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Isolation and Characterization of Mouse Antral Oocytes Based on Nucleolar Chromatin Organization
Published on: January 7, 2016
How long do parthenogenetically activated mouse oocytes maintain the ability to accept sperm nuclei as a genetic
Hiroyuki Tateno1, Yujiroh Kamiguchi
1Department of Biological Sciences, Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan. htateno@asahikawa-med.ac.jp
Purpose:
Cytogenetic risk of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) after artificial oocyte activation (post-activation ICSI) was evaluated in the mouse.
Methods:
Mouse zygotes were produced by ICSI into eggs at various intervals after parthenogenetic exposure to strontium (Sr) for 30 min. Male pronucleus formation and the chromosome constitution were studied.
Results:
Sperm nuclei injected into oocytes within 1 h after Sr exposure (from early through mid-telophase) transformed normally into male pronuclei, and the number of chromosome aberrations did not significantly increase in the resultant zygotes. When sperm nuclei were injected into eggs at intervals beyond 1 h after Sr exposure (from late telophase through the G1 pronuclear stage), the rate of male pronucleus formation was significantly reduced. The incidence of chromosome aberrations increased with time between oocyte activation and ICSI.
Conclusions:
ICSI into oocytes within 1 h after parthenogenetic activation produces cytogenetically competent embryos in the mouse.
Insights
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) into mouse oocytes within one hour of artificial activation resulted in normal embryo development. Delaying ICSI beyond one hour increased risks of abnormal male pronucleus formation and chromosome aberrations.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Artificial oocyte activation is crucial for assisted reproductive technologies.
- Understanding the timing of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) post-activation is vital for embryo development.
- Cytogenetic integrity is a primary concern in ICSI procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytogenetic risks associated with ICSI performed after artificial oocyte activation in a mouse model.
- To determine the optimal time window for ICSI following parthenogenetic activation to ensure embryo viability.
Main Methods:
- Mouse oocytes were artificially activated using strontium (Sr).
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was performed at varying intervals after activation.
- Male pronucleus formation and chromosomal constitution of resulting zygotes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Normal male pronucleus formation and no significant increase in chromosome aberrations were observed when ICSI was performed within 1 hour of activation.
- Delayed ICSI (beyond 1 hour) led to reduced male pronucleus formation rates.
- The incidence of chromosome aberrations increased with longer intervals between oocyte activation and ICSI.
Conclusions:
- Performing ICSI within one hour of artificial oocyte activation in mice yields cytogenetically competent embryos.
- This timing is critical for minimizing risks of developmental abnormalities in post-activation ICSI.
- The findings provide essential guidance for optimizing ICSI protocols in assisted reproduction.
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