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Amyloid-like substance in mice and human oocytes and embryos

  • Gamete Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

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Acknowledgements

We thank NYULMC DART Microscopy Lab for their assistance: Alice Liang, Chris Petzold and K isten Dancel-Manning with TEM work, and Michael Cammer for LM work.

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Author notes

  1. Ricardo N. Pimentel

    Present address: Human Reproduction Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Scientist from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, NBV 9N1, New York, NY, USA

    Ricardo N. Pimentel

  2. Human Reproduction Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil

    Paula A. Navarro

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Fang Wang, LeRoy G. Robinson Jr., Yael Kramer & David Lawrence. Keefe

  4. DART Microscopy Laboratory, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Michael Cammer & Fengxia Liang

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Correspondence to David Lawrence. Keefe.

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Support from FAPESP, Brazil (Process 2015/21907-0) (PN) and the Stanley H. Kaplan Endowment Fund.

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Pimentel, R.N., Navarro, P.A., Wang, F. et al. Amyloid-like substance in mice and human oocytes and embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 36, 1877–1890 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-019-01530-w

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