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Cells
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From Development to Death: Molecular Pathways inside the Oocyte
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From Development to Death: Molecular Pathways inside the Oocyte

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Reproductive Cells and Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 December 2022) | Viewed by 12185

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paweł Kordowitzki

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
2. Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: reproductive aging; telomeres; epigenetic clock; human and bovine oocytes; early embryonic development; assisted reproductive technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Mariusz Skowronski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: cell and molecular biology; water homeostasis; aquaporins; reproduction; mammalian physiology; stem cells

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As Guest Editors of the Special Issue “From development to death: Molecular pathways inside the oocyte”, we would like to invite you to submit reviews, mini-reviews, original research articles and short communications that advance our understanding of the multifaceted fates and pathways contained within a mammalian oocyte. This Special Issue of Cells will address the biology, developmental competence and limited reproductive lifespan of an oocyte, a cell that is of general interest worldwide. In the last three decades, reproductive medicine has gained the attention of both researchers and doctors, since there are important implications for society, as the number of first pregnancies at advanced reproductive age, 35 years and above, has increased significantly in most industrialized countries. As a consequence, a growing number of women will depend on assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to become pregnant, based on their wish to postpone childbearing. Although fundamental advances have been generated in the field of reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies, molecular factors and pathways that could be pivotal for the oocyte’s developmental competence and lifespan remain elusive. Therefore, in this Special Issue, we intend to cover all topics related to the biology and molecular biology of a mammalian oocyte, ranging from oogenesis and the development and maturation of oocytes, to follicular atresia and cell death. 

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Paweł Kordowitzki
Prof. Dr. Mariusz Skowronski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • oocyte
  • egg
  • oogenesis
  • maturation
  • menopause
  • menarche
  • spindle
  • developmental competence
  • aging
  • atresia

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

24 pages, 1149 KiB  
Article
A Mathematical Model of Estradiol Production from Ultrasound Data for Bovine Ovarian Follicles
by Malgorzata J. McEvoy, Marion McAfee, John A. Hession and Leo Creedon
Cells 2022, 11(23), 3908; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cells11233908 - 2 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1289
Abstract
In this paper, we present a new way to assess the concentration of estradiol (E2) and Insulin Growth Factor-1 (IGF) based on the results from ultrasound scans combined with mathematical models. The IGF1 model is based on the progesterone (P4) concentration, which can [...] Read more.
In this paper, we present a new way to assess the concentration of estradiol (E2) and Insulin Growth Factor-1 (IGF) based on the results from ultrasound scans combined with mathematical models. The IGF1 model is based on the progesterone (P4) concentration, which can be estimated with models calculating P4 level based on the size/volume of corpus luteum (CL) measured during ultrasound scans. At this moment little is known about the underlying reasons for double ovulation and silent heat occurrences. Both of these are linked to the level of IGF1: double ovulations are linked to higher IGF1 levels and and silent heat is linked to lower E2 to P4 ratio. These models can help to improve understanding of the related concentrations of E2 and IGF1. Currently, it is known that diet and genetic factors have an impact on ovulation rates and silent heat. In this study, we also examine the decline of the production of E2 in vivo by atretic follicles throughout the process of atresia. This is the first recorded quantitative description of this decline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Development to Death: Molecular Pathways inside the Oocyte)
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18 pages, 13708 KiB  
Article
MicroRNA-4516 in Urinary Exosomes as a Biomarker of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
by Zobia Umair, Mi-Ock Baek, Jisue Song, Seona An, Seung Joo Chon and Mee-Sup Yoon
Cells 2022, 11(18), 2797; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cells11182797 - 7 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2260
Abstract
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a typical disorder of amenorrhea that lasts for a minimum of four months in women < 40 years old and is typically characterized by reduced estrogen levels and elevated serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone. We collected urine samples [...] Read more.
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a typical disorder of amenorrhea that lasts for a minimum of four months in women < 40 years old and is typically characterized by reduced estrogen levels and elevated serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone. We collected urine samples from two participant cohorts from Gil Hospital of Gachon University (Incheon, Korea): a sequencing cohort of 19 participants (seven patients with POI (POI patients without Turner syndrome), seven patients with Turner syndrome (POI patients with Turner syndrome), and five control individuals (age-matched controls with confirmed ovarian sufficiency)) and a validation cohort of 46 participants (15 patients with POI, 11 patients with Turner syndrome, and 20 control individuals). Among differentially expressed miRNAs, hsa-miR-4516 was significantly upregulated in patients with POI in both cohorts, independent of the presence of Turner syndrome. Moreover, the upregulation of miR-4516 was confirmed in the ovary—but not in the uterus—of a cyclophosphamide and busulfan-induced POI mouse model. This was accompanied by a decrease in STAT3 protein level, a predicted target of miR-4516, via miRTarBase2020. Our study provides compelling evidence that miR-4516 is highly expressed in patients with POI and POI mouse models, suggesting that miR-4516 is a diagnostic marker of POI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Development to Death: Molecular Pathways inside the Oocyte)
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Review

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14 pages, 1626 KiB  
Review
Effects of Heat Stress on Bovine Oocytes and Early Embryonic Development—An Update
by Klaudia Miętkiewska, Pawel Kordowitzki and Chandra S. Pareek
Cells 2022, 11(24), 4073; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cells11244073 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3278
Abstract
Heat stress is a major threat to cattle reproduction today. It has been shown that the effect of high temperature not only has a negative effect on the hormonal balance, but also directly affects the quality of oocytes, disrupting the function of mitochondria, [...] Read more.
Heat stress is a major threat to cattle reproduction today. It has been shown that the effect of high temperature not only has a negative effect on the hormonal balance, but also directly affects the quality of oocytes, disrupting the function of mitochondria, fragmenting their DNA and changing their maternal transcription. Studies suggest that the induction of HSP70 may reduce the apoptosis of granular layer cells caused by heat stress. It has been shown that the changes at the transcriptome level caused by heat stress are consistent with 46.4% of blastocyst development disorders. Cows from calves exposed to thermal stress in utero have a lower milk yield in their lifetime, exhibit immunological disorders, have a lower birth weight and display a shorter lifespan related to the expedited aging. In order to protect cow reproduction, the effects of heat stress at the intracellular and molecular levels should be tracked step by step, and the impacts of the dysregulation of thermal homeostasis (i.e., hyperthermy) should be taken into account. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Development to Death: Molecular Pathways inside the Oocyte)
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Other

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6 pages, 855 KiB  
Commentary
The Interplay between Telomeres, Mitochondria, and Chronic Stress Exposure in the Aging Egg
by Aksinya Derevyanko, Agnieszka Skowronska, Mariusz T. Skowronski and Paweł Kordowitzki
Cells 2022, 11(16), 2612; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cells11162612 - 22 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2707
Abstract
While at the organismal level, biological aging can be estimated by telomere length and DNA methylation signatures, reliable biomarkers that can predict reproductive age are much needed to gauge the quality of an oocyte. Reproductive medicine and fertility centers often merely quantitate the [...] Read more.
While at the organismal level, biological aging can be estimated by telomere length and DNA methylation signatures, reliable biomarkers that can predict reproductive age are much needed to gauge the quality of an oocyte. Reproductive medicine and fertility centers often merely quantitate the ovarian reserve to predict the likelihood of fertilization and pregnancy in women of advanced reproductive age. It is highly important to address the level of age-related decline in oocyte quality since it leads to an increased risk of miscarriages and aneuploidy. Conversely, the pathways behind oocyte aging remain, in large part, elusive. Telomere shortening upon chronic stress exposure regulates mitochondria function and biogenesis by various pathways; therefore, establishing a link between these two important players and extrapolating them for the aging of oocytes will be the purpose of our commentary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Development to Death: Molecular Pathways inside the Oocyte)
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7 pages, 469 KiB  
Commentary
Pleiotropic Effects of IGF1 on the Oocyte
by Paweł Kordowitzki, Kornelia Krajnik, Agnieszka Skowronska and Mariusz T. Skowronski
Cells 2022, 11(10), 1610; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/cells11101610 - 11 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1975
Abstract
A woman’s endocrine system plays a crucial role in orchestrating cellular interactions throughout her life. The growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system appears to impact crucial reproductive events and cell types of the ovary, such as granulosa cells, theca cells, [...] Read more.
A woman’s endocrine system plays a crucial role in orchestrating cellular interactions throughout her life. The growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system appears to impact crucial reproductive events and cell types of the ovary, such as granulosa cells, theca cells, and oocytes. Further, IGF1 is a cornerstone during embryonic development and influences predominantly developing and pre-antral follicles. In this commentary, we will emphasize the pleiotropic effects of IGF1 on physiological processes inside the egg. Herein, we will provide a brief overview on IGF1 related cell signal transduction pathways during the maturation and aging of oocytes. We aim to elucidate from a molecular and biochemical point of view if IGF1 in women with metabolic imbalances such as obesity or diabetes could be used in clinics as a novel, reliable estimator for the developmental competence of an oocyte. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Development to Death: Molecular Pathways inside the Oocyte)
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