Based on Table 1, the maturation rate section shows that there is no difference between the three groups, giving the possibility that goat oocytes exposed to the two cryoprotectants produce the same oocyte quality effectiveness. The success of high quality goat oocytes is influenced by the success of the in vitro maturation process of goat oocytes [11]. Oocyte maturation encompasses nuclear maturation and synchronized cytoplasmic modifications essential for fertilization and early embryonic morphogenesis. Nevertheless, a primary challenge in oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is the asynchrony between nuclear maturation and cytoplasmic alterations. Invariably, nuclear maturation following an oocyte IVM protocol is readily discernible, as it involves germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and the extrusion of the initial polar body (PB). However, it is well-established that during cytoplasmic oocyte maturation, Ca2 + oscillations are crucial for modulating a wide spectrum of physiological processes. For instance, these oscillations can inhibit GVBD in mammalian oocytes, at least until the first metaphase, thereby preventing spontaneous intracellular meiosis resumption in vitro [12].
The in vitro oocyte maturation process is influenced by various types of metabolism which involve increased ATP production to produce further products to be used for proliferation and differentiation of oocytes as well as cumulus cells until the discovery of GSH and HSP70 to protect oocytes from shock caused by metabolic waste products, ROS, from the metabolic system is working and pH as well as temperature. Heat-shock proteins 70 mediate regulating various physiological processes, including folliculogenesis, oogenesis, or embryo development. HSPs have been shown to promote cell survival by inhibiting cell apoptosis. However, exposure to strong heat stress increases cell susceptibility to apoptosis compared to mild exposure [13, 14]. While, (GSH)-cycling system play key roles in the regulation of cell fates, including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, via various signaling molecules and pathways. However, the excessive accumulation of ROS results in intracytoplasmic oxidative stress, affecting molecules, cell structures and protein functions [15].
Vitrification is a super-fast freezing method for oocytes by soaking them with a high concentration of cryoprotectant to protect the structure of oocyte components from the formation of ice crystals, so that damage to the oocyte membrane does not occur [16]. We used these two cryoprotectants, namely Cryotech cryoprotectant and homemade modified cryoprotectant to compare the quality results of goat oocytes after vitrification because we hope that this modified cryoprotectant can be used on a mass scale specifically for vitrifying goat oocytes. Cryotech's cryoprotectant content contains ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide, HEPES media, and trehalose while the modified cryoprotectant contains 30% ethylene glycol and 1 M sucrose. Generally, ethylene glycol as a cryoprotectant has high permeability properties with a molecular weight of 62.07 g/mol so it easily diffuses across cell membranes, safer than using DMSO, PROH, or glycerol [17, 18]. Then, we used 30% concentration of ethylene glycol with 1 M sucrose. It is known that these two types of molecules balance each other to protect oocytes and increase the percentage of viability of cow and goat oocytes to above 50% [19].
The simple basis for vitrification is that most oocytes can experience damage resulting from changes in temperature (normal temperature to extreme freezing temperature or extreme temperature returned to normal temperature), viscosity, and fluid osmotic changes, such as in the freezing-warming process, this is a change in oocyte fluid. and cryoprotectant liquid [20]. Research has demonstrated that certain cryoprotective agents, including dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG), induce a temporary elevation in cytoplasmic Ca2 + concentrations across diverse cellular lineages. Additionally, the exocytosis of cortical granules with the oocyte's plasma membrane is similarly Ca2+-reliant. This observation suggests that these cryoprotectants stimulate cortical granule exocytosis by elevating intracellular Ca2 + levels. Contemporary investigations have elucidated that DMSO and EG provoke substantial transient augmentations in cytoplasmic Ca2 + within murine oocytes, precipitating zona pellucida hardening and markedly diminishing fertilization efficacy. Limited studies have juxtaposed the vitrification procedure pre- and post-in vitro maturation (IVM). It has been established that vitrified immature oocytes can undergo post-thawing IVM and fertilization, generating embryos capable of withstanding vitrification and warming without inducing chromosomal aberrations. The subsequent inquiry pertains to whether IVM potential is compromised due to the cryopreservation process in oocytes vitrified at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage. DMSO has been demonstrated to elicit a transient cytoplasmic Ca2 + elevation across various cellular lineages, while elevated concentrations of EG (10–40%) similarly increase intracellular Ca2 + in murine oocytes. Consequently, a potential complication in oocyte cryopreservation is the induction of a primary activation event. DMSO appeared to induce a more pronounced and sustained Ca2 + elevation compared to EG, potentially attributable to the enhanced permeability of oocytes to DMSO. The permeability of oocytes to cryoprotectants and their capacity to substitute intracellular water is another well-documented phenomenon. The lipophilic properties of DMSO and EG are expected to exert non-specific effects on the plasma membrane and other intracellular membranes, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), potentially leading to Ca2 + influx and/or Ca2 + release from intracellular reservoirs. However, the osmotic contraction induced by cryoprotectants may also contribute to the elevation in cytoplasmic Ca2 + concentrations [21]. The relationship between ATP, HSP-70, and GSH results from the emergence of free radicals which influence changes in calcium oscillations and cause mitochondrial dysfunction which can disrupt, other active metabolism in the oocyte. Free radicals (ROS) are a waste product of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondrial cells when making ATP [21]. Oxidative stress is induced from the endoplasmic reticulum, then released into the oocyte cytoplasm, then absorbed by the mitochondria, but if excessive amounts of these ions are taken up then the apoptotic pathway is activated [22, 23]. As a result, ROS, oocytes initiate the activation of enzymes and gene factors such as Heat Shock Protein-70 (HSP-70) [24, 25]. As the results of our study found that the P2 group responded to higher HSP-70 production compared to the other two groups having every possibility. The sample responds to stress from osmotic changes between the exchange of cryoprotectant and the oocyte's own fluid during vitrification and warming [26].
Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP-70) associates with hydrophobic regions of polypeptide chains, functioning as a protective barrier to mitigate undesired aggregation of polypeptide chains, such as those induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Depletion of HSP-70 can lead to protein synthesis dysfunction due to the presence of the Hip protein, which interacts with the ATPase domain of HSP-70 to maintain the recycling of polypeptide synthesis emerging from the ribosome. This interaction facilitates the exchange of the nucleotide exchange factor (NEF) from the ADP-bound N-domain to the ATP-bound state. This process is coupled with ATP hydrolysis, which occurs through interaction with HSPs, co-chaperone HSP-40 via its J domain, and subsequently with HSP-60 to orchestrate polypeptide synthesis or protein denaturation. This cascade ensures proper protein folding and perpetuates the ATPase cycle [27].
Specifically, glutathione (GSH) is the main non-protein sulfhydryl compound in mammalian cells, providing protection against oxidative stress-induced damage to spindle morphology and function during bovine oocyte maturation in vitro [26]. Based on the research results, the concentration of GSH in the oocyte cytoplasm is a positive indicator of good cytoplasmic maturation. Several study results state that vitrification can change oxidation-reduction (redox) status, reduce or inhibit glutathione (GSH) levels, and trigger an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels [27], which has an effect on mitochondrial dysfunction and response. Apoptosis followed by no differentiation and damage to the DNA and oocyte membrane layer [22]. The response of oocytes to osmotic and temperature changes causes an increase in GSH content in mouse oocytes which can affect their tolerance to vitrification [23]. Endogenous GSH inside oocyte happen as essential to protect it against oxidative stress and reactive oxygen stress along with other forms of cellular injury [24].
The equilibrium between ethylene glycol and sucrose in the modified cryoprotectant played a pivotal role in oocyte protection and viability enhancement. This research provides valuable insights into the effects of vitrification on cellular parameters of caprine oocytes, potentially contributing to the development of more effective cryopreservation protocols for application in animal reproduction biotechnology.
The limitations of the study, include: Cryoprotectant Comparability: While the study compares two different cryoprotectants (Cryotech and a modified ethylene glycol + sucrose solution), it restricts the generalizability of the findings to these specific cryoprotectants. Limited Biomarker Focus: The study focuses on three biomarkers (ATP, GSH, and HSP-70). Short-Term Evaluation: The study appears to focus on the immediate effects of vitrification and warming on oocyte quality.