Melatonin Improves Parthenogenetic Development of Vitrified–Warmed Mouse Oocytes Potentially by Promoting G1/S Cell Cycle Progression

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin on the cell cycle of parthenogenetic embryos derived from vitrified mouse metaphase II (MII) oocytes. Fresh oocytes were randomly allocated into three groups: untreated (control), or vitrified by the open-pulled straw method without (Vitrification group) or with melatonin (MT) supplementation (Vitrification + MT group). After warming, oocytes were parthenogenetically activated and cultured in vitro, then the percentage of embryos in the G1/S phase, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH), and the mRNA expression of cell cycle-related genes (P53, P21 and E2F1) in zygotes and their subsequent developmental potential in vitro were evaluated. The results showed that the vitrification/warming procedures significantly decreased the frequency of the S phase, markedly increased ROS and GSH levels and the expression of P53 and P21 genes, and decreased E2F1 expression in zygotes at the G1 stage and their subsequent development into 2-cell and blastocyst stage embryos. However, when 10−9 mol/L MT was administered for the whole duration of the experiment, the frequency of the S phase in zygotes was significantly increased, while the other indicators were also significantly improved and almost recovered to the normal levels shown in the control. Thus, MT might promote G1-to-S progression via regulation of ROS, GSH and cell cycle-related genes, potentially increasing the parthenogenetic development ability of vitrified–warmed mouse oocytes.

Melatonin Improves In Vitro Development of Vitrified-Warmed Mouse Germinal Vesicle Oocytes Potentially via Modulation of Spindle Assembly Checkpoint-Related Genes

“…As an artificial assisted reproductive technology, oocyte cryopreservation has considerable application in medical, animal, and agricultural sciences [1,2,3,4]. It serves as an important and promising tool for conservation and propagation of germplasm and improving the reproductive efficiency in several mammalian species [5].…”

Beneficial Effects of Melatonin in the Ovarian Transport Medium on In Vitro Embryo Production of Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

“…The encoded protein of the TP53 gene is a key transcription factor in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis [62]. Oxidative stress activates a TP53-transcriptional response, which promotes cell cycle arrest, ROS generation, and apoptosis [63]. Remarkably, the addition of melatonin has been shown to significantly decrease TP53 transcription levels, promoting subsequent in vitro development by accelerating the G1/S phase transition via the TP53/TP21 pathway [63].…”

“…Oxidative stress activates a TP53-transcriptional response, which promotes cell cycle arrest, ROS generation, and apoptosis [63]. Remarkably, the addition of melatonin has been shown to significantly decrease TP53 transcription levels, promoting subsequent in vitro development by accelerating the G1/S phase transition via the TP53/TP21 pathway [63]. Aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B1 (AKR1B1) is related to implantation failure and/or embryo resorption via PGF2α synthesis, and it may also affect the embryo fate through its involvement in apoptotic pathways [64].…”

Ratio of the zygote cytoplasm to the paternal genome affects the reprogramming and developmental efficiency of androgenetic embryos

“…However, the developmental ability of androgenetic embryos is very poor (Obata et al, 2000). Androgenetic development is limited by the aberrant expression of imprinted genes, inadequate reprogramming, and low developmental rates (with a 55% blastocyst rate, at most; Latham & Solter, 1991) compared to parthenogenetic embryos (with a 90% blastocyst rate; Pan et al, 2018).…”