Poly(I:C) exposure during in vitro fertilization disrupts first cleavage of mouse embryos and subsequent blastocyst development

Zhicheng Wang; Shiyi Chen; Yan Zhang; Changqi Su; Yonglan Liao; Shilin Zhang; Yan Ren; Fei Ye; Changjun Zeng; Guangbin Zhou; Hong Xian; Ming Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.jri.2022.103635

Poly(I:C) exposure during in vitro fertilization disrupts first cleavage of mouse embryos and subsequent blastocyst development

J Reprod Immunol. 2022 Jun:151:103635. doi: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103635. Epub 2022 Apr 30.

Authors

Zhicheng Wang¹, Shiyi Chen², Yan Zhang¹, Changqi Su¹, Yonglan Liao¹, Shilin Zhang¹, Yan Ren¹, Fei Ye³, Changjun Zeng⁴, Guangbin Zhou⁴, Hong Xian⁵, Ming Zhang⁶

Affiliations

¹ College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan, 611130, China.
² Insitute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan, 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan, 611130, China.
³ Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in Sichuan, Chengdu, Sichuan 610045, China.
⁴ College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan, 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan, 611130, China.
⁵ Chengdu Women and Children's Central Hospital, Chengdu 610091, China.
⁶ College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan, 611130, China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan, 611130, China. Electronic address: zhangming@sicau.edu.cn.

PMID: 35525084
DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103635

Abstract

The reproductive system can be infected by a variety of double-stranded RNA viruses, which disrupt ovary function and pregnancy. However, whether viral infection directly affects early embryonic development remains unknown. Here we show that Poly(I:C), which mimics a double-stranded RNA virus, significantly impaired mouse early embryonic development in vitro, and up-regulated TLR3 and IFNα at the two cells embryo stage. Further studies indicated that Poly(I:C)-treatment caused DNA damage and abnormal spindle morphology at the first cleavage. Moreover, CDX2 and SOX2 expression was decreased while blastocyst cell apoptosis was increased. Altogether, Poly(I:C) decreased the rate of successful in vitro fertilization via DNA damage and abnormal spindle morphology at the first cleavage and inhibited early embryonic development by inducing immune response and promoting blastocyst cell apoptosis. This study provides an implication for exploring the causes of reproductive disorders in mammals and humans caused by infection of double-stranded RNA virus.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Embryo development; Immune response; In vitro fertilization; Poly(I:C).

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Blastocyst
DNA Damage
Embryonic Development*
Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Humans
Mammals / genetics
Mice
Pregnancy
RNA, Double-Stranded*

Substances

RNA, Double-Stranded