Comparison of mitochondrial-related transcriptional levels of TFAM, NRF1 and MT-CO1 genes in single human oocytes at various stages of the oocyte maturation

The aim of the current study was to assess the mRNA levels of two mitochondria-related genes,including nuclear-encoded NRF1 [nuclear respiratory factor 1], mitochondrial transcription factor A [TFAM], and mitochondrial-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 [MT-CO1] genes in various stages of the human oocyte maturation. Oocytes were obtained from nine infertile women with male factor undergoing in vitro fertilization [IVF]/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection protocol. Mitochondrial-related mRNA levels were performed by single-cell TaqMan real-time PCR. the expression level of the target genes was low at the germinal vesicle stage [P>0.05]. Although the mRNA level of NRF1gene remained stable in metaphase I, the mRNA level of TFAM and MT-CO1 increased significantly [P<0.05].In metaphase II, the expression level of all genes increasedcompared to metaphase I [P<0.05]. The overexpression levels of NRF1, TFAM, and MT-CO1 genes are related to the oocyte maturation. Therefore, the current study could be used clinically to improve the successrate of IVF.

Bisphenol-A induces oxidative damage in the liver of chicken embryos

Oxidative stress mechanisms are involved in the embryotoxicity. The objective of this study was to assess hepatotoxicity of bisphenol-A [BPA] in chicken embryos. Fertile eggs were randomly divided into 4 groups; three experimental and one control groups, [N=15, for each group]. Embryos were administered 50, 100 and 200 PPM BPA, and incubated for 48 h at 37[degree]C with a relative humidity of 63%. The experiment was terminated on day 20 of incubation. Then, the embryos were decapitated and livers of embryos were collected for biochemical analysis. The total antioxidant capacity, alondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH], carotenoid and total protein levels were measured by spectrophotometer. The result of the present study indicated that the levels of total antioxidant in the livers of embryos exposed to 200 PPM BPA were higher than control and other groups, as well as the levels of MDA compared to control group [p<0.05]. The levels of GSH, total carotenoids and total protein were higher in all groups exposed to BPA than control group [p<0.05]. In addition, protein concentration in 200 PPM group was higher than of other groups [p<0.001]. So far, BPA may lead to induce toxic response of oxidative system in liver throughout embryonic period