Metabolic control of oocyte development: linking maternal nutrition and reproductive outcomes

Abstract

Obesity, diabetes, and related metabolic disorders are major health issues worldwide. As the epidemic of metabolic disorders continues, the associated medical comorbidities, including the detrimental impact on reproduction, increase as well. Emerging evidence suggests that the effects of maternal nutrition on reproductive outcomes are likely to be mediated, at least in part, by oocyte metabolism. Well-balanced and timed energy metabolism is critical for optimal development of oocytes. To date, much of our understanding of oocyte metabolism comes from the effects of extrinsic nutrients on oocyte maturation. In contrast, intrinsic regulation of oocyte development by metabolic enzymes, intracellular mediators, and transport systems is less characterized. Specifically, decreased acid transport proteins levels, increased glucose/lipid content and elevated reactive oxygen species in oocytes have been implicated in meiotic defects, organelle dysfunction and epigenetic alteration. Therefore, metabolic disturbances in oocytes may contribute to the diminished reproductive potential experienced by women with metabolic disorders. In-depth research is needed to further explore the underlying mechanisms. This review also discusses several approaches for metabolic analysis. Metabolomic profiling of oocytes, the surrounding granulosa cells, and follicular fluid will uncover the metabolic networks regulating oocyte development, potentially leading to the identification of oocyte quality markers and prevention of reproductive disease and poor outcomes in offspring.

Epigenetic inheritance through the female germ-line: The known, the unknown, and the possible

“…Exposing females to a high-fat or low-protein diet, or inducing them into a diabetic-like state using streptozocin, is associated with widespread effects on the health of their offspring [96][97][98][99]. These outcomes are observed even when embryos at the blastocyst stage are transferred to pseudopregnant recipients, ruling out effects on the uterine environment as the origin of the effect.…”

Intergenerational Transmission of Maternal Childhood Maltreatment Exposure: Implications for Fetal Brain Development

“…The processes of oocyte maturation and potentially the accumulation of its epigenetic characteristics on histones and DNA depend, in part, on the milieu of the follicular fluid in which oocytes are suspended. 67 Just as maternal obesity and stress have been associated with altered follicular fluid composition ( e.g ., elevated levels of intra-oocyte oxidative stress 68,69 ), it also may be possible that the oocyte milieu could be altered by the biological ( e.g ., endocrine, immune, metabolic) sequelae of CM exposure. So far, to our knowledge there is no empirical evidence substantiating this claim.…”

Oocyte aging-induced Neuronatin (NNAT) hypermethylation affects oocyte quality by impairing glucose transport in porcine

“…Pyruvate regulated both the intracellular redox status and energy supply at a higher concentration but regulated only energy supply at a lower concentration to inhibit oocyte aging9. Well-balanced and timed glucose metabolism need enough and timely glucose transport in oocytes10. It was found that NEURONATIN (NNAT) was an important protein to regulate glucose transport 1(GLUT-1) by activating PI3K-Akt2 signaling pathway11.…”