Preferential formation of (5S,6R)-thymine glycol for oligodeoxyribonucleotide synthesis and analysis of drug binding to thymine glycol-containing DNA

We previously reported the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides containing thymine glycol, a major form of oxidative DNA damage. In the preparation of the phosphoramidite building block, the predominant product of the osmium tetroxide oxidation of protected thymidine was (5R,6S)-thymidine glycol. To obtain the building block of the other isomer, (5S,6R)-thymidine glycol, in an amount sufficient for oligonucleotide synthesis, the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) reaction was examined. Although the reaction was very slow, (5S,6R)-thymidine glycol was obtained in preference to the (5R,6S) isomer. The ratio of (5S,6R)- and (5R,6S)-thymidine glycols was 2:1, and a trans isomer was also formed. When an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, was used as a co-solvent, the reaction became faster, and the yield was improved without changing the preference. The phosphoramidite building block of (5S,6R)-thymidine glycol was prepared, and oligonucleotides containing 5S-thymine glycol were synthesized. One of the oligonucleotides was used to analyze the binding of distamycin A to thymine glycol-containing DNA by Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements. Distamycin A bound to a duplex containing either isomer of thymine glycol within the AATT target site, and its binding was observed even when the thymine glycol was placed opposite cytosine.     

Synthesis and characterization of oligonucleotides containing 2'-fluorinated thymidine glycol as inhibitors of the endonuclease III reaction

Endonuclease III (Endo III) is a base excision repair enzyme that recognizes oxidized pyrimidine bases including thymine glycol. This enzyme is a glycosylase/lyase and forms a Schiff base-type intermediate with the substrate after the damaged base is removed. To investigate the mechanism of its substrate recognition by X-ray crystallography, we have synthesized oligonucleotides containing 2′-fluorothymidine glycol, expecting that the electron-withdrawing fluorine atom at the 2′ position would stabilize the covalent intermediate, as observed for T4 endonuclease V (Endo V) in our previous study. Oxidation of 5′- and 3′-protected 2′-fluorothymidine with OsO₄ produced two isomers of thymine glycol. Their configurations were determined by NMR spectroscopy after protection of the hydroxyl functions. The ratio of (5R,6S) and (5S,6R) isomers was 3:1, whereas this ratio was 6:1 in the case of the unmodified sugar. Both of the thymidine glycol isomers were converted to the corresponding phosphoramidite building blocks and were incorporated into oligonucleotides. When the duplexes containing 2′-fluorinated 5R- or 5S-thymidine glycol were treated with Escherichia coli endo III, no stabilized covalent intermediate was observed regardless of the stereochemistry at C5. The 5S isomer was found to form an enzyme–DNA complex, but the incision was inhibited probably by the fluorine-induced stabilization of the glycosidic bond.     

Stereoselective excision of thymine glycol from oxidatively damaged DNA

DNA damage created by reactive oxygen species includes the prototypic oxidized pyrimidine, thymine glycol (Tg), which exists in oxidatively damaged DNA as two diastereoisomeric pairs. In Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevesiae and mice, Tg is preferentially excised by endonuclease III (Endo III) and endonuclease VIII (Endo VIII), yNTG1 and yNTG2, and mNTH and mNEIL1, respectively. We have explored the ability of these DNA glycosylases to discriminate between Tg stereoisomers. Oligonucleotides containing a single, chromatographically pure (5S,6R) or (5R,6S) stereoisomer of Tg were prepared by oxidation with osmium tetroxide. Steady-state kinetic analyses of the excision process revealed that Endo III, Endo VIII, yNTG1, mNTH and mNEIL1, but not yNTG2, excise Tg isomers from DNA in a stereoselective manner, as reflected in the parameter of catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m). When DNA glycosylases occur as complementary pairs, failure of one or both enzymes to excise their cognate Tg stereoisomer from oxidatively damaged DNA could have deleterious consequences for the cell.     

High-resolution crystal structure of the intramolecular d(TpA) thymine-adenine photoadduct and its mechanistic implications

A high-resolution crystal structure is reported for d(TpA)*, the intramolecular thymine–adenine photoadduct that is produced by direct ultraviolet excitation of the dinucleoside monophosphate d(TpA). It confirms the presence of a central 1,3-diazacyclooctatriene ring linking the remnants of the T and A bases, as previously deduced from heteronuclear NMR measurements by Zhao et al. (The structure of d(TpA)*, the major photoproduct of thymidylyl-(3′-5′)-deoxyadenosine. Nucleic Acids Res., 1996, 24, 1554–1560). Within the crystal, the d(TpA)* molecules exist as zwitterions with a protonated amidine fragment of the eight-membered ring neutralizing the charge of the internucleotide phosphate monoanion. The absolute configuration at the original thymine C5 and C6 atoms is determined as 5S,6R. This is consistent with d(TpA)* arising by valence isomerization of a precursor cyclobutane photoproduct with cis–syn stereochemistry that is generated by [2 + 2] photoaddition of the thymine 5,6-double bond across the C6 and C5 positions of adenine. This mode of photoaddition should be favoured by the stacked conformation of adjacent T and A bases in B-form DNA. It is probable that the primary photoreaction is mechanistically analogous to pyrimidine dimerization despite having a much lower quantum yield.     

Kinetics of deamination and Cu(II)/H2O2/Ascorbate-induced formation of 5-methylcytosine glycol at CpG sites in duplex DNA

Mutation in p53 tumor suppressor gene is a hallmark of human cancers. Six major mutational hotspots in p53 contain methylated CpG (mCpG) sites, and C →T transition is the most common mutation at these sites. It was hypothesized that the formation of 5-methylcytosine glycol induced by reactive oxygen species, its spontaneous deamination to thymine glycol and the miscoding property of the latter may account, in part, for the ubiquitous C →T mutation at CpG site. Here, we assessed the kinetics of deamination for two diastereomers of 5-methylcytosine glycol in duplex DNA. Our results revealed that the half-lives for the deamination of the (5S,6S) and (5R,6R) diastereomers of 5-methylcytosine glycol in duplex DNA at 37°C were 37.4 ± 1.6 and 27.4 ± 1.0 h, respectively. The deamination rates were only slightly lower than those for the two diastereomers in mononucleosides. Next, we assessed the formation of 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine glycol in the form of its deaminated product, namely, thymidine glycol (Tg), in methyl-CpG-bearing duplex DNA treated with Cu(II)/H₂O₂/ascorbate. LC-MS/MS quantification results showed that the yield of Tg is similar as that of 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2′-deoxycytidine. Together, our data support that the formation and deamination of 5-methylcytosine glycol may contribute significantly to the C →T transition mutation at mCpG dinucleotide site.     

Neil3 and NEIL1 DNA Glycosylases Remove Oxidative Damages from Quadruplex DNA and Exhibit Preferences for Lesions in the Telomeric Sequence Context

The telomeric DNA of vertebrates consists of d(TTAGGG)_n tandem repeats, which can form quadruplex DNA structures in vitro and likely in vivo. Despite the fact that the G-rich telomeric DNA is susceptible to oxidation, few biochemical studies of base excision repair in telomeric DNA and quadruplex structures have been done. Here, we show that telomeric DNA containing thymine glycol (Tg), 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG), guanidinohydantoin (Gh), or spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) can form quadruplex DNA structures in vitro. We have tested the base excision activities of five mammalian DNA glycosylases (NEIL1, NEIL2, mNeil3, NTH1, and OGG1) on these lesion-containing quadruplex substrates and found that only mNeil3 had excision activity on Tg in quadruplex DNA and that the glycosylase exhibited a strong preference for Tg in the telomeric sequence context. Although Sp and Gh in quadruplex DNA were good substrates for mNeil3 and NEIL1, none of the glycosylases had activity on quadruplex DNA containing 8-oxoG. In addition, NEIL1 but not mNeil3 showed enhanced glycosylase activity on Gh in the telomeric sequence context. These data suggest that one role for Neil3 and NEIL1 is to repair DNA base damages in telomeres in vivo and that Neil3 and Neil1 may function in quadruplex-mediated cellular events, such as gene regulation via removal of damaged bases from quadruplex DNA.     

Isomérisation des 5-bromo-5,6-dihydro-6-hydroxythymidines. Préparation des formes anomères de la thymidine et de la 1-(2-désoxy-D-érythro-pentofuranosyl)thymine

The trans 5-(R), 6-(R) and 5-(S), 6-(S) diastereoisomeric forms of 5-bromo-5,6-dihydro-6-hydroxythymidine were obtained by the action of bromine upon thymidine in aqueous solution. Treatment of these compounds with warm M hydrobromic acid both rearranges the sugar moiety and cleaves the glycosylamine bond; the yields of both processes were determined. Reduction of the halohydrins gave three isomeric compounds derived from thymidine : 1-(2-deoxy-α-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)thymine, 1-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentopyranosyl)thymine and 1-(2-deoxy-α-D-erythro-pentopyranosyl)thymine. These isomerisations were also shown in the treatment of thymidine with hydrobromic acid, but, in the latter case, the process is less productive than in the former one. A mechanism for these reactions is discussed.     

A crystallographic study of the role of sequence context in thymine glycol bypass by a replicative DNA polymerase serendipitously sheds light on the exonuclease complex

Thymine glycol (Tg) is the most common oxidation product of thymine and is known to be a strong block to replicative DNA polymerases. A previously solved structure of the bacteriophage RB69 DNA polymerase (RB69 gp43) in complex with Tg in the sequence context 5′-G-Tg-G shed light on how Tg blocks primer elongation: The protruding methyl group of the oxidized thymine displaces the adjacent 5′-G, which can no longer serve as a template for primer elongation [Aller, P., Rould, M. A., Hogg, M, Wallace, S. S. & Doublié S. (2007). A structural rationale for stalling of a replicative DNA polymerase at the most common oxidative thymine lesion, thymine glycol. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 104, 814-818.].Several studies showed that in the sequence context 5′-C-Tg-purine, Tg is more likely to be bypassed by Klenow fragment, an A-family DNA polymerase. We set out to investigate the role of sequence context in Tg bypass in a B-family polymerase and to solve the crystal structures of the bacteriophage RB69 DNA polymerase in complex with Tg-containing DNA in the three remaining sequence contexts: 5′-A-Tg-G, 5′-T-Tg-G, and 5′-C-Tg-G. A combination of several factors—including the associated exonuclease activity, the nature of the 3′ and 5′ bases surrounding Tg, and the cis-trans interconversion of Tg—influences Tg bypass. We also visualized for the first time the structure of a well-ordered exonuclease complex, allowing us to identify and confirm the role of key residues (Phe123, Met256, and Tyr257) in strand separation and in the stabilization of the primer strand in the exonuclease site.     

A mouse model of in vivo chemical inhibition of retinal calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2)

Numerous studies have reported the implication of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) in various biological mechanisms. Most of these works have used in vitro models and only a few have been carried out in vivo on iPLA2^−/− mice. The functions of iPLA2 have been investigated in vivo in the heart, brain, pancreatic islets, and liver, but not in the retina despite its very high content in phospholipids. Phospholipids in the retina are known to be involved in several various key mechanisms such as visual transduction, inflammation or apoptosis. In order to investigate the implication of iPLA2 in these processes, this work was aimed to build an in vivo model of iPLA2 activity inhibition. After testing the efficacy of different chemical inhibitors of iPLA2, we have validated the use of bromoenol lactone (BEL) in vitro and in vivo for inhibiting the activity of iPLA2. Under in vivo conditions, a dose of 6 μg/g of body weight of BEL in mice displayed a 50%-inhibition of retinal iPLA2 activity 8–16 h after intraperitoneal administration. Delivering the same dose twice a day to animals was successful in producing a similar inhibition that was stable over one week. In summary, this novel mouse model exhibits a significant inhibition of retinal iPLA2 activity. This model of chemical inhibition of iPLA2 will be useful in future studies focusing on iPLA2 functions in the retina.     

Embryo survival and birth rate after minimum volume vitrification or slow freezing of in vivo and in vitro produced ovine embryos

The objective was to evaluate pregnancy outcomes and birth rate of in vivo derived vs. in vitro produced ovine embryos submitted to different cryopreservation methods. A total of 197 in vivo and 240 in vitro produced embryos were cryopreserved either by conventional freezing, or by vitrification with Cryotop or Spatula MVD methods on Day 6 after insemination/fertilization. After thawing/warming and transfer, embryo survival rate on Day 30 of gestation was affected by the source of the embryos (in vivo 53.3%, in vitro 20.8%; P < 0.05) and by the method of cryopreservation (conventional freezing 26.5%, Cryotop 52.0%, Spatula MVD 22.2%; P < 0.05). For in vivo derived embryos, survival rate after embryo transfer was 45.6% for conventional freezing, 67.1% for Cryotop, and 40.4% for Spatula MVD. For in vitro produced embryos, survival rate was 7.3% for conventional freezing, 38.7% for Cryotop, and 11.4% for Spatula MVD. Fetal loss from Day 30 to birth showed a tendency to be greater for in vitro (15.0%) rather than for in vivo produced embryos (5.7%), and was not affected by the cryopreservation method. Gestation length, weight at birth and lamb survival rate after birth were not affected by the source of the embryo, the cryopreservation method or stage of development (average: 150.5 ± 1.8 days; 4232.8 ± 102.8 g; 85.4%; respectively). This study demonstrates that embryo survival and birth rate of both in vivo and in vitro produced ovine embryos are improved by vitrification with the minimum volume Cryotop method.     

Occurrence of 15-cis-violaxanthin in Viola tricolor

A new cis isomer in the violaxanthin series has been isolated from the blossoms of Viola tricolor and identified by MS, IR and UV as the central-monocis form. It was converted to all-trans-violaxanthin by stereomutation. The CD correlation between 15-cis-violaxanthin and natural violaxanthin (5,6,5′,6′-diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro- β,β-caroten-3,3′-diol) provided the basis for assignment of the absolute configurations 3S, 5R, 6S, 3′S, 5′R, 6′S. Trans—cis isomerization of all-trans-violaxanthin also resulted in 15- cis-violaxanthin. In addition a quantitative determination of the carotenoids was conducted.     

The dark side of circulating nucleic acids

Free circulating or cell‐free DNA (cfDNA), possibly from dying cells that release their contents into the blood as they break down, have become of major interest as a source for noninvasive diagnostics. Recent work demonstrated the uptake of human cfDNA in mouse cells in vitro and in vivo, accompanied by the activation of a cellular DNA damage response (DDR) and the appearance of apoptotic proteins in the host cells. By acting as a source of mobile genetic elements, cfDNA could be a continuous source of DNA mutagenesis of healthy cells in the body throughout life, promoting progressive cellular aging in vivo. As such, cfDNA may causally contribute to multiple aging‐related diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease.     

Differential requirements for cis and trans V(D)J cleavage: effects of substrate length

The assembly of productive synaptic complexes is a critical, but poorly understood, regulatory step in V(D)J recombination. Several lines of evidence suggest that there may be important differences between recombination involving sites situated in cis (on the same DNA molecule) and in trans (on separate molecules). Because biochemical experiments using both purified RAG proteins and crude extracts have failed to detect trans cleavage of plasmid substrates it has been thought that there is a substantial bias against trans synapsis. In conflict with these results are more recent studies showing that purified RAG proteins can catalyze trans cleavage of short oligonucleotide substrates. Furthermore, recent experiments have detected efficient trans cleavage of plasmid substrates in vivo. We sought to investigate why these different systems yield such divergent results. We found that, unexpectedly, the ability of both purified RAG proteins and crude extracts to cleave DNA substrates in trans is a function of substrate length. Our data raise two critical issues: first, oligonucleotides, which are the most commonly used substrates to study V(D)J recombination in vitro, do not mimic the behavior of plasmid substrates; second, in the trans cleavage reaction current purified RAG systems do not accurately reflect the in vivo situation. We propose a unifying model to explain the effects of substrate length and coniguration (cis or trans) on the efficiency of synapsis.     

Shrimp that have received carrageenan via immersion and diet exhibit immunocompetence in phagocytosis despite a post-plateau in immune parameters

The effect of carrageenan on the immune response of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, was studied in vitro and in vivo. Shrimp haemocytes receiving carrageenan at 1 mg ml⁻¹ experienced change in cell size, reduction in cell viability, increase in PO activity, serine proteinase activity, and RB in vitro. Shrimp received carrageenan via immersion at 200, 400 and 600 mg L⁻¹ after 3 h and orally at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g kg⁻¹ after 3 weeks showed higher proliferation of haematopoietic tissues (HPTs) together with increases in haemocyte count and other immune parameters. Shrimp that fed a diet containing carrageenan at 0.5 g kg⁻¹ after 3 weeks significantly up-regulated gene expressions of several immune-related proteins. The immune parameters of shrimp that received carrageenan via immersion and orally increased to a plateau after 3 h and after 3 weeks, but decreased after 5 h and 6 weeks, respectively. Phagocytosis and clearance of Vibrio alginolyticus remained high in shrimp that had received carrageenan via immersion after 5 h and orally after 6 weeks, respectively. Resistances of shrimp against V. alginolyticus and white spot syndrome virus were higher over 24–144 h and 72–144 h, respectively in shrimp that received carrageenan at 600 mg L⁻¹ via immersion after 3 and 5 h. It was concluded that carrageenan effectively triggers an innate immunity in vitro, and increases mitotic index of HPT, immune parameters, gene expressions and resistance against pathogens in vivo. Shrimp received carrageenan via immersion and orally exhibited immunocompetence in phagocytosis and clearance of V. alginolyticus, and resistance to pathogen despite the trend in immune parameters to recover to background values.     

Algal carotenoids with novel end groups

The structures of three previously unidentified carotenoids from Eutreptiella gymnastica are reported. These include siphonein with defined n-2-trans-2-dodecenoic esterifying acid and assigned 3R(?), 3′R,6′R chirality, (3R)-3′,4′-anhydrodiatoxanthin and eutreptiellanone (3,6-epoxy-3′,4′,7′,8′-tetradehydro-5,6-dihydro-β,β-caroten-4-one) with probable 3S,5R,6S chirality.     

Configurational studies on red algae carotenoids

The configurations of (6′R)-β,ε-carotene, (3′R,6′R)-β,ε-caroten-3′-ol (α-cryptoxanthin), (3R,3′R,6′R)-β,ε-carotene-3,3′-diol (lutein), (3R)-β,β-caroten-3-ol (β-cryptoxanthin), (3R,3′R)-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol (zeaxanthin) and all-trans (3S,5R,6S,3′R)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol (antheraxanthin) were established by CD and ¹H NMR studies. The red algal carotenoids consequently possessed chiralities at each chiral center (C-3, C-5, C-6, C-3′, C-6′), corresponding to the chiralities established for the same carotenoids in higher plants. Two post mortem artifacts from Erythrotrichia carnea were assigned the chiral structures (3S,5R,8R,3′R)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol [(8R)-mutatoxanthin] and (3S,5R,8S,3′R)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol [(8S)-mutatoxanthin]. This is the first well documented report of a naturally occurring β,ε-caroten-3′-ol (¹H NMR, CD, chemical derivatization).     

Gynostemosides A–E,megastigmane glycosides from Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Megastigmane glycosides (1–5) together with seven (6–12) related known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Gynostemma pentaphyllum. The structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR, HR-ESIMS, and circular dichroism (CD), as well as chemical transformations to be (3R, 4R, 5S, 6S, 7E)-3,4,6-trihydroxymegastigmane-7-en-9-one-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (gynostemoside A, 1), (3S, 4S, 5R, 6R, 7E, 9R)-3,4,6,9-tetrahydroxymegastigmane-7-en-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (gynostemoside B, 2), (3S, 4S, 5S, 6S, 7E, 9R)-3,4,9-trihydroxymegastigmane-7-en-9-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (gynostemoside C, 3), (3S, 4S, 5S, 6S, 7E, 9R)-3,4,9-trihydroxymegastigmane-7-en-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (gynostemoside D, 4), and (3S, 4S, 5S, 6S, 7E, 9R)-3,4,9-trihydroxymegastigmane-7-en-4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (gynostemoside E, 5), respectively.     

The oxidative DNA glycosylases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis exhibit different substrate preferences from their Escherichia coli counterparts

The DNA glycosylases that remove oxidized DNA bases fall into two general families: the Fpg/Nei family and the Nth superfamily. Based on protein sequence alignments, we identified four putative Fpg/Nei family members, as well as a putative Nth protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. All four Fpg/Nei proteins were successfully overexpressed using a bicistronic vector created in our laboratory. The MtuNth protein was also overexpressed in soluble form. The substrate specificities of the purified enzymes were characterized in vitro with oligodeoxynucleotide substrates containing single lesions. Some were further characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of products released from γ-irradiated DNA. MtuFpg1 has substrate specificity similar to that of EcoFpg. Both EcoFpg and MtuFpg1 are more efficient at removing spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) than 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). However, MtuFpg1 shows a substantially increased opposite base discrimination compared to EcoFpg. MtuFpg2 contains only the C-terminal domain of an Fpg protein and has no detectable DNA binding activity or DNA glycosylase/lyase activity and thus appears to be a pseudogene. MtuNei1 recognizes oxidized pyrimidines on both double-stranded and single-stranded DNA and exhibits uracil DNA glycosylase activity. MtuNth recognizes a variety of oxidized bases, including urea, 5,6-dihydrouracil (DHU), 5-hydroxyuracil (5-OHU), 5-hydroxycytosine (5-OHC) and methylhydantoin (MeHyd). Both MtuNei1 and MtuNth excise thymine glycol (Tg); however, MtuNei1 strongly prefers the (5R) isomers, whereas MtuNth recognizes only the (5S) isomers. MtuNei2 did not demonstrate activity in vitro as a recombinant protein, but like MtuNei1 when expressed in Escherichia coli, it decreased the spontaneous mutation frequency of both the fpg mutY nei triple and nei nth double mutants, suggesting that MtuNei2 is functionally active in vivo recognizing both guanine and cytosine oxidation products. The kinetic parameters of the MtuFpg1, MtuNei1 and MtuNth proteins on selected substrates were also determined and compared to those of their E. coli homologs.     

Enantiomeric trans β-aryl-δ-iodo-γ-lactones derived from 2,5-dimethylbenzaldehyde induce apoptosis in canine lymphoma cell lines by downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members Bcl-xL and Bcl-2

For many years, studies focused on developing new natural or synthetic compounds with antineoplastic activity have attracted the attention of researchers. An interesting group of such compounds seem to be those with both lactone moiety and an aromatic ring which, in addition to antimicrobial or antiviral activity, also exhibit antitumor properties. The study shows antitumor activity of two enantiomeric trans isomers of 5-(1-iodoethyl)-4-(2′,5′-dimethylphenyl)dihydrofuran-2-one. Our aim was to determine their antitumor activity manifested as an ability to induce apoptosis in selected canine cancer cell lines as well as to evaluate differences in their strength depending on the configuration of their stereogenic centers. The enantiomers (+)-(4R,5S,6R)-1 and (?)-(4S,5R,6S)-2 were found to induce classical caspase-dependent apoptosis through downregulation of the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-2. Although the mechanism of apoptosis induction was the same for both enantiomers, they differed in their strength, as stronger antineoplastic activity in vitro was exhibited by isomer (+)-(4R,5S,6R)-1.     

Bovine in vitro fertilization: In vitro oocyte maturation and sperm capacitation with heparin

As a result of research in the 1980s on in vitro maturation, sperm capacitation, and in vitro fertilization, the bovine is now one of the important models for development. Further, the current production of bovine embryos in vitro rivals that of in vivo embryo production for commercial applications. Researchers of today may be unaware of why decisions were made in the procedures. This review addresses the state of the art at the time of the work by Parrish et al. (Bovine in vitro fertilization with frozen thawed semen. Theriogenology 1986;25:591–600), and how later work would explain success or failure of competing procedures. Important was the use of frozen semen and heparin capacitation, because this allowed future researchers/practitioners to change sperm numbers and capacitation conditions to adjust for variations among bulls. The large numbers of citation of the original work stand the testament of time in the repeatability and success of the procedures. The work was done within the environment of the N.L. First laboratory and the unique interactions with a large number of talented graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and technicians.