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Biomedical subjects

D F Albertini

Publications and source records attributed to D F Albertini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Activated bovine cytoplasts prepared by demecolcine-induced enucleation support development of nuclear transfer embryos in vitro.

Demecolcine-induced enucleation (IE) of mouse oocytes has been shown to improve development to term of cloned mice. In this study, we characterized the kinetics and morphological progression of bovine oocytes subjected to IE, and evaluated their ability to support embryo development to the blastocyst stage after nuclear transfer (NT). In vitro matured bovine oocytes were parthenogenetically activated and subsequently exposed to demecolcine at various times post-activation. Onset and duration of demecolcine treatment significantly altered activation and IE frequencies, which varied from 7.1% to 100% and 33.3% to 91.7%, respectively, at 5 hr post-activation. A significant decrease in IE frequencies was observed at 17 hr post-activation (3.4%-46.1%), possibly due to reincorporation of chromosomes into the oocyte after incomplete second polar body (PB) extrusion. Oocytes were reconstructed by NT before (treatment 1) or after (treatment 2) activation and demecolcine treatment, and cultured in vitro. Cleavage (48.1%-54.2%) and blastocyst rates (15.7%-19%) were equivalent for the two treatments, as well as the total cell number in NT blastocysts. Furthermore, most of the blastocysts were completely diploid (treatment 2) or heteroploid but with a majority of diploid nuclei (treatment 1). Our results demonstrate that the IE method can be successfully used to produce enucleated bovine cytoplasts that are competent to support development to the blastocyst stage after NT. This technically simple approach may provide a more efficient method to enhance the success rate of NT procedures. Further studies are needed to improve the in vitro development efficiency and to expand our understanding of the mechanism(s) involved in demecolcine-induced enucleation.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Oocyte-somatic cell communication.

The physical interface between the female germ line and enveloping somatic cells is dynamically modified throughout the course of folliculogenesis. How selective pathways for communication between the oocyte and granulosa cell are established and regulated remains to be determined, but insights into the structural basis for this communication are emerging. This review summarizes the available evidence that supports the notion that the integration of oogenesis with folliculogenesis is achieved by regulated cell interactions between oocytes and granulosa cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Assessment of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation in in-vitro matured human oocytes.

BACKGROUND: With improved prospects for the use of human oocyte in-vitro maturation in assisted reproductive technologies, the need to define more clearly the coordination of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation has arisen. METHODS: Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy were used to evaluate cell cycle-dependent modifications in chromatin and microtubules in human germinal vesicle oocytes (n = 455) undergoing in-vitro maturation. RESULTS: Four distinct classes of germinal vesicle stage oocytes were identified based on the expression of G2/interphase characteristics, but, of these, only one class of oocytes was competent to complete meiotic progression to metaphase-II in vitro. The majority of germinal vesicle stage oocytes resumed meiosis within 6 h (88.9%) of culture and exhibited an accelerated pace of progression to metaphase-II (66.7%) over 24 h, but in general were unable to maintain meiotic arrest and defaulted into interphase within 24 h of polar body emission. Characterization of microtubule dynamics and chromatin phosphorylation demonstrates specific cell cycle deficiencies in in-vitro matured human oocytes. CONCLUSION: This work forms a basis for future studies aimed at optimizing nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation during in-vitro maturation.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2001

Microtubule patterning during meiotic maturation in mouse oocytes is determined by cell cycle-specific sorting and redistribution of gamma-tubulin.

The topography of microtubule assembly events during meiotic maturation of animal oocytes demands tight spatial control and temporal precision. To better understand what regulates the timing and location of microtubule assembly, synchronously maturing mouse oocytes were evaluated with respect to gamma-tubulin, pericentrin, and total tubulin polymer fractions at specific stages of meiotic progression. gamma-Tubulin remained associated with cytoplasmic centrosomes through diakinesis of meiosis-1. Following chromatin condensation and perinuclear centrosome aggregation, gamma-tubulin relocated to a nuclear lamina-bounded compartment in which meiosis-1 spindle assembly occurred. gamma-Tubulin was stably associated with the meiotic spindle from prometaphase-1 through to anaphase-2, but also exhibited cell cycle-specific relocalization to cytoplasmic centrosomes. Specifically, anaphase onset of both meiosis-1 and -2 was characterized by the concomitant appearance of gamma-tubulin and microtubule nucleation in subcortical centrosomes. Brief pulses of taxol applied at specific cell cycle stages enhanced detection of gamma-tubulin compartmentalization, consistent with a gamma-tubulin localization-dependent spatial restriction of microtubule assembly during meiotic progression. In addition, a taxol pulse during meiotic resumption impaired subsequent gamma-tubulin sorting, resulting in monopolar spindle formation and cell cycle arrest in meiosis-1; despite cell cycle arrest, polar body extrusion occurred roughly on schedule. Therefore, sorting of gamma-tubulin is involved in both the timing of location of meiotic spindle assembly as well as the coordination of karyokinesis and cytokinesis in mouse oocytes.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
PubMed2001

A novel system for in vitro maturation of human oocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare in vitro maturation of cumulus-free oocytes in glucose-free medium (P1) and standard medium (TC199). DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study. SETTING: Assisted reproductive technology program. PATIENT(S): One hundred eight patients undergoing ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): Germinal vesicle-stage or metaphase I--stage oocytes were allocated to culture with P1 or TC199. Metaphase II oocytes were fixed for immunofluorescence analysis or fluorescence in situ hybridization at 24 or 48 hours (or both). Media were compared by performing conditional logistic regression analysis that controlled for egg-specific factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Proportion of mature oocytes and appearance of normal spindle-chromosome cytoarchitecture. RESULT(S): At 24 hours, more P1 oocytes than TC199 oocytes reached metaphase II (59.7% vs. 44.9%). At 48 hours, 71.7% of P1 oocytes and 61.0% of TC199 oocytes reached metaphase II, but this difference was not significant. Metaphase II oocytes in P1 were 34.3% more likely than those in TC199 to have a bipolar spindle with aligned chromosomes. Compared with oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage at 0 hour, those at metaphase I at 0 hour were more likely to progress to metaphase II (72.6% vs. 46.1% at 24 hours; 84.1% vs. 60.6% at 48 hours). CONCLUSION(S): P1 is superior to TC199 for in vitro maturation of granulosa-free human oocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cellular basis for paracrine regulation of ovarian follicle development.

Paracrine factors secreted by oocytes and somatic cells regulate many important aspects of early ovarian follicle development in mammals. From activation of dormant primordial follicles to selection of secondary follicles, locally acting factors have been identified that appear to exert important effects on the growth and differentiation of oocytes and granulosa cells. This article summarizes evidence to support a model for bi-directional paracrine communication that is based on developmental regulation of the delivery and reception of paracrine factors at the oocyte-granulosa cell interface. Transzonal projections that originate from granulosa cells and terminate at the oocyte plasma membrane provide a polarized means to orient the secretory organelles of somatic cells. Characterization of transzonal projections in follicles from normal and genetically modified mice reveals dynamic changes in the density and stability of transzonal projections. On the basis of new data analysing the orientation and cytoskeletal content of transzonal projections in mammalian oocytes, a model is proposed for regulation of paracrine growth factor secretion by follicle-stimulating hormone. These findings have immediate implications for ovarian hyperstimulation protocols and follicle culture models as related to the production of mammalian embryos by assisted reproductive technologies.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Oocyte-granulosa cell heterologous gap junctions are required for the coordination of nuclear and cytoplasmic meiotic competence.

Homologous gap junctions are generally recognized as a means of coordinating cellular behavior under developmental and homeostatic conditions. In the mammalian ovary, heterologous gap junctions between the oocyte and the granulosa cells have been widely implicated in the regulation of meiotic maturation late in oogenesis. However, the role of oocyte-granulosa cell gap junctions at earlier stages of oogenesis is poorly understood. Stage-specific defects in both oocyte and follicle development have been identified in juvenile mice deficient in heterologous oocyte-granulosa cell gap junctions due to targeted deletion of Gja4, the gene encoding connexin-37. Follicle development arrests at the type 4 preantral stage and although oocytes commence growth, oocyte growth ceases at a diameter of 52 microm (74.3% of control size). Analysis of cell cycle and cytoskeletal markers indicates that oocytes arrest in a G(2) state based on uniform decondensed GV chromatin, interphase microtubule arrays, and nonphosphorylated cytoplasmic centrosomes. Functional assays of meiotic competence confirm that oocytes from connexin-37-deficient mice are unable to enter M phase (initiate meiotic maturation) unless treated with the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA). Unlike growing oocytes from heterozygous control animals, OA-treated oocytes from connexin-37-deficient mice respond acutely and progress rapidly to the circular bivalent stage of meiosis I and upon removal from OA rapidly revert to an interphase state. In contrast, OA-treated control incompetent oocytes are slow to respond, exhibit a lower proportion of chromosomal bivalent stage oocytes, but remain in and progress into meiotic M phase upon removal from OA. This study demonstrates that heterologous gap-junctional communication is required for the completion of oocyte growth and the acquisition of cytoplasmic meiotic competence.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Centrosome-specific perturbations during in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes exposed to cocaine.

Previous studies indicating that cocaine may perturb meiotic chromosome segregation in mammalian oocytes prompted an analysis of the effects of cocaine on mouse oocytes matured in vitro under defined exposure conditions. Cumulus-enclosed mouse oocytes were matured in vitro in the continuous presence of cocaine and assessed for meiotic cell cycle progression and centrosome-microtubule organization using a combination of cytogenetic and fluorescence microscopic techniques. Both of these approaches demonstrated that cocaine had little effect on meiotic cell cycle progression to metaphase of meiosis-2 except at the highest dose tested (1000 microg/ml) where progression from metaphase-1 to metaphase-2 was inhibited. Cytogenetic analyses further showed that bivalent segregation was moderately affected and the incidence of premature centromere separation was significantly decreased following cocaine treatment. Under conditions of cocaine exposure, striking changes in meiotic spindle structure and cytoplasmic centrosome organization were observed. A 36% reduction in spindle length was associated with a loss of nonacetylated microtubules and fragmentation of spindle pole centrosomes. Moreover, in oocytes exposed to cocaine during maturation, a doubling in cytoplasmic centrosome number was observed. These results are discussed with respect to the relative roles of chromosomes and centrosomes in establishing and maintaining functional microtubule organization during meiosis in oocytes.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed2000

Sorting and reorganization of centrosomes during oocyte maturation in the mouse.

In animal oocytes, the centrosome exists as an acentriolar aggregate of centrosomal material that is regulated in a dynamic manner throughout the process of meiotic maturation. Recently, it has been demonstrated that in female meiotic systems spindle assembly is likely regulated by chromosomal and microtubule/microtubule-associated influences. The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of the integral centrosomal protein, pericentrin, during the course of meiotic maturation. The function of the centrosome during meiotic progression was evaluated by exposing oocytes to pharmacological agents that perturb cytoplasmic homeostasis (cycloheximide, nocodazole, cytochalasin D, taxol, and vanadate). Pericentrin was localized to the spindle poles during metaphase of meiosis-I as O- and C-shaped structures. At anaphase, these structures fragment, become displaced from the spindle poles, and associate with the lateral spindle margin. The metaphase spindle at meiosis-II had incomplete pericentrin rings at both spindle poles. Vanadate treatment, a known inhibitor of dynein-ATPase, resulted in meiotic arrest, constriction of the spindle pole, and an aggregation of pericentrin at the spindle poles. After taxol exposure, pericentrin incorporation into both spindle poles and cytoplasmic centrosomes was increased. Treatment of oocytes with cycloheximide, nocodazole, and cytochalasin D, influenced early events associated with chromosome capture and spindle assembly and altered the number and distribution of cytoplasmic centrosomes. Thus, although pericentrin incorporation is not required for meiotic spindle formation, the dynamic reorganization of pericentrin and changes in centrosome microtubule nucleating capacity are involved in critical cell cycle transitions during meiotic maturation.

Anaphase↗
PubMed1999

Taxol-induced meiotic maturation delay, spindle defects, and aneuploidy in mouse oocytes and zygotes.

To increase our understanding about the potential risks of chemically-induced aneuploidy, more information about the various mechanisms of aneuploidy induction is needed, particularly in germ cells. Most chemicals that induce aneuploidy inhibit microtubule polymerization. However, taxol alters microtubule dynamics by enhancing polymerization and stabilizing the polymer fraction. We tested the hypothesis that taxol induces meiotic delay, spindle defects, and aneuploidy in mouse oocytes and zygotes. Super-ovulated ICR mice received 0 (control), 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/kg taxol intraperitoneally immediately after HCG. Females were paired (1:1) with males for 17 h after taxol treatment. Mated females were given colchicine 25 h after taxol and their one-cell zygotes were collected 16 h later. Ovulated oocytes from non-mated females were collected 17 h after taxol. Chromosomes were C-banded for cytogenetic analyses. Oocytes were also collected from another group of similarly treated females for in situ chromatin and microtubule analyses. Taxol significantly (p<0.01) enhanced the proportion of oocytes exhibiting parthenogenetic activation, chromosomes displaced from the meiotic spindle, and sister-chromatid separation. Moreover, 7.5 mg/kg taxol significantly (p<0.01) increased the proportions of metaphase I and diploid oocytes and polyploid zygotes. A significant (p<0.01) dose response for taxol-induced hyperploidy in oocytes and zygotes was found. These results support the hypothesis that taxol-induced meiotic delay and spindle defects contribute to aneuploid mouse oocytes and zygotes.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of oocyte and follicle development in growth differentiation factor-9-deficient mice.

Female mice null for the oocyte-specific gene product, growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, exhibit primary infertility due to failed ovarian follicular development. The purpose of this study is to characterize oocyte and follicular differentiation as a function of animal age using cell culture and fluorescence, confocal, and electron microscopy. Analysis of follicles from GDF-9 homozygous mutant mice indicates that GDF-9-deficient oocytes grow more rapidly than control oocytes and that follicle growth ceases at the type 3b stage. Based on germinal vesicle (GV) chromatin patterns, fully grown oocytes isolated from GDF-9-deficient mice progress to advanced stages of differentiation equivalent to those found in antral follicles of control (heterozygous) mice. In vitro maturation of oocytes from homozygous mutant mice revealed that most oocytes are capable of resuming meiosis, with the ability to achieve meiotic completion reaching the highest levels in 6-week-old mice. Among the characteristic ultrastructural features of oocytes from homozygous mutant mice are perinuclear organelle aggregation, unusual peripheral Golgi complexes, and a failure to form cortical granules. Modified interconnections between granulosa cells and oocytes were also observed by ultrastructural (EM) and fluorescence microscopic analysis of follicles from GDF-9-deficient mice. These modifications included a decrease in the number of actin-based transzonal processes and modifications of microtubule-based projections that over time gave rise to invasion of the perivitelline space with eventual loss of oocyte viability. These cell-cell aberrations suggest a critical role for GDF-9 in the regulation of growth in preantral follicles through a mechanism involving bidirectional somatic cell-germ cell interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

M-phase specific centrosome-microtubule alterations induced by the fungicide MBC in human granulosa cells.

The mitostatic action of the commonly used fungicide methyl 2-benzimidazolecarbamate (MBC) was evaluated in primary cultures of human ovarian granulosa cells with respect to the organization and stability of spindle microtubules and mitotic centrosomes. MBC caused metaphase arrest and abnormal chromosome organization following a 3-15 h treatment at a concentration of 30 microM. While microtubules were retained in MBC-treated cells, alterations in spindle shape and microtubule composition were noted. Exposure to MBC resulted in an increased number of spindle poles associated with chromosomes displaced from the metaphase plate. A gradual increase from tri- to multipolar spindles was noted with prolonged treatment although a relatively constant fraction (50%) of bipolar spindles was maintained. In non-dividing cells, MBC had no effect on microtubule organization. Analysis of mitotic figures by immunofluorescence microscopy showed a reduction in interpolar and astral microtubules in response to MBC treatment while acetylated kinetochore microtubules were retained and their plus-ends were attached to metaphase chromosomes. In multipolar spindles, analysis of microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) with antisera to stable centrosomal markers (SPJ and 5051) revealed that only poles associated with displaced chromosomes retained these markers. In contrast, transient centrosome markers (NuMA and centrophilin) were localized to all poles of multipolar spindles. Since MBC alters centrosome organization during mitosis, the results suggest that one mechanism of action of this agent is impairment of spindle microtubule dynamics at the centrosome.

Antigens, Nuclear↗
PubMed1997

Stage specific effects of carbendazim (MBC) on meiotic cell cycle progression in mouse oocytes.

The effects of the pesticide carbendazim (MBC) on the in vitro meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes were evaluated using conventional and confocal fluorescence microscopy. The response of oocytes exposed to 0, 3, 10, or 30 microM MBC during meiotic maturation was analyzed with respect to chromosome organization, meiotic spindle microtubules, and cortical actin using fluorescent labels for each of these structures. Continuous exposure to MBC during the resumption of meiosis resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of meiotic cell cycle progression at metaphase of meiosis-1. Drug exposure at the metaphase-anaphase transition of meiosis-1 did not interfere with cell cycle progression to metaphase-2 except at high concentrations (30 microM). At the level of spindle microtubule organization, MBC caused a loss of nonacetylated microtubules and a decrease in spindle size at 3 or 10 microM concentrations. Thirty microM MBC prevented spindle assembly when added at the beginning of meiotic maturation or caused spindle pole disruption and fragmentation when added to preformed spindles. Spindle disruption involved a loss of phosphoprotein epitopes, as monitored by MPM-2 staining, and resulted in the appearance of dispersed chromosomes that retained a metaphase-plate location on spindle fragments associated with the oocyte cortex. Polar body extrusion was impaired by MBC, and abnormal polar bodies were observed in most treated oocytes. The results suggest that MBC disrupts cell cycle progression in mouse oocytes by altering meiotic spindle microtubule stability and spindle pole integrity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Growth differentiation factor-9 is required during early ovarian folliculogenesis.

Growth factors synthesized by ovarian somatic cells directly affect oocyte growth and function, but it is unclear whether oocyte-secreted factors play a reciprocal role in modulating somatic cell functions in vivo. During the functional analysis of members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily in mouse development, we have uncovered a new family member, growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9), which is required for ovarian folliculogenesis. GDF-9 messenger RNA is synthesized only in the oocyte from the primary one-layer follicle stage until after ovulation. Here we analyse ovaries from GDF-9-deficient female mice and demonstrate that primordial and primary one-layer follicles can be formed, but there is a block in follicular development beyond the primary one-layer follicle stage which leads to complete infertility. Oocyte growth and zona pellucida formation proceed normally, but other aspects of oocyte differentiation are compromised. Thus, GDF-9 is the first oocyte-derived growth factor required for somatic cell function in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cryobiology of non-human primate oocytes.

The responses to various stresses involved with cryopreservation protocols were investigated using non-human primate oocytes. Fluorescence microscopy was used to assess the status of the F-actin microfilament system of rhesus monkey oocytes after exposure to different concentrations of glycerol. The F-actin organization around the cortex and in the transzonal processes was modified by exposure to 1.0 ot 2.0 M glycerol at ambient temperature. These effects were reduced significantly when exposure to glycerol was combined with cooling to O degrees C. Cynomolgus monkey oocytes were also subjected to hyperosmotic stress and observed for morphological changes. An irregular shrinkage phenomenon was observed with germinal vesicle or metaphase I but not metaphase II (MII) oocytes. The irregular shrinkage became uniform and spherical when the oocytes were pretreated with ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N'N' tetraacetic acid (EGTA) before exposure to hypertonic solution. Also, in-vitro-matured MII oocytes from cynomolgus monkeys were used to determine crucial biophysical parameters for freezing primate oocytes. The permeability of oocyte plasma membrane to water, Lpg, and its activation energy, ELp, were determined between 0 and -12 degrees C in the absence of cryoprotective additives. The Lpg was found to be 3.8x10(-14) m3N/s and the ELp was 141.5 kJ/mol. the pre-exponential kinetic and exponential thermodynamic parameters of intracellular ice formation were determined to be 8x108 m2/S and 2. 2x10(9) K5 respectively. By combining models of water transport and intracellular ice formation, the cumulative fraction of oocytes with intracellular ice as a function of the cooling rate was also predicted, and it was shown to correlate reasonably with experimental observations.

Actins↗
PubMed1995

Unusual cytoskeletal and chromatin configurations in mouse oocytes that are atypical in meiotic progression.

Meiotic maturation progresses atypically in oocytes of strain LT/Sv and I/LnJ mice. LT/Sv occytes show a high frequency of metaphase I-arrest and parthenogenetic activation. I/LnJ oocytes display retarded kinetics of meiotic maturation and a high frequency of metaphase I-arrest. Some I/LnJ oocytes fail to resume meiosis. Changes in the configuration of chromatin, microtubules, and centrosomes are associated with specific stages of meiotic progression. In this study, the configuration of these subcellular components was examined in LT/Sv, I/LnJ, and C57BL/6J (control) oocytes either freshly isolated from large antral follicles or after culture for 15 hr to allow progression of spontaneous meiotic maturation. Differences were found in the organization of chromatin, microtubules, and centrosomes in LT/Sv and I/LnJ oocytes compared to control oocytes. For example, rather than exhibiting multiple cytoplasmic and nuclear centrosomes as in the normal germinal vesicle-stage oocytes, LT/Sv oocytes typically contain a single large centrosome. In contrast, I/LnJ oocytes displayed many small centrosomes. The microtubules of normal germinal vesicle-stage oocytes were organized as arrays or asters, but microtubules were shorter in LT/Sv oocytes and absent from I/LnJ oocytes. After a 15-hr culture, centrosomal material of normal metaphase II oocytes was organized at both spindle poles. In contrast, metaphase I-arrested LT/Sv oocytes exhibited an elongated spindle with centrosomal material appearing more organized at one pole of the spindle. Both control and LT/Sv oocytes displayed cytoplasmic centrosomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Chromatin organization, meiotic status and meiotic competence acquisition in mouse oocytes from cultured ovarian follicles.

Changes in chromatin organization, meiotic status and the development of meiotic competence in oocytes retained within mouse ovarian follicles from day 0 to day 6 in culture were examined. The effects of exposure for 24 h to human luteinizing hormone (hLH) during the last day in culture was also determined. Preantral follicles from 22- to 24-day-old (prepubertal) mice develop antra and undergo significant growth from day 0 to day 4 in culture, after which the growth rates slow. The statistical significance of meiotic progression was examined using exact logistical regression analysis, which is particularly useful when the data are sparse and unbalanced. The transition from rimmed to unrimmed germinal vesicle stages was found to occur between day 2 and day 4 of follicle culture and was not influenced by exposure to hLH. Treatment with hLH caused a significant increase in the proportion of intrafollicular oocytes resuming meiosis. Assays of meiotic competence performed in vitro in oocytes retrieved from cultured follicles demonstrated that the transition from an unrimmed to a rimmed state is closely coincident with the acquisition and expression of meiotic competence. Forty-six per cent of competent oocytes from follicle cultures at day 3 progressed to metaphase II. These results indicate that the follicle culture system used in these studies supports the transformation of enclosed oocytes from a precompetent to a competent state and can maintain meiotic arrest for up to 6 days in culture. However, an increasing proportion of oocytes exhibit abnormal meiotic progression with continued follicle culture beyond 4 days.

Animals↗