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Transcriptomics Reveal Molecular Differences in Equine Oocytes Vitrified before and after In Vitro Maturation
Daniel Angel-Velez1,2, Tim Meese3, Mohamed Hedia1,4
1Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 28, 2023
Summary
Vitrifying equine oocytes after maturation, not before, offers subtle advantages for their messenger RNA (mRNA) profile. This finding may improve the efficiency of equine oocyte cryopreservation for assisted reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Animal Science
- Genomics
Background:
- In vitro embryo production in horses is established, but low blastocyst rates from vitrified oocytes persist.
- Cryopreservation impacts oocyte developmental potential, potentially altering messenger RNA (mRNA) profiles.
- Understanding these alterations is crucial for improving equine oocyte cryopreservation success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the transcriptome profiles of equine oocytes vitrified before versus after in vitro maturation.
- To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and affected pathways in vitrified equine oocytes.
- To provide insights into optimizing equine oocyte vitrification protocols.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was employed to analyze three groups: fresh in vitro matured oocytes (FR), oocytes vitrified post-maturation (VMAT), and immature oocytes vitrified then matured (VIM).
- Differential gene expression analysis was performed between groups.
- Pathway analysis was conducted to identify biological processes affected by vitrification.
Main Results:
- VIM oocytes showed 46 DEGs compared to FR, while VMAT oocytes showed 36 DEGs.
- Comparing VIM and VMAT revealed 44 DEGs.
- Key affected pathways included cytoskeleton, spindle formation, and ion transport, indicating cryopreservation impacts cellular structure and homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Vitrifying equine oocytes after in vitro maturation (VMAT) demonstrated subtle advantages in mRNA profile compared to vitrifying immature oocytes (VIM).
- These findings offer a new perspective on vitrification's impact on equine oocytes.
- The study provides a basis for future improvements in equine oocyte vitrification efficiency.
