Ceramide and mitochondrial function in aging oocytes: joggling a new hypothesis and old players

Kujjo, Loro L.; Perez, Gloria I.

doi:10.1530/rep-11-0350

Cited by 32 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…More recently, Yamamoto et al [42] demonstrated the secretion of placental lactogen (elPL) by elephant trophoblast tissue and speculated that this chorionic hormone may be the essential luteotrophic stimulus for the enlargement of the fetal gonads and their synthesis of progestagens to assist the accessory corpora lutea in the maternal ovaries to maintain the pregnancy state. The highly vascularised nature of the fetal ovary from 18 months of gestation to term would help to transport the progestagens being synthesized by the interstitial tissue to the fetal, and hence to the maternal circulation to boost the supply of progestagens for pregnancy maintenance [43]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth and development of the ovary and small follicle pool from mid fetal life to pre-puberty in the African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Stansfield

Nöthling

Allen³

2012

BMC Vet Res

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BackgroundFollicle numbers and developing ovarian morphology, particularly with reference to the presence of interstitial tissue, are intimately linked within the ovary of the African elephant during the period spanning mid-gestation to puberty. These have not been previously quantified in any studies. The collection of 7 sets of elephant fetal ovaries between 11.2 and 20.2 months of gestation, and 29 pairs of prepubertal calf ovaries between 2 months and 9 years of age during routine management off-takes of complete family groups in private conservancies in Zimbabwe provided an opportunity for a detailed study of this period.ResultsThe changing morphology of the ovary is described as the presumptive cortex and medulla components of the fetal ovary settled into their adult form. Interstitial tissue dominated the ovary in late fetal life and these cells stained strongly for 3β–hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This staining continued postnatally through to 4.5 years of age suggesting continued secretion of progestagens by the ovary during this period. The considerable growth of antral follicles peaked at 28% of ovarian volume at around 16.7 months of fetal age. The numbers of small follicles (primordial, early primary and true primary), counted in the cortex using stereological protocols, revealed fewer small follicles in the ovaries of animals aged 0 to 4.5 years of age than during either late fetal life or prepubertal life.ConclusionsThe small follicle populations of the late-fetal and prepubertal ovaries of the African elephant were described along with the changing morphology of these organs. The changes noted represent a series of events that have been recorded only in the elephant and the giraffe species to date. The expansion of the interstitial tissue of the fetal ovary and its continued presence in early post natal life may well contribute to the control of follicle development in these early years. Further research is required to determine the reasons behind the variation of numbers of small follicles in the ovaries of prepubertal calves.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth and development of the ovary and small follicle pool from mid fetal life to pre-puberty in the African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Stansfield

Nöthling

Allen³

2012

BMC Vet Res

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“…An alternative explanation for cumulus cell-associated acceleration of post-ovulatory ageing has been detailed in publications by Perez et al (2005) and Kujjo & Perez (2012). These researchers propose that the bioactive sphingolipid, ceramide, generated by the cumulus cells may be responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent ageing and apoptosis in post-ovulatory oocytes.…”

Section: Cumulus Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxidative stress and ageing of the post-ovulatory oocyte

2013

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With extended periods of time following ovulation, the metaphase II stage oocyte experiences deterioration in quality referred to as post-ovulatory oocyte ageing. Post-ovulatory ageing occurs both in vivo and in vitro and has been associated with reduced fertilization rates, poor embryo quality, post-implantation errors and abnormalities in the offspring. Although the physiological consequences of post-ovulatory oocyte ageing have largely been established, the molecular mechanisms controlling this process are not well defined. This review analyses the relationships between biochemical changes exhibited by the ageing oocyte and the symptoms associated with the ageing phenotype. We also discuss molecular events that are potentially involved in orchestrating post-ovulatory ageing with a particular focus on the role of oxidative stress. We propose that oxidative stress may act as the initiator for a cascade of events that create the aged oocyte phenotype. Specifically, oxidative stress has the capacity to cause a decline in levels of critical cell cycle factors such as maturation-promoting factor, impair calcium homoeostasis, induce mitochondrial dysfunction and directly damage multiple intracellular components of the oocyte such as lipids, proteins and DNA. Finally, this review addresses current strategies for delaying post-ovulatory oocyte ageing with a particular focus on the potential use of compounds such as caffeine or selected antioxidants in the development of more refined media for the preservation of oocyte integrity during IVF procedures.

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“…Furthermore, ceramide has been shown to be involved in the mechanism of oocyte aging in a mitochondria-dependent mechanism. More specifically during aging, mitochondrial ceramide levels decrease and consequently alter the mitochondrial structure and function contributing to reduced oocyte quality [56]. Alternatively, short exposure to exogenous C8-ceramide was shown to strongly increase mitochondrial prohibitin (PHB) expression, maintaining mitochondrial integrity, and protecting germ cells.…”

Section: Ceramide and Cellular Signalingmentioning

confidence: 99%

p53 and Ceramide as Collaborators in the Stress Response

Hage‐Sleiman

Esmerian

Kobeissy

et al. 2013

IJMS

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The sphingolipid ceramide mediates various cellular processes in response to several extracellular stimuli. Some genotoxic stresses are able to induce p53-dependent ceramide accumulation leading to cell death. However, in other cases, in the absence of the tumor suppressor protein p53, apoptosis proceeds partly due to the activity of this “tumor suppressor lipid”, ceramide. In the current review, we describe ceramide and its roles in signaling pathways such as cell cycle arrest, hypoxia, hyperoxia, cell death, and cancer. In a specific manner, we are elaborating on the role of ceramide in mitochondrial apoptotic cell death signaling. Furthermore, after highlighting the role and mechanism of action of p53 in apoptosis, we review the association of ceramide and p53 with respect to apoptosis. Strikingly, the hypothesis for a direct interaction between ceramide and p53 is less favored. Recent data suggest that ceramide can act either upstream or downstream of p53 protein through posttranscriptional regulation or through many potential mediators, respectively.

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Ceramide and mitochondrial function in aging oocytes: joggling a new hypothesis and old players

Cited by 32 publications

References 99 publications

Growth and development of the ovary and small follicle pool from mid fetal life to pre-puberty in the African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Growth and development of the ovary and small follicle pool from mid fetal life to pre-puberty in the African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Oxidative stress and ageing of the post-ovulatory oocyte

p53 and Ceramide as Collaborators in the Stress Response

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