The frequency of precocious segregation of sister chromatids in mouse female meiosis I is affected by genetic background

Chromosome Res. 2014 Sep;22(3):365-73. doi: 10.1007/s10577-014-9428-6. Epub 2014 Jun 17.

Abstract

Mammalian female gametes frequently suffer from numerical chromosomal aberrations, the main cause of miscarriages and severe developmental defects. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the development of aneuploidy in oocytes are still not completely understood and remain a subject of extensive research. From studies focused on prevalence of aneuploidy in mouse oocytes, it has become obvious that reported rates of aneuploidy are strongly dependent on the method used for chromosome counting. In addition, it seems likely that differences between mouse strains could influence the frequency of aneuploidy as well; however, up till now, such a comparison has not been available. Therefore, in our study, we measured the levels of aneuploidy which has resulted from missegregation in meiosis I, in oocytes of three commonly used mouse strains-CD-1, C3H/HeJ, and C57BL/6. Our results revealed that, although the overall chromosomal numerical aberration rates were similar in all three strains, a different number of oocytes in each strain contained prematurely segregated sister chromatids (PSSC). This indicates that a predisposition for this type of chromosome segregation error in oocyte meiosis I is dependent on genetic background.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aneuploidy
  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Chromatids / genetics*
  • Chromosome Segregation / genetics*
  • Female
  • Meiosis / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Polar Bodies / metabolism