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Aneuploidy Detection and mtDNA Quantification in Bovine Embryos with Different Cleavage Onset Using a Next-Generation
Miroslav Hornak1, David Kubicek, Petr Broz
1Central European Institute of Technology - Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic.
Cytogenetic and Genome Research
|December 2, 2016
Summary
Bovine embryo aneuploidy, or abnormal chromosome number, is common (41.1%) and linked to cleavage timing. Late-cleaving embryos show higher aneuploidy and lower mitochondrial DNA levels, offering insights for cattle and human IVF.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Genetics
- Animal Science
Background:
- Bovine embryos are crucial for global genetic dissemination in agriculture.
- Improving cattle in vitro fertilization (IVF) and aneuploidy screening is a priority.
- Aneuploidy in bovine embryos is less understood compared to human embryos.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess aneuploidy levels in bovine embryos.
- To investigate the relationship between cleavage timing and aneuploidy.
- To quantify mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels and their correlation with aneuploidy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 31 two-cell bovine embryos from early- and late-cleaving zygotes.
- Whole Genome Amplification and next-generation sequencing for aneuploidy assessment.
- Quantification of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in blastomeres.
Main Results:
- Overall aneuploidy incidence was 41.1% in the studied bovine embryos.
- A significant correlation was found between cleavage timing and aneuploidy (77.8% in late- vs. 31.8% in early-cleaving embryos).
- Median mtDNA quantity was significantly lower in late-cleaving embryos.
Conclusions:
- Cleavage timing is a significant factor associated with aneuploidy in bovine embryos.
- Lower mtDNA levels in late-cleaving embryos may indicate impaired cellular function.
- Bovine embryos serve as a valuable model for human IVF research.
