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Activity of MPF and expression of its related genes in mouse MI oocytes exposed to cadmium

Jin Liu1, Xiaoli Lu2, Wenxiang Wang3

  • 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xueyuan Road, Minhou County, Fuzhou 350122, China.

Food and Chemical Toxicology : an International Journal Published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
|December 31, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Cadmium exposure disrupts mouse oocyte maturation by maintaining high maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity and altering MPF-related gene expression, ultimately hindering meiotic progression.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Molecular Endocrinology

Background:

  • Cadmium is a known ovarian toxicant.
  • Oocyte meiotic progression relies on precise regulation of maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity.
  • The effects of cadmium on MPF activity and related gene expression during oocyte meiosis are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of cadmium exposure on mouse oocyte meiotic progression.
  • To analyze the effects of cadmium on maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity and its key regulatory genes (Cdk1, Ccnb1, Cdc25b) during oocyte meiosis.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro culture of mouse germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes.
  • Exposure to varying concentrations of cadmium (0.05–5 μM) for different durations (0, 6, 9 hours).
  • Measurement of MPF activity, and mRNA and protein expression levels of Cdk1, Ccnb1, and Cdc25b.

Main Results:

  • Cadmium exposure altered the periodic changes in MPF activity, maintaining elevated levels over time.
  • Both mRNA and protein expression of MPF-related genes (Cdk1, Ccnb1, Cdc25b) were significantly increased by cadmium exposure.
  • These effects were observed in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with significant increases at 9 hours post-exposure compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Cadmium disrupts normal meiotic progression in mouse oocytes.
  • Cadmium maintains high MPF activity and promotes the synthesis of MPF-related genes, interfering with the cyclical regulation necessary for meiosis.
  • This interference with MPF regulation is a potential molecular mechanism by which cadmium causes oocyte meiotic arrest.
Keywords:
CCNB1CDC25BCDK1CadmiumMPFOocyte

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