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The effect of Mycoplasma pulmonis on fertilization and preimplantation development in vitro of mouse eggs
Abstract:
The effect of Mycoplasma pulmonis suspension on mouse on mouse fertilization and preimplantation development in vitro was examined. When sperm were preincubated with M. pulmonis, fertilization of eggs occured less consistently than when untreated sperm were used. There was also a highly significant and consistent reduction in embryonic develoment in the treated group, with relatively few embryos reaching the blastocyst stage. The adverse effects were not seen with M. fermentans or with M. pulmonis organisms inactivated by heating or sonication before incubation with gametes. Likewise, preincubation of M. pulmonis in medium containing tetracycline, an antibiotic which interferes with protein synthesis, resulted in embryonic development similar to that seen in the untreated group. These results suggest that the deleterious effects obtained with viable mycoplasmas are due to some substance produced by their active metabolism. Other results indicate that the egg is susceptible to M. pulmonis for a limited time, since incubation of two-cell embryos with mycoplasmas had no effect on development to the blastocyst stage. The findings are discussed in relation to the possible association between human infertility and mycoplasma infection.
Insights
Live Mycoplasma pulmonis negatively impacts mouse fertilization and early embryo development. These adverse effects are linked to active mycoplasma metabolism, not the organisms themselves.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Microbiology
- Infertility Research
Background:
- Mycoplasma species are implicated in human reproductive tract infections.
- The specific mechanisms by which Mycoplasma affect fertilization and embryonic development are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effects of Mycoplasma pulmonis on mouse fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development.
- To determine if the observed effects are due to viable organisms or metabolic products.
Main Methods:
- Sperm were preincubated with live or inactivated Mycoplasma pulmonis.
- Fertilization rates and subsequent embryonic development to the blastocyst stage were assessed.
- Experiments included using inactivated M. pulmonis and M. pulmonis treated with tetracycline.
Main Results:
- Live M. pulmonis significantly reduced fertilization consistency and embryonic development compared to controls.
- Inactivated M. pulmonis or M. pulmonis treated with tetracycline did not cause adverse effects.
- The egg was susceptible to M. pulmonis during fertilization but not at the two-cell embryo stage.
Conclusions:
- Viable Mycoplasma pulmonis exerts deleterious effects on early mouse embryo development through a substance produced by active metabolism.
- These findings suggest a potential link between Mycoplasma infection and human infertility.
