How to translate text using browser tools
9 October 2013 Dynamics of Imprinted DNA Methylation and Gene Transcription for Imprinting Establishment in Mouse Oocytes in Relation to Culture Duration Variability
Ellen Anckaert, Flor Sánchez, Katy Billooye, Johan Smitz
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Several studies have linked assisted reproductive technologies to aberrant imprinting. We previously showed that 12-day in vitro follicle culture supports normal imprinting establishment in mouse oocytes. The aim of the present study was to assess whether shortened in vitro follicle growth (8 days of culture compared with 12 days, as a model for human in vitro maturation) or preovulatory intrafollicular oocyte “aging” in culture (14 days of culture) leads to imprinting mutations in oocytes. Limiting-dilution bisulphite sequencing showed that shortened in vitro follicle growth (8 days) does not induce oocyte epimutations at the imprinted Snrpn and Mest genes. In contrast, extension of oocyte residence in large unluteinized follicles in vitro was associated with a low level (1 of 54 alleles) of epimutations for Mest but not for Snrpn. The latter condition may occur during controlled ovarian stimulation where the oocyte growth phase may be extended for several days. Furthermore, we studied the dynamics during follicle culture of transcript levels for genes previously shown to be essential for imprinting establishment in oocytes, including Dnmt3a, Dnmt3L, and Zfp57. Oocyte total mRNA levels during in vitro follicle culture showed the timely shutdown in transcription at the antral follicle stage, and total mRNA levels were comparable to those of in vivo grown equine chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated oocytes.

Ellen Anckaert, Flor Sánchez, Katy Billooye, and Johan Smitz "Dynamics of Imprinted DNA Methylation and Gene Transcription for Imprinting Establishment in Mouse Oocytes in Relation to Culture Duration Variability," Biology of Reproduction 89(6), (9 October 2013). https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.113.111641
Received: 27 June 2013; Accepted: 1 October 2013; Published: 9 October 2013
KEYWORDS
DNA methylation
follicle culture
GENOMIC IMPRINTING
oocyte maturation
total mRNA
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top