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Published on: April 26, 2018
Vitrification of mouse MII oocytes: Developmental competency using paclitaxel
Farzaneh Fesahat1, Azita Faramarzi2, Arezoo Khoradmehr2
1Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran; Department of Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Objective:
Oocyte cryopreservation provides an important alternative for fertility preservation for women who will be treated with cytotoxic drugs. However, it can cause spindle disorganization of microtubules, putting the zygote at risk for aneuploidy. Paclitaxel is known to stabilize the microtubules that constitute the spindle. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitable concentration of paclitaxel for adding to the vitrification media to improve the developmental potential of post-thawed mature oocytes to blastocyst formation in mice.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 300 MII oocytes were retrieved from superovulated mice, and were divided into three groups of control, Experimental I, and Experimental II. Oocytes in Experimental I and Experimental II were cryopreserved in the presence of 0.5μM or 1μM of paclitaxel in vitrification media, respectively. After thawing, all oocytes were incubated in G-IVF medium for 1 hour. From each group,12 oocytes were selected for viability evaluation by Hoechst/propidium iodide nuclear staining. Standard in vitro fertilization was performed on the rest of the oocytes and embryo development was followed to the blastocyst stage.
Results:
Fertilization rate was not significantly different between the three groups. However, the cleavage rate (55%) in Experimental II group was significantly lower compared to Experimental I (88%) and control groups (83%). There was a detectable difference between the three groups at the blastocyst rate (Experimental I and control groups, p = 0.004; Experimental II vs. control and Experimental I, p < 0.001). The highest rates of parthenogenesis and arrest were in Experimental II (16% and 21%, respectively) compared with control (6% and 5%, respectively) and Experimental I (5% and 3%, respectively). There was also a significant decrease in viability rate of oocytes in Experimental II compared to the other groups.
Conclusion:
A high concentration of paclitaxel, an anticancer drug, interrupted the mouse oocyte competency when supplemented to vitrification media. Consequently, the optimal concentration of this cytoskeleton stabilizer may improve the post-thawed developmental abilities of oocytes.
Insights
Adding paclitaxel to vitrification media can harm mouse oocyte development. High concentrations of this microtubule stabilizer negatively impact oocyte competency and embryo development after thawing, suggesting a need for optimal concentration studies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cryobiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Oocyte cryopreservation is vital for fertility preservation, especially for women undergoing cytotoxic therapy.
- Cryopreservation can cause spindle disorganization, increasing aneuploidy risk in zygotes.
- Paclitaxel stabilizes microtubules, potentially mitigating spindle damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal concentration of paclitaxel for improving the developmental potential of cryopreserved mouse oocytes.
- To investigate the effect of paclitaxel on post-thawed oocyte viability and blastocyst formation.
Main Methods:
- Mice oocytes (n=300) were divided into control, 0.5μM paclitaxel (Experimental I), and 1μM paclitaxel (Experimental II) groups.
- Oocytes were vitrified, thawed, and incubated; viability was assessed using nuclear staining.
- In vitro fertilization was performed, and embryo development to the blastocyst stage was monitored.
Main Results:
- Fertilization rates were similar across all groups.
- Cleavage rates were significantly lower in the 1μM paclitaxel group (Experimental II) compared to controls.
- The 1μM paclitaxel group showed significantly reduced blastocyst rates, increased parthenogenesis and arrest rates, and decreased oocyte viability.
Conclusions:
- High concentrations (1μM) of paclitaxel negatively impact mouse oocyte competency and developmental potential after thawing.
- The optimal concentration of paclitaxel may enhance post-thawed oocyte developmental abilities, but further research is needed.
- Paclitaxel, an anticancer drug, requires careful dosage evaluation when used in oocyte cryopreservation media.
