WO1996027658A1 - Stimulation of meiosis - Google Patents

Stimulation of meiosis Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996027658A1
WO1996027658A1 PCT/DK1996/000093 DK9600093W WO9627658A1 WO 1996027658 A1 WO1996027658 A1 WO 1996027658A1 DK 9600093 W DK9600093 W DK 9600093W WO 9627658 A1 WO9627658 A1 WO 9627658A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
meiosis
compound
germ cell
test
present
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK1996/000093
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Erling Guddal
Anne Grete Byskov
Frederik Christian GRØNVALD
Lars Nordholm
Original Assignee
Novo Nordisk A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Novo Nordisk A/S filed Critical Novo Nordisk A/S
Priority to JP8526543A priority Critical patent/JPH11501806A/en
Priority to AU47845/96A priority patent/AU717180B2/en
Priority to BR9607673A priority patent/BR9607673A/en
Priority to EP96903940A priority patent/EP0813595A1/en
Publication of WO1996027658A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996027658A1/en
Priority to MXPA/A/1997/006565A priority patent/MXPA97006565A/en
Priority to NO974089A priority patent/NO974089L/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N5/00—Undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, e.g. cell lines; Tissues; Cultivation or maintenance thereof; Culture media therefor
    • C12N5/06—Animal cells or tissues; Human cells or tissues
    • C12N5/0602—Vertebrate cells
    • C12N5/0608—Germ cells
    • C12N5/0609—Oocytes, oogonia
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/70—Carbohydrates; Sugars; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K31/7042—Compounds having saccharide radicals and heterocyclic rings
    • A61K31/7048—Compounds having saccharide radicals and heterocyclic rings having oxygen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. leucoglucosan, hesperidin, erythromycin, nystatin, digitoxin or digoxin
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/13—Amines
    • A61K31/155—Amidines (), e.g. guanidine (H2N—C(=NH)—NH2), isourea (N=C(OH)—NH2), isothiourea (—N=C(SH)—NH2)
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
    • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
    • A61K31/40—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having five-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom, e.g. sulpiride, succinimide, tolmetin, buflomedil
    • A61K31/403—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having five-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom, e.g. sulpiride, succinimide, tolmetin, buflomedil condensed with carbocyclic rings, e.g. carbazole
    • A61K31/404—Indoles, e.g. pindolol
    • A61K31/4045—Indole-alkylamines; Amides thereof, e.g. serotonin, melatonin
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
    • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
    • A61K31/40—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having five-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom, e.g. sulpiride, succinimide, tolmetin, buflomedil
    • A61K31/403—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having five-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom, e.g. sulpiride, succinimide, tolmetin, buflomedil condensed with carbocyclic rings, e.g. carbazole
    • A61K31/404—Indoles, e.g. pindolol
    • A61K31/405—Indole-alkanecarboxylic acids; Derivatives thereof, e.g. tryptophan, indomethacin
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/56—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
    • A61K31/575—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids substituted in position 17 beta by a chain of three or more carbon atoms, e.g. cholane, cholestane, ergosterol, sitosterol
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P15/00—Drugs for genital or sexual disorders; Contraceptives
    • A61P15/08—Drugs for genital or sexual disorders; Contraceptives for gonadal disorders or for enhancing fertility, e.g. inducers of ovulation or of spermatogenesis
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N5/00—Undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, e.g. cell lines; Tissues; Cultivation or maintenance thereof; Culture media therefor
    • C12N5/06—Animal cells or tissues; Human cells or tissues
    • C12N5/0602—Vertebrate cells
    • C12N5/0608—Germ cells
    • C12N5/061—Sperm cells, spermatogonia

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of inducing meiosis in a germ cell and to the use of certain chemical compounds and medicaments comprising such compounds for stimulating the meiosis in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro.
  • Meiosis is the unique and ultimate event of germ cells on which sexual reproduction is based. Meiosis comprises two meiotic divisions. During the first division, exchange between maternal and paternal genes takes place before the pairs of chromosomes are separated into the two daughter cells. These contain only half the number (In) of chromosomes and 2c DNA. The second meiotic division proceeds without a DNA synthesis. This division therefore results in the formation of the haploid germ cells with only lc DNA.
  • the meiotic events are similar in the male and female germ cells, but the time schedule and the differentiation processes which lead to ova and to spermatozoa differ profoundly.
  • All female germ cells enter the prophase of the first meiotic division early in life, often before birth, but all are arrested as oocytes later in the prophase (dictyate state) until ovulation after puberty.
  • the female has a stock of oocytes which is drawn upon until the stock is exhausted.
  • Meiosis in females is not completed until after fertilization, and results in only one ovum and two abortive polar bodies per germ cell.
  • only some of the male germ cells enter meiosis from puberty and leave a stem population of germ cells throughout life. Once initiated, meiosis in the male cell proceeds without significant delay and produces 4 spermatozoa.
  • MAS meiosis activating substance
  • MPS meiosis preventing substance
  • meiosis can be regulated, reproduction can be controlled.
  • stimulation of the meiosis of an oocyte is desired, one conceivable way of achieving this is to secure that the amount of MAS present in the environment of the oocyte outweighs the amount of MPS present. This could, in principle, be done by administering a MAS, by stimulating the secretion of a MAS or by blocking the biotransformation of a MAS already present.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering to said cell in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro an effective amount of a compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance to a level at which meiosis is induced.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a mammalian germ cell.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a human germ cell.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of an oocyte.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a male germ cell.
  • the present invention relates to a contraceptive method for use in females.
  • the present invention relates to a method of treating infertility by stimulating the formation of meiotic oocytes so that an increased number of meiotic oocytes are available when the ovulatory peak of gonadotropins occurs.
  • the present invention relates to a method of treating infertility in males by stimulating the formation of spermatozoon from male germ cells.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering a compound which exhibits meiosis activating properties when tested according to at least one of the methods described in the examples of the present specification.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering amphotericin B.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering aminoguanidine.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering 3 / 9,5 ,6/3- trihydroxycholestane.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering melatonin. According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering a melatonin dervative.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering 6-chloromelatonin.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering 5-methoxytryptamine.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering a melatonin agonist.
  • the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering any compound selected from the following list:
  • the present invention relates to the use of a compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance to a level at which meiosis is induced for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of a compound which exhibits meiosis activating properties when tested according to at least one of the methods described in the examples of the present specification for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of amphotericin B for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of aminoguanidine for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of 3 / 3,5 ⁇ ,6?-trihydroxycholestane for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of melatonin for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of a melatonin derivative for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of 6-chloromelatonin for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of 5-methoxytryptamine for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of a melatonin agonist for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
  • the present invention relates to the use of a compound selected from the following list for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis:
  • the selected compounds are used to stimulate the meiosis
  • the selected compounds are used to stimulate the meiosis in humans.
  • the selected compounds are promising as fertility regulating agents. It can be expected that the usual side effect on the somatic cells which are known
  • meiosis can be induced so as to prematurely induce resumption of meiosis in oocytes while they are still in the growing follicle, before the ovulatory peak of gonadotropins occurs.
  • the resumption of the meiosis can, for example, be induced a week after the preceding menstruation has ceased.
  • the resulting overmature oocytes are most likely not to be fertilized. The normal menstrual cycle is not likely to be affected.
  • the present invention may also be useful for the treatment of infertility in males.
  • Lanosta-8,24-diene-3j3-ol which is devoid of any meiosis activating properties is the primary cyclisation product in the sterol synthesis in mammalian cells.
  • the subsequent biosynthesis of cholesterol proceeds through a series of steps like demethylations, oxidations, reductions and displacements of double bonds, all of which are enzymatically controlled. Only some of the enzymes controlling these steps have been isolated and characterized.
  • the first product formed with a cholestane skeleton is 4,4-dimethylcholesta-8,14,24- triene-3/3-ol, which is identical with a meiosis activating compound isolated from human follicle fluid (AG Byskov et al.
  • a number of compounds known from literature have been described as inhibitors for one or more of the enzymes involved in the in vivo conversion of lanosta-8,24-diene-3?-ol to cholesterol, and the field has recently been reviewed (Mercer, E.I. Prog. Lipid Res. 32 (1993) 357-416) .
  • a photericin is known to interfere with the late steps of the ergosterol synthesis in fungi (Coulon, J. et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 32 (1986) 738-742) and is used in the clinic as an antimycotic.
  • the amount to be administered of the active agent of this invention is determined according to the purpose of the treatment by those skilled in the art. The amount will depend i.a. on the specific agent in question, on the particular mode of administration -(e.g. in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro) and on other factors.
  • compositions according to the invention for administering the active agents may be in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, solutions or suspensions.
  • the active agents may be combined with the carriers, adjuvants, and vehicles usually employed in the art.
  • a systemic effect in a living animal can be achieved by oral administration or by injection or infusion of sterile solutions of the active agents according to the invention, the solutions being prepared according to the known art. Also, a systemic effect can be achieved by inhalation or by nasal administration of a powder or an aerosol containing the active agent.
  • an active agent according to the invention to an isolated cell, e.g. an oocyte or a male germ cell can be achieved by keeping the cell in a medium of the kind usually employed for keeping cells of the pertinent kind in and further adding the active agent to the medium.
  • mice Immature female mice (B6D2-F1, strain C57B1/6J) were kept under controlled lighting (14 hr light, 10 hr dark) and temperature, with food and water ad libitum. When the animals reached a weight of 13-16 grams (which corresponds to the age of 20 to 22 days post partum) , they were given a single injection (i.p.) of human menopausal gonadotropin (Humegon, Organon, The Netherlands) containing approximately 20 IU FSH and 20 IU LH (Ziebe, S. et al. Hum. Reprod. 8 (1993) 385-88). 48 hours later the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. Collection and cultivation of oocytes
  • HX-medium The ovaries were removed, placed in HX-medium (se below) and freed of extraneous tissue.
  • the collection- and culture medium consisted of Eagles minimum essential medium (Flow, USA) , containing 4mM hypoxanthine (HX) , 3 mg/ml of bovine serum albumin, 0.23 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM glutamine, 100 U/ml of penicillin, and 100 ⁇ g/ml of streptomycin (all Sigma, USA) . This medium is designated HX-medium. The same medium but without HX was used as control medium.
  • test compounds The influence of the test compounds on the meiosis of oocytes was studied in cumulus enclosed oocytes (CEO, Test A) and in denuded oocytes (DO, Test B) .
  • CEO were obtained by puncturing antral follicles of the ovaries under a dissecting microscope using a 27-gauge needle.
  • Cumulus enclosed oocyte (CEO) of uniform size were selected and before use in Test A, they were rinsed three times in fresh HX-medium.
  • Oocytes freed from cumulus cells, i.e. denuded oocytes, DO, for use in Test B were obtained by gently flushing CEO through a fine-bore mouth-controlled pipet.
  • Test A CEO and in Test B, DO were cultured in 4-well multidishes (Nunclon, Denmark) in 0.5 ml of HX-medium containing the test compound at the concentration stated in the tables except the controls which were cultured in control medium. Each well contained 35 to 50 oocytes. The test cultures were made with different concentrations of the compounds to be tested as indicated in the tables.
  • the cultures were kept at 37"C and 100% humidity with 5% C0 2 in the air for 24 hours.
  • Test C(A) and C(B) was carried out as Test A and Test B, respectively, except that the oocytes were only kept in the medium containing the test compound for a period of time (priming period) ranging from 5 min to 3 hr at the beginning of the test. After the priming period, the oocytes were transferred to control medium and the cultivation was continued until 22 hours after the start of the test.
  • oocytes with germinal vesicle (GV) or germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and those with polar body (PB) were counted in an inverted microscope with differential interference contrast equipment.
  • the percentage of oocytes with GVBD per total number of oocytes and the percentage of oocytes with PB per GVBD were calculated.
  • the results for the Tests A, B, C(A) and C(B), calculated as units of MAS activity are given in the tables in each of the examples.
  • One MAS activity unit, MASU is defined as:
  • the number of MAS activity units , MASU is calculated as :
  • Test A and Test B were performed as described above, using cholestan-3/3,5 ⁇ ,6/3-triol as test compound. The results are given in the table: Cholestan-3/ , 5 ⁇ 6 / 9- No. of Test A, Test B, triol, ⁇ g/ l tests MASU MASU
  • cholestan-3/9, 5 ⁇ , 6/9-triol used was obtained from Sigma (St. Louis, USA) . It appears from the table that cholestan-3/3, 5 ⁇ , 6/3- triol induces resumption of meiosis in oocytes in a dose- related manner.
  • Test A and Test B were performed as described above, using aminoguanidine hydrogencarbonate as test compound. The results are given in the table:
  • aminoguanidine hydrogencarbonate used was obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc. (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) . It appears from the table that aminoguanidine hydrogencarbonate induces resumption of meiosis in oocytes in a dose-related manner.
  • Test A and Test B were performed as described above, using amphotericin B as test compound. The results are given in the table:
  • amphotericin B used was obtained from Bristol-Myers Squibb. It appears from the table that amphotericin B induces resumption of meiosis in oocytes in a dose-related manner.
  • Amphotericin is toxic at concentrations above 1.25 ⁇ g/ml. Concentrations up to 50 ⁇ g/ml have been tested.
  • the test system consisted of foetal mouse gonads, day 11.5 p.c. One gonad from each foetus was used as control and the other one as test gonad.
  • the gonads which differentiated during the culture period were cultured for 6 days in a chemically defined culture medium under normal culture conditions, see Westergaard et al. Fertil. Steril. 41 (1984) 377.
  • To the culture medium in which the test gonads were cultured varying amounts of Amphotericin B was added as indicated in the table. After the culture period, the control gonads only contained non-meiotic germ cells.
  • a semi-quantitative account of the results with the test gonads obtained by microscopy after staining is given in the table below wherein "-" indicates no response and "+", "++” and "+++” indicates increasing responses:
  • amphotericin B used was obtained from Bristol-Myers Squibb. As it appears from the table, amphotericin B activates meiosis in male germ cells in a dose-related manner.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Reproductive Health (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Cell Biology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Developmental Biology & Embryology (AREA)
  • Pregnancy & Childbirth (AREA)
  • Gynecology & Obstetrics (AREA)
  • Endocrinology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Nitrogen Condensed Heterocyclic Rings (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of certain chemical compounds which interfere with the biosynthesis of cholesterol and medicaments comprising such compounds for stimulating the meiosis of oocytes and male germ cells in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro.

Description

STIMULATION OF MEIOSIS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of inducing meiosis in a germ cell and to the use of certain chemical compounds and medicaments comprising such compounds for stimulating the meiosis in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Meiosis is the unique and ultimate event of germ cells on which sexual reproduction is based. Meiosis comprises two meiotic divisions. During the first division, exchange between maternal and paternal genes takes place before the pairs of chromosomes are separated into the two daughter cells. These contain only half the number (In) of chromosomes and 2c DNA. The second meiotic division proceeds without a DNA synthesis. This division therefore results in the formation of the haploid germ cells with only lc DNA.
The meiotic events are similar in the male and female germ cells, but the time schedule and the differentiation processes which lead to ova and to spermatozoa differ profoundly. All female germ cells enter the prophase of the first meiotic division early in life, often before birth, but all are arrested as oocytes later in the prophase (dictyate state) until ovulation after puberty. Thus, from early life the female has a stock of oocytes which is drawn upon until the stock is exhausted. Meiosis in females is not completed until after fertilization, and results in only one ovum and two abortive polar bodies per germ cell. In contrast, only some of the male germ cells enter meiosis from puberty and leave a stem population of germ cells throughout life. Once initiated, meiosis in the male cell proceeds without significant delay and produces 4 spermatozoa.
Only little is known about the mechanisms which control the initiation of meiosis in the male and in the female. In the oocyte, new studies indicate that follicular purines, hypo- xanthine or adenosine could be responsible for meiotic arrest (Downs, S.M. et al. Dev. Biol . 82 (1985) 454-458; Eppig, J.J. et al. Dev. Biol. 119 (1986) 313-321; and Downs, S.M. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 35 (1993) 82-94) . The presence of a diffusible meiosis regulating substance was first described by Byskov et al. in a culture system of fetal mouse gonads (Byskov, A.G. et al. Dev. Biol. 52 (1976) 193-200). A meiosis activating substance (MAS) was secreted by the fetal mouse ovary in which meiosis was ongoing, and a meiosis preventing substance (MPS) was released from the morphologically differentiated testis with resting, non-meiotic germ cells. It was suggested that the relative concentrations of MAS and MPS regulated the beginning, arrest and resumption of meiosis in the male and in the female germ cells (Byskov, A.G. et al. in The Physiology of Reproduction (eds. Knobil, E. and Neill, J.D., Raven Press, New York (1994)) . Clearly, if meiosis can be regulated, reproduction can be controlled. Thus, if stimulation of the meiosis of an oocyte is desired, one conceivable way of achieving this is to secure that the amount of MAS present in the environment of the oocyte outweighs the amount of MPS present. This could, in principle, be done by administering a MAS, by stimulating the secretion of a MAS or by blocking the biotransformation of a MAS already present.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has earlier been found that administration of certain sterols known as intermediates in the biosynthesis of cholesterol leads to stimulation of the meiosis. Surprisingly, it has now turned out that administration of certain compounds, known to interfere with the biosynthesis of cholesterol, can also lead to a stimulation of the meiosis. Although the underlying mechanism (or mechanisms) is not fully understood, it is anticipated that at least in some cases the interference comprises inhibition of one or more of the enzymes involved in the bioconversion of one or more of the precursors of cholesterol. As a result of the inhibition, the concentration of the precursors formed in the steps preceding the step which has been inhibited will increase. One or more of these precursors may - either directly or indirectly - cause the stimulation of the meiosis.
Accordingly, in its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering to said cell in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro an effective amount of a compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance to a level at which meiosis is induced.
According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a mammalian germ cell.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a human germ cell.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of an oocyte.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a male germ cell.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a contraceptive method for use in females.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of treating infertility by stimulating the formation of meiotic oocytes so that an increased number of meiotic oocytes are available when the ovulatory peak of gonadotropins occurs.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of treating infertility in males by stimulating the formation of spermatozoon from male germ cells.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering a compound which exhibits meiosis activating properties when tested according to at least one of the methods described in the examples of the present specification.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering amphotericin B.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering aminoguanidine.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering 3/9,5 ,6/3- trihydroxycholestane.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering melatonin. According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering a melatonin dervative.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering 6-chloromelatonin.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering 5-methoxytryptamine.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering a melatonin agonist.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering any compound selected from the following list:
4α-cyanomethyl-5α-cholestan-33-ol;
4a-nitro-5c.-cholestan-3/3-ol;
4α-amino-5α-cholestan-3/3-ol ; 4 -formyl-5 -cholestan-3/3-ol ;
4α-aminomethyl-5α-cholestan-3/3-ol ;
4α- (2-cyano) ethynyl-5c.-cholestan-3 ?-ol ;
4-allenyl-5α-cholestan-3/3-ol ;
4α-oxirane-5α-cholestan-3 ?-ol ; 4α- (3 , 3-dichloro) vinyl-5 -cholestan-3/3-ol ;
4α- ( 3 , 3-dibromo) vinyl -5 -cholestan-3/?-ol ;
4a- (dif luoromethyl) -5c.-cholestan-3-/3-ol ;
4-cyclododecyl-2 , 6-dimethylmorpholine ;
4-tridecyl-2 , 6-dimethylmorpholine ; 4-dodecyl-2 , 6-dimethylmorpholine ;
4 - [ 3 - [ 4 - ( 1 , 1 -d imethyl ethyl ) phenyl ] -2 -methylpropyl ] -2 , 6 - dimethylmorphol ine ; 4-[ 3-[4- (1, 1-dimethylethyl) phenyl ] -2-methylpropyl] -2,6- dimethylmorpholine-N-oxide; cis-4-[3-[4-(l,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl]-2-methylpropyl]-2,6- dimethylmorpholine; l-[3-[4-(l,1-dimethy1ethyl)phenyl]-2-methylpropyl]piperidine;
8-aza-4α,10-dimethyl-trans-decal-33-ol;
N-benzyl-8-aza-4α,10-dimethyl-trans-decal-3/3-ol;
N-benzyl-8-aza-4α,10-dimethyl-trans-decal-33-ol-N-oxide;
N- (1, 5, 9-trimethyldecyl) -8-aza-4α, 10 -dimethyl -trans-decal-3/3- ol;
N- ( 1-methyldodecyl ) -8-aza-4α , 10-dimethyl-trans-decal-3/3-ol ;
N-[6-(4-tert-butylphenyl) -1, 5 -dimethyl] hexyl-8-aza-4α,10- dimethyl-trans-decal-3/3-ol ;
15-aza-24-methylene-D-homocholesta-8 , 14-dien-33-ol ; 4-chloro-α- [ 4- [ 2- (diethylamino) ethoxy]phenyl ] -α- (4- methylphenyl ) benzeneethanol ;
1, 4-bis (2-chlorobenzylaminomethyl) cyclohexane;
6-amino-2-penthylthiobenzothiazole;
24 , 25-iminolanosterol ; aminotriazole; nystatin;
25-azacholesterol;
25-aza-24,25-dihydrozymosterol;
25-azacholestanol; (20R)-22,25-diazacholesterol;
(20S)-22,25-diazacholesterol;
24-azacholesterol;
25-aza-24,25-dihydrolanosterol; and
23-azacholesterol.
According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance to a level at which meiosis is induced for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis. According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a compound which exhibits meiosis activating properties when tested according to at least one of the methods described in the examples of the present specification for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of amphotericin B for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of aminoguanidine for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of 3/3,5α,6?-trihydroxycholestane for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of melatonin for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a melatonin derivative for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of 6-chloromelatonin for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of 5-methoxytryptamine for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a melatonin agonist for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a compound selected from the following list for the preparation of a medicament for inducing meiosis:
4α-cyanomethyl-5α-cholestan-3/3-ol ;
4α-nitro-5α-cholestan-3/3-ol ;
4α-amino-5α-cholestan-3/3-ol ; 4α-f ormyl-5α-cholestan-3/9-ol ;
4α-aminomethyl-5α-cholestan-3/3-ol ;
4α- ( 2-cyano) ethynyl-5α-cholestan-3 3-ol ;
4-allenyl-5α-cholestan-3 3-ol ;
4α-oxirane-5α-cholestan-3/3-ol ; 4a- ( 3 , 3-dichloro) vinyl-5α-cholestan-3 ?-ol ;
4α- ( 3 , 3-dibromo) vinyl-5α-cholestan-33-ol ;
4α-(difluoromethyl)-5α-cholestan-3-/9-ol;
4-cyclododecyl-2,6-dimethylmorpholine;
4-tridecyl-2,6-dimethylmorpholine; 4-dodecyl-2, 6-dimethylmorpholine;
4-[3-[4-(l,l-dimethylethyl)phenyl] -2-methylpropyl ] -2 , 6- dimethylmorpholine;
4-[3-[4- (1, 1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-2-methylpropyl]-2,6- dimethylmorpholine-N-oxide; cis-4-[3-[4-(l,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl]-2-methylpropyl]-2,6- dimethylmorpholine;
1-[3-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-2-methylpropyl]piperidine;
8-aza-4α,10-dimethyl-trans-decal-3jS-ol;
N-benzyl-8-aza-4α,10-dimethyl-trans-decal-3/3-ol; N-benzyl-8-aza-4α,10-dimethyl-trans-decal-33-ol-N-oxide;
N-(1,5,9-trimethyldecyl)-8-aza-4α,10-dimethyl-trans-decal-3/3- ol;
N- ( l-methyldodecyl) -8-aza-4α , 10-dimethyl-trans-decal-3/3-ol ;
N- [ 6- ( 4 -tert-butylphenyl ) -1 , 5 -dimethyl ] hexyl-8-aza-4 , 10- dimethyl-trans-decal-3jS-ol ; 15-aza-24-methylene-D-homocholesta-8 , 14-dien-3/3-ol ;
4-chloro-α- [ 4- [ 2- (diethylamino) ethoxy] phenyl ] -α- (4 methylphenyl ) benzeneethanol ;
1 , 4-bis ( 2-chlorobenzylaminomethyl ) cyclohexane ; 5 6-amino-2-penthylthiobenzothiazole ;
24 , 25-iminolanosterol ; aminotriazole ; nystatin;
25-azacholesterol; 1025-aza-24,25-dihydrozymosterol;
25-azacholestanol;
(20R)-22,25-diazacholesterol;
(20S)-22,25-diazacholesterol;
24-azacholesterol; 1525-aza-24,25-dihydrolanosterol; and
23-azacholesterol.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The existence of a meiosis activating or stimulating substance has been known for some time. However, until recently, the 20 identity of the meiosis activating substance or substances was unknown.
The prospects of being able to influence the meiosis are several. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the selected compounds are used to stimulate the
25 meiosis. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the selected compounds are used to stimulate the meiosis in humans. Thus, the selected compounds are promising as fertility regulating agents. It can be expected that the usual side effect on the somatic cells which are known
30 from the hitherto used hormonal contraceptives which are based on estrogens and/or gestagens will not be found with the present invention. For use as a contraceptive agent in females, meiosis can be induced so as to prematurely induce resumption of meiosis in oocytes while they are still in the growing follicle, before the ovulatory peak of gonadotropins occurs. In women, the resumption of the meiosis can, for example, be induced a week after the preceding menstruation has ceased. When ovulated, the resulting overmature oocytes are most likely not to be fertilized. The normal menstrual cycle is not likely to be affected. In this connection, it is important to notice that the progesterone synthesis in cultured human granulosa cells (somatic cells of the follicle) is not affected by the presence of a meiosis inducing substance, whereas the estrogens and gestagens used in the hitherto used hormonal contraceptives do have an adverse effect on the progesterone synthesis.
Stimulation of meiosis in male germ cells has also been demonstrated. Accordingly, the present invention may also be useful for the treatment of infertility in males.
Lanosta-8,24-diene-3j3-ol (lanosterol) which is devoid of any meiosis activating properties is the primary cyclisation product in the sterol synthesis in mammalian cells. The subsequent biosynthesis of cholesterol proceeds through a series of steps like demethylations, oxidations, reductions and displacements of double bonds, all of which are enzymatically controlled. Only some of the enzymes controlling these steps have been isolated and characterized. The first product formed with a cholestane skeleton is 4,4-dimethylcholesta-8,14,24- triene-3/3-ol, which is identical with a meiosis activating compound isolated from human follicle fluid (AG Byskov et al. Nature 374 (1995) 559-562) . Subsequent reduction of the double bond in the 14-position produces 4,4-dimethylcholesta-8,24- diene-33-ol, which is identical with a meiosis activating compound isolated from bull testes (AG Byskov et al. Nature 374 (1995) 559-562) . Stepwise removal of the methyl groups in the 4-position produces 4-methylcholesta-8,24-diene-3/3-ol and cholesta-8,24-diene-3/3-ol (zymosterol) both of which have meiosis activating properties. Subsequent migration of the double bond from the 8-position to the 5-position produces cholest-5-ene-3/3-ol (cholesterol) which has no meiosis activating properties. Inhibition of any of the enzymes which are active in the series of reactions described above will cause upstream intermediates with meiosis activating properties to accumulate, thereby inducing meiosis in germ cells present.
A number of compounds known from literature have been described as inhibitors for one or more of the enzymes involved in the in vivo conversion of lanosta-8,24-diene-3?-ol to cholesterol, and the field has recently been reviewed (Mercer, E.I. Prog. Lipid Res. 32 (1993) 357-416) . A photericin is known to interfere with the late steps of the ergosterol synthesis in fungi (Coulon, J. et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 32 (1986) 738-742) and is used in the clinic as an antimycotic. In rat liver in vitro, cholestantriol has been found to interfere with the demethylation in the 4-position of intermediates in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and thus induce accumulation of 4,4-dimethylcholesta-8-ene-3-oland4-methylcholesta-8-ene-3-ol (Scallen, T.J. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 246 (1971) 3168-3174).
The amount to be administered of the active agent of this invention is determined according to the purpose of the treatment by those skilled in the art. The amount will depend i.a. on the specific agent in question, on the particular mode of administration -(e.g. in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro) and on other factors.
Compositions according to the invention for administering the active agents may be in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, solutions or suspensions. In such compositions, the active agents may be combined with the carriers, adjuvants, and vehicles usually employed in the art.
A systemic effect in a living animal can be achieved by oral administration or by injection or infusion of sterile solutions of the active agents according to the invention, the solutions being prepared according to the known art. Also, a systemic effect can be achieved by inhalation or by nasal administration of a powder or an aerosol containing the active agent.
Administration of an active agent according to the invention to an isolated cell, e.g. an oocyte or a male germ cell can be achieved by keeping the cell in a medium of the kind usually employed for keeping cells of the pertinent kind in and further adding the active agent to the medium.
The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples which, however, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection. The features disclosed in the fore¬ going description and in the following examples may, either separately or in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
EXAMPLES
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Test of meiosis activating substances in the oocyte test.
Animals
Immature female mice (B6D2-F1, strain C57B1/6J) were kept under controlled lighting (14 hr light, 10 hr dark) and temperature, with food and water ad libitum. When the animals reached a weight of 13-16 grams (which corresponds to the age of 20 to 22 days post partum) , they were given a single injection (i.p.) of human menopausal gonadotropin (Humegon, Organon, The Netherlands) containing approximately 20 IU FSH and 20 IU LH (Ziebe, S. et al. Hum. Reprod. 8 (1993) 385-88). 48 hours later the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. Collection and cultivation of oocytes
The ovaries were removed, placed in HX-medium (se below) and freed of extraneous tissue. The collection- and culture medium consisted of Eagles minimum essential medium (Flow, USA) , containing 4mM hypoxanthine (HX) , 3 mg/ml of bovine serum albumin, 0.23 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM glutamine, 100 U/ml of penicillin, and 100 μg/ml of streptomycin (all Sigma, USA) . This medium is designated HX-medium. The same medium but without HX was used as control medium.
The influence of the test compounds on the meiosis of oocytes was studied in cumulus enclosed oocytes (CEO, Test A) and in denuded oocytes (DO, Test B) . CEO were obtained by puncturing antral follicles of the ovaries under a dissecting microscope using a 27-gauge needle. Cumulus enclosed oocyte (CEO) of uniform size were selected and before use in Test A, they were rinsed three times in fresh HX-medium. Oocytes freed from cumulus cells, i.e. denuded oocytes, DO, for use in Test B were obtained by gently flushing CEO through a fine-bore mouth-controlled pipet. In Test A, CEO and in Test B, DO were cultured in 4-well multidishes (Nunclon, Denmark) in 0.5 ml of HX-medium containing the test compound at the concentration stated in the tables except the controls which were cultured in control medium. Each well contained 35 to 50 oocytes. The test cultures were made with different concentrations of the compounds to be tested as indicated in the tables.
The cultures were kept at 37"C and 100% humidity with 5% C02 in the air for 24 hours.
Priming of oocytes. Test Cf ) and C(B)
Test C(A) and C(B) was carried out as Test A and Test B, respectively, except that the oocytes were only kept in the medium containing the test compound for a period of time (priming period) ranging from 5 min to 3 hr at the beginning of the test. After the priming period, the oocytes were transferred to control medium and the cultivation was continued until 22 hours after the start of the test.
Examination of oocytes
By the end of the 24 hour culture period the number of oocytes with germinal vesicle (GV) or germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and those with polar body (PB) was counted in an inverted microscope with differential interference contrast equipment. The percentage of oocytes with GVBD per total number of oocytes and the percentage of oocytes with PB per GVBD were calculated. The results for the Tests A, B, C(A) and C(B), calculated as units of MAS activity, are given in the tables in each of the examples. One MAS activity unit, MASU, is defined as:
%GVBDconCτol 2
The number of MAS activity units , MASU , is calculated as :
Figure imgf000016_0001
EXAMPLE 1 Activation of meiosis in oocytes using cholestan-3/3,5α,6/3- triol.
Test A and Test B were performed as described above, using cholestan-3/3,5α,6/3-triol as test compound. The results are given in the table: Cholestan-3/ , 5α 6/9- No. of Test A, Test B, triol, μg/ l tests MASU MASU
2.5 2 3.0 8.5
1.25 2 0.8 3.9
0.6 2 1.3 1.3
The cholestan-3/9, 5α, 6/9-triol used was obtained from Sigma (St. Louis, USA) . It appears from the table that cholestan-3/3, 5α, 6/3- triol induces resumption of meiosis in oocytes in a dose- related manner.
EXAMPLE 2
Activation of meiosis in oocytes using aminoguanidine hydrogencarbonate.
Test A and Test B were performed as described above, using aminoguanidine hydrogencarbonate as test compound. The results are given in the table:
Aminoguanidine No. of Test A, Test B, hydrogencarbonate, tests MASU MASU μg/ml
2.5 2 3.7 2.8
1.25 2 2.5 2.4
0.6 2 2.0 0.6
0.3 2 0 0.6
0.15 2 1.2 0.8
0.08 2 2.1 1.6
The aminoguanidine hydrogencarbonate used was obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc. (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) . It appears from the table that aminoguanidine hydrogencarbonate induces resumption of meiosis in oocytes in a dose-related manner. EXAMPLE 3
Activation of meiosis in oocytes using amphotericin B.
Test A and Test B were performed as described above, using amphotericin B as test compound. The results are given in the table:
Amphotericin B, No. of Test A, Test B, μg/ml tests MASU MASU
1.25 3 5.9 5.9
0.6 2 1.3 3.7
0.3 1 2.5 0.8
The amphotericin B used was obtained from Bristol-Myers Squibb. It appears from the table that amphotericin B induces resumption of meiosis in oocytes in a dose-related manner.
Amphotericin is toxic at concentrations above 1.25 μg/ml. Concentrations up to 50 μg/ml have been tested.
Priming of oocytes with amphotericin B:
The results are shown in the table:
Amphotericin B, No. of Priming Test C(A) , Test C(B) , μg/ml tests period MASU MASU
1.25 2 5 min 0.6 0.5
1.25 2 10 min 0.7 1.4
1.25 2 30 min 3.7 2.1
1.25 4 1 hr 5.0 2.7
1.25 3 2 hr 6.4 6.1
1.25 2 3 hr 7.6 4.4 As it appears from the table, even an exposure to amphotericin B lasting only 5 minutes is sufficient to start resumption of meiosis in both DO and CEO.
EXAMPLE 4 Activation of meiosis in male germ cells using amphotericin B.
The test system consisted of foetal mouse gonads, day 11.5 p.c. One gonad from each foetus was used as control and the other one as test gonad. The gonads which differentiated during the culture period were cultured for 6 days in a chemically defined culture medium under normal culture conditions, see Westergaard et al. Fertil. Steril. 41 (1984) 377. To the culture medium in which the test gonads were cultured varying amounts of Amphotericin B was added as indicated in the table. After the culture period, the control gonads only contained non-meiotic germ cells. A semi-quantitative account of the results with the test gonads obtained by microscopy after staining is given in the table below wherein "-" indicates no response and "+", "++" and "+++" indicates increasing responses:
Amphotericin B, Response μg/ml
10 +++
5 +++
1.25 ++
0.5 +
0.1 -
The amphotericin B used was obtained from Bristol-Myers Squibb. As it appears from the table, amphotericin B activates meiosis in male germ cells in a dose-related manner.

Claims

1. A method of stimulating the meiosis of a germ cell which comprises administering to said cell in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro an effective amount of a compound which causes
5 accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance to a level at which meiosis is induced.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the germ cell is a mammalian germ cell.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the germ cell is a 10 human germ cell.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the germ cell is an oocyte.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the germ cell is a male germ cell.
156. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance is a compound which exhibits meiosis activating properties when tested according to at least one of the methods described in the examples of the present specification.
207. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance is selected from the group comprising amphotericin B, aminoguanidine and 3/3,5α,6/9-trihydroxycholestane.
8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound which 25 causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance is melatonin.
9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance is 6-chloromelatonin.
10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating
5 substance is 5-methoxytryptamine.
11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance is a melatonin derivative.
12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the compound which 10 causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance is a melatonin agonist.
13. Use of a compound which causes accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance to a level at which meiosis is induced for the preparation of a medicament for
15 inducing meiosis.
14. Use according to claim 13 of a compound which exhibits meiosis activating properties when tested according to at least one of the methods described in the examples of the present specification.
20 15. Use according to claim 13 of a compound which is selected from the group comprising amphotericin B, aminoguanidine and 33,5α, 6/9-trihydroxycholestane.
16. Use according to claim 13 of melatonin.
17. Use according to claim 13 of 6-chloromelatonin.
25 18. Use according to claim 13 of 5-methoxytryptamine.
19. Use according to claim 13 of a melatonin derivative.
20. Use according to claim 13 of a melatonin agonist.
PCT/DK1996/000093 1995-03-06 1996-03-06 Stimulation of meiosis WO1996027658A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP8526543A JPH11501806A (en) 1995-03-06 1996-03-06 Stimulation of meiosis
AU47845/96A AU717180B2 (en) 1995-03-06 1996-03-06 Stimulation of meiosis
BR9607673A BR9607673A (en) 1995-03-06 1996-03-06 Process to stimulate meiosis of a germ cell and use of a compound that causes the accumulation of an endogenous meiosis activating substance
EP96903940A EP0813595A1 (en) 1995-03-06 1996-03-06 Stimulation of meiosis
MXPA/A/1997/006565A MXPA97006565A (en) 1995-03-06 1997-08-28 Stimulation of meio
NO974089A NO974089L (en) 1995-03-06 1997-09-05 Stimulation of meiosis

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK23295 1995-03-06
DK0232/95 1995-03-06
DK0309/95 1995-03-24
DK30995 1995-03-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996027658A1 true WO1996027658A1 (en) 1996-09-12

Family

ID=26063579

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/DK1996/000093 WO1996027658A1 (en) 1995-03-06 1996-03-06 Stimulation of meiosis

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US5830757A (en)
EP (1) EP0813595A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH11501806A (en)
KR (1) KR19980702624A (en)
AU (1) AU717180B2 (en)
BR (1) BR9607673A (en)
CA (1) CA2214126A1 (en)
CZ (1) CZ279797A3 (en)
HU (1) HUP9800731A3 (en)
NO (1) NO974089L (en)
PL (1) PL322106A1 (en)
RU (1) RU2188006C2 (en)
WO (1) WO1996027658A1 (en)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998028323A1 (en) * 1996-12-20 1998-07-02 Novo Nordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
WO1998052965A1 (en) * 1997-05-16 1998-11-26 Akzo Nobel N.V. 20-ARALKYL-5α-PREGNANE DERIVATIVES
WO1998055498A1 (en) * 1997-06-04 1998-12-10 Akzo Nobel N.V. 17β-ALLYLOXY(THIO)ALKYL-ANDROSTANE DERIVATIVES FOR THE MODULATION OF MEIOSIS
WO1999032506A1 (en) * 1997-12-18 1999-07-01 Akzo Nobel N.V. 17β-ARYL (ARYLMETHYL) OXY(THIO)ALKYL -ANDROSTANE DERIVATIVES
EP0957108A1 (en) * 1998-05-14 1999-11-17 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Unsaturated cholestane derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and use of these derivatives for the preparation of meiosis regulating medicaments
WO1999061010A2 (en) * 1998-05-26 1999-12-02 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Treatment of infertility with cam-increasing compounds alone or in combination with at least one meiosis-stimulating compound
WO1999067273A1 (en) * 1998-06-19 1999-12-29 Novo Nordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
WO2000035938A1 (en) * 1998-12-11 2000-06-22 Akzo Nobel N.V. 22s-hydroxycholesta-8, 14-diene derivatives with meiosis regulating activity
WO2000047604A1 (en) * 1999-02-10 2000-08-17 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Unsaturated cholestane derivatives and their use for the preparation of meiosis regulating medicaments
WO2000050066A1 (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-31 Novo Nordisk A/S Treatment of infertility
WO2000050065A1 (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-31 Novo Nordisk A/S Treatment of infertility
WO2000052142A2 (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-09-08 Novo Nordisk A/S Culture medium comprising meiosis activating sterols (mas) and method for in vitro fertilisation
WO2000068245A1 (en) * 1999-05-10 2000-11-16 Schering Aktiengesellschaft 14β-H-STEROLS, PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING THEM AND USE OF THESE DERIVATIVES FOR THE PREPARATION OF MEIOSIS REGULATING MEDICAMENTS
EP1127890A1 (en) 2000-02-22 2001-08-29 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Steroid derivatives with an additional ring annulated to ring A and use of these derivatives for the preparation of meiosis regulating medicaments
US6407086B2 (en) 1998-05-13 2002-06-18 Novo Nordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
EP1216701A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2002-06-26 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Process to increase the concentration of meiosis-activating sterols (MAS) in the cholesterol synthesis and the use of potent inhibitors in the process
EP1245572A1 (en) * 2001-03-26 2002-10-02 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Aminosterol compounds, their use in the preparation of meiosis-regulating medicaments and method for their preparation
US6518262B1 (en) * 1999-03-09 2003-02-11 Akzo Nobel N.V. 22R-hydroxycholesta-8, 14-diene derivatives for the inhibition of meiosis
US6844313B1 (en) 1999-09-16 2005-01-18 Novo Nordisk A/S Composition containing a meiosis activating substance
WO2005009419A2 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-02-03 Dabur Research Foundation Use of 5-methoxytryptamine as a cardioprotective agents

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1285058A2 (en) * 2000-05-18 2003-02-26 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Fertilization of aged oocytes
WO2007137244A1 (en) * 2006-05-22 2007-11-29 Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Melatonin agonist treatment

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996000235A1 (en) * 1994-06-23 1996-01-04 Novo Nordisk A/S Sterol derivatives used for regulation of meiosis

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996000235A1 (en) * 1994-06-23 1996-01-04 Novo Nordisk A/S Sterol derivatives used for regulation of meiosis

Non-Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICE, File 155, Medline, Dialog Accession No. 04139836, Medline Accession No. 80250836, MOOR R.M. et al., "Effect of Follicular Steroids on the Maturation and Fertilization of Mammalian Oocytes"; & J. EMBRYOL. EXP. MORPHOL., (ENGLAND), Apr. 1980, 56, p319-35. *
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICE, File 155, Medline, Dialog Accession No. 06492824, Medline Accession No. 88137824, LANOT R. et al., "Further Experimental Evidence for the Involvement of Ecdysone in the Control of Meiotic Reinitiation in Oocytes of Locusta Migratoria"; & DEV. BIOL. (UNITED STATES), Mar. 1988, 126(1), p212-4. *
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICE, File 155, Medline, Dialog Accession No. 08569451, Medline Accession No. 93279451, KRANTIC S. et al., "Evidence for a New Subtype of Serotonin Receptor in Oocytes of the Surf Clam Spisula Solidissima"; & GEN. COMP. ENDOCRINOL., (UNITED STATES), Apr. 1993, 90(1), p125-31. *
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICE, File 155, Medline, Dialog Accession No. 08694925, Medline Accession No. 94009925, GUERRIER P. et al., "Evidence for the Involvement of Internal Calcium Stores During Serotonin- Induced Meiosis Reinitation in Oocytes of the Bivalve Mollusc Ruditapes Philippinarum"; & DEV. BIOL., (UNITED *
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICE, File 155, Medline, Dialog Accession No. 09086345, Medline Accession No. 95016345, KHAN N.A. et al., "Internalization of Metformin is Necessary for its Action on Potentiating the Insulin-Induced Xenopus Laevis Oocyte Maturation"; & J. ENDOCRINOL., (ENGLAND), Aug. 1994, 142(2), p245-50. *
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICE, File 155, Medline, Dialog Accession No. 09469158, Medline Accession No. 95399158, LIPPAI M. et al., "Thimerosal Triggers Meiosis Reinitiation in Oocytes of the Japanese Clam Ruditapes Philippinarum by Eliciting an Intracellular Ca2+ Surge"; & INT. J. DEV. BIOL., (SPAIN), Apr. 1995, 39(2), *
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICE, File 155, Medline, Dialog Accession No. 09483414, Medline Accession No. 96005014, DEGUCHI R. et al., "Serotonin-induced Meiosisreinitiation from the First Prophase and from the First Metaphase in Oocytes of the Marine Bivalve Hiatella Flaccida: Respective Changes in Intracellular Ca2+ *
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICE, File 5, Biosis, Dialog Accession No. 4449558, Biosis Accession No. 78023381, SKOBLINA M.N. et al., "Cholesterol Induced In-Vitro Maturation of the Rana-Temporaria Oocytes with and Without Follicle Envelopes"; & ONTOGENEZ, 14(5), 1983, 484-490. *
DIALOG INFORMATION SERVICE, File 5, Biosis, Dialog Accession No. 4875540, Biosis Accession No. 80002851, BLONDEAU J-P. et al., "Progesterone-Inhibited Phosphorylation of an Unique 48000-Molecular-Weight Protein in the Plasma Membrane of Xenopus-Laevis Oocytes"; & J. BIOL. CHEM., 260(6), 1985, 3617-3625. *
NATURE, Volume 374, April 1995, ANNE GRETE BYSKOV et al., "Chemical Structure of Sterols that Activate Oocyte Meiosis", pages 559-562. *
THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, Volume 246, No. 10, May 1961, TERENCE J. SCALLEN et al., "Isolation and Characterization of C-4 Methyl Intermediates in Cholesterol Biosynthesis After Treatment of Rat Liver in Vitro with Cholestan-3Beta, 5Beta, 5Alpha, 6Beta-Triol", pages 3168-3174. *

Cited By (36)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6759400B2 (en) 1996-12-20 2004-07-06 Novo Nordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
WO1998028323A1 (en) * 1996-12-20 1998-07-02 Novo Nordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
US6486145B2 (en) * 1996-12-20 2002-11-26 Novo Nordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
WO1998052965A1 (en) * 1997-05-16 1998-11-26 Akzo Nobel N.V. 20-ARALKYL-5α-PREGNANE DERIVATIVES
US6177420B1 (en) 1997-05-16 2001-01-23 Akzo Nobel N.V. 20-aralkyl-5α-pregnane derivatives
WO1998055498A1 (en) * 1997-06-04 1998-12-10 Akzo Nobel N.V. 17β-ALLYLOXY(THIO)ALKYL-ANDROSTANE DERIVATIVES FOR THE MODULATION OF MEIOSIS
US6262282B1 (en) 1997-06-04 2001-07-17 Akzo Nobel N.V. 17β-allyloxy(thio)alkyl-androstane derivatives for the modulation of meiosis
WO1999032506A1 (en) * 1997-12-18 1999-07-01 Akzo Nobel N.V. 17β-ARYL (ARYLMETHYL) OXY(THIO)ALKYL -ANDROSTANE DERIVATIVES
US6251887B1 (en) 1997-12-18 2001-06-26 Akzo Nobel N.V. 17β-aryl(arylmethyl)oxy(thio)alkyl-androstane derivatives
US6407086B2 (en) 1998-05-13 2002-06-18 Novo Nordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
USRE39678E1 (en) * 1998-05-13 2007-06-05 Novo Nordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
US6884796B2 (en) 1998-05-13 2005-04-26 Novonordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
EP0957108A1 (en) * 1998-05-14 1999-11-17 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Unsaturated cholestane derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and use of these derivatives for the preparation of meiosis regulating medicaments
WO1999061010A3 (en) * 1998-05-26 2000-04-27 Schering Ag Treatment of infertility with cam-increasing compounds alone or in combination with at least one meiosis-stimulating compound
WO1999061010A2 (en) * 1998-05-26 1999-12-02 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Treatment of infertility with cam-increasing compounds alone or in combination with at least one meiosis-stimulating compound
WO1999067273A1 (en) * 1998-06-19 1999-12-29 Novo Nordisk A/S Meiosis regulating compounds
US6528501B1 (en) 1998-12-11 2003-03-04 Akzo Nobel N.V. 22s-hydroxycholesta-8, 14-diene derivatives with meiosis regulating activity
WO2000035938A1 (en) * 1998-12-11 2000-06-22 Akzo Nobel N.V. 22s-hydroxycholesta-8, 14-diene derivatives with meiosis regulating activity
WO2000047604A1 (en) * 1999-02-10 2000-08-17 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Unsaturated cholestane derivatives and their use for the preparation of meiosis regulating medicaments
US6281013B1 (en) 1999-02-24 2001-08-28 Novo Nordisk A/S Treatment of Infertility
WO2000050066A1 (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-31 Novo Nordisk A/S Treatment of infertility
WO2000050065A1 (en) * 1999-02-24 2000-08-31 Novo Nordisk A/S Treatment of infertility
US6585982B1 (en) 1999-02-24 2003-07-01 Nna/S Treatment of infertility
WO2000052142A3 (en) * 1999-02-26 2001-03-22 Claus Yding Andersen Culture medium comprising meiosis activating sterols (mas) and method for in vitro fertilisation
WO2000052142A2 (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-09-08 Novo Nordisk A/S Culture medium comprising meiosis activating sterols (mas) and method for in vitro fertilisation
US6518262B1 (en) * 1999-03-09 2003-02-11 Akzo Nobel N.V. 22R-hydroxycholesta-8, 14-diene derivatives for the inhibition of meiosis
WO2000068245A1 (en) * 1999-05-10 2000-11-16 Schering Aktiengesellschaft 14β-H-STEROLS, PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING THEM AND USE OF THESE DERIVATIVES FOR THE PREPARATION OF MEIOSIS REGULATING MEDICAMENTS
US6844313B1 (en) 1999-09-16 2005-01-18 Novo Nordisk A/S Composition containing a meiosis activating substance
EP1127890A1 (en) 2000-02-22 2001-08-29 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Steroid derivatives with an additional ring annulated to ring A and use of these derivatives for the preparation of meiosis regulating medicaments
EP1216701A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2002-06-26 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Process to increase the concentration of meiosis-activating sterols (MAS) in the cholesterol synthesis and the use of potent inhibitors in the process
WO2002079220A3 (en) * 2001-03-26 2003-10-16 Schering Ag Aminosterol compounds, their use in the preparation of meiosis-regulating medicaments and method for their preparation
WO2002079220A2 (en) * 2001-03-26 2002-10-10 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Aminosterol compounds, their use in the preparation of meiosis-regulating medicaments and method for their preparation
US6916921B2 (en) 2001-03-26 2005-07-12 Schering Ag Steroid compounds, use of these compounds for the preparation of meiosis-regulating medicaments and method for the preparation of these compounds
EP1245572A1 (en) * 2001-03-26 2002-10-02 Schering Aktiengesellschaft Aminosterol compounds, their use in the preparation of meiosis-regulating medicaments and method for their preparation
WO2005009419A2 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-02-03 Dabur Research Foundation Use of 5-methoxytryptamine as a cardioprotective agents
WO2005009419A3 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-03-24 Dabur Res Foundation Use of 5-methoxytryptamine as a cardioprotective agents

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR19980702624A (en) 1998-08-05
AU717180B2 (en) 2000-03-16
CZ279797A3 (en) 1998-01-14
CA2214126A1 (en) 1996-09-12
RU2188006C2 (en) 2002-08-27
AU4784596A (en) 1996-09-23
MX9706565A (en) 1997-11-29
EP0813595A1 (en) 1997-12-29
NO974089D0 (en) 1997-09-05
JPH11501806A (en) 1999-02-16
HUP9800731A3 (en) 2000-03-28
NO974089L (en) 1997-09-05
US5830757A (en) 1998-11-03
HUP9800731A2 (en) 1998-07-28
BR9607673A (en) 1998-06-16
PL322106A1 (en) 1998-01-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU717180B2 (en) Stimulation of meiosis
EP1156821B1 (en) Treatment of infertility
US6585982B1 (en) Treatment of infertility
WO1999061010A2 (en) Treatment of infertility with cam-increasing compounds alone or in combination with at least one meiosis-stimulating compound
EP1077992B1 (en) Use of meiosis regulating compounds
SK10022002A3 (en) Pharmaceutical compositions containing steroidal structures and uses thereof
MXPA97006565A (en) Stimulation of meio
WO1997000883A1 (en) Meiosis regulating compounds
EP1664079B1 (en) Thiomorpholino steroid compounds, the use thereof for the preparation of meiosis-regulating medicaments and method for the preparation thereof
US6916921B2 (en) Steroid compounds, use of these compounds for the preparation of meiosis-regulating medicaments and method for the preparation of these compounds
WO2001062260A2 (en) Improvement of implantation rate
US20030153808A1 (en) Implantation rate using ff-mas
MXPA06001145A (en) Thiomorpholino steroid compounds, the use thereof for the preparation of meiosis-regulating medicaments and method for the preparation thereof
MXPA01008452A (en) Treatment of infertility
ZA200104653B (en) Treatment of infertility.
CZ20004566A3 (en) Novel meiosis regulating compounds and their use
CA2359687A1 (en) Unsaturated cholestane derivatives and their use for the preparation of meiosis regulating medicaments

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 96192386.5

Country of ref document: CN

AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE HU IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): KE LS MW SD SZ UG AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1996903940

Country of ref document: EP

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2214126

Country of ref document: CA

Ref document number: 2214126

Country of ref document: CA

Kind code of ref document: A

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: PA/a/1997/006565

Country of ref document: MX

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1019970706029

Country of ref document: KR

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 1996 526543

Country of ref document: JP

Kind code of ref document: A

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: PV1997-2797

Country of ref document: CZ

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1996903940

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: PV1997-2797

Country of ref document: CZ

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1019970706029

Country of ref document: KR

WWR Wipo information: refused in national office

Ref document number: 1019970706029

Country of ref document: KR

WWR Wipo information: refused in national office

Ref document number: PV1997-2797

Country of ref document: CZ

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 1996903940

Country of ref document: EP