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Cumulus Cell Transcriptome after Cumulus-Oocyte Complex Exposure to Nanomolar Cadmium in an In Vitro Animal Model of Prepubertal and Adult Age

Authors :
Nicola Antonio Martino
Ernesto Picardi
Elena Ciani
Anna Maria D’Erchia
Luisa Bogliolo
Federica Ariu
Antonella Mastrorocco
Letizia Temerario
Luigi Mansi
Valeria Palumbo
Graziano Pesole
Maria Elena Dell’Aquila
Source :
Biology, Vol 12, Iss 2, p 249 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd), a highly toxic pollutant, impairs oocyte fertilization, through oxidative damage on cumulus cells (CCs). This study analysed the transcriptomic profile of CCs of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from adult and prepubertal sheep, exposed to Cd nanomolar concentration during in vitro maturation. In both age-groups, CCs of matured oocytes underwent RNA-seq, data analysis and validation. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in adult (n = 99 DEGs) and prepubertal (n = 18 DEGs) CCs upon Cd exposure. Transcriptomes of adult CCs clustered separately between Cd-exposed and control samples, whereas prepubertal ones did not as observed by Principal Component Analysis. The transcriptomic signature of Cd-induced CC toxicity was identified by gene annotation and literature search. Genes associated with previous studies on ovarian functions and/or Cd effects were confirmed and new genes were identified, thus implementing the knowledge on their involvement in such processes. Enrichment and validation analysis showed that, in adult CCs, Cd acted as endocrine disruptor on DEGs involved in hormone biosynthesis, cumulus expansion, regulation of cell signalling, growth and differentiation and oocyte maturation, whereas in prepubertal CCs, Cd affected DEGs involved in CC development and viability and CC-oocyte communications. In conclusion, these DEGs could be used as valuable non-invasive biomarkers for oocyte competence.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
12020249 and 20797737
Volume :
12
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Biology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.924c1a4d974045ffb9835dbaa97af931
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12020249