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3 October 2012 Disrupted Redox Homeostasis and Aberrant Redox Gene Expression in Porcine Oocytes Contribute to Decreased Developmental Competence
Ye Yuan, Matthew B. Wheeler, Rebecca L. Krisher
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Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify specific redox-related genes whose function contributes to oocyte quality and to characterize the role of redox homeostasis in oocyte development. We determined the redox genes glutaredoxin 2 (GLRX2), protein disulfide isomerase family A, members 4 and 6 (PDIA4, PDIA6), and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) were differentially expressed between adult (more competent) and prepubertal (less competent) porcine in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes. The association between these genes and oocyte quality was further validated by comparing transcript abundance in IVM with that in in vivo-matured (VVM) prepubertal and adult oocytes. By maturing oocytes in variable redox environments, we demonstrated that a balanced redox environment is important for oocyte quality, and over-reduction of the environment is as detrimental as excess oxidation. Critical levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) are required for oocyte competence. Elevated GSH and lower ROS in prepubertal oocytes suggest disrupted redox homeostasis exists in these cells. By further comparing GLRX2, PDIA4, PDIA6, and TXNRD1 expression levels in oocytes matured under these different redox environments, we found aberrant expression patterns in prepubertal oocytes but not in adult oocytes when the maturation medium contained high concentrations of antioxidants. These results suggest that prepubertal oocytes are less competent in regulating redox balance than adult oocytes, contributing to lower oocyte quality. In conclusion, aberrant redox gene expression patterns and disrupted redox homeostasis contribute to decreased developmental competence in prepubertal and IVM porcine oocytes. The balance between ROS and GSH plays an important role in oocyte quality.

Ye Yuan, Matthew B. Wheeler, and Rebecca L. Krisher "Disrupted Redox Homeostasis and Aberrant Redox Gene Expression in Porcine Oocytes Contribute to Decreased Developmental Competence," Biology of Reproduction 87(4), (3 October 2012). https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.112.099952
Received: 14 February 2012; Accepted: 1 July 2012; Published: 3 October 2012
KEYWORDS
gene expression
In vitro maturation
IVM
oocyte
pig
Porcine
redox homeostasis
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