Embryo production using defined oocyte maturation and zygote culture media following repeated ovum pick-up (OPU) from FSH-stimulated Simmental heifers

To determine whether differences in ovarian follicle populations and endocrine status at ovum pick-up (OPU) influenced the quality and developmental competence of oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCC's) collected from follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated donors, 24 Simmental heifers had their ovarian follicles aspirated via transvaginal ultrasound-guided OPU at both 15 (OPU1) and 21 (OPU2) days following a synchronised oestrus, on four consecutive occasions at 15-week intervals. More OCC's were collected during OPU1 than OPU2 (means +/- S.E.M. = 7.2 +/- 0.47 versus 5.7 +/- 0.44; P = 0.01), but the respective percentages that were of good quality (categories 1 and 2) did not differ significantly (55 +/- 3% versus 47 +/- 3%). The incidence of zygote cleavage following OCC maturation (Medium 199; protein-free), in vitro fertilization (mTALP; including 0.6% (w/v) albumin) and culture (modified SOF; protein-free) was not significantly different (mean +/- S.E.M. = 81 +/- 2% and 71 +/- 7% for OPU1 and OPU2, respectively). Corresponding blastocyst yields from good quality OCC's (24 +/- 3% and 26 +/- 4%) also did not differ. Although the same 3-day FSH regimen was used immediately prior to each OPU session, plasma FSH concentrations were consistently lower at OPU1 than OPU2 (1.3 +/- 0.28 ng/ml versus 2.5 +/- 0.45 ng/ml; P < 0.05). In contrast, plasma progesterone concentrations were higher at OPU1 (6.6 +/- 0.48 ng/ml versus 3.9 +/- 0.53 ng/ml; P < 0.001), with concentrations at OPU2 being consistent with the presence of luteal tissues, including both persistent corpora lutea and luteinised follicle remnants following OPU1. Failure of the significant differences in follicular and endocrine status between OPU1 and OPU2 to alter the developmental competence of OCC's suggests that, probably as a result of its stabilising influence on nutritionally-sensitive intraovarian regulators of oocyte competence, the constant feeding regimen had a more profound effect on oocyte quality than observed shifts in the peripheral concentrations of some reproductive hormones. Finally, the study demonstrates that it is possible to generate acceptable numbers of in vitro blastocyst-stage embryos from high genetic merit heifers using strategies which restrict reliance on protein to the in vitro fertilization stage of the production process.