Effect of Rat Medicated Serum Containing You Gui Wan on Mouse Oocyte In Vitro Maturation and Subsequent Fertilization Competence

Abstract

You Gui Wan (YGW) is a classic herbal formula in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for the clinical treatment of infertility. This study was to explore whether YGW has an impact on mouse oocyte maturation in vitro and subsequent fertilization competence. Rat medicated serum containing YGW was prepared by orally administrating YGW. Mouse immature oocytes were cultured with YGW medicated serum and compared to those cultured with or without normal rat serum or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). YGW medicated serum significantly increased the percentages of matured oocytes when compared to the groups with or without normal rat serum (P < 0.01). Furthermore, YGW medicated serum increased the rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) when compared to the groups treated with FSH and with or without normal rat serum (P < 0.001). YGW medicated serum also had significant effects on the mRNA expressions of PKA, CREB, MAPK, PKC, PKG, and MPF and the concentrations of cAMP, cGMP, and NO in matured oocytes. These results indicate that YGW can promote mouse oocyte maturation and IVF in vitro. Signaling pathways, such as the cAMP/PKA/MAPK, the PKC-MAPK, and the NO-cGMP-PKG pathway, which are similar to those induced by FSH, may be responsible for this action.

Effect of Rat Medicated Serum Containing Zuo Gui Wan and/or You Gui Wan on the Differentiation of Stem Cells Derived from Human First Trimester Umbilical Cord into Oocyte-Like CellsIn Vitro

“…From this point of view, germ cells may correspond to the congenital essence found in TCM theories [ 8 ], and the actions of herbal formulas that reinforce the Ying or Yang deficiency may be presumed to influence germ cell fertilization abilities as well as the formation and/or differentiation of germ cells. This hypothesis has been supported by our recent studies which demonstrate that YGW decoctions can enhance the fertilizing abilities of mouse sperm in vivo and in vitro [ 9 ] and that rat medicated serums containing YGW can increase mouse oocytes in vitro maturation and subsequent in vitro fertilization abilities [ 10 ].…”

“…Moreover, one of our recent studies showed that rat medicated serums containing YGW had a significant effect on mouse oocyte maturation in vitro via molecular signal pathways similar to those induced by FSH [ 10 ]. The results suggest that some active or biotransformed herbal ingredients in the medicated serums may have gonadotrophin functions to stimulate the production of estradiol from differentiated granulosa cells.…”

Effect of Liuweibuqi Capsules in Pulmonary Alveolar Epithelial Cells and COPD Through JAK/STAT Pathway

“…Sera from the treated rats were prepared according to the previous protocols [17]. Briefly, 24 Sprague Dawley rats, aged between 6 and 8 weeks old and weighing between 180 and 220 g, were divided into 4 groups, with 6 rats in each group: normal control (NC) group, low dose of Liuweibuqi (LWBQ low) group, mid dose of Liuweibuqi (LWBQ mid) group and high dose of Liuweibuqi (LWBQ high) group.…”

Zhongfenggao Protects Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation-Induced Injury by Angiogenesis

“…BMECs were isolated as previously described. 18) Briefly, mouse cerebral cortex was isolated and digested in 0.25% trypsin at 37°C for 30 min and centrifuged. The second band containing micro-vessels was collected and plated onto collagen-coated dishes.…”