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C Perreau

Publications and source records attributed to C Perreau.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of cell proliferation index in equine and caprine embryos using a modified BrdU incorporation assay.

The measurement of cell proliferation and cell viability using 5'bromo-2'deoxy-uridine (BrdU) labelling has been described in several cell types and species. The aim of this study was to adapt this technique to equine embryos and to compare the index of DNA replication (S-phase) between equine and caprine embryos. Seventeen equine embryos were recovered at day 6.5 post-ovulation and 20 caprine embryos were recovered at day 7 after the onset of estrus. Equine embryos were incubated during 1h at 39 degrees C in PBS containing 1mM of BrdU. Embryos were then treated in 0.05% trypsin during 15 min at 39 degrees C to permeabilise the capsule, and then embryos were rinsed in PBS containing 10% of foetal calf serum. After washing, embryos were immediately fixed in 2.5% paraformaldehyde with 0.3M NaOH during 15 min at ambient temperature. The S-phase was detected by immunocytochemistry technique. In caprine embryos, BrdU was visualised by the same technique but without the trypsin treatment. The percentage of cells (+/-S.E.M.) with BrdU incorporated into newly synthesised DNA strands was significantly higher in equine embryos (74+/-1) than in caprine (38+/-2). Our results demonstrated that BrdU incorporation assay can be used in equine embryos. This assay allows the determination of the proliferation index of live cells and could be used as an additional tool for evaluating the viability of embryos. The high percentage of cells incorporating BrdU during 1h of incubation with BrdU suggests that in comparison with the caprine embryos the cellular activity of proliferation is more intense in equine embryos and suggests that the cellular cycle is shorter in equine embryos.

Animals↗

Effect of roscovitine, a cdk1 inhibitor, and of the presence of oocyte on bovine cumulus cell expansion and cyclooxygenase-2 expression.

Oocyte maturation is accompanied by differentiation of surrounding cumulus cells. These cells produce hyaluronic acid (HA) and its storage in intercellular spaces results in expansion of the cells. The cumulus cells also accumulate cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) during maturation. Both expansion and cox-2 storage are regulated by FSH and EGF. The aim of this study was to determine whether oocyte meiotic resumption is involved in the regulation of cumulus differentiation or not. We investigated the effects of roscovitine, a reversible inhibitor of meiosis resumption of cattle oocytes on EGF induced expansion and cox-2 expression at the transcript and protein levels respectively (RT-PCR and Western blot), in cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and cumulus complexes alone (CCs). EGF induced expansion and cox-2 expression in both COCs and CCs. These effects were prevented by roscovitine, whether in the presence or in the absence of oocyte. However, the oocyte was essential for the reversibility of inhibition by roscovitine. In conclusion, our results indicate that i) oocyte secreted-factors are not essential for cumulus expansion, and ii) roscovitine mediated inhibition of meiotic resumption also respects the functionality of the surrounding somatic cells.

Animals↗

Effect of follicular size on meiotic and developmental competence of porcine oocytes.

In several species, the developmental competence of the oocyte is acquired progressively during late follicular growth, after the acquisition of the competence to resume and complete meiosis. In the pig, full meiotic competence of the oocyte is reached in ovarian follicles with a diameter of 3 mm or more. However, there is no information about developmental competence acquisition. We analyzed the ability of oocytes from three foll icular size classes to resume and complete meiosis, to be fertilized, and to develop in vitro to the blastocyst stage. A total of 941 follicles were dissected from slaughterhouse gilt ovaries and classified as small (<3 mm, n = 330), medium (3-5 mm, n = 373), or large (>5 mm, n = 238). The cumulus-oocyte complexes recovered from these follicles were submitted to in vitro maturation for 44 h in TCM199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml EGF, 400 ng/ml pFSH and 570 microM cysteamine; in vitro fertilized for 18 h in mTBM with 10(5) frozen-thawed percoll-selected sperms/ml; and developed for 7 days in mSOF. Samples of oocytes or presumptive zygotes were fixed and stained at the end of maturation and fertilization. Groups of oocytes were cultured for 3 h in the presence of 35S-methionine before or after maturation for SDS-PAGE analysis of protein neosynthesis. More oocytes originating from medium and large follicles were competent for maturation than oocytes from small follicles (77 and 86% of metaphase II, respectively, versus 44%, P < 0.05). More oocytes from medium and large follicles werepenetratedby spermatozoa during in vitro fertilization, resulting in significantly more oocytes presenting two or more pronuclei at the end of fertilization (73 and 77% for medium and large follicles, respectively, versus 53% for small follicles, P < 0.05). More oocytes from medium and large follicles developed to the blastocyst stage (14 and 23%, respectively) than those from small follicles (3%, P < 0.05), even if the development rates were corrected by the maturation or fertilization rates. It is concluded that a high proportion of oocytes harvested from follicles of less than 3 mm in the pig are not fully competent for meiosis and are cytoplasmically deficient for development.

Animals↗

Meiotic and developmental competence of prepubertal and adult swine oocytes.

The present study was conducted to compare meiotic and cytoplasmic competence of prepubertal and adult porcine oocytes, and the effects of EGF (0 to 100 ng/mL), FSH (0 to 400 ng/mL) and prepubertal pFF (0 to 10%) on nuclear maturation. Prepubertal oocytes were less responsive to FSH and pFF than were adult oocytes in terms of stimulation of nuclear maturation. The best nuclear maturation rates for prepubertal oocytes were obtained with 10 ng/mL EGF and 400 ng/mL FSH, whereas for adult oocytes no additional effect of EGF was seen in the presence of 400 ng/mL FSH. Supplementation with pFF had no additional effect on MII yield over that obtained with EGF plus FSH. After maturation in the presence of EGF, FSH and cysteamine, fertilization rates were not different between adult and prepubertal oocytes, but polyspermy was more frequent in prepubertal oocytes (31 +/- 17% vs. 17 +/- 7% in prepubertal and adult oocytes, respectively, P < 0.05). The addition of pFF to maturation medium decreased oocyte fertilization of adult oocytes and polyspermic fertilization in prepubertal oocytes. Blastocyst yield and developmental competence were significantly reduced in prepubertal oocytes compared to adult oocytes. The mean cell numbers in blastocysts cultured for 7 days ranged from 61 to 74, and did not differ among groups. Finally, the viability of the 2- to 4-cell embryos and blastocysts produced was assessed by embryo transfer experiments. One offspring was obtained after transfer of 2- to 4-cell embryos, and one after transfer of in vitro-produced blastocysts. In conclusion, although prepubertal gilt oocytes appeared less meiotically and developmentally competent than their adult counterparts, they can be used to produce blastocysts able to develop to term.

Age Factors↗

Piglets born after vitrification of embryos using the open pulled straw method.

Morulae and unhatched blastocysts from Large White hyperprolific (LWh) and Meishan (MS) gilts were selected to test an ultrarapid open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification method with two media. The viability of vitrified/warmed embryos was estimated by the percentage of embryos that developed to the hatched blastocyst stage in vitro or by birth after transfer. In Experiment 1, two cryoprotectant dilution media were compared for cryopreservation of MS and LWh blastocysts: TCM was a standard Hepes-buffered TCM199 + 20% NBCS medium and PBS was a PBS + 20% NBCS medium. After a two-step equilibration in ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and sucrose, 2-5 blastocysts were loaded into OPS and plunged into liquid nitrogen. Embryos were warmed; a four-step dilution with decreasing concentrations of sucrose was applied. In PBS, LWh blastocysts (27%) had a lower viability in vitro than MS blastocysts (67%; P = 0.001). In TCM, no significant difference was observed between genotypes (41% for LWh and 43% for MS blastocysts) and both viability rates were lower than that of the control groups. In Experiment 2, morula-stage LWh and MS embryos were vitrified and warmed using PBS. The viability rate was low and did not differ between LWh (11%) and MS (14%). In Experiment 3, 200 MS and 200 LWh blastocysts were vitrified/warmed as described in Experiment 1 (PBS). In each of 20 MS recipients, 20 embryos were transferred. The farrowing rate was 55% and recipients farrowed four and five piglets (median) for MS and LWh blastocysts, respectively. The OPS method is therefore appropriate for cryopreservation of unhatched porcine blastocysts.

Animals↗

Modulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycan and small proteoglycan synthesis by the extracellular matrix.

Cell culture in collagen lattice is known to be a more physiological model than monolayer for studying the regulation of extracellular matrix protein deposition. The synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and dermatan sulfate (DS) proteoglycans by 3 cell strains were studied in confluent monolayers grown on plastic surface, in comparison to fully retracted collagen lattices. Cells were labelled with 35S-sulfate, followed by GAG and proteoglycan analysis by cellulose acetate and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. The 3 cell strains contracted the lattice in a similar way. In monolayer cultures, the major part of GAG was secreted into culture medium whereas in lattice cultures of dermal fibroblasts and osteosarcoma MG-63 cells but not fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells, a higher proportion of GAGs, including dermatan sulfate, was retained within the lattices. Small DS proteoglycans, decorin and biglycan, were detected in fibroblasts and MG-63 cultures. They were preferentially trapped within the collagen gel. In retracted lattices, decorin had a higher Mr than in monolayer. Biglycan was detected in monolayer and lattice cultures of MG-63 cells but in lattice cultures only in the case of fibroblasts. In this last case, an up regulation of biglycan mRNA steady state level and down regulation of decorin mRNA was observed, in comparison to monolayers, indicating that collagen can modulate the phenotypical expression of small proteoglycan genes.

Adult↗

Transforming growth factor beta-1 up-regulates clusterin synthesis in thyroid epithelial cells.

Porcine epithelial cells in primary culture seeded on plastic substratum form a monolayer containing pseudo-vesicles. When cultured in the presence of thyreotropin (TSH) thyrocytes adopted a follicular-like structure and formed clusters. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta1) induced a rapid spreading of the TSH-treated cells only. At the same time, TGFbeta1 enhanced clusterin protein and mRNA expression. The increase of clusterin synthesis was proportional to the TGFbeta1 concentration in the culture medium. Tunicamycin abolished the up-regulation of whole clusterin synthesis and morphological changes. The activator protein-1 binding site partly directed the TGFbeta1-stimulated clusterin expression. Phorbol ester caused rapid spreading of the cells with disappearance of vesicular and follicular structures. It decreased clusterin mRNA and protein expression, but increased Mr 45, 000 protein secretion in both TSH-treated and nontreated cells. Up-regulation of clusterin expression may be a marker of TGFbeta-mediated thyrocyte dedifferentiation.

Animals↗

Uridine diphosphoglucose dehydrogenase regulates proteoglycan expression: cDNA cloning and antisense study.

Using a reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction approach human and murine UDPG-dehydrogenase (GDH) was cloned from fibroblast mRNAs. Human enzyme is 97% and 27% identical with its murine and E. coli orthologs. Murine mRNA of 3.1 kb size is expressed in all the tissue studied at a level independent of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH) mRNA. In human fibroblast in vitro, 2 GDH transcripts were observed. They were expressed proportionally to GAPDH. The simple pattern of human GDH Southern blotting suggests a single copy gene. An antisense oligonucleotide directed to the ATG region of the human enzyme inhibited 35S-sulphate incorporation into extracellular macromolecules, especially proteoglycans. These data indicate that GDH expression may regulate proteoglycan synthesis in the cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) secretion in prepubertal and adult rams.

The aim of the present analysis was to determine whether anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations in prepubertal plasma or adult rete testis fluid are related to the number or function of Sertoli cells in rams or to the presence of the FecB Booroola gene. Twenty rams from two Booroola crosses, differing in their testicular masses were analysed; in each cross, half of the animals were heterozygous carriers of the FecB gene. The data from rams, during prepuberty and at adulthood during the non-sexual season, were analysed by two-way ANOVA and residual correlations. In 4-week-old intact male lambs, the mean anti-Müllerian hormone plasma concentration was 15 ng ml-1, irrespective of cross, genotype or eCG stimulation; it was significantly negatively correlated with FSH (r = -0.51; P = 0.02; n = 19). In adults, anti-Müllerian hormone was not detectable in plasma and was 0.5 ng ml-1 in rete testis fluid, irrespective of cross or genotype. The total number of Sertoli cells per testis was not related to anti-Müllerian hormone concentration in lamb prepubertal plasma or in adult rete testis fluid. The concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone in adult rete testis fluid was significantly and negatively correlated with the daily production of leptotene primary spermatocytes per testis (r = -0.56; P = 0.02; n = 16). The mean oestrogen concentration in the adult testicular vein was 2 pg ml-1 and was correlated negatively with the rete testis fluid concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone (r = -0.60; P = 0.02; n = 15) and correlated positively with the daily production of leptotene primary spermatocytes per testis (r = 0.53; P < 0.05; n = 19). In conclusion, anti-Müllerian hormone secretion was not correlated with the total numbers of Sertoli cells per testis and cannot be used as a predictor of the number of Sertoli cells. Anti-Müllerian hormone secretions were not affected by the presence of FecB gene. However, anti-Müllerian hormone secretion could be considered to be inversely related to the daily production of primary spermatocytes by the testis.

Analysis of Variance↗

Proliferation and differentiation of porcine inner cell mass and epiblast in vitro.

The proliferation rate and differentiation state were investigated in porcine inner cell masses (ICMs) and epiblasts in vitro. ICMs isolated from early blastocysts (Day 7 of pregnancy) and epiblasts isolated from preelongated blastocysts (Day 11 of pregnancy) were cultured for up to 5 days in the presence of human leukemia inhibitory factor (hLIF) (1000 U/ml). The proliferation rate was evaluated by determination of the percentage of cells in S-phase. The differentiation state was determined by studying the expression of the stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1), a marker for undifferentiated murine embryonic stem (ES) cells, and the expression of laminin and cytokeratins 8/18, markers of ES cell differentiation. The staining pattern showed that freshly collected Day 11 epiblasts appeared undifferentiated but rapidly lost this characteristic in vitro. A decrease in the proliferation rate was also observed during culture. This decrease was reduced in the presence of high concentrations of hLIF (optimal concentrations: 5000 U/ml). Conversely, treatment of Day 11 epiblast cells with retinoic acid, an agent known to induce differentiation in murine ES cells, caused a dramatic decrease in the proliferation rate in vitro. In contrast to Day 11 epiblasts, Day 7 ICMs expressed SSEA-1 in vitro and showed a higher proliferation rate (p < 0.01). However, their proliferation rate also decreased during culture and following trypsinization. These results indicate that the undifferentiated characteristics of Day 7 ICMs are more likely to be maintained in vitro than are those of Day 11 epiblasts, which are rapidly committed into early differentiation.

Animals↗

Ontogenesis of somatic and germ cells in sheep fetal testis.

Testicular development of sheep fetuses was studied between day 42 of gestation and birth. Testis mass and the total number of testicular cells increased curvilinearly with fetal age and a positive linear relationship was established between the logarithmic values of age and testis mass, sex cord total length, total number of Sertoli cells, germ cells and Leydig cells per testis. The mean number of gonocytes per unit length of sex cord, the Sertoli cell nuclear cross-sectional area and the Leydig cell cross-sectional area decreased linearly with age between day 42 of gestation and birth. Hypophysectomy and hemicastration were performed to study the regulation of testicular cell divisions during fetal life and to determine whether they were under pituitary control and whether a feedback mechanism was present. Hypophysectomy at day 100 or 110 of gestation nonsignificantly decreased (0.05 < P < 0.01) the testis mass, total length of sex cords and total number of Sertoli cells and significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the cross-sectional area of Leydig cells and nuclei of Sertoli cells. Sex cord diameter and total number of gonocytes were unaltered. Hemicastration at day 110 of gestation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the total number of Leydig cells per testis without changing any other testicular parameter. In male sheep fetuses, the proliferation of testicular somatic and germ cells occurs throughout testicular fetal growth at a higher rate before day 100 of gestation than later, but without any differentiation. Mitotic divisions of Sertoli cells are more numerous before birth than afterwards. Before birth, the proliferation of gonocytes is not under pituitary control.

Animals↗

The alpha 3 chain of type IV collagen prevents activation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Our initial observation that type I collagen activates polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) prompted the testing of the activating potential of type IV collagen. It was noted, however, that type IV collagen isolated from bovine lens capsule did not activate PMN but rather prevented their stimulation by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, phorbol myristate acetate, or type I collagen. This observation led to the present study, which demonstrates that the inhibitory effect of lens capsule type IV collagen resides in the noncollagenous (NC1) domain of the alpha 3 chain and specifically in the region comprising residues 185-203 of the NC1 domain of both the human and bovine molecules. Synthetic peptides from the same region of the NC1 domains of the alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 4, and alpha 5 chains did not possess the inhibitory effect seen with the alpha 3 chain. The sequence S-N-S (residues 189-191) is unique to the peptide of the alpha 3 chain, and substitution of either serine with alanine abolishes the inhibition. Type IV collagen isolated from the mouse Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor, a molecule that lacks the alpha 3 chain, did not prevent PMN activation but instead stimulated the secretion of elastase and type IV collagenase. Incubation of PMN with intact lens capsule type IV collagen or a peptide comprising residues 185-203 of the alpha 3 (IV) chain resulted in a 3-fold increase of intracellular cAMP, whereas, Ca2+ levels remained unchanged. Incubating PMN with forskolin or with dibutyryl-cAMP resulted in the inhibition of O2- production and degranulation by PMN, thus mimicking the effects of type IV collagen and the alpha 3 (IV) 185-203 peptide. The data suggest that type IV collagen, through its alpha 3 chain, down-regulates PMN activation and thus decreases the potential for damage as these cells traverse the capillary wall. Our in vitro experiments suggest that the higher the content of the alpha 3 (IV) chain is in a basement membrane, the wider would be its capacity for self-protection.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Adhesion and activation of human neutrophils onto collagen chains separated by electrophoresis.

After separation of the various alpha chains of the collagens by SDS-PAGE, the binding of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to these chains was detected by a double-antibody technique and the activation of PMN by nitro blue tetrazolium. All of the alpha chains tested were able to bind PMNs. The alpha 1 chain of type I collagen activated the PMN when it had not been treated with pepsin. Pepsinized types II and VI collagens did not activate PMN. The pepsinized alpha 1(III) chains and all three alpha chains from pepsinized type V collagen were able to activate PMN.

Cell Adhesion↗

In vitro culture of embryonic disc cells from porcine blastocysts.

The aim of the present study was to define the conditions of preparation and in vitro culture of embryonic discs allowing proliferation of ES-like cells. G5-6 porcine blastocysts (G0 = day of AI) were cultured in toto; in G10-11 blastocysts, trophectoderm and primitive endoderm were microsurgically removed from embryonic discs (ED) which were cultured either on plastic or on a feeder layer. Feeder cells were foetal G30 porcine fibroblasts which had been previously irradiated. Culture medium was DMEM supplemented with 0.1 mM beta-mercaptoethanol, 5% foetal calf serum, 5% Ultroser G and 10(3) IU LIF; cultures were performed at 38 degrees C. Colonies were reseeded weekly. Few embryonic discs from G5-6 and no elongating blastocysts gave rise to ES-like cells. At least 50% G10-11 ED attached and developed multilayered colonies (100 cells) of small ovoid ES-like cells. Colonies from 4 sows were maintained in culture for at least 8 wk. Addition of PDGF, insulin or both, induced a transitory stimulation of growth in G6 or G10-11 ED; TGF beta did not modify growth of G6 ICM. Uterine G10-11 flushing medium or retinol induced differentiation of ES-like cells. These cells introduced in nude mice induced teratoma.

Animals↗

Effects of a single brief period of moderate heating of the testes on seminiferous tubules in hypophysectomized rams treated with pituitary extract.

An experiment was conducted to examine the appearance of the seminiferous tubule 20 days after a single exposure of the testes of rams to a scrotal temperature of about 42 degrees C for 45 min. Ten of the animals were surgically hypophysectomized and five were simultaneously heated; these rams were treated twice a day with ovine pituitary extract to avoid modifications in the negative feedback from the testes to the pituitary and consequent changes in gonadotrophin secretion. Six intact rams (three heated and three unheated) were also studied. The pituitary extract significantly increased the testis weight and spermatogonial multiplications from A1 spermatogonia onwards. Twenty days after the heat treatment, testis weight was significantly reduced by heating; both tubular and intertubular tissues were affected. The total length of seminiferous tubules per testis was not modified, whereas the mean seminiferous tubule diameter was significantly reduced after heating. The total number of Sertoli cells per testis was not significantly modified, while their mean cross-sectional nuclear area was significantly reduced by heat treatment. A decrease in the number of all germ cells except A0 spermatogonia, from A1 spermatogonia onwards, was observed. The number of round spermatids decreased by 95 and 90%, slightly more than the diplotene primary spermatocytes (76 and 77%) and elongated spermatids (79 and 85%) in hypophysectomized pituitary extract-treated and intact rams, respectively. Round and elongated spermatids would be derived from germ cells that were respectively leptotene and young pachytene primary spermatocytes at the time of heating, whereas diplotene primary spermatocytes would have been type B spermatogonia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of a 2-month light cycle regimen on testicular parameters of adult Ile-de-France rams.

This experiment was conducted in Ile-de-France adult rams to examine the target point of a 2-month light cycle regimen on seminiferous tubule functions, on intertubular compartment and on Leydig cell parameters. Eight rams were subjected to a 2-month light cycle regimen and were compared to sexually active or inactive rams. In light-treated rams, testis weight was maintained equal or was higher than that of sexually active rams. Both tubular and intertubular tissues were found significantly higher in light-treated than in sexually active rams. The mean ratio of basement membrane area of the seminiferous tubules per Sertoli cells and the daily productions of A1 spermatogonia and of leptotene primary spermatocytes were significantly increased in light-treated rams as compared with sexually active or inactive rams. Meanwhile, the dairy productions of diplotene primary spermatocytes, of round spermatids, of spermatozoa and of the rete testis fluid were not significantly increased in light-treated as compared with sexually active rams but significantly greater than those of sexually inactive rams. Total volume, total numbers, and individual volumes of Leydig cells were at least equal or higher in light-treated than in sexually active rams.

Animals↗

Bovine lens capsule basement membrane collagen exerts a negative priming on polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

After a 30 min contact between purified bovine lens capsule basement membrane type IV collagen and polymorphonuclear neutrophils, stimulation of these cells by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, PMA or type I collagen releases a decreased amount of superoxide ions (negative priming). The inhibitory activity is located in the NCl domain. On the other hand, after pepsin digestion, the helical part of type IV collagen determines a positive priming of neutrophils.

Animals↗