Extracellular vesicles from oviductal and uterine fluids supplementation in sequential in vitro culture improves bovine embryo quality

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Verde Leal, Claudia Lima ; Canon-Beltran, Karina ; Cajas, Yulia N. ; Hamdi, Meriem ; Yaryes, Aracelli ; Millan de la Blanca, Maria Gemma ; Beltran-Brena, Paula ; Mazzarella, Rosane ; da Silveira, Juliano Coelho ; Gutierrez-Adan, Alfonso ; Gonzalez, Encina M. ; Rizos, Dimitrios

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY; v. 13, n. 1, p. 20-pg., 2022-10-25.

Abstract

Background In vitro production of bovine embryos is a well-established technology, but the in vitro culture (IVC) system still warrants improvements, especially regarding embryo quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from oviductal (OF) and uterine fluid (UF) in sequential IVC on the development and quality of bovine embryos. Zygotes were cultured in SOF supplemented with either BSA or EVs-depleted fetal calf serum (dFCS) in the presence (BSA-EV and dFCS-EV) or absence of EVs from OF (D1 to D4) and UF (D5 to D8), mimicking in vivo conditions. EVs from oviducts (early luteal phase) and uterine horns (mid-luteal phase) from slaughtered heifers were isolated by size exclusion chromatography. Blastocyst rate was recorded on days 7-8 and their quality was assessed based on lipid contents, mitochondrial activity and total cell numbers, as well as survival rate after vitrification. Relative mRNA abundance for lipid metabolism-related transcripts and levels of phosphorylated hormone-sensitive lipase (pHSL) proteins were also determined. Additionally, the expression levels of 383 miRNA in OF- and UF-EVs were assessed by qRT-PCR. Results Blastocyst yield was lower (P < 0.05) in BSA treatments compared with dFCS treatments. Survival rates after vitrification/warming were improved in dFCS-EVs (P < 0.05). EVs increased (P < 0.05) blastocysts total cell number in dFCS-EV and BSA-EV compared with respective controls (dFCS and BSA), while lipid content was decreased in dFCS-EV (P < 0.05) and mitochondrial activity did not change (P > 0.05). Lipid metabolism transcripts were affected by EVs and showed interaction with type of protein source in medium (PPARGC1B, LDLR, CD36, FASN and PNPLA2, P < 0.05). Levels of pHSL were lower in dFCS (P < 0.05). Twenty miRNA were differentially expressed between OF- and UF-EVs and only bta-miR-148b was increased in OF-EVs (P < 0.05). Conclusions Mimicking physiological conditions using EVs from OF and UF in sequential IVC does not affect embryo development but improves blastocyst quality regarding survival rate after vitrification/warming, total cell number, lipid content, and relative changes in expression of lipid metabolism transcripts and lipase activation. Finally, EVs miRNA contents may contribute to the observed effects. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/20339-3 - Influence of extracellular vesicles on lipid metabolism, development and quality of bovine embryos produced in vitro
• Grantee: Cláudia Lima Verde Leal
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• FAPESP's process: 19/04981-2 - Effects of extracellular vesicle supplementation during bovine embryo cleavage
• Grantee: Rosane Mazzarella
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 15/21829-9 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2014/22887-0: Nanosight LM10
• Grantee: Juliano Coelho da Silveira
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 14/22887-0 - Cell-secreted vesicles containing miRNAs modulate epigenetic changes during in vitro culture of bovine gametes and embryos
• Grantee: Juliano Coelho da Silveira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants