Activity of MPF and expression of its related genes in mouse MI oocytes exposed to cadmium.

Research has revealed that cadmium can disrupt ovarian function; however, few reports have focused on MI oocytes meiotic progression, especially the activity of maturation promoting factor (MPF) and its related genes (Cdk1, Ccnb1, and Cdc25b) expression. In this study, GV oocytes cultured in vitro for 0, 6, and 9 hours with five groups (control and doses of 0.05, 0.5, 2.5, and 5 μM Cd). At the same dose of cadmium but different exposure time: compared with 0h, Periodic changes in MPF activity were changed and continuously increased over time. The mRNA and protein expression of each MPF-related gene in different cadmium dose groups were changed compared with that of 0h. At the same exposure time but different dose of cadmium: compared with control group, MPF activity, mRNA and protein expressions of each MPF-related gene in all the cadmium exposure groups were increased at 9h after exposure. Cadmium maintains the high MPF activity in mouse MI oocytes during its meiotic process and disturbs the periodic change of MPF activity; meanwhile, cadmium exposure promotes the syntheses of MPF-related gene, which may be one of the molecular mechanisms for the maintenance of high MPF activity, and ultimately prevents the meiotic progression in oocytes.