A transition phase in late mouse oogenesis impacts DNA methylation of the early embryo

A well-orchestrated program of oocyte growth and differentiation results in a developmentally competent oocyte. In late oogenesis, germinal vesicle oocytes (GVOs) undergo chromatin remodeling accompanied by transcriptional silencing from an NSN (non-surrounded nucleolus) to an SN (surrounded nucleolus) chromatin state. By analyzing different cytoplasmic and nuclear characteristics, our results indicate that murine NSN-GVOs transition via an intermediate stage into SN-GVOs in vivo. Interestingly, this transition can also be observed ex vivo, including most characteristics seen in vivo, which allows to analyze this transition process in more detail. The nuclear rearrangements during the transition are accompanied by changes in DNA methylation and Tet enzyme-catalyzed DNA modifications. Early parthenogenetic embryos, derived from NSN-GVOs, show lower DNA methylation levels than SN-derived embryos. Together, our data suggest that a successful NSN-SN transition in oogenesis including proper DNA methylation remodeling is important for the establishment of a developmentally competent oocyte for the beginning of life. Analysis of mouse oocyte epigenomics and cytoplasmic rearrangements provides insights into a developmentally important transitional phase in late oogenesis and dynamic changes of TET-enzyme mediated DNA modifications.

Automated summary

A well-organized program of oocyte growth and differentiation leads to the development of a mature oocyte. The study found that in mice, germinal vesicle oocytes undergo chromatin remodeling and nuclear rearrangements during the transition from a non-surrounded nucleolus chromatin state to a surrounded nucleolus chromatin state. This transition is accompanied by changes in DNA methylation and Tet enzyme-catalyzed DNA modifications. The study suggests that a successful transition from NSN to SN state is crucial for the establishment of a developmentally competent oocyte.