Production of molecular chaperone-enhanced bovine embryos by utilizing heat-independent HSP70 inducer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K19233
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 42:Veterinary medical science, animal science, and related fields
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Takahashi Masashi 北海道大学, 農学研究院, 教授 (10343964)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-06-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ウシ胚 / 卵子 / アスパラガス茎抽出物 / IFNT / 胚発生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to elucidate germ cell mechanisms including oocytes by asparagus stem extract (EAS).The addition of EAS increased (1) HSP70 gene and protein expression without negative effects on maturation, egg division, blastocyst formation, and total cell number. (2)EAS restored the reduction of blastocyst development rate caused by heat stress, decreased ROS production, and increased glutathione. (3) Increased mitochondrial activity ATP production and fat droplet size. (4) 12-hour treatment showed a trend toward increased blastocyst IFNT gene expression after in vitro fertilization and culture, but the effect of heat load alone in promoting HSP-induction effect was not clear. (5) Three types of asparaproline, a component of EAS, showed an induction effect by HSP70 alone.

Free Research Field

家畜繁殖学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

未利用資源であるアスパラガス茎抽出物（EAS）が生殖細胞へのストレス耐性を強化する新たな知見提供として、HSP70の誘導を通じて生殖細胞の保護を実証し、ミトコンドリア活性やATP産生の増加など細胞内代謝の改善も示した。また、EAS構成成分であるアスパラプロリンがHSP70の発現促進の可能性を示唆し、これらの物質の新規機能を理解する手がかりを提供した。EASの利用により、環境ストレス下でも高品質な卵子や胚を確保する技術が発展し、農業や畜産業における生産性向上に貢献できる。また、EASの成分が持つ潜在的な医療応用も期待される。