Stress signaling in mammalian oocytes and embryos: a basis for intervention and improvement of outcomes.
Oocytes and early stage embryos are highly sensitive to variation in diverse exogenous factors such as temperature, osmolarity, oxygen, nutrient restriction, pH, shear stress, toxins, amino acid availability, and lipids. It is becoming increasingly apparent that many such factors negatively affect the endoplasmic reticulum, protein synthesis and protein processing, initiating ER stress and unfolded protein responses. As a result, ER stress signaling serves as a common mediator of cellular responses to diverse stressors. In oocytes and embryos, this leads to developmental arrest and epigenetic changes. Recent studies have revealed that preventing ER stress or inhibiting ER stress signaling can preserve or even enhance oocyte and embryo developmental potential. This review examines ER stress signaling, how it arises, how it affects oocytes and embryos, and how its occurrence can be managed or prevented.
Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Science Program, Michigan State University, 474 S. Shaw Lane, Anthony Hall, Room 1230 E, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA. lathamk1@msu.edu.
Keith E
KE
Latham
D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D059865:Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D056811:Unfolded Protein Response
Autophagy; ER stress; Epigenetic; Preimplantation embryo; Unfolded protein response