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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

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01-05-2015 | Gamete Biology

Age-associated alterations in the micromechanical properties of chromosomes in the mammalian egg

Authors: Jessica E. Hornick, Francesca E. Duncan, Mingxuan Sun, Ryo Kawamura, John F. Marko, Teresa K. Woodruff

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 5/2015

Abstract

Purpose

The incidence of aneuploidy in eggs from women of advanced reproductive age can exceed 60 %, making the mammalian egg a unique model system to study the mechanisms of chromosome segregation errors.

Methods

Here we applied a novel biophysical chromosome stretching approach to quantify mechanical stiffness of meiotic chromosomes in the mammalian egg and then documented how these properties changed in a mouse model of physiologic reproductive aging.

Results

We found significant differences in chromosome micromechanics, and thus in higher order chromosome structure, coincident with advanced reproductive age, a time that is also unequivocally associated with an increase in egg aneuploidy.

Conclusions

These findings have important implications for both reproductive and cancer biology where aneuploidy plays a central role in aging related disease states.

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Title: Age-associated alterations in the micromechanical properties of chromosomes in the mammalian egg
Authors: Jessica E. Hornick
Francesca E. Duncan
Mingxuan Sun
Ryo Kawamura
John F. Marko
Teresa K. Woodruff
Publication date: 01-05-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 5/2015
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0453-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Age-associated alterations in the micromechanical properties of chromosomes in the mammalian egg

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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