title: Absence of cumulus cells during in vitro maturation affects lipid metabolism in bovine oocytes.
abstract: Cumulus cells (CC) surround the oocyte and are coupled metabolically through regulation of nutrient intake. CC removal before in vitro maturation (IVM) decreases bovine oocyte developmental competence without affecting nuclear meiotic maturation. The objective was to investigate the influence of CC on oocyte cytoplasmic maturation in relation to energy metabolism. IVM with either cumulus-enclosed (CEO) or -denuded (DO) oocytes was performed in serum-free metabolically optimized medium. Transmission electron microscopy revealed different distribution of membrane-bound vesicles and lipid droplets between metaphase II DO and CEO. By Nile Red staining, a significant reduction in total lipid level was evidenced in DO. Global transcriptomic analysis revealed differential expression of genes regulating energy metabolism, transcription, and translation between CEO and DO. By Western blot, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and hormone-sensitive phospholipase (HSL) proteins were detected in oocytes and in CC, indicating a local lipogenesis and lypolysis. FAS protein was significantly less abundant in DO that in CEO and more highly expressed in CC than in the oocytes. On the contrary, HSL protein was more abundant in oocytes than in CC. In addition, active Ser⁵⁶³-phosphorylated HSL was detected in the oocytes only after IVM, and its level was similar in CEO and DO. In conclusion, absence of CC during IVM affected lipid metabolism in the oocyte and led to suboptimal cytoplasmic maturation. Thus, CC may influence the oocyte by orienting the consumption of nutritive storage via regulation of local fatty acid synthesis and lipolysis to provide energy for maturation.
authors: UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Nouzilly, France.
authors: Sylvain
authors: S
authors: Auclair
authors: Rustem
authors: R
authors: Uzbekov
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Elis
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Sanchez
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Kireev
authors: Lionel
authors: L
authors: Lardic
authors: Rozenn
authors: R
authors: Dalbies-Tran
authors: Svetlana
authors: S
authors: Uzbekova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004477:Ectogenesis; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D050155:Lipogenesis; D008066:Lipolysis; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012694:Serine / Q000378:metabolism; D002787:Sterol Esterase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012694:Serine; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases; D002787:Sterol Esterase