yield, and on the expression of various genes was evaluated. In 8 replicates, cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured for 24 h at 39 °C (controls n = 605) or at 41 °C from hour 2 to hour 8 of IVM (treated, n = 912), fertilized, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 9 days at 39 °C. Cleavage and embryo formation rates were evaluated 48 h post insemination and on days 7, 8, 9 respectively. Cumulus cells, oocytes and blastocysts from 5 replicates were snap frozen for the relative expression analysis of genes related to metabolism, thermal and oxidative stress response, apoptosis, and placentation. In treated group, cleavage and embryo formation rates were statistically significantly lower compared with the control (cleavage 86.7% vs 74.2%; blastocysts: day 7, 29.9% vs 19.7%, day 8, 34.2% vs 22.9% and day 9 35.9% vs 24.5%). Relative mRNA abundance of three genes in cumulus cells (HSP90AA1, CPT1B, G6PD) and three genes in blastocysts (DNMT3A, PLAC8, GPX1) indicated significantly different expression between groups (p