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Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing
Published on: October 11, 2015
Dimethyl Sulfoxide Perturbs Cell Cycle Progression and Spindle Organization in Porcine Meiotic Oocytes
Xuan Li1, Yan-Kui Wang1, Zhi-Qiang Song1
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, China.
Abstract:
Meiotic maturation of mammalian oocytes is a precisely orchestrated and complex process. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a widely used solvent, drug, and cryoprotectant, is capable of disturbing asymmetric cytokinesis of oocyte meiosis in mice. However, in pigs, DMSO's effect on oocyte meiosis still remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate if DMSO treatment will affect porcine oocyte meiosis and the underlying molecular changes as well. Interestingly, we did not observe the formation of the large first polar body and symmetric division for porcine oocytes treated with DMSO, contrary to findings reported in mice. 3% DMSO treatment could inhibit cumulus expansion, increase nuclear abnormality, disturb spindle organization, decrease reactive oxygen species level, and elevate mitochondrial membrane potential of porcine oocytes. There was no effect on germinal vesicle breakdown rate regardless of DMSO concentration. 3% DMSO treatment did not affect expression of genes involved in spindle organization (Bub1 and Mad2) and apoptosis (NF-κB, Pten, Bcl2, Caspase3 and Caspase9), however, it significantly decreased expression levels of pluripotency genes (Oct4, Sox2 and Lin28) in mature oocytes. Therefore, we demonstrated that disturbed cumulus expansion, chromosome alignment, spindle organization and pluripotency gene expression could be responsible for DMSO-induced porcine oocyte meiotic arrest and the lower capacity of subsequent embryo development. Our results provide new insights on DMSO's effect on porcine oocyte meiosis and raise safety concerns over DMSO's usage on female reproduction in both farm animals and humans.
Insights
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) disrupts porcine oocyte meiosis, affecting cumulus expansion and pluripotency gene expression. This raises concerns for its use in animal and human reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Meiotic maturation in mammalian oocytes is a complex, regulated process.
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a common solvent and cryoprotectant with known effects on mouse oocyte meiosis.
- The impact of DMSO on porcine oocyte meiosis remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of DMSO on porcine oocyte meiosis.
- To identify underlying molecular changes induced by DMSO treatment in oocytes.
- To assess the safety of DMSO for female reproduction in pigs and potentially humans.
Main Methods:
- Porcine oocytes were treated with varying concentrations of DMSO.
- Evaluated parameters included cumulus expansion, nuclear abnormalities, spindle organization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential.
- Gene expression analysis was performed for pluripotency markers (Oct4, Sox2, Lin28) and genes related to spindle organization and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- DMSO treatment did not affect germinal vesicle breakdown rate.
- 3% DMSO inhibited cumulus expansion, increased nuclear abnormalities, disturbed spindle organization, decreased ROS levels, and elevated mitochondrial membrane potential.
- DMSO treatment significantly decreased the expression of pluripotency genes (Oct4, Sox2, Lin28) in mature oocytes.
Conclusions:
- DMSO disrupts key aspects of porcine oocyte meiosis, including cumulus expansion, chromosome alignment, and spindle organization.
- Decreased pluripotency gene expression in DMSO-treated oocytes may contribute to meiotic arrest and reduced embryo development capacity.
- Findings highlight potential risks associated with DMSO use in porcine oocyte manipulation and broader reproductive applications.
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