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Updated: Apr 30, 2026
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Published on: June 24, 2020
Autophagic activation in vitrified-warmed mouse oocytes
Soyoung Bang1, Hyejin Shin1, Haengseok Song1
1Department of Biomedical Science and TechnologyInstitute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, KoreaDepartment of Biomedical ScienceCollege of Life Science, CHA University, Seoul 135-913, KoreaDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologySeoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do 463-707, Korea.
Vitrification and warming of mouse oocytes activate autophagy, a cellular stress response. This autophagic activation, triggered by cold temperature, helps oocytes survive cryopreservation stress.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cellular Stress Response
- Cryobiology
Background:
- Oocyte vitrification using cryoprotectants (CPAs) and liquid nitrogen (LN2) can cause damage.
- Autophagy is a cellular survival mechanism against stressors.
- The effect of vitrification on oocyte autophagy is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the vitrification-warming process induces autophagy in mouse oocytes.
- To determine if cold temperature or CPAs trigger autophagy in vitrified oocytes.
Main Methods:
- RT-PCR analysis of autophagy-related genes (Atg5, Atg7, Atg12, LC3, Beclin1) in oocytes.
- Confocal live imaging of GFP-LC3 puncta in transgenic mice oocytes.
- Assessment of oocyte survival, IVF, and embryonic development after treatment with an autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine).
Main Results:
- Autophagy-related genes (Atg5, Atg7, Atg12, LC3, Beclin1) are expressed in mouse oocytes.
- Vitrified-warmed oocytes show increased GFP-LC3 puncta and BECLIN1 protein levels, indicating autophagy activation.
- Autophagy inhibition did not significantly impact oocyte survival or developmental rates post-warming and IVF.
Conclusions:
- Vitrification-warming induces autophagy in mouse oocytes as an adaptive response to cold stress.
- Cold temperature, not CPAs, is the primary trigger for autophagy induction during oocyte vitrification.
- This study is the first to report cold-induced autophagy in vitrified-warmed mouse oocytes.
