Fetal development of mouse oocytes and zygotes cryopreserved in a nonconventional freezing medium

This study (1) analyzed fetal development of mouse embryos after oocyte cryopreservation in CJ2, a choline-based medium, (2) examined the effect of culture duration in vitro on subsequent fetal development, and (3) compared survival and fetal development of zygotes frozen in embryo transfer freeze medium (ETFM; sodium-based medium) or CJ2. Unfertilized oocytes and zygotes were cryopreserved using a slow-cooling protocol. After thawing, oocytes were inseminated after drilling a hole in their zona, cultured in vitro either to the two-cell or blastocyst stage, and transferred to the oviducts or uterine horns of recipient mice. In parallel experiments, frozen-thawed zygotes were similarly cultured and transferred. Implantation rates for transferred embryos were high (range 66-88%), regardless of whether they had been frozen as oocytes or zygotes and whether they had been transferred to the oviduct or uterus. However, fetal development was significantly higher when two-cell embryos were transferred. With blastocyst transfer, control embryos implanted and produced a greater proportion of fetuses than did oocytes frozen in CJ2, whereas transfer at the two-cell stage resulted in similar proportions of implantation sites and fetuses. Blastocyst transfer of zygotes cryopreserved in ETFM or CJ2 produced similar fetal development rates (23.6% vs 20.0%), but when frozen-thawed zygotes were transferred at the two-cell stage the fetal development rates were higher in the ETFM group (53.3%) than in the CJ2 group (32.0%). A high proportion (46.7%) of oocytes frozen in CJ2 in a nonprogrammable freezer and plunged at -20 degrees C developed into live offspring. This study shows that in the mouse (1) oocytes frozen in CJ2 can develop into viable fetuses, (2) prolonging culture in vitro has a detrimental effect on embryo transfer outcome, and (3) CJ2 offers no advantage for zygote cryopreservation.     

Plasmodium berghei: effect of protease inhibitors during gametogenesis and early zygote development

Plasmodium berghei: The effect of five protease inhibitors, TPCK, TLCK, PMSF, leupeptin, and 1,10-phenanthroline on in vitro gametogenesis and early zygote development of P. berghei was investigated. PMSF and leupeptin showed no effect. Cysteine/serine protease inhibitors TPCK/TLCK at concentrations of 75 and 100 microM were effective on inhibiting exflagellation center formation, and this effect was reversible with the addition of l-cysteine. Exflagellation center formation was most effectively blocked by 1,10-phenanthroline (1mM), and exflagellation center numbers were restored by the addition of Zn(2+). A reduction of ookinete production was observed when TPCK/TLCK (100 microM) was added at 2h after gametogenesis, but no effect was observed with 1,10-phenanthroline (1mM). Our results suggest that proteolysis is important in both gametocyte activation and sexual development of P. berghei.     

Developmental response of zygotes exposed to similar mutagens

Exposure of mouse zygotes to ethylene oxide (EtO) or ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) led to high incidences of fetal death and of certain classes of fetal malformations (Generoso et al., 1987, 1988; Rutledge and Generoso, 1989). These effects were not associated with induced chromosomal aberrations (Katoh et al., 1989) nor are they likely to be caused by gene mutations (Generoso et al., 1990). Nevertheless, the anomalies observed in these studies resemble the large class of stillbirths and sporadic defects in humans that are of unknown etiology, such as cleft palate, omphalocoel, clubfoot, hydrops and stillbirths (Czeizel, 1985; Oakley, 1986). Therefore, we continue to study the possible mechanisms relating to induction of these types of zygote-derived anomalies in mice. Effects of zygote exposure to the compounds methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), dimethyl sulfate (DMS), and diethyl sulfate (DES), which have similar DNA-binding properties as EtO and EMS, were studied. DMS and DES, but not MMS, induced effects that are similar to those induced by EtO and EMS. Thus, no site-specific alkylation product was identifiable as the critical target for these zygote-derived anomalies. We speculate that the developmental anomalies arose as a result of altered programming of gene expression during embryogenesis.     

臭氧处理海水对扇贝卵的孵化及幼虫生长的影响

主要研究了用臭氧处理海水在经过连续充气曝气12、24h、不经充气曝气的处理水及没经臭氧处理的正常海水,进行海湾扇贝、虾夷扇贝受精卵的孵化和幼虫培育实验。结果表明,海湾扇贝受精卵在经过24h曝气的处理水中孵化率最高为92％,其次为没经过处理的正常海水为76％,曝气12h为16％,没经过曝气的为0;虾夷扇贝受精卵在经过24h曝气的处理水中孵化率最高为88%,其次为没经过处理的正常海水为85％,曝气12h为15％,没经过曝气为0。海湾扇贝幼虫培养在没经过处理的正常海水和经24h曝气的处理水中生长较快,曝气12h较慢;虾夷扇贝幼虫则是没经过处理的正常海水生长最快,其次是经24h曝气的处理水,而曝气12h较慢,成活率方面也表现出一定的差异,从而为臭氧处理海水在贝类育苗上的应用提供一定的指导。     

Effect of microinjection time during postfertilization S-phase on bovine embryonic development

Microinjection into bovine zygotes was performed to evaluate the effects of the timing of injection during the phase of DNA replication on the subsequent in vitro development of embryos and expression of injected chicken β-actin promoter-lac Z gene construct. The period of DNA replication of bovine zygotes, determined by ³H-thymidine incorporation, begins between 12 hr and 13 hr postinsemination (hpi) of in vitro matured oocytes, reaches a maximum from 17 hpi to 19 hpi, and is complete by 21–22 hpi. Aphidicolin, an inhibitor of DNA polymerase alpha, was used to synchronize the pronuclei and the zygote population. Treatment with aphidicolin at 9–18 hpi arrested DNA replication without affecting formation of the pronuclei or embryo development. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, was used for nucleocytoplasmic resynchronization of the aphidicolin-treated zygotes. Microinjection was performed at 15 (early), 18 (mid), and 21 (late S phase) hpi. Embryonic development was affected following each of the three microinjection times. The development of zygotes injected at 18 hpi was significantly higher (P<0.01) after 5 days of culture than those injected at 15 hpi or 21 hpi. Expression of the marker gene was observed in the higher stage of development (>16 cells) only in the zygotes injected at 18 hpi. At the earlier stages of development, the proportions of embryos showing expression of the foreign gene were the same for all microinjection times. In aphidicolin- and cycloheximide-treated zygotes, expression of the marker gene followed the same curve as development, i.e., expression was low when injected early or late and higher (P<0.005) when injected in the middle of zygotic S phase. The ability of the embryos to survive microinjection and to express the marker gene as a function of hpi seems to be influenced mostly in the cytoplasm processing stage rather than the pronuclei processing stage. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Cumulus cell function during bovine oocyte maturation,fertilization, and embryo development in vitro

Several contemporary micromanipulation techniques, such as sperm microinjection, nuclear transfer, and gene transfer by pronuclear injection, require removal of cumulus cells from oocytes or zygotes at various stages. In humans, the cumulus cells are often removed after 15–18 hr of sperm-oocyte coincubation to assist the identification of the fertilization status. This study was designed to evaluate the function of cumulus cells during oocyte maturation, fertilization, and in vitro development in cattle. Cumulus cells were removed before and after maturation and after fertilization for 0,7,20, and 48 hr. The cumulus-free oocytes or embryos were cultured either alone or on cumulus cell monolayers prepared on the day of maturation culture. Percentages of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and development to cleavage, morula, and blastocyst stages and to expanding or hatched blastocysts were recorded for statistical analysis by categorical data modeling (CATMOD) procedures. Cumulus cells removed before maturation significantly reduced the rate of oocyte maturation (4–26% vs. 93–96%), fertilization (0–9% vs. 91–92%), and in vitro development at all stages evaluated. Cumulus cells removed immediately prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) or 7 hr after IVF reduced the rates of fertilization (58–60% and 71%, respectively, vs. 91–92% for controls), cleavage development (40–47% and 53–54% vs. 74–78% for controls), and morula plus blastocyst development (15% and 24% vs. 45%, P < 0.05). Cumulus cell co-culture started at various stages had no effect on fertilization and cleavage development but significantly improved rates of embryo development to morula or blastocyst stages (P < 0.05). Cumulus cell removal at 20 hr after IVF resulted in similar development to controls (P > 0.05) at all stages tested in this study. The intact state of surrounding cumulus cells of oocytes or embryos appears to be beneficial before or shortly after insemination (at or before 7 hr of IVF) but not essential at 20 hr after IVF. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

东海原甲藻对羊栖菜合子生长及光合活性的化感作用研究

为评估东海原甲藻(Prorocentrum donghaiense)赤潮发生对羊栖菜(Sargassum fusiformis)幼苗产量的影响并探讨其化感机理,在实验室条件下分别利用浓度为1.00×10⁵cells/mL东海原甲藻活细胞悬浮液(LC)、细胞破碎液(RC)和无细胞滤液(FC)培养羊栖菜合子,并对其生长发育及光合活性进行测定。结果显示,LC、RC和FC均会抑制羊栖菜合子的生长、叶绿素a合成和光合活性,其中FC及LC对合子的抑制程度相似且均大于RC。JIP-test分析表明,FC及LC对合子的最大量子产率(φP_o)、性能指数(PI)及PSⅡ反应中心密度(RCs/ABS)的抑制作用显著大于RC。表明东海原甲藻主要通过向细胞外释放化感物质产生抑制作用,这些化感物质抑制了羊栖菜合子PSⅡ的电子传递,使PSⅡ部分光化学反应中心(RCs)失活,进而使大量激发能转化为热能被耗散掉。而RC中可能含有某些能够刺激羊栖菜合子生长的物质,从而在一定程度上抵消了化感物质的抑制作用。结果表明东海原甲藻对羊栖菜合子的抑制作用主要是由化感物质引起的,东海原甲藻赤潮可以抑制羊栖菜合子的发育和光合活性,减少羊栖菜种苗产量,并最终阻碍了羊栖菜产业的发展。     

In vitro fertilization: analysis of early post-fertilization development using cytological and molecular techniques

Methods have been developed which enable us to obtain in vitro fusion of pairs of sperm and egg cells, and sperm and central cells of angiosperms. Cultured products of such cell fusions develop progressively into zygotes, embryos and fertile plants, and endosperm, respectively. In vitro fusion of isolated gametes allows precisely timed examination of the earliest developmental processes following fertilization. When cultured, in vitro produced zygotes and primary endosperm cells organize themselves independently, and without any requirement for supporting tissues. This technology thus constitutes a unique model system for studies of early stages of zygotic embryogenesis and endosperm development. Following the adaptation of molecular techniques for use with only a few cells, it has proved possible to investigate developmental processes in these systems. This review describes the successful combination of molecular techniques with in vitro fertilization methods, and highlights results obtained with small numbers of reproductive cells isolated by microdissection.     

Wave-related mortality in zygotes of habitat-forming algae from different exposures in southern New Zealand: the importance of ‘stickability’

Using field and laboratory experiments, we investigated the relative ability of zygotes of three species of habitat-forming large brown algae from southern New Zealand to survive wave action and remain attached after settling times of 1, 6, and 12 h. Zygotes of Hormosira banksii (Turner) Decaisne and Cystophora torulosa (R. Brown) J. Agardh, intertidal algae common on sheltered and semi-protected shores in southern New Zealand, had between 24% and 35% survival 1 h after settlement and exposed to a single wave in the lab and field. In contrast, Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot, an exposed-shore species, had up to 75% survival under the same conditions. Survival increased with post-settlement time for all three species. When given 6 h to attach under the same conditions, the survival of Hormosira and Cystophora zygotes ranged between 50% and 60% and between 80% and 90% when given 12 h to attach. Durvillaea, in contrast, had between 90% and 100% survival at both 6- and 12-h setting times. In other experiments, H. banksii and D. antarctica zygotes were given either 1, 6, or 12 h to attach and then placed for 12 h into sites within three levels of wave exposure (sheltered, intermediate and exposed). Survival of Hormosira zygotes given 1 and 6 h to attach was poor, ranging from 1% to 8%. If given 12 h to set, however, 5–8% of Hormosira zygotes survived, even at the exposed sites. Under similar conditions, Durvillaea survival was significantly higher, ranging from 70% to 100% at all post-settlement times, in sites of all exposures. Wave action clearly affects the ability of sheltered shore species to settle in exposed sites. However, our study highlights the importance of factors other than wave action in determining the distribution and abundance of post-settlement stages of D. antarctica across exposures.     

棉花合子期化学诱变获得的早熟品系及其RAPD分析

报道了在棉花自花授粉后，利用花粉管通道将０．５ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＮａＮ３直接导入鲁棉６号的胚囊中，在变异后代中，采取系统选择的方法，选育出了一个早熟品系，它的熟期比鲁棉６号提前２５天，并且性状稳定，经过对鲁棉６号和早熟株系进行ＲＡＰＤ分析，结果表明，ＮａＮ３可以引起民后代ＤＮＡ序列的广泛变异，并且棉花基因组可能存在着诱变剂作用的热点。