Effect of soybean phosphatidylcholine on lipid profile of bovine oocytes matured in vitro

Author(s)

Pitangui-Molina, Caroline P. ^[1] ; Virequea, Alessandra A. ^[1] ; Tata, Alessandra ^[2] ; Belaz, Katia Roberta A. ^[2] ; Santos, Vanessa G. ^[2] ; Ferreira, Christina R. ^[2] ; Eberlin, Marcos N. ^[2] ; Silva-de-Sa, Marcos Felipe ^[1] ; Ferriania, Rui A. ^[1] ; Rosa-e-Silva, Ana Carolina J. S. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, 3900 Bandeirantes Ave, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Chem, ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Lab, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Chemistry and Physics of Lipids; v. 204, p. 76-84, APR 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

The phospholipid (PL) composition of embryo and oocyte membranes affects thermal phase behavior and several physicochemical properties such as fluidity and permeability. The characterization of PL profiles and the development of suitable in vitro maturation (IVM) protocols, that are able to modify membrane's composition, may result in significant improvements in oocyte developmental potential and cryotolerance. Using soybean phosphatidylcholine (PC) as a model supplement, we evaluated the effect of PL supplementation during IVM on bovine cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC). Substantial changes in the lipid profiles of oocyte membrane were observed and associated with pre-implantation data. The propensity of the PC supplement to become soluble in the maturation medium and/or diffuse into mineral oil was also assessed. Oocytes were matured in TCM without supplementation, i.e. control, (n = 922) or supplemented with 50 or 100 mu M PC (n = 994). The maturation media and mineral oil pre and post-IVM, along with control and PC-treated oocytes were then analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), and the lipid profiles were compared via principal component analysis (PCA). Soybean PCs are bioavailable and stable in IVM medium; further, PCs did not diffuse to the mineral oil, which also remained unaltered by the metabolism of treated oocytes. PC supplementation at 100 mu M resulted in substantially greater relative abundances of polyunsatured PL, namely PC (32:1), PC (34:2), PC (36:6), PC (36:4), and PC (38:6), in oocyte membrane. These differences indicated that short-term exposure to the PC supplement could indeed modify the lipid composition of IVM-oocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Membrane incorporation of polyunsaturated molecular species of PC was favored, and does so without compromising the viability of the subsequent embryo in regards to cleavage, blastocyst development and hatching rate. The reported approach will allow for the development of novel strategies to modulate oocyte membrane dynamics and structure. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/06191-7 - MALDI-TOF and ESI-MS fingerprinting for bacteria identification in culture media and semen as a tool for sanitary excelence in bovine embryo in vitro production
• Grantee: Alessandra Tata
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/07206-0 - Search for a Molecular Signature of Receptivity in Cattle by Mass Spectrometry
• Grantee: Katia Roberta Anacleto Belaz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral