山羊卵母细胞体外成熟过程中线粒体的动态分布

目的研究山羊卵母细胞减数分裂过程中线粒体的动态分布。方法收集山羊卵母细胞,在M199中分别培养4、8、12、16、20和24 h,用特异性线粒体标记探针进行标记,用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察线粒体的分布情况。结果生发泡期线粒体多分散在卵母细胞的胞质内,并且距生发泡有一定的距离;生发泡破裂期线粒体逐渐移向染色质;第一次减数分裂中期与第二次减数分裂中期线粒体成簇密布在染色体周围。排出的第一极体中也含有大量的线粒体。结论同其他哺乳动物卵母细胞体外成熟过程中线粒体分布情况相比,线粒体在山羊卵母细胞中的分布具有明显的相似性。线粒体密布在成熟卵母细胞染色体周围可能与极体的排出和受精后染色体的迁移有关。     

雌核发育银鲫和两性融合发育红鲤卵母细胞成熟的细胞学比较研究

对雌核发育银鲫和两性融合发育红鲤的卵母细胞成熟过程,进行了详细的细胞学比较研究。在银鲫卵母细胞成熟过程中,绝大部分卵母细胞的核物质,在胚泡破裂(GVBD)后的第一次成熟分裂时期,出现明显的不同于红鲤卵母细胞核的行为,其染色体逐渐清晰地分为三群,这三群染色体的发育既彼此独立又相互联系,最终形成一首尾相接的三极纺锤体。随后,三极纺锤体扭转、重叠、合并成为一个正常的中期纺锤体。但极少数银鲫卵母细胞也出现了类似于红鲤卵母细胞的成熟单星光,并进而发育成两极纺锤体,形态类似红鲤第一次成熟分裂中期纺锤体。在银鲫上述两类卵母细胞的成熟过程中均未观察到“第一极体”外排的现象。由此,我们确认,银鲫卵是通过第一次成熟分裂异常,卵核染色体不减数来维持染色体倍性的;并且,根据上述特殊现象,我们对银鲫卵子第一次成熟分裂异常的机制进行了初步分析。       

山羊卵母细胞的减数分裂进程

本实验以随机屠宰山羊的卵巢为实验材料,研究了不同直径卵泡卵母细胞的减数分裂进程。结果显示,不同直径卵泡卵母细胞在体外成熟培养条件下的减数分裂能力不同:≤0.5mm直径卵泡的卵母细胞不能恢复减数分裂;0.8-1.2mm卵泡的卵母细胞可恢复减数分裂,但只能发育到MⅠ期,培养24h发育到MⅠ期比率60%;1.5-5.0mm卵泡卵母细胞已经完全获得减数分裂能力,培养24h发育到MⅡ的比例91%。完全获得减数分裂能力的1.5-5.0mm卵泡卵母细胞处于生发泡(GV)期的比率在成熟培养2-8h期间明显下降;其中,4-6h期间GⅤ比率下降最为迅速(由61%降低到19%,p<0.0005);体外培养6-12h期间MⅠ比率由25%上升到60%,随后下降,到24h仅有2%卵母细胞处于MⅠ期;培养16h有21%卵母细胞进入MⅡ期,24h 91%卵母细胞到达MⅡ期。对卵母细胞体外核成熟进程的数据做折线图计算结果表明,1.5-5.0mm卵泡卵母细胞减数分裂进程(各细胞周期事件出现和维持的时间)为:0-3.0h为GⅤ期,3.0-7.0h为前中期Ⅰ,7.0-14.6h为MⅠ期,14.6-18.4h处于后期-Ⅰ和末期-Ⅰ,18.4-24h为MⅡ期。本实验还证明,部分获得减数分裂能力(0.8-1.2mm卵泡)与完全获得减数分裂能力(1.5-5mm卵泡)的卵母细胞,其各细胞周期事件一旦发生,所需的时间是相同的。这些结果为进一步研究山羊卵母细胞减数分裂机制及其调控提供了重要的基础数据。     

前培养对猪卵母细胞生发泡染色质构型和体外成熟的影响

在体外成熟培养时使卵母细胞过早接触高浓度激素可能影响体外成熟卵母细胞的质量。本实验研究了推迟卵母细胞与激素接触时间对卵母细胞GV染色质构型、卵母细胞核成熟质量及极体形态的影响。结果表明：猪体外成熟卵母细胞的极体形态不同,分为完整、退化、碎裂和无极体四种。在不含激素培养液中前培养12h,A类卵母细胞的GV-1比例(48．2％)明显高于在含激素培养液中前培养12h卵母细胞(27．1％);而前者的GV-3比例(19．6％)却明显低于后者(50．8％);前者成熟卵母细胞的极体完整率(59．6％)也明显高于后者(27．5％)。这说明推迟卵母细胞与激素接触时间可能提高体外成熟卵母细胞的质量和发育同步水平。     

成年耳细胞克隆山羊(Capra hircus)

繁殖季节采集关中奶山羊卵巢,采集获得可用卵母细胞5.5枚/卵巢(1815/330).经约20 h 成熟培养,第一极体排放率66.17%(1201/1815).将有类第二极体排出结构的成熟卵母细胞去核,去核率75.44%(906/1201).培养济宁青山羊耳部皮肤成纤维细胞传2代后液氮冷冻,解冻培养3~6代,用0.5% FBS饥饿2~10 d作为供体细胞.利用卵母细胞胞质内注射法将分离的供体细胞核胞体注入到去核卵母细胞内,注核成功率98.12%(889/906).克隆胚胎用5μmol/L 离子酶素激活4.5 min, 在含2 mmol/L 6-二甲氨基嘌呤(6 dime-thylaminopurine,6-DMAP)的培养液中培养3 h,然后在mCR1aaBF培养液中培养36 h,卵裂率76.69%(645/841).其中由未经冷藏处理供体细胞克隆得到308枚胚胎,激活后卵裂率、4-细胞发育率、囊胚发育率分别为68.5%(211/308),59.72%(126/211)和17.46% (22/126);另外,由4℃冷藏处理24h供体细胞获得的109枚克隆胚胎,激活率、4-细胞率、囊胚率分别为72.48%(79/109),53.16%(42/79)和19.05%(8/42).统计学分析表明,4℃处理供体细胞对克隆胚胎的早期发育没有显著影响.将102枚发育至4-细胞期的克隆胚胎移植到17只自然发情2~3 d 的受体山羊输卵管,其中非冷藏供体细胞克隆的84枚胚胎移植后没有产仔.18枚冷藏体细胞克隆的胚胎移植获得1只发育足月的克隆山羊.将冷藏或非冷藏处理供体细胞克隆得到的19枚体外发育囊胚移植到自然发情6~8 d 的受体山羊,结果无一产仔.未经冷藏处理供体细胞克隆得到的18枚体外发育桑椹胚移植到自然发情5 d受体山羊后获得1只足月羔羊.微卫星引物PCR扩增结果证实2只克隆山羊来源于同一供体细胞.     

山羊M II期卵母细胞胞质支持异种间克隆胚的着床前发育

研究去核山羊(Capra hircus)体内成熟的M II期卵母细胞与异种成年的哺乳动物(包括山羊、波尔山羊、牛、塔尔羊、熊猫)及人的成纤维细胞融合形成的体细胞核移植胚胎着床前的发育能力。结果显示这些异种体细胞核移植重构胚可以完成着床前发育, 并形成囊胚。种内体细胞核移植胚的融合率和囊胚发育率分别为78.67%(557/708)和56.29%(264/469); 亚种间或种间体细胞核移植胚的融合率和囊胚发育率分别为: 波尔山羊78.18%(541/692)、33.90%(40/118), 牛70.53%(146/207)、22.52%(25/111), 塔尔羊53.51%(61/114)、5.26%(3/570), 熊猫79.82%(1159/1452)、8.35%(75/898), 人68.76%(317/461)、5.41%(16/296)。由此结果得出以下结论: (1)山羊M II期卵母细胞胞质与供核细胞之间的亲缘性不影响两者的融合率; (2)山羊M II期卵母细胞的胞质能支持异种间体细胞核移植胚的着床前发育; (3)亲缘关系近的种间核移植胚的囊胚发育率高于亲缘关系远的种间核移植胚的。     

山羊M II期卵母细胞胞质支持异种间克隆胚的着床前发育

研究去核山羊(Capra hircus)体内成熟的M II期卵母细胞与异种成年的哺乳动物(包括山羊、波尔山羊、牛、塔尔羊、熊猫)及人的成纤维细胞融合形成的体细胞核移植胚胎着床前的发育能力。结果显示这些异种体细胞核移植重构胚可以完成着床前发育, 并形成囊胚。种内体细胞核移植胚的融合率和囊胚发育率分别为78.67%(557/708)和56.29%(264/469); 亚种间或种间体细胞核移植胚的融合率和囊胚发育率分别为: 波尔山羊78.18%(541/692)、33.90%(40/118), 牛70.53%(146/207)、22.52%(25/111), 塔尔羊53.51%(61/114)、5.26%(3/570), 熊猫79.82%(1159/1452)、8.35%(75/898), 人68.76%(317/461)、5.41%(16/296)。由此结果得出以下结论: (1)山羊M II期卵母细胞胞质与供核细胞之间的亲缘性不影响两者的融合率; (2)山羊M II期卵母细胞的胞质能支持异种间体细胞核移植胚的着床前发育; (3)亲缘关系近的种间核移植胚的囊胚发育率高于亲缘关系远的种间核移植胚的。     

不同直径山羊卵泡卵母细胞的发育特征及体外发育能力

目的研究山羊卵巢表面不同直径卵泡卵母细胞的发育特征及体外发育能力,优化山羊早期胚胎体外生产系统。方法收集繁殖期和非繁殖期山羊卵巢,采集表面直径小于1.5 mm、1.5-2.5 mm、2.5-3.5 mm和大于3.5 mm4种卵泡卵母细胞,以Hoechst33342染色检查核发育阶段;同时,利用体外培养方法观察不同直径卵泡卵母细胞的成熟、受精和早期胚胎发育能力。结果直径小于1.5 mm卵泡卵母细胞主要处于GVI期;1.5-2.5 mm卵泡卵母细胞以GVⅠ、GVⅡ和GVⅢ期为主;2.5-3.5 mm卵泡卵母细胞在GVⅡ到GVⅣ期间平均分布;大于3.5mm卵泡卵母细胞主要为GVⅢ到GVBD期。体外培养实验发现,直径小于1.5 mm卵泡卵母细胞仅有个别能完成成熟和卵裂;大于1.5 mm卵泡卵母细胞具有核成熟能力,能完成成熟和受精,但1.5-2.5 mm卵泡卵母细胞的受精卵通常阻滞于4-8细胞期;当卵泡直径大于2.5 mm时,卵母细胞才能较好地支持胚胎继续发育,其桑/囊胚的比例达到30%以上。卵泡卵母细胞的发育特征和体外发育能力与动物所处的繁殖季节无关。结论山羊卵巢上直径大于1.5 mm卵泡卵母细胞具有核成熟能力,大于2.5 mm卵泡卵母细胞能支持早期胚胎继续发育。     

体细胞核移植克隆民猪: 培养液对卵母细胞成熟及胚胎发育的影响

体外培养成熟的卵母细胞是进行克隆猪研究所需受体卵母细胞的主要来源, 卵母细胞成熟质量与体细胞核移植胚胎发育能力关系密切. 为提高卵母细胞体外成熟率和成熟质量, 进而提高体细胞核移植猪的成功率, 本实验以改进的TCM199培养液为基础液(T), 分别添加10%的猪卵泡液(T+pFF)和 10%的胎牛血清(T+FBS)后进行卵母细胞成熟培养, 以成熟率和体细胞核移植胚胎发育率等重要指标为标准, 研究了pFF和FBS对卵母细胞成熟及核移植胚胎发育能力的影响. T, T+pFF和T+FBS组在成熟培养后42 h卵母细胞成熟率分别为(53.2±3.8)%, (69.7±3.8)%和(70.2±3.7)%, 添加10%的pFF和FBS显著(P<0.05)提高了卵母细胞成熟率; 3组不同成熟培养液获得的成熟卵母细胞在体细胞核移植后囊胚发育率差异不显著, 但T+pFF组的囊胚细胞数(34.5±2.24)显著(P<0.05)高于T组的囊胚细胞数(26.6±1.25). 来自T+pFF组的体细胞核移植胚胎经手术法移植入发情周期为第0天或第1天的18头受体母猪输卵管, 其中有3头受体母猪妊娠发育到期, 获得克隆民猪14头, 其中有6头健康成活至今. 实验结果表明, 培养液中添加10%pFF可以有效提高卵母细胞成熟比例和成熟质量, 在含有10% pFF培养液中获得的成熟卵母细胞具有支持核移植胚胎全程发育的能力.     

体细胞核移植克隆民猪: 培养液对卵母细胞成熟及胚胎发育的影响

体外培养成熟的卵母细胞是进行克隆猪研究所需受体卵母细胞的主要来源, 卵母细胞成熟质量与体细胞核移植胚胎发育能力关系密切. 为提高卵母细胞体外成熟率和成熟质量, 进而提高体细胞核移植猪的成功率, 本实验以改进的TCM199培养液为基础液(T), 分别添加10%的猪卵泡液(T+pFF)和 10%的胎牛血清(T+FBS)后进行卵母细胞成熟培养, 以成熟率和体细胞核移植胚胎发育率等重要指标为标准, 研究了pFF和FBS对卵母细胞成熟及核移植胚胎发育能力的影响. T, T+pFF和T+FBS组在成熟培养后42 h卵母细胞成熟率分别为(53.2±3.8)%, (69.7±3.8)%和(70.2±3.7)%, 添加10%的pFF和FBS显著(P<0.05)提高了卵母细胞成熟率; 3组不同成熟培养液获得的成熟卵母细胞在体细胞核移植后囊胚发育率差异不显著, 但T+pFF组的囊胚细胞数(34.5±2.24)显著(P<0.05)高于T组的囊胚细胞数(26.6±1.25). 来自T+pFF组的体细胞核移植胚胎经手术法移植入发情周期为第0天或第1天的18头受体母猪输卵管, 其中有3头受体母猪妊娠发育到期, 获得克隆民猪14头, 其中有6头健康成活至今. 实验结果表明, 培养液中添加10%pFF可以有效提高卵母细胞成熟比例和成熟质量, 在含有10% pFF培养液中获得的成熟卵母细胞具有支持核移植胚胎全程发育的能力.     

Centriole behavior during meiosis in oocytes of the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus

Ultrastructural changes in the maturing oocyte of the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus were observed, with special reference to the behavior of centrioles and chromosomes, using oocytes that had spontaneously started the maturation division process in vitro after dissection from ovaries. The proportion of oocytes entering the maturation process differed from batch to batch. In those eggs that accomplished the maturation division, it took ~4.5-5 h from the beginning of germinal vesicle breakdown to the formation of a second polar body. Serial sections revealed that a young oocyte before germinal vesicle breakdown had a pair of centrioles with procentrioles, located between the presumed animal pole and the germinal vesicle and accompanied by amorphous aggregates of moderately dense material and dense granules (granular aggregate). Just before germinal vesicle breakdown, a pair of fully grown centrioles located in the granular aggregate, which is present until this stage and then disappears, had already separated from another pair of centrioles. In meiosis I, each division pole had two centrioles, whereas in meiosis II each had only one. The two centrioles in the secondary oocyte separated into single units and formed the mitotic figure of meiosis II. The first polar body had two centrioles and the second had only one. The two centrioles in the first polar body did not form the mitotic figure nor did they separate at the time of meiosis II. These results indicate that, in sea urchins, duplication of the centrioles does not occur during the two successive meiotic divisions and the egg inherits only one centriole from the primary oocyte, confirming the results previously reported for starfish oocytes.     

High developmental competence of pig oocytes after meiotic inhibition with a specific M-phase promoting factor kinase inhibitor,butyrolactone I

Butyrolactone I specifically inhibits M-phase promoting factor activation and prevents the resumption of meiosis. These experiments were conducted to examine effects of butyrolactone I on pig oocytes in a serum-free maturation system. The first experiment was conducted to determine the effect of butyrolactone I (0-100 microM) on nuclear maturation. At concentrations of > or =12.5 microM, germinal vesicle breakdown was prevented in >90% of the oocytes after 24 h of culture. In the second experiment, the kinetics of in vitro maturation of butyrolactone I-treated oocytes was investigated. Oocytes were treated with 0 or 12.5 microM butyrolactone I and FSH for 20 h and then cultured with LH in the absence of butyrolactone I for another 24 h. Fewer butyrolactone I-treated oocytes reached MII stage at 36 h compared with controls (5.8% vs. 62.4%, P < 0.01). However, by 44 h, 83.4% of butyrolactone I-treated oocytes reached MII compared with 88.6% of controls. In the third experiment, butyrolactone I-treated oocytes were fertilized and cultured in vitro. No differences (P > 0.05) were found between controls and treated groups in cleavage rate, blastocyst rate, or mean number of cells per blastocyst. Effects of butyrolactone I on mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and localization of microfilaments and active mitochondria were examined by Western blot analysis and laser scanning confocal microscopy, respectively. The results suggested that although butyrolactone I reversibly inhibited germinal vesicle breakdown and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, it did not affect mitochondrial and microfilament dynamics. Butyrolactone I is a potent inhibitor of nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes, and the inhibition is fully reversible.     

Effect of sperm penetration in vitro on completion of first meiosis by bovine oocytes arrested at various stages in culture.

Bovine oocytes cultured for 12-20 h in TC-199 were incubated for 24 h in fertilization medium, Brackett and Oliphant medium with bovine serum albumin (10 mg ml-1), caffeine (5 mmoll-1) and heparin (10 micrograms ml-1), with or without frozen-thawed spermatozoa. High penetration rates (93-96%) and significantly (P < 0.001) higher maturation rates were obtained in oocytes incubated with (93-100%) than without (62-72%) spermatozoa. However, when oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage were cultured for 44 h fertilization medium, maturation of oocytes to metaphase II was reduced. However, all oocytes that were first cultured for 20 h and further for 24 h with spermatozoa were penetrated and 40% of the penetrated oocytes reached metaphase II. All of the remaining oocytes that did not mature arrested at the stages of condensed germinal vesicle (39%) or prometaphase I (22%). These results indicate that oocytes at metaphase I at and after sperm penetration are stimulated by sperm penetration to complete maturation.     

Effects of gonadotropin-exposed medium with high concentrations of progesterone and estradiol-17β on in vitro maturation of canine oocytes

During the process of maturation in the oviduct, canine oocytes in the germinal vesicle stage are exposed to decreasing levels of estradiol-17β and increasing levels of progesterone. However, hormone concentrations in the microenvironments in which they act are higher than serum concentrations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the meiotic competence of canine oocytes harvested from anestrous bitches in culture medium containing high concentrations (20 μg ml⁻¹) of estradiol-17β and/or progesterone in association to gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone) using three different maturation periods (48, 72, and 96 h). Oocytes were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM-199) and arranged in four experimental groups: group control, group E2 (estradiol-17β), group P4 (progesterone), and group E2 + P4. Regardless of the maturation period, groups P4 and E2 + P4 presented statistically higher rate of germinal vesicle breakdown oocytes compared to the group control and group E2. There were no significant differences among groups on germinal vesicle, metaphase I, metaphase II, and degenerated or unidentifiable oocytes rates. The mean percentage of metaphase II oocytes was higher at 96 h when compared to 72 h. Results of the present research indicate no influence of estradiol-17β supplementation, unless in association with progesterone. There is an evidence of the positive effect of progesterone on germinal vesicle breakdown. Results also showed that extended periods of in vitro maturation affect positively maturation rates to metaphase II of low competent oocytes harvested from anestrous bitches, independent of the maturation media. In conclusion, high concentrations of steroids, especially progesterone, have positive effect on in vitro oocyte maturation when the oocytes are derived from the anestrous status.     

In vitro fertilization and cleavage of in vivo matured bovine oocytes

The effect of the interval between onset of estrus and oocyte collection on in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates has been investigated. The oocytes were surgically collected 6-18 h (Group I), 19-24 h (Group II), 25-29 h (Group III) and 30-36 h (Group IV) after the beginning of estrus. Recognizable stages of nuclear maturation were identified in 54.9% of the oocytes used for IVF (5.9% at germinal vesicle, 31.4% at metaphase I, 17.6% at metaphase II); the other 45.1% were degenerate. Considerable between- and within-cow variation in oocyte morphology, oocyte maturation and IVF results was observed. The cverall fertilization and cleavage rates (to four-cell stages) were 26.5 and 6.0%, respectively. The fertilization rate increased as the interval between onset of estrus and collection increased and was optimal 30-36 h after onset. Thus, onset of estrus proved an effective means of timing oocyte collection for IVF.     

Qualitative patterns of protein synthesis in the mouse oocyte.

Mouse oocytes were found to synthesize proteins actively at the germinal vesicle, metaphase I, metaphase II, and pronuclear (6 hours post-fertilization) stages. The qualitative pattern components being synthesized in vitro, as demonstrated using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, changed throughout maturation and fertilization. Oocytes were arrested at metaphase I by greater than 0.1 mug/ml cycloheximide or actinomycin D. The protein pattern in oocytes cultured in the presence of actinomycin D progresses to a metaphase II pattern in spite of the nuclear maturation arrest, indicating a dissociation between meiotic maturation and the changes in the pattern of proteins synthesized at different stages of maturation.     

The role of cAMP in oocyte maturation and the role of the germinal vesicle contents in mediating maturation and subsequent developmental events in hydrozoans

Summary Externally applied membrane permeable cAMP derivatives and the injection of cAMP induce oocyte maturation in several species of hydrozoans. This technique for inducing oocyte maturation has been used to study ion permeability changes, maturation promoting factor activity and surface tension changes during maturation. Oocyte membrane potential remains constant during maturation. Cyclic AMP induced maturation proceeds in the absence of external Ca²⁺, K⁻, Mg²⁺ or Na⁺. Cytoplasm from maturing oocytes that induces oocyte maturation when it is injected into untreated oocytes is produced during cAMP induced maturation. Surface tension, as measured by the application of a standardized force that mechanically deforms individual oocytes, declines during the first part of maturation. This is followed by a sharp rise and fall of surface tension at first and second polar body formation that accompanies a slow rise in the resistance of oocytes to deformation during the last part of maturation. The production of maturation promoting factor activity and some of the changes in surface tension during maturation can occur in the absence of germinal vesicle material. Two early developmental events that follow oocyte maturation are the production of sperm chemoattractant and calcium channel function. Neither of these events occurs in eggs that have undergone maturation in the absence of germinal vesicle material. The addition of germinal vesicle contents from oocytes to eggs that have undergone maturation in the absence of germinal vesicle material initiates calcium channel function. This experiment indicates that the germinal vesicle contains factors that are necessary for post-maturation developmental events.     

Xkid chromokinesin is required for the meiosis I to meiosis II transition in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Xkid chromokinesin is required for chromosome alignment on the metaphase plate of spindles formed in Xenopus laevis egg extracts. We have investigated the role of Xkid in Xenopus oocyte meiotic maturation, a progesterone-triggered process that reinitiates the meiotic cell cycle in oocytes arrested at the G2/M border of meiosis I. Here we show that Xkid starts to accumulate at the time of germinal vesicle breakdown and reaches its largest quantities at metaphase II in oocytes treated with progesterone. Both germinal vesicle breakdown and spindle assembly at meiosis I can occur normally in the absence of Xkid. But Xkid-depleted oocytes cannot reactivate Cdc2/cyclin B after meiosis I and, instead of proceeding to meiosis II, they enter an interphase-like state and undergo DNA replication. Expression of a Xkid mutant that lacks the DNA-binding domain allows Xkid-depleted oocytes to complete meiotic maturation. Our results show that Xkid has a role in the meiotic cell cycle that is independent from its role in metaphase chromosome alignment.     

Bovine activin A does not affect the in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes

The effect of recombinant bovine activin A on the in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes was investigated. Culture of cumulus enclosed bovine oocytes in the presence of activin at the concentration of 100 or 500 ng/ml did not change the proportion of oocytes in which germinal vesicle breakdown had occurred at 4 and 7 h after the onset of culture. Activin had also no effect on the progression of maturation to the M II stage. The transient inhibition of germinal vesicle breakdown by 10 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP was not affected by the addition of activin A at the onset of culture. Radiolabeling with (35)S-methionine at 4 h and at 18 h after culture in the presence or absence of activin A did not show any effect of activin either on the total incorporation of radiolabel into acid precipitable material or on the protein synthesis patterns obtained after SDS-PAGE.     

Inhibition of nuclear maturation in fully grown porcine and mouse oocytes after their fusion with growing porcine oocytes

Porcine ovarian oocytes, isolated from follicles of 5 mm in diameter (large oocytes), were fused either together or with oocytes isolated from follicles of 0.5 mm in diameter (small oocytes). In giant cells composed of two large oocytes (control) germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) occurred and two metaphase I chromosome sets (M I) were observed 24 to 30 h after fusion. By contrast, in giant cells composed of one large and one small porcine oocyte, both germinal vesicles (GVs) remained well conserved after 24-30 h of culture. An identical situation was observed after fusion and cultivation of small porcine and large mouse oocytes isolated from preovulatory follicles. The results demonstrate the presence of inhibiting activity in the ooplasm of small porcine oocytes that prevents nuclear maturation of large porcine and mouse oocytes fused to them. This maturation inhibiting activity can be overcome by preincubating large porcine oocytes for more than 14 h before fusion with small oocytes. During preincubation the ooplasm produces sufficient amount of maturation promoting factor (MPF) to overcome the inhibiting activity present in small porcine oocytes thus inducing GVBD and chromatin condensation both in small and large oocytes.