Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Manipulation and In Vitro Maturation of Xenopus laevis Oocytes, Followed by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, to Study Embryonic Development
Published on: February 9, 2015
Effects of thioglycolic acid on parthenogenetic activation of Xenopus oocytes
Zhuoran Wang1, Xiaomei Ren, Dong Wang
1Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Background:
Existing in Permanent-wave solutions (PWS), thioglycolic acid (TGA) is widely used in hairdressing industry for its contribution to hair styling. However, the toxicity of TGA, especially its reproductive toxicity, gradually calls the attention of more and more researchers.
Method:
In this work, xenopus oocytes were pretreated with different concentration of TGA, and then activated by calcium ionophore A23187. During culture, the oocytes activation rates were taken note at different time after adding calcium ionophore A23187. At the end of the culture period, the nuclear status was detected under confocal microscope. In addition, some other samples were collected for Western-Blotting analysis.
Result:
TGA significantly inhibited the oocytes activation rate and pronuclear formation. It may be resulted from the inhibition of the degradation of p-ERK1, Mos and CyclinB2.
Conclusion:
TGA inhibits in vitro parthenogenetic activation of xenopus oocytes with inhibited the degradation of proteins involved in mitogenic-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and maturation-promoting factor (MPF) pathways.
Insights
Thioglycolic acid (TGA) in permanent-wave solutions inhibits xenopus oocyte activation and pronuclear formation. This reproductive toxicity is linked to the disruption of key protein degradation pathways essential for cell development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Toxicology
- Cellular Signaling
Background:
- Thioglycolic acid (TGA) is a common ingredient in permanent-wave solutions (PWS) used in the hairdressing industry.
- Concerns regarding the reproductive toxicity of TGA are increasing among researchers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of TGA on the in vitro parthenogenetic activation of xenopus oocytes.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying TGA-induced reproductive toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Xenopus oocytes were exposed to varying concentrations of TGA and subsequently activated using calcium ionophore A23187.
- Oocyte activation rates and pronuclear formation were assessed.
- Nuclear status was analyzed via confocal microscopy, and protein degradation was examined using Western Blotting.
Main Results:
- TGA significantly reduced oocyte activation rates and pronuclear formation.
- The observed inhibition is associated with suppressed degradation of p-ERK1, Mos, and CyclinB2 proteins.
- TGA interferes with crucial protein degradation pathways.
Conclusions:
- TGA impairs in vitro parthenogenetic activation of xenopus oocytes.
- This effect is mediated by the inhibition of protein degradation within the mitogenic-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and maturation-promoting factor (MPF) signaling pathways.
