Vascular endothelial growth factor A improves quality of matured porcine oocytes and developing parthenotes

M Kere; C Siriboon; J W Liao; N W Lo; H I Chiang; Y K Fan; J P Kastelic; J C Ju

doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2014.06.002

Vascular endothelial growth factor A improves quality of matured porcine oocytes and developing parthenotes

Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2014 Oct:49:60-9. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2014.06.002. Epub 2014 Jun 25.

Authors

M Kere¹, C Siriboon², J W Liao³, N W Lo⁴, H I Chiang¹, Y K Fan¹, J P Kastelic⁵, J C Ju⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
² Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
³ Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan.
⁵ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
⁶ Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Agriculture Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Medical Research Department, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Computer Science, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan. Electronic address: jcju@dragon.nchu.edu.tw.

PMID: 25061966
DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2014.06.002

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor is a multipotent angiogenic factor implicated in cell survival and proliferation. The objective was to determine effects of exogenous recombinant human VEGFA (or VEGFA165) in culture media on porcine oocyte maturation and parthenote development. Adding 5 ng/mL VEGFA to the culture medium improved the maturation rate of denuded oocytes (P < 0.05), although 5, 50, or 500 ng/mL did not significantly affect nuclear maturation of oocytes. Parthenotes from oocytes cultured either in in vitro maturation or in vitro culture medium supplemented with 5 or 50 ng/mL VEGFA had an improved blastocyst rate and increased total numbers of cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, those treated with 5 ng/mL of VEGFA had a higher hatched blastocyst rate (average of 121 cells per blastocyst). All VEGFA-treated oocytes had reduced apoptotic indices (P < 0.05), except for those with a higher dose (500 ng/mL) of VEGFA which had more apoptotic cells (P < 0.05). Adding 5 ng/mL VEGFA to oocytes during the last 22 h of in vitro maturation improved (P < 0.05) blastocyst rates and total numbers of cells, with reduced apoptosis indices similar to that of long-term (44 h) culture. Furthermore, Axitinib (VEGFR inhibitor) reversed the effects of VEGFA on parthenote development (P < 0.05). Follicular fluids from medium (2-6 mm) to large (>6 mm) follicles contained 5.3 and 7.0 ng/mL vascular endothelial growth factor protein, respectively, higher (P < 0.05) than concentrations in small (<2 mm) follicles (0.4 ng/mL). Also, VEGFA and its receptor (VEGFR-2) were detected (immunohistochemistry) in growing follicles and developing blastocysts. In addition, VEGFA inhibited caspase-3 activation in matured oocytes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this is apparently the first report that VEGFA has proliferative and cytoprotective roles in maturing porcine oocytes and parthenotes. Furthermore, an optimal VEGFA concentration promoted porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent development.

Keywords: IVP; Parthenote; Porcine oocyte; VEGFA165.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Axitinib
Female
Imidazoles / pharmacology
In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / veterinary*
Indazoles / pharmacology
Oocytes / drug effects*
Oocytes / physiology
Parthenogenesis / physiology*
Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
Swine / physiology*
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / pharmacology*

Substances

Imidazoles
Indazoles
Protein Kinase Inhibitors
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Axitinib