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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 9/2019

01-09-2019 | Fertility | Gamete Biology

Amyloid-like substance in mice and human oocytes and embryos

Authors: Ricardo N. Pimentel, Paula A. Navarro, Fang Wang, LeRoy G. Robinson Jr., Michael Cammer, Fengxia Liang, Yael Kramer, David Lawrence. Keefe

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 9/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

To identify and characterize amyloid-like substance (ALS) in human and mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos.

Methods

An experimental prospective pilot study. A total of 252 mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos and 50 immature and in vitro matured human oocytes and parthenogenetic human embryos, from 11 consenting fertility patients, ages 18–45. Fluorescence intensity from immunofluorescent staining and data from confocal microscopy were quantified. Data were compared by one-way analysis of variance, with the least square-MEANS post-test, Pearson correlation coefficients (r), and bivariate analyses (t tests). ALS morphology was verified using transmission electron microscopy.

Results

Immunostaining for ALS appears throughout the zona pellucida, as well as in the cytoplasm and nucleus of mouse and human oocytes, polar bodies, and parthenogenetic embryos, and mouse preimplantation embryos. In mouse, 2-cell embryos exhibited the highest level of ALS (69000187.4 ± 6733098.07). Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of ALS. In humans, fresh germinal vesicle stage oocytes exhibited the highest level of ALS (4164.74088 ± 1573.46) followed by metaphase I and II stages (p = 0.008). There was a significant negative association between levels of ALS and patient body mass index, number of days of ovarian stimulation, dose of gonadotropin used, time between retrieval and fixation, and time after the hCG trigger. Significantly higher levels of ALS were found in patients with AMH between 1 and 3 ng/ml compared to < 1 ng/ml.

Conclusion

We demonstrate for the first time the presence, distribution, and change in ALS throughout some stages of mouse and human oocyte maturation and embryonic development. We also determine associations between ALS in human oocytes with clinical characteristics.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Amyloid-like substance in mice and human oocytes and embryos
Authors
Ricardo N. Pimentel
Paula A. Navarro
Fang Wang
LeRoy G. Robinson Jr.
Michael Cammer
Fengxia Liang
Yael Kramer
David Lawrence. Keefe
Publication date
01-09-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Keyword
Fertility
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 9/2019
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01530-w

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