Reproduction and Lactation

Study of the mammary gland (development, structure and metabolism) and the effects of diet and milking on milk production and breast health in sheep, goats and cows.

Researchers

Elena Albanell Trullàs
Gerardo Caja López
Ramon Casals Costa
Francesc Xavier Such Martí

 

In vitro embryo production (PIVE) is a reproductive technology that aims to dramatically increase the reproductive capacity of select females by using oocytes retrieved from the ovary. Our projects are focused on the study of oocyte quality, testing different culture media in vitro, analyzing the molecular characteristics of oocyte cytoplasm and looking for biomarkers that predict its quality. The main objective of our laboratory is to produce embryos of good quality that are transferable to recipient females.

Researchers

María Teresa Paramino Nieto

Maria Dolors Izquierdo Tugas

Projects

Study of the effect of the competition of different types of goat oocytes on the in vitro production of embryos in biphasic maturation systems with OSF (Oocytes Secreted Factors) (Referència: PID2020-113266RB-I00)

The production of goats, especially those of dairy breeds, could be an interesting livestock in difficult environmental conditions and water scarcity.

The in vitro production of embryos (PIVE) is a tool of great interest for animal breeding programs. In previous studies we observed a direct and positive relationship between oocyte diameter, follicle diameter and development to blastocyst. In our previous project (AGL2017-85837-R) we studied a biphasic maturation system based on 2 stages: 1) pre-MIV medium using 200 nM CNP (C-type natriuretic peptides) plus estradiol to stop meiosis and 2 ) followed by the passage of pre-matured oocytes to a conventional in vitro maturation (MIV). With this biphasic system we have significantly increased the percentage of blastocysts obtained from goat oocytes from 1 to 2 months of age (from 17% to 30% of blastocysts). In the present project we want to check the response of oocytes of different qualities (oocytes of adult females and of prepubertal females recovered from follicles larger and smaller than 3 mm) to biphasic MIV treatments enriched with 2 Oocyte Secreted Factors (OSF), as they are bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9). These OSFs act by improving communication between cumulus cells and oocytes. According to the hypothesis of Richani and Gilchrist (2018), the oocytes improve their competence for development as they grow and this is observed because they acquire the ability to respond to the EGF peptide (Epidermal Growth Factor) through the modulators of the cAMP (as CNP), along with GDF9 and/or BMP15. Consequently, the aim of this project is to study in the 3 qualities of goat oocytes the effect of the biphasic system of MIV, together with the addition of the OSF BMP15 and GDF9, at concentrations of 50 and 100 ng/ml in pre-IVM, in its capacity to produce embryos. In these studies we will analyze the following parameters: the nuclear stage with Hoescht, the growth of oocytes by staining with Brilliant Cresil Blue (BCB), the concentration of cAMP in COCs and cumulus cells by RIA, the oocyte- cumulus cells (GAPJ) by Lucifer Fluorescent Yellow microinjection, oocyte ROS and GSH (glutathione) concentrations, total RNA, mitochondrial DNA by qPCR, and cumulus cell apoptosis and oocytes via Annexin. Finally, oocyte competence will be assessed, after in vitro fertilization (IVF) / Parthenogenic Activation (PA) and embryo culture, using the percentage of blastocysts at 8 days post-insemination / post-activation. The last objective will be to find out if different oocytes need different in vitro maturation protocols.