影响山羊体外受精的因素

以屠宰山羊卵母细胞为材料研究了公羊个体、附睾不同部位精子、成熟培养和受精时卵丘存在与否、卵丘扩展程度及卵龄对山羊体外受精的影响。结果表明 :1)不同公羊精液在受精、卵裂和桑椹 /囊胚率上都有显著差异 ;2 )附睾尾精子和鲜精的受精、卵裂和桑椹 /囊胚率无显著差异 ,但显著高于附睾体和附睾头精子 ;3)成熟培养 2 4和 2 7h卵母细胞的的桑椹胚 /囊胚率显著高于培养 2 1和 30h卵母细胞 ;4 )卵丘扩展 3和 4级卵母细胞受精和桑椹胚 /囊胚率显著高于扩展 0和 1级卵母细胞 ;5 )成熟培养前机械去卵丘严重影响卵母细胞体外受精和桑椹胚 /囊胚率 ;6 )受精前完全去掉卵丘显著影响桑椹胚 /囊胚率     

高尔基体对小鼠卵母细胞体外发育进程的影响

目的初步探讨高尔基体在小鼠卵母细胞体外发育进程中的作用。方法布雷菲德菌素A（Brefeldin A,BFA）处理小鼠未成熟,成熟卵母细胞,利用特异性标记物阻COP标记高尔基体。激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察BFA处理对高尔基体产生的影响;同时。观察并比较不同处理组小鼠未成熟／成熟卵母细胞的体外成熟率、孤雌激活率、体外受精率及2-细胞率。结果GV期卵母细胞经BFA处理后,高尔基体的形态和分布发生明显改变。其体外成熟率（2．5％）与对照组（70．4％）比较统计学差异显著（P〈0．001）;洗掉BFA后,其体外成熟率（67．2％）与对照组无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。另外,成熟卵母细胞经BFA处理后。其体外受精率及2．细胞率均与对照组差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟的正常进行需要高尔基体主导的膜运输。而体外受精和受精卵卵裂过程中不需要功能性的高尔基体。     

LH与hCG对昆明小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

目的研究促黄体素（LH）、人绒毛膜促性腺激素（hCG）对昆明小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟的影响。方法小鼠经注射孕马血清促性腺激素（PMSG）48h后,摘取卵巢获得未成熟卵母细胞,分别在含不同浓度的LH和hCG的成熟液中,或将LH和hCG以不同的浓度组合加入到成熟液,进行体外成熟。结果经15.16h的成熟培养,5个浓度LH组中的极体率均高于对照组,其中200IU/mL组显著高于50IU/mL、400IU/mL、300IU/mL组和对照组（P〈0.05）;5个浓度hCG组的极体率与对照组极体率无显著差异（P〉0.05）;协同组中15IU/mL hCG＋200IU/mL LH组的极体率显著高于对照组和其它各处理组。结论LH对小鼠卵母细胞的体外成熟有一定的促进作用。     

小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟、体外受精的效果观察

目的　研究不同培养条件对小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟及体外受精率的影响。方法　小鼠卵母细胞分别在含有FSH、BSA和胰岛素的培养液中体外成熟,在Whitten 氏液中体外受精,比较体外成熟率、体外受精率。结果　1- 裸卵(DO) 的体外成熟率、体外受精率(81-4% ,31-0 % ) 均高于卵丘卵母细胞复合体(COC)(48-6 % ,27-1% ) 。2- 在培养液中添加FSH、胰岛素和BSA,卵母细胞的体外成熟率为77-9 % ,82-3% 、60-7% ;体外受精率为77-2 % 、72-6 % 、26-7% ;2 - 细胞率为49-2 % 、34-2 % 、10-0% 。胰岛素组的卵母细胞IVM 率最高,但IVF率、2 - 细胞率低于FSH 组。3- 添加BSA的两组的体外受精率只有26-7 % 、25-8 % ,显著低于其他组,其体外成熟率也较添加FSH 和胰岛素的组成。4- 排出第一极体(PbI) 的卵母细胞的体外受精率和2 - 细胞率(85-9 % ,22-4% ) 均高于GV期卵母细胞(71-1 % ,12-9 % ) 。结论　1- 卵丘卵母细胞(COC) 较裸卵(DO) 的体外成熟率、体外受精率都低,差异显著(P成熟< 0-01;P受精< 0-05) 。2-FSH 和胰岛素均能提高小鼠卵母细胞的体外成熟率、体外受精率。3-BSA可以降低小鼠卵母细胞体外受精率,差异极显著。4-GV 期卵母细胞的体外受精率显著低于体外培养的排出第一极体的卵母细胞(P2 - cell < 0-05,P受精<0-05)     

卵巢运输温度及卵母细胞促成熟因子对山羊卵母细胞体外成熟和体外受精的影响

探讨山羊卵母细胞体外成熟培养的影响因素,为优化山羊体外受精程序奠定基础。比较从屠宰场采摘的山羊卵巢运输温度和体外培养促成熟因子对卵母细胞体外成熟培养和体外受精效果的影响。结果表明,在运输温度接近室温(25±2)℃时的卵母细胞成熟率显著高于接近体温(36±2)℃时的运输温度(成熟率分别为53.8%,35.0%,P0.01),两种运输温度的卵巢卵母细胞成熟培养后体外受精率无显著差异(分别为37.9%,36.6%,P0.05)。与在体外成熟基础培养液(M1:M199 media+1μg/mL E2+10μg/mL FSH+10μg/mL LH+20%EGS)中进行成熟培养相比,在基础培养液中仅添加20 ng/mL EGF(M2)和另外添加10%GFF(M3)进行体外成熟培养的卵母细胞成熟率均有明显提高,其中成熟率在M1为53.8%,极显著低于M2的69.5%和M3的72.6%,P0.01;M2和M3间差异不显著;卵母细胞成熟培养后体外受精率在三者间无明显差异分别为37.9%,39.5%和40.6%,P0.05。山羊体外受精时从屠宰场采摘的卵巢宜在室温条件下进行运输,在体外成熟培养体系中加入EGF和GFF均可有效促进山羊卵母细胞的体外成熟,但EGF起关键作用。     

山羊卵巢大小对卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

目的探讨卵巢大小对卵母细胞体外成熟的影响。方法根据质量将卵巢分为3组,Ⅰ组质量小于0.95 g,Ⅱ组质量介于0.95~1.7 g,Ⅲ组质量大于1.7 g,并统计了不同组卵母细胞的体外成熟率、孤雌激活胚的卵裂率和囊胚率,以及克隆胚的卵裂率和囊胚率。结果 3组卵母细胞体外成熟率分别为62.25%、43.58%和40.7%;3组孤雌激活胚卵裂率分别为83.77%、82.92%和79.73%;孤雌激活胚囊胚发育率分别为19.51%、18.9%和18.78%;3组克隆胚的卵裂率分别为67.36%、65.97%和66.33%;克隆胚囊胚发育率分别为11.63%、13.41%和12.29%。Ⅰ组卵母细胞体外成熟率显著高于其余2组,3组之间孤雌激活胚卵裂率、孤雌激活胚囊胚率、克隆胚卵裂率和克隆胚囊胚发育率差异无统计学意义。结论上述结果表明来源于小卵巢的卵母细胞体外成熟率最高。卵巢大小仅影响卵母细胞的体外成熟率,对发育能力无影响。     

海藻糖对猪精子冷冻真空干燥保存效果的影响

猪精子经冷冻干燥后,在光学显微镜和电子显微镜下观察其超微结构,并借助辅助生殖技术将其注入猪卵母细胞后,进一步观察受精卵的发育情况。结果表明：海藻糖组雄原核形成率 (68.52％)、卵裂率 (59.17％) 和囊胚率 (19.16％) 优于EDTA组 (64.59％、56.26％和15.62％) 和对照组 (35.36％、52.33％和8.60％) (P＜0.05);海藻糖组的冷冻真空干燥猪精子分别在4℃下保存60、120、180 d,雄原核形成率、卵裂率和囊胚率均无显著差异 (P＞0.05);海藻糖组的冷冻真空干燥猪精子复水化后孵育1 h和2 h,卵裂率、卵裂率和囊胚率均差异显著 (P＜0.05);海藻糖处理组与EDTA处理组中的冷冻真空干燥猪精子分别在4℃和?20℃下保存后各处理组间精子形态差异不显著 (P＞0.05);海藻糖组中B级冷冻真空干燥精子百分数显著多于EDTA处理组 (P＜0.05)。超微结构分析表明,冷冻真空干燥猪精子的损伤主要表现在顶体和颈部的肿胀与缺损、尾部断裂。     

精子和卵母细胞质量控制对山羊卵胞质内精子注射(ICSI)受精的影响

以体外成熟卵母细胞为材料研究了精子来源及制动处理方法、卵母细胞质量及注射后激活等因素对山羊ICSI效果的影响.结果说明,附睾头、体和尾精子ICSI后的受精率、卵裂率和桑椹胚/囊胚发育率与射出的鲜精精子都没有明显差异(p＞0.05),但带下注射时附睾头和体精子的受精和发育率显著低于附睾尾和射精精子.在以4种不同方法致死的精子中,室温保存24h的死精子ICSI受精、卵裂和桑椹/囊胚率虽然低于对照组,但是明显高于其它方式致死的精子;5℃保存15天的死精子受精和发育效果最差.0.0005%Triton X-100处理精子的受精率、卵裂率和桑椹/囊胚率显著(p＜0.05)高于制动对照组、不制动对照组和其它浓度组.经高渗处理法检测质量好的卵母细胞ICSI受精和胚胎发育效果显著好于质量差的卵母细胞.与对照组相比,A23187和Ionomycin/6-DMAP激活处理均显著(p＜0.05)提高ICSI的受精率、卵裂率和桑椹/囊胚发育率.因此,精子在附睾内的成熟过程主要与其获得与卵质膜融合能力有关;精液保存方法对精子受精能力的损伤程度有很大差异;适当浓度的Triton X-100处理可模仿精子制动;卵母细胞质量是影响ICSI效果的重要因素;注射精子后激活卵母细胞能保证山羊ICSI的受精效果.     

化学联合激活可明显提高小鼠孤雌胚胎发育率

为探讨一种高效的小鼠卵母细胞孤雌激活的方案,进一步提高孤雌囊胚发育率。用不同浓度的氯化锶及不同作用时间的乙醇,并分别联合6-DMAP对不同卵龄小鼠卵母细胞进行活化,统计小鼠卵母细胞卵裂率和体外发育状况。结果显示,15～16h、18～19h和20～21h卵龄组卵母细胞经6mmol/LSrCl2联合6-DMAP处理后,三组的激活率随卵龄增长而升高,其中20～21h卵龄组显著高于15～16h、18～19h组(P<0.05),激活胚胎的发育率以18～19h时最高;6mmol/L和10mmol/L的SrCl2联合6-DMAP均能有效地激活小鼠卵母细胞,激活率分别为76.4%和83.6%,桑葚胚率分别为50.0%和56.3%;70ml/L乙醇联合6-DMAP以处理7min组获得了较好的激活率和囊胚发育率,分别为77.1%和42.4%,囊胚率均显著高于4min和10min处理组(P<0.05)。6-DMAP与SrCl2或乙醇联合应用可以有效抑制第二极体的排出,提高激活胚的二倍体比率;孤雌囊胚的平均细胞数显著低于正常受精囊胚(P<0.05)。不同激活方案对孤雌活化胚的核型和发育能力的作用差异较大,小鼠卵母细胞孤雌激活率与卵龄...     

牛供体细胞的来源、血清饥饿和预激活对核移植卵体外胚胎发育的影响

牛皮肢成纤维细胞经血清饥饿或预激活处理后获得核胞体,并注入去核卵母细胞内构建重组胚。检查重组胚24h和36h卵裂率以及8d囊胚率,以评估供体细胞及其处理方法对体细胞核移植效果的影响。实验结果表明：来自3个年龄（6、18和36月龄）、2个品系（红安格斯肉牛和荷斯坦奶牛）的4头供体牛皮肤细胞重组胚的卵裂率和囊胚率均无差异。生长到完全汇合的36月龄荷斯坦牛供体细胞血清饥饿10-13d组重组胚的36h卵裂率显著低于0d（对照）、3-5d和6-9d组,囊胚率显著低于3-5d组;经5μmol/L离子霉素或7％乙醇预激活5min重组胚的卵裂率和囊胚率均与对照组无差异。     

Effect of cysteamine during in vitro maturation on buffalo embryo development

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of cysteamine during in vitro maturation (IVM) of buffalo oocytes enhances embryo development. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) from slaughterhouse ovaries were matured in vitro in TCM 199 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), 0.5 microg mL(-1) FSH, 5 microg mL(-1) LH, 1 microg mL(-1) 17 beta estradiol and 0 (control), 50, 100 or 200 micromol L(-1) of cysteamine for 24 hours. The matured oocytes then were fertilized and cultured for 7 days. No beneficial effect on maturation and cleavage rate was related to the addition of cysteamine. However, the percentage of embryos that developed to compact morula and blastocyst stage was significantly higher (P < or = 0.01) for oocytes matured in medium containing 50 micromol L(-1) of cysteamine than it was for oocytes matured with 0, 100 and 200 micromol L(-1) cysteamine (22.6% vs 14.9%, 15.7% and 13% respectively); moreover, the addition of 50 micromol L(-1) of cysteamine during IVM significantly (P < or = 0.01) increased the proportion of transferable quality (Grades 1 and 2) embryos (19.3% vs 11.3%, 11.6% and 11.2% respectively). The present study showed that adding a thiol compound (such as cysteamine) to the IVM medium improves buffalo in vitro embryo production (IVEP) efficiency, which so far has been unsatisfactory.     

FSH priming improves oocyte maturation,but priming with FSH or hCG has no effect on subsequent embryonic development in an in vitro maturation program

AIM: To determine whether maturation and subsequent blastocyst development of in vitro matured oocytes can be improved by in vivo follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) priming, using a mouse model. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Five groups of oocytes were used: in vivo control, in vitro matured (IVM) control, IVM after 24 h in vivo priming with FSH, IVM after 48 h in vivo priming with FSH and IVM after 16 h in vivo priming with hCG. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed on all groups.Oocyte maturation, fertilization, blastocyst development rates and blastocyst cell numbers were assessed for all groups. RESULTS: Significant improvement in oocyte maturation was observed in the two FSH priming groups compared with the IVM control group (P<0.005 and P<0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in fertilization between all five groups. Blastocyst development was significantly higher in the in vivo control compared to the IVM groups (P<0.001). No significant differences were observed in blastocyst cell numbers among all five groups. CONCLUSIONS: While FSH priming improves the maturation rate of IVM oocytes, FSH or hCG priming does not improve development to the blastocyst stage.     

Metabolic requirements associated with GSH synthesis during in vitro maturation of cattle oocytes

Glutathione (GSH) concentration increases in bovine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM). The constitutive amino acids involved in GSH synthesis are glycine (Gly), glutamate (Glu) and cysteine (Cys). The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the availability of glucose, Cys, Gly and Glu on GSH synthesis during IVM. The effect of the amino acid serine (Ser) on intracellular reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) content in both oocytes and cumulus cells was also studied. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) of cattle obtained from ovaries collected from an abattoir were matured in synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) medium containing 8 mg/ml bovine serum albumin-fatty acid-free (BSA-FAF), 10 microg/ml LH, 1 microg/ml porcine FSH (pFSH) and 1 microg/ml 17 beta-estradiol (17beta-E2). GSH/GSSG content was measured using a double-beam spectrophotometer. The COC were cultured in SOF supplemented with 1.5mM or 5.6mM glucose (Exp. 1); with or without Cys+Glu+Gly (Exp. 2); with the omission of one constitutive GSH amino acid (Exp. 3); with 0.6mM Cys or Cys+Ser (Exp. 4). The developmental capacity of oocytes matured in IVM medium supplemented with Cys and the cell number per blastocyst were determined (Exp. 5). The results reported here indicate (1) no differences in the intracellular GSH/GSSG content at any glucose concentrations. Also, cumulus cell number per COC did not differ either before or after IVM (Exp. 1). (2) Glutathione content in oocytes matured in SOF alone were significantly different from oocytes incubated with SOF supplemented with Cys+Glu+Gly (Exp. 2). (3) Addition of Cys to maturation medium, either with or without Gly and Glu supplementation resulted in an increase of GSH/GSSG content. However, when Cys was omitted from the IVM medium intracellular GSH in oocytes or cumulus cells was less but not significantly altered compared to SOF alone (Exp. 3). (4) Glutathione content in both oocytes and cumulus cells was significantly reduced by incubation with 5mM Ser (Exp.4). (5) There was a significant increase in cleavage and blastocyst rates when Cys was added to maturation medium. In contrast, the cleavage, morula and blastocyst rates were significantly different when 5mM Ser was added to maturation media. There was also a significant difference in mean cell number per blastocyst, obtained from oocytes matured with 5mM Ser (Exp. 5). This study provides evidence that optimal embryo development in vitro is partially dependent on the presence of precursor amino acids for intracellular GSH production. Moreover, the availability of Cys might be a critical factor for GSH synthesis during IVM in cattle oocytes. Greater Ser concentration in IVM medium altered "normal" intracellular GSH in both oocytes and cumulus cells with negative consequences for subsequent developmental capacity.     

Capacity of adult and prepubertal mouse oocytes to undergo embryo development in the presence of cysteamine

The present study was carried out to study de novo glutathione (GSH) synthesis and to evaluate the effect of stimulating GSH synthesis during in vitro maturation (IVM) of adult and prepubertal mouse oocytes on the embryo developmental rate. Adult (8 weeks old) and prepubertal mice (24-26 days old) were primed with 5 IU of PMSG and oocytes were retrieved from the ovary 48 hr later for IVM. After IVM (18 hr) Cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) were in vitro fertilized (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) in order to observe embryo development. The IVM medium was supplemented with: 0, 25, 50, 100, or 200 microM of cysteamine. To study the novo GSH synthesis, 5 mM BSO was added during IVM of adult or prepubertal oocyte. Developmental rates up to blastocyst were recorded for each group. Experiments also included a group of ovulated oocytes (in vivo matured) after priming with PMSG and HCG. After IVM of adult mice oocytes, an improvement was observed on embryo development in all the supplemented groups when compared with the untreated group (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in blastocyst rate among IVM oocytes with cysteamine and ovulated oocytes. Prepubertal IVM mouse oocytes had a lower cleavage rate compared with ovulated oocytes (P < 0.05). Cysteamine failed to improve prepubertal oocytes developmental rates (P > 0,05). 2-cell embryos, coming from IVM prepubertal oocytes and ovulated oocytes had the same preimplantation developmental rate up to the blastocyst stage. In prepubertal, and adult oocytes an inhibition of embryo development was observed when buthionine sulfoximide (BSO), a specific inhibitor of the gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, was added during oocyte maturation (P < 0.01). In conclusion, an improvement in mouse embryo development was observed when cysteamine was added to the IVM medium of adult mice oocytes. In prepubertal oocytes cysteamine addition during oocyte maturation failed to improve embryo developmental rates. The presence of BSO lowered or completely blocked blastocyst development. This proves that, de novo GSH synthesis during oocyte maturation of adult and prepubertal oocytes undoubtedly plays an important role in embryo development. The improvement on oocyte competence observed in adult mice oocytes is probably related to intracellular GSH synthesis stimulated by cysteamine. Nevertheless the reason why cysteamine failed to improve prepubertal oocytes competence remains as an open question.     

In vitro maturation and fertilization of porcine oocytes after a 48 h culture in roscovitine, an inhibitor of p34cdc2/cyclin B kinase

Maintaining oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage in vitro may permit enhanced acquisition of the developmental competence. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation in vitro of porcine oocytes after pretreatment with S-roscovitine (ROS). Cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) were treated with 50 microM ROS for 48 h and then matured for various lengths of time in a conventional step-wise in vitro maturation (IVM) system by using dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The COC that were matured in the same system for 44 h without pretreatment with ROS were used as the control group. At various periods after the start of IVM, oocytes were assessed for the meiotic stages and subjected to in vitro fertilization (IVF) with fresh spermatozoa. The ROS treatment inhibited GV breakdown of 94.4% oocytes, with the majority arrested at the GV-I stage (67.4%). Maximum maturation rate to the metaphase-II stage after ROS treatment was achieved by 44 h of IVM (92.1%) and no differences were observed with control oocytes (95.0%). Penetration rate was correlated to the maturation rate. The duration of IVM had no effects on polyspermy and male pronuclear (MPN) formation rates at 8 h post insemination (hpi), whereas both rates increased at 22 hpi. Direct comparison with controls assessed at 22 hpi confirmed a lesser MPN formation in ROS-treated oocytes (73.7% compared with 53.6%). Glutathione (GSH) concentrations were less in oocytes treated with ROS than in control oocytes (5 compared with 7.7 pmol/oocyte) as well as blastocyst rate (22.0% compared with 38.1%, respectively). These results demonstrate that cytoplasmic maturation in porcine oocytes pretreated with ROS for 48 h did not equal that of control oocytes in the current IVM system.     

Apoptosis in porcine cumulus‐oocyte complexes: Relationship with their morphology and the developmental competence

The aim of this study was to assess the presence and distribution of apoptosis in porcine cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) and its relations with COC morphology and developmental competence. The COCs were obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries, classified into A1 (top category), A2, B1, B2, C, and D based on their morphology. A1, A2, and B1 were matured and fertilized in vitro, and blastocyst rate was compared among them. Before and after in vitro maturation (IVM), annexin‐V staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were performed to assess early and late apoptosis, respectively. There was a significant increase in both annexin‐V (+) oocytes and TUNEL (+) cumulus cells as morphology further deteriorated. There were no statistical differences regarding annexin‐V (+) oocytes within immature and post‐IVM COCs, but TUNEL (+) oocytes were only observed in post‐IVM COCs. Early and late apoptosis was detected in cumulus cells of all categories of immature and post‐IVM COCs. However, the difference was only significant for annexin‐V (+). There were no significant differences in embryo development. Therefore, apoptosis increases as the morphological features of the immature COCs decrease. In conclusion, the selection of COCs from Categories A1, A2, and B1 may be used as a selection criterion for in vitro development.     

Coculturing cumulus oocyte complexes with denuded oocytes alters zona pellucida ultrastructure in in vitro matured bovine oocytes

Oocyte quality is a key factor affecting success of in vitro embryo production in cattle. Improving the microenvironment of oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM) can increase developmental rate and embryo quality. Therefore, the objective was to determine whether denuded oocytes (DO) affect embryo development and ultrastructure of the zona pellucida (ZP) in in vitro matured bovine oocytes. Intact immature cumulus-oocytes complexes (COC) obtained from a local abattoir or by ovum pick-up (OPU) were cocultured with and without abattoir-obtained DO at a COC:DO ratio of 1:5. After IVM, DO were removed and intact DO were either fertilized or observed by scanning electron microscopy. Blastocyst quality was evaluated using a TUNEL assay. The ZP pore size decreased after IVM in COC + DO coculture, regardless of their origin (OPU, 310.5 ± 92.5 vs. 428.9 ± 148.5 nm; abattoir, 317.5 ± 68.5 vs. 358.9 ± 128.5 nm; P < 0.05; mean values ± standard deviation). Moreover, the number of ZP pores in OPU COC + DO and COC + DO was greater than those in OPU COC and COC (control) groups (56 ± 4 and 55 ± 7 vs. 50 ± 6 and 42 ± 4; P < 0.05). The rate of blastocyst development in COC + DO and OPU COC + DO groups was greater those in control and OPU COC groups (36.6% and 55.5% vs. 28.1% and 40.0%; P < 0.05). Moreover, the total cell numbers of blastocysts in COC + DO group exceeded that of control (132.91 ± 30.90 vs. 115.44 ± 24.95; P < 0.05), with no significant between OPU COC + DO and OPU COC groups (139.31 ± 42.51 vs. 137.00 ± 61.34). In conclusion, in vitro embryo development competence and quality improved when oocytes were cocultured with DO. Furthermore, there more, but smaller, ZP pores.     

Effect of hyaluronic acid on development of in vitro produced bovine embryos

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) added to the culture medium on bovine embryo development to the blastocyst stage as well as embryo quality and viability after freezing and thawing. In vitro matured and fertilized (IVM/IVF) bovine oocytes from slaughterhouse ovaries were cultured for 8 d in SOFm supplemented with 4 mg/mL fatty acid-free BSA, either in the absence or presence of 1 or 0.5 mg/mL HA. There was a significant increase in blastocyst yield in the presence of 1 mg/mL HA (P < 0.01), whereas 0.5 mg/mL HA was ineffective. Cleavage rate and mean number of days to blastocyst formation were unaffected by HA at any concentration. At 1 mg/mL, HA did not affect either post-freeze survival of Grade 1 and 2 blastocysts or the number of nuclei per blastocyst. Supplementation with HA at 1 mg/mL also significantly enhanced embryo development up to the blastocyst stage (P < 0.05) in a chemically-defined culture medium without a protein source. It is concluded that supplementation of both semi-defined and defined culture media with 1 mg/mL HA improves the development of IVM/IVF bovine embryos to the blastocyst stage, without affecting embryo quality and post-freeze survival. These results open the possibility of including HA in culture media in order to increase the efficiency of in vitro blastocyst production from in vitro-matured bovine oocytes.     

Effect of 17beta-estradiol on the in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes

Although 1 microg/ml of 17beta-estradiol (E2) is often used in routine in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), its effect remains controversial. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of E2 on bovine oocyte IVM and subsequent embryo development, using a defined medium. Bovine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs), aspirated from 2 to 8 mm follicles of slaughterhouse ovaries, were matured in TCM199 in the presence of 1 microg/ml E2 with or without 0.05 IU/ml recombinant hFSH. Cultures without E2, FSH or both served as controls. COCs were matured for 22 h at 39 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. To investigate the effect of E2 with and without FSH on nuclear maturation, COCs were fixed after maturation and the nuclear stage was assessed following DAPI staining. Similarly, denuded oocytes (DO) were matured in the presence of E2 and the nuclear stage assessed after 22 h. To investigate the effect of E2 with and without FSH during IVM on subsequent embryo development, in vitro matured COCs were fertilized in vitro and after removal of the cumulus cells, the presumed zygotes were cocultured on BRL monolayer for 11 days. At Day 4, the number of cleaved embryos, and at Days 9 and 11, the number of blastocysts, were assessed. Addition of 1 microg/ml E2 to TCM199 significantly decreased the percentage of Metaphase II (MII) compared to control (56.3 and 74.0%, respectively), and increased the percentage of nuclear aberrations compared to control (13.3 and 2.1%, respectively). The negative effect of E2 on nuclear maturation was stronger when DO were matured; 25.1 and 60.0% of the oocytes reached MII stage for the E2 and control groups, respectively. When COCs were matured in TCM199 supplemented with FSH, the addition of 1 microg/ml E2 did not influence the proportion of MII oocytes, although a higher percentage of nuclear aberrations as compared to control was observed. Presence of E2 during IVM also decreased the blastocyst rate (14.4 and 10.0% for control and E2 groups, respectively). However, when FSH was present, the addition of E2 had no effect on the cleavage rate and blastocyst formation (20.3 and 21.7% for control and E2 groups, respectively). In conclusion, supplementation of 1 microg/ml E2 to a serum free maturation medium negatively affects bovine oocyte nuclear maturation and subsequent embryo development. Although these effects are attenuated in the presence of FSH, we strongly suggest omission of E2 in routine maturation protocols of bovine oocytes.