Project description
Exosomes as nanomessengers in assisted reproductive technologies
There is increasing evidence of the role of oviduct exosomes (EXs) as mediators of early maternal signalling. The absence of communication with the maternal signalling in the in vitro embryo production (IVP) system might explain the low quality of these embryos in comparison to the ones developed in the physiological conditions (in vivo). Recent data revealed the oviduct-derived EXs' protein signature and their role in embryo–oviduct interactions. The EU-funded EXORep project will employ the bovine model to evaluate whether the presence, quality and the stage of the early embryo modulate EX proteins as well as mRNA and miRNA content. It will also assess the effect of in vitro culture with EXs on embryo development and quality. The obtained results may be relevant to improve (IVP) system, including the human assisted reproductive technologies.
Objective
The current embryo in vitro culture conditions used in most laboratories of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) allow the embryo to develop to the blastocyst stage and to achieve pregnancy. However, the quality of those embryos is suboptimal compared to the in vivo ones and the obtained pregnancy rates are low. The lack of maternal signals, during the in vitro period has been postulated as a main reason for these suboptimal results. There is increasing evidence of the role of the oviduct exosomes (oEXs) as mediators of the early maternal-cross talk. Recent data revealed the first oviduct-derived EXs protein signature and their important roles in embryo-oviduct interactions. In the present proposal, using bovine model, we aimed to: (i) Evaluate whether the presence of the early embryo in the oviduct could modulate the oEXs proteins, mRNA and miRNA content depending on its stage of development. (ii) Assess whether the embryo quality (good or poor embryo) affect the content of EXs secreted in vitro by the oviduct epithelial cells. (ii) Assess the effect of in vitro culture with oEXs on the embryo development and quality. To accomplish these tasks, an ambitious, realistic, work plan has been designed based on the excellent background of the Fellow, and the training she will receive, the expertise of the supervisor in female reproductive physiology and the infrastructure within the host lab for conducing all the experiments with most appropriate tools. This will ensure that the Fellow completes the scientific objectives of the proposal, communicate and disseminate the results to the scientific and public, while acquiring new set of skills that will have an important impact in her career development. If the beneficial effect of oEXs on embryo development is recapitulated in cattle, it could improve in vitro embryo production largely used in ART in dairy cattle industries. Moreover, the obtained results may be transferred in human species
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineobstetrics
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiology
- agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandry
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryology
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
8006 Zurich
Switzerland