Aluminum exposure disturbs epigenetic modification and organelle function during early embryo development.

Aluminum is a lightweight and corrosion-resistant metal element that is widely used in industries, construction, food, and pharmaceuticals, and it can adversely affect multiple organ systems including the nervous system, skeletal system, reproductive system, blood system, and immune system. In present study, we investigated the effects of aluminum exposure on mammalian embryo development. Our data demonstrate that aluminum exposure induces mouse early embryo development defects, including those at the zygotes and 2-cell stages, causing a decrease in general transcription activity.

Tankyrase activity is essential for asymmetric division and chromosome segregation in oocyte meiosis.

Introduction: Tankyrase (TNKS) is a poly ADP-ribose polymerase which is known to regulate DNA repair, GLUT4-related vesicles transportation, and mitotic sister telomeres resolution.

Objectives: In the present study, we reported the novel roles of TNKS in oocyte meiosis.

Methods: Using specific chemical inhibitors, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, and siRNA interference, we disturbed TNKS activity or depleted TNKS expression to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

PKD regulates mitophagy to prevent oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction during mouse oocyte maturation.

Mitochondria play dominant roles in various cellular processes such as energy production, apoptosis, calcium homeostasis, and oxidation-reduction balance. Maintaining mitochondrial quality through mitophagy is essential, especially as its impairment leads to the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria in aging oocytes. Our previous research revealed that PKD expression decreases in aging oocytes, and its inhibition negatively impacts oocyte quality.

SIRT3 Regulates Levels of Deacetylated SOD2 to Prevent Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction During Oocyte Maturation in Pigs.

Mammalian oocyte maturation relies on mitochondrial ATP production, but this can lead to damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS). SIRT3, a mitochondrial sirtuin, plays a critical role in regulating mitochondrial redox balance in mouse oocytes under stress; however, its specific roles in porcine oocytes remain unclear. In this study, we utilized the SIRT3 inhibitor 3-TYP to investigate SIRT3's importance in porcine oocyte maturation.

Exposure to citrinin induces DNA damage, autophagy, and mitochondria dysfunction during first cleavage of mouse embryos.

Citrinin (CTN) is a mycotoxin, which is isolated from Penicillium citrinum and widely existed in the contaminated feeds. It is reported that CTN is toxic to heart, liver, and reproductive system. Previous studies indicated that CTN induced apoptosis in oocytes and embryos.