Abstract
Reproductive processes involve complex and finely orchestrated events that allow for the maintenance and propagation of species. Currently, scientific and technological advances allow research to be conducted globally, which may represent a revolution in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in these processes. In addition to elucidating the key events of these processes, there may be the development of new revolutionary tools for assisted reproduction that mainly lead to the development of healthier individuals. In this sense, we propose the creation of the Research Network on Communication in Reproduction (RePCoR) whose main objective is to conduct, in the form of integrated projects, the mapping of communication processes between the different actors involved in the initial stages of fertilization and early embryonic development in vivo and in vitro. We believe that the maternal environment influences gametes and embryos in a beneficial and essential way, and that the molecules involved in this communication, when introduced into in vitro systems, can generate embryos that are more similar to those developed in vivo and, therefore, more competent. To address this issue, 6 subprojects are proposed. In subproject 1, a new in vitro system will be developed for the study of the oviduct environment based on the generation of mixed spheroids composed of epithelial cells and oviduct fibroblasts (EMEFO). The best conditions for the establishment and maintenance of EMEFOs will be determined, allowing the maintenance of the morphophysiology, being also submitted to hormonal challenges mimicking the different phases of the estrous cycle. In subproject 2 the communication between EMEFOs and the female gamete will be studied. Morphofunctional and molecular parameters of the oocyte will be evaluated in the presence of EMEFOs, believing in the increase of their competence to support embryonic development after fertilization. In subproject 3, communication is studied with another protagonist: the sperm. In this subproject, it is proposed to identify the type and characteristics of spermatozoa that arrive in the oviduct, and seek to select this population to increase the processes. Also, check if there is a difference in communication between bulls. In subproject 4, the event of in vitro fertilization in the presence and absence of EMEFOs will be studied, hoping that communication with the maternal tissue leads to higher rates of embryos. Subproject 5 will assess whether the environment with EMEFOs induces morphophysiological, molecular and epigenetic changes in embryos, bringing them closer to those developed in vivo. The mapping of important molecules in these 5 subprojects will allow the development of subproject 6, which foresees interventions in the in vitro production system aiming to bring the in vitro embryos closer to the in vivo ones. Subproject 6 represents the innovation component of the proposal. In all subprojects, it was decided to map the communication processes with omic tools, whose results will be analyzed in an integrative way. Furthermore, for all characterizations, the processes will be compared to the in vivo system. We consider these two aspects, as well as the global mapping of reproductive events, as the main differentials of the proposal. By generating this knowledge, both in vitro and in vivo, the main molecules, morphological and/or molecular changes will be detected and studied, and will subsidize the generation of a new in vitro embryo production system that takes into account not only the numbers of produced individuals, as the quality of these animals generated. This could undoubtedly impact animal production, health and welfare. (AU)
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