家猫及其他猫科动物的生殖工程研究

在脊椎动物中,猫科动物是一类比较特殊的动物类群,共有37种动物,除家猫外,其余均为珍稀或临近灭绝的濒危动物,因而了解家猫的生殖习性和生殖规律,尤其是了解家猫胚胎工程领域,如猫卵母细胞的体外成熟（in vitro maturation IVM),体外受精（in vitro fertilization,IVF),显微受精等,对于利用现代生殖技术研究和探讨非家猫猫科动物的繁殖和保护具有极为重要的借鉴意义。     

体外生产胚胎技术

体外生产胚胎技术是胚胎工程技术的基础,其过程涉及到卵母细胞的体外成熟、精子获能和体外受精、胚胎的体外培养这三个方面。主要综述了卵母细胞体外成熟的影响因素、精子分离和获能的方法、早期胚胎体外培养的发育“阻滞”现象和体外培养体系,同时展望了该技术的发展前景 。     

一种早期胚胎体外培养新方法的建立

建立一种不依赖于液体石蜡的早期胚胎体外培养方法——套皿法,并比较了4种不同处理方法体外培养胚胎的效果。结果显示,采用套皿法进行胚胎培养,盖液体石蜡和不盖液体石蜡皿中的胚胎在各阶段的发育率差异不显著。与套皿法相比,用单皿微滴覆盖法(Brinster法)培养的胚胎在各阶段的发育率显著降低。不覆盖液体石蜡单皿中的胚胎则阻断于二细胞阶段。实验设计的套皿法是一种有效的早期胚胎体外培养方法,为早期胚胎体外培养提供了一种新方法。     

昆明小鼠原核胚在不同培养液中的体外发育

目的优化昆明小鼠原核胚胎体外培养系统,提高胚胎发育率.方法小鼠经超排获得原核期胚胎,制备小鼠输卵管上皮共培养系统,使用M16、CZB和KSOM培养液进行体外培养,并对体内和体外发育的囊胚细胞计数.结果在KSOM和CZB中添加胎牛血清能显著提高胚胎囊胚发育率(14.71%对85.71%;6.45%对10.81%);输卵管上皮共培养可以提高胚胎的卵裂率和囊胚发育率,同时提高胚胎质量和同步发育,小鼠胚胎在KSOMFBS中囊胚发育率达85.19%,显著高于CZB和M16.结论在小鼠输卵管上皮共培养条件下,KSOMFBS能够很好支持昆明小鼠原核期胚胎体外发育.     

乙醇和液体石蜡对早期小鼠胚胎体外发育的影响

哺乳动物早期胚胎体外培养技术是研究早期胚胎发育和胚胎工程的基本手段。目前最常用的方法是采用液体石蜡覆盖的液滴培养法。该方法中所用液体石蜡和CO2质量的好坏对体外培养胚胎的发育有严重影响。本文就此对几种中国产液体石蜡和含气体乙醇的CO2作为胚胎体外培养条件对胚胎发育的影响进行了研究。取成熟小鼠受精后的2细胞和8细胞胚胎分别用于两组实验。一、不同品牌液体石蜡对胚胎发育的影响。体外培养采用液体石蜡覆盖液滴培养法。所用液体石蜡均经过水洗。CO2为经过一次水滤的工厂粗制品。其乙醇含量经气相色谱仪测定约为0．18％。二、不同浓度乙醇对胚胎发育的影响。采用试管培养法。采用乙醇浓度不同的培养液。表1为五个不同厂家的液体石蜡对早期胚胎体外培养的影响。其中：I、II（上海、北京）号两种产品符合胚胎体外培养的要求,可使2细胞后期胚胎发育到囊胚的比率达到92％以上,对细胞没有毒害作用（图1A和图2A、B）。其余,则不符合要求,对细胞有毒害作用（图1B）,甚至用无水乙醇和水先后各洗涤3至4遍,亦无改善。由于影响液体石蜡质量的硝基萘可溶于乙醇而被清除,说明这些不合格的液体石蜡中可能还含有其它对胚胎发育有毒害作用的未知因素,有待进一步查明。商品液体石蜡经水洗能够提高其胚胎培养效率。即使是上海产品（I号）,如果不经水洗,2细胞胚胎也只能发育到桑椹阶段。但是,水洗后的液体石蜡需静置至油水彻底分离,才能正常使用。另外,这5种液体石蜡的比重各不相同。比重相关最大的I号和II号产品均符合培养要求,说明液体石蜡的比重对胚胎的正常发育没有影响。表2为各种乙醇浓度对8细胞胚胎发育的影响。当乙醇浓度达到0．1％时,即可使8细胞胚胎发育为囊胚的比率下降为73．9％;达到0．8％以上时,胚胎甚至不能发育。可见,培养液中若含有乙醇将会严重影响胚胎的体外培养。这除了由于水滤降低了CO2中气体乙醇的含量外,还可能是由于液体石蜡覆盖培养液滴后,对气体乙醇的渗入有一定阻作用所致。因此,在胚胎体外培养中不必非使用价格昂贵的纯CO2不可。     

乙醇对着床前小鼠胚胎体外发育的影响

用含不同浓度乙醇的Whitten氏培养液对小鼠2细胞、4细胞、8细胞和桑椹期胚胎分别进行体外培养,研究了乙醇对小鼠不同发育时期胚胎体外发育的影响。首先利用含0、0．1％、0．5％、1．0％、1．5％、2．0％、3．0％、5．0％和10．0％乙醇的Whitten氏培养液对2细胞胚胎进行培养,发现小鼠2细胞胚胎对培养液中乙醇浓度的耐受极限在1．5％左右。然后又用含1％和3％乙醇的Whitten氏培养液分别对小鼠2细胞、4细胞、8细胞和桑椹期胚胎进行培养。结果发现：含1％乙醇的培养液对于8细胞胚胎和桑椹胚的囊胚形成有促进作用,而在2细胞和4细胞胚胎中则影响不明显。3％乙醇则对各期胚胎均有不同程度的抑制作用,但随着胚胎发育其对乙醇的耐受力逐渐增强。     

胚胎干细胞体外分化心肌细胞的研究

胚胎干细胞是从动物胚胎内细胞团分离的具有全能性的细胞.研究证明分离的小鼠胚胎干细胞在体外可以分化成心肌细胞,这一发现为小鼠胚胎干细胞向各种特化心脏细胞(动脉样细胞、血管样细胞、窦样细胞、心室样细胞、蒲肯野氏样细胞)分化提供了依据,使基因功能的研究在体外成为可能.1998年末人类ES细胞的成功培养奠定了心脏细胞的再生性治疗的战略基础.主要综述了目前ES细胞体外分化心肌细胞的进程,讨论了此进程对心脏基因研究的促进作用.     

大白鼠全胚胎体外培养的研究

作者分别取出孕9.5天和孕11.5天大白鼠全胚胎于体外培养各48小时,重点观察9.5天至11.5天胚胎生长发育的形态学变化。     

胚胎干细胞的体外诱导分化模型

胚胎干细胞是具有全能性及无限制的自我更新与分化能力的一类特殊的细胞群体 ,它能通过祖细胞为中介 ,分化为各种类型的体细胞 ,可重演体内干细胞的分化过程。自 80年代从小鼠囊胚的内细胞团分离到胚胎干细胞并建系到现在已建立了神经细胞、肌肉细胞、上皮细胞、造血细胞等体外分化体系。将胚胎干细胞体外分化成为可利用的分化模型 ,无论从组织结构、细胞及分子水平都体现了体内分化过程的体外重演 ,再加上胚胎干细胞系具有体系简单 ,影响因子少 ,可控制 ,便于研究等特点 ,因此可用于研究早期胚胎发育和细胞分化调控 ;可成为器官移植和修复…     

葡萄糖对小鼠胚胎体外发育的影响

通过在CZB培养液中添加不同浓度葡萄糖及在胚胎发育的不同阶段加入葡萄糖,对小鼠胚胎进行体外培养,以探讨葡萄糖在小鼠早期胚胎体外发育中的作用。其结果表明,小鼠胚胎在含糖CZB与在无糖CZB中培养比较,4-细胞发育率无差异;各浓度葡萄糖组囊胚率显著高于无糖组,其中3.0mmol/L浓度组囊胚细胞数显著高于其余组;实验二：2-细胞至4-细胞、4-细胞至桑椹胚前添加葡萄糖囊胚率显著提高。上述结果证明,在小鼠胚胎体外培养中加入葡萄糖不会导致2-细胞阻滞;葡萄糖浓度增加至10mmol/L对小鼠胚胎无毒性作用,其最适浓度为3.0mmol/L;2-细胞至4-细胞、4-细胞至桑椹胚前添加葡萄糖是必要的。关键词 葡萄糖;小鼠;2-细胞阻滞;胚胎;体外发育     

Current progress on assisted reproduction in dogs and cats: in vitro embryo production

The objective of the development of assisted reproduction techniques in dogs and cats is their application to non-domestic canine and feline species, most of which are considered threatened or endangered. Among these techniques, an entirely in vitro system for embryo production is effectively an important tool for conservation of wildlife. In the last decade, progress has been made in embryo production in carnivores. It has been shown that canine oocytes can resume meiosis in vitro and that these oocytes can be fertilized and developed in vitro, although at a much lower rate than most other domestic animal oocytes. The reason lies in the dissimilarities of reproductive physiology of the dog compared to other species and the lack of precise information concerning the oviductal environment, in which oocyte maturation, fertilization and early embryonic development take place. Successful in vitro embryo production in the domestic cat has been attained with oocytes matured in vitro, and kittens were born after transfer of IVM/IVF derived embryos. On the basis of these results the in vitro fertilization of oocytes has also been applied in several non-domestic feline species. The effectiveness of such protocols in the preservation of genetic material of rare species can be improved by developing better techniques for long-term storage of gametes. In dogs and cats sperm cells have been successfully frozen and the cryopreservation of oocytes would greatly increase their availability for a range of reproductive technologies. Cryopreserved cat oocytes can be fertilized successfully and their development in vitro after fertilization is enhanced when mature oocytes are frozen. Thus refined techniques of oocyte maturation and fertilization in vitro coupled with oocyte cryopreservation could allow for an easy establishment of genetic combinations when male and female gametes in the desired combination are not simultaneously available, and the propagation of endangered carnivores would be facilitated.     

Embryo technology in conservation efforts for endangered felids

Most of the 36 species of wild cats are classified as threatened, vulnerable or endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. The important role of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) as part of a multifaceted captive breeding program for selected wild cat species is gradually gaining acceptance. This recognition is a result of the progress made during the last decade in which the feasibility of oocyte recovery from gonadotropin-treated females, in vitro fertilization, embryo cryopreservation and embryo transfer (ET) was demonstrated in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Additionally, embryos have been produced in vitro from oocytes matured in vitro after recovery from ex situ ovaries of both domestic and non-domestic cat species and domestic kittens have been born following transfer of these embryos. In vitro fertilization has been successful in at least one-third of wild cat species and kittens were born after transfer of Indian desert cat (Felis sylvestris ornata) embryos into a domestic cat and con-specific transfer of tiger (Panthera tigris) embryos. The domestic cat is not only a valuable model for development of in vitro techniques but may serve as a recipient of embryos from several species of small wild cats.     

非人灵长类的体外受精和胚胎移植

非人灵长类的体外受精和胚胎移植是了解人类生殖机制,如卵的成熟调控,受精卵的成熟与分化,胚胎着床,控制某些遗传疾病以及保护珍稀灵长类和提高实验灵长类质量的有效途径。本文从非人灵长类卵的获取(包括超数排卵,非激素刺激动物取卵),精子处理(精液采集,冻存和精子获能),体外受精和胚胎移植、胚胎的冻存等方面介绍了有关研究概况和发展动态。     

Folliculogenesis in the domestic cat (Felis catus)

The dynamic regulation of mammalian folliculogenesis is a key component of the reproductive process. Traditionally, the rodent had been used as a model to study ovarian function and reproductive physiology due to the availability of animals, their relatively short cycle length, high rate of fecundity and short generation interval. We maintain that much basic information can be determined using domestic cat ovaries retrieved from local veterinary clinics following routine spaying, without having the expense of maintaining a colony of laboratory cats. Studies of normal feline reproductive physiology and advances in reproductive technology may be extrapolated for use in endangered non-domestic felids. Increased understanding of feline reproduction will be beneficial to veterinary medicine, and to groups working to control feral cat populations. It is important to examine reproductive mechanisms in alternative animal models as there are a vast number of threatened and endangered species in which we lack the critical reproductive information needed to assist in preserving their long-term survival.     

Nuclear maturation and development of IVM/IVF canine embryos in synthetic oviductal fluid or in co-culture with buffalo rat liver cells

In vitro embryo production in the domestic bitch can provide valuable insights for conservation of endangered canids. In the present study, canine oocytes underwent in vitro maturation (IVM) in simple or complex media, with production of in vitro matured and fertilized (IVM/IVF) canine embryos. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were harvested from ovaries by slicing and subjected to IVM in four media (SOF, TCM 199, Ham-F10, and DMEM/F12). After culture for 48 h, oocytes were stained and examined for nuclear maturation. There were no significant differences in the mean (±S.D.) percentage of nuclear maturation (metaphase II) of oocytes cultured in SOF (18.6 ± 7.6%), TCM 199 (18.3 ± 4.5%), Ham-F10 (13.9 ± 8.2%), or DMEM/F12 (11.9 ± 4.2%). For assessment of embryo development, oocytes were matured for 48 h in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF), fertilized with frozen-thawed sperm, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 7 d, either in SOF or as co-cultures with BRL cells in TCM 199. Percentages of IVM/IVF oocytes that developed to the 2-cell, 3–4-cell, and 5–7-cell stages were higher (P < 0.05) following culture in SOF versus BRL cell co-cultures (33.6 ± 1.2% vs 13.7 ± 1.2%, 24.7 ± 0.5% vs 8.7 ± 1.1%, and 15.1 ± 2.2% vs 4.3 ± 1.3%, respectively). However, none of the embryos developed beyond the 8–16-cell stage. In conclusion, simple or complex media successfully induced resumption of meiosis and nuclear maturation of canine oocytes. Furthermore, SOF supported in vitro development of IVM/IVF canine embryos to the 8–16-cell stage.     

Sperm capacitation in the domestic cat (Felis catus) and leopard cat (Felis bengalensis) as studied with a salt-stored zona pellucida penetration assay.

The ability of domestic cat or leopard cat spermatozoa to penetrate zonae pellucidae (ZP) of salt-stored, domestic cat oocytes was examined as an assay for sperm capacitation. Ovarian oocytes were recovered after ovariectomy and matured in vitro for 18-36 h. Following removal of cumulus cells, the oocytes were used fresh, or stored (4 degrees C, 0.5-24 weeks) in a HEPES-buffered hypertonic salt solution. Electroejaculated, washed sperm (2-4 x 10(6) sperm/ml) were preincubated for 1.0 h (38 degrees C, 5% CO2 in air) and then co-incubated (2 x 10(5) sperm/ml) with fresh or stored oocytes for 6.0 h. Gametes were incubated in a protein-free, modified Tyrode's solution (TLP-PVA) or in the same medium containing 4.0 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (BSA; TALP-PVA). Treatments were compared for percentage ZP penetration (defined as sperm heads reaching more than halfway through the ZP) as an index of sperm capacitation. In both the domestic cat and leopard cat, there was no difference (P greater than 0.05) in sperm penetration of fresh ZP (domestic cat, 42.5 +/- 5.4%; leopard cat, 38.6 +/- 2.8%) or stored ZP (domestic cat, 32.4 +/- 4.2%; leopard cat, 27.6 +/- 2.3%). Sperm incubated in protein-free medium (TLP-PVA) were less capable (P less than 0.05) of ZP penetration (domestic cat, 14.6 +/- 5.9%; leopard cat, 7.9 +/- 3.0%) than sperm incubated in medium TALP-PVA containing BSA (domestic cat, 60.3 +/- 5.9%; leopard cat, 58.4 +/- 3.0%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nuclear transfer in cats and its application

Nuclear transfer (NT) technology is typically used for generating identical individuals, but it is also a powerful resource for understanding the cellular and molecular aspects of nuclear reprogramming. Most recently, the procedure has been used in humans for producing patient-specific embryonic stem cells. The successful application of NT in cats was demonstrated by the birth of domestic and non-domestic cloned kittens at a similar level of efficiency to that reported for other mammalian species. In cats, it has been demonstrated that either in vivo or in vitro matured oocytes can be used as donor cytoplasts. The length of in vitro oocyte maturation affects in vitro development of reconstructed embryos, and oocytes matured in vitro for shorter periods of time are the preferred source of donor cytoplasts. For NT, cat somatic cells can be synchronized into the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle by using different methods of cell synchronization without affecting the frequency of in vitro development of cloned embryos. Also, embryo development to the blastocyst stage in vitro is not influenced by cell type, but the effect of cell type on the percentage of normal offspring produced requires evaluation. Inter-species NT has potential application for preserving endangered felids, as live offspring of male and female African wildcats (AWC, Felis silvestris lybica) have been born and pregnancies have been produced after transferring black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) cloned embryos into domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) recipients. Also, successful in vitro embryo development to the blastocyst stage has been achieved after inter-generic NT of somatic cells of non-domestic felids into domestic cat oocytes, but no viable progeny have been obtained. Thus, while cat cytoplasm induces early nuclear remodeling of cell nuclei from a different genus, the high incidence of early embryo developmental arrest may be caused by abnormal nuclear reprogramming. Fetal resorption and abortions were frequently observed at various stages of pregnancy after transfer of AWC cloned embryos into domestic cat recipients. Abnormalities, such as abdominal organ exteriorization and respiratory failure and septicemia were the main causes of death in neonatal cloned kittens. Nonetheless, several live domestic and AWC cloned kittens have been born that are seemingly normal and healthy. It is important to continue evaluating these animals throughout their lives and to examine their capability for natural reproduction.     

In vitro production and transfer of cat embryos in the 21st century

Appreciable progress has been made in the development of assisted reproductive technology (ART) for creating in vitro embryos in cats. Moreover, the extent of advancement in the last decade has been similar, albeit of more modest magnitude, to that seen in some other domestic and laboratory species, particularly when the disparities in financial, and, hence, scientific, resources are considered. The recent progress in domestic felid ART has made it possible to envisage their potential role in supporting the conservation of endangered felid species, which, in reality, is a multifarious process requiring wide-ranging, yet coordinated approaches. The prospect of incorporating ART into that intricate domain, with limited exceptions, remains a long-term, but highly motivating objective. Meanwhile, the straightforward accessibility and abundant supply of domestic cat gametes from local veterinary clinics provides a valuable and practical source of material for further research on the basic aspects of in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization and early embryo development. Furthermore, extrapolating the domestic biotechniques to non-domestic felids has produced encouraging results in some species.     

New developments reproductive technologies in deer

In vitro embryo production is the platform for advanced reproductive technologies, such as cloning. The in vitro embryo production system developed for farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) evolved along similar lines to that pioneered by other domestic species researchers. However, applying existing in vitro embryo production methods from these other species resulted in limited success and has necessitated developing a species-specific methodology for red deer based on the their physiology. Analysis of oviduct fluid led to the development of a semi-defined fertilization and culture media system, Deer Synthetic Oviduct Fluid (DSOF), which resulted in successful culture of red deer embryos to the blastocyst stage. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovarian examination and ovum pickup has enabled the study of seasonality constraint and propagation from selected female genetics, respectively. During the 4-month breeding season (April-July), 15% of cleaved oocytes developed to blastocysts, whereas no blastocysts developed from oocytes collected after July. The process of developing an in vitro embryo production system for farmed red deer may serve as a beneficial model for the propagation of endangered cervine species.