细胞松弛素B对绵羊GV期卵母细胞玻璃化冷冻效果的影响

本试验通过玻璃化冷冻前细胞松弛素B(CB)预处理来分析CB对绵羊GV期卵母细胞玻璃化冷冻/解冻后发育潜力的影响。分别从细胞毒性检测、冷冻检测和CB不同浓度（6.0、7.5和9.0 μg/ml）处理3个方面进行试验。试验结果表明毒性检验中CB处理组和未处理组卵母细胞的成熟率都显著低于对照组(P<0.05)，但相互之间差异不显著；玻璃化冷冻后，卵母细胞成熟率显著低于未冷冻组(P<0.05)，玻璃化冷冻CB处理组和未处理组卵母细胞体外成熟培养后成熟率之间差异不显著(P>0.05)；不同CB浓度处理后9.0 μg/ml组卵母细胞的成熟率显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。     

添加HA纳米颗粒对牛GV期卵母细胞玻璃化冷冻后发育能力的影响

为了探究羟基磷灰石(HA)纳米颗粒对牛GV期卵母细胞玻璃化冷冻效果的影响，试验以牛卵巢中GV期卵母细胞作为试验材料，将不同粒径的HA纳米颗粒添加到玻璃化冷冻液中，进行超声分散检测。首先，以卵母细胞存活率和成熟率为指标，将0、0.01%、0.05%、0.1%HA纳米颗粒分别添加到玻璃化冷冻液Ⅰ(VSⅠ)和玻璃化冷冻液Ⅱ(VSⅡ)中，不经冷冻直接进行毒性测试；然后，以形态正常率、成熟率、卵裂率和囊胚率为指标测定卵母细胞玻璃化冷冻后的发育能力；最后检测含有0.05%HA纳米颗粒的VSⅡ对冷冻后卵母细胞活性氧水平和线粒体膜电位水平的影响。结果表明：不同浓度HA纳米颗粒对牛GV期卵母细胞均无明显毒性；VSⅡ+0.05%HA纳米颗粒组卵母细胞冷冻后的形态正常率、成熟率、卵裂率、囊胚率显著高于VSⅠ+0.05%HA纳米颗粒组(P<0.05);VSⅡ+0.05%HA纳米颗粒组卵母细胞的活性氧水平显著低于VSⅡ组(P<0.05);VSⅡ+0.05%HA纳米颗粒组卵母细胞的线粒体膜电位水平显著高于VSⅡ组(P<0.05)。说明在VSⅡ中加入0.05%HA纳米颗粒能显著降低牛GV期卵母细胞...     

牛GV期卵母细胞冷冻保存后发育潜力的研究

二甲基亚砜(DMSO)、丙二醇(PROH)、乙二醇(EG)和甘油(GL)4种冷冻保护剂程序化冷冻牛GV期卵母细胞的结果表明,EG和PROH的保护效果比GL和DMSO好。4种不同冷冻方法冷冻保存牛GV期卵母细胞,比较解冻后卵母细胞的体外成熟率、受精后卵裂率。结果表明,在程序化冷冻法与细管玻璃化法(Straw)之间的差异不显著(P>0.05),在开放式拉管法(OPS)与毛细玻管法(GMP)之间的差异不显著(P>0.05);但OPS和GMP与程序化冷冻法和Straw之间的差异极显著(P<0.01)。玻璃化冷冻效果优于程序化冷冻。说明GMP和OPS玻璃化冷冻优于Straw玻璃化冷冻。说明可以采用GMP方法冷冻保存牛GV期卵母细胞。     

毛细玻管玻璃化冷冻法冷冻保存牛卵母细胞的研究

为了探讨毛细玻管玻璃化冷冻法(GMP)对牛卵母细胞冷冻效果的影响,试验采用毛细玻管玻璃化冷冻法冷冻不同发育阶段的牛卵母细胞,并且对不同预处理方式和玻璃化时间对玻璃化冷冻牛卵母细胞解冻后形态及体外受精卵裂率的影响进行了比较.结果表明:采用毛细玻管玻璃化冷冻法冷冻GV期和体外培养6 h、18 h、22 h各发育阶段的卵母细胞,解冻后体外受精后卵裂率分别是36.67%、40.98%、41.27%、52.38%,前三者之间差异不显著(P>0.05),前三者与培养22 h卵母细胞(52.38%)和对照细胞(68.42%)差异极显著(P<0.01);采用不同浓度的稀溶液预处理卵母细胞,3%乙二醇稀溶液预处理玻璃化前牛卵母细胞可分别获得较高的卵裂率(36.96%);卵母细胞在玻璃化溶液中暴露时间越长受到损伤越严重,暴露30 s能获得最好的玻璃化冷冻效果.     

云岭山羊卵母细胞玻璃化冷冻的研究

试验以屠宰场云岭黑山羊卵巢卵母细胞为材料,研究其玻璃化冷冻的效果。试验中选用20% EG+20% DMSO为冷冻液、冷冻环为载体,以20 s、40 s玻璃化时间冷冻GV和MⅡ期的卵母细胞。结果表明,GV期卵母细胞的形态正常率、成熟率和卵裂率都很低,且解冻成熟培养后冷冻组的成熟率和卵裂率极显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。而MⅡ期卵母细胞冷冻效果较好,毒性试验组和冷冻组形态正常率分别为91.1%和83.3%,明显高于GV期;孤雌激活后毒性组卵裂率与对照组无显著性差异(P>0.05),冷冻组的卵裂率显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。用20 s、40 s玻璃化时间冷冻的卵母细胞解冻后GV和MⅡ期各组均无显著差异。根据试验结果得出在冷冻保存中最好冷冻MⅡ期的卵母细胞,以便提高后期的卵裂率和囊胚率;卵母细胞玻璃化时间在40 s内均不影响卵母细胞的活力和发育潜力。     

甘氨酸对水貂GV期卵母细胞冷冻保存效率的影响

试验旨在探究玻璃化冷冻及培养过程中添加甘氨酸(glycine,Gly)对水貂GV期卵母细胞冷冻解冻后存活率、核发育、线粒体和皮质颗粒分布的影响。试验分为3组:对照组(没有进行冷冻处理)、冷冻组和Gly添加处理组(1 mmol/L Gly)。对玻璃化冷冻解冻后的水貂GV期卵母细胞分别进行平衡恢复3 h和体外成熟培养,采用免疫荧光标记法检测各组GV期卵母细胞线粒体分布的差异及MⅡ期皮质颗粒分布的变化。结果显示,Gly添加处理组卵母细胞在解冻后3 h的存活率与冷冻组相比差异不显著(P0.05),但显著低于对照组(P0.05);Gly添加处理组卵母细胞的减数分裂恢复率显著高于冷冻组(P0.05),但与对照组相比差异不显著(P0.05)。免疫荧光结果显示,Gly添加处理组的GV期卵母细胞线粒体正常分布率显著高于冷冻组(P0.05),但Gly添加处理组和冷冻组的GV期卵母细胞线粒体正常分布率均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。皮质颗粒分布结果显示,水貂GV期卵母细胞在冷冻后体外成熟培养至MⅡ期时,Gly添加处理组皮质颗粒的正常皮质区分布比例显著高于冷冻组(P0.05),但Gly添加处理组与冷冻组的正常皮质区分布比例均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结果表明,添加Gly可以提高冻融后水貂卵母细胞的减数分裂恢复率,降低冷冻对其线粒体及皮质颗粒的损失。     

玻璃化冷冻对小鼠GV期卵母细胞发育能力的影响

试验首次采用OPS法玻璃化冷冻小鼠GV期卵母细胞(不带卵丘细胞,下同),同时尝试用EDFS30对小鼠卵巢进行细管法玻璃化冷冻,以研究GV期卵母细胞冷冻后的发育潜力。首先,利用MEM培养和MEM-腔前卵泡培养新鲜GV期卵母细胞,并把较好的培养方式用于冷冻后培养试验。2种培养方式培养24h后新鲜GV期卵母细胞成熟率无显著性差异;OPS法冷冻的GV期卵母细胞解冻后成熟率及体外受精后卵裂率与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05)。细管法冷冻卵巢组织的GV期卵母细胞成熟率极显著低于对照组(P<0.01),其受精后未获得受精卵。结果表明:OPS法可有效地冷冻保存小鼠GV期卵母细胞,而细管法冷冻小鼠卵巢对GV期卵母细胞损伤较大。     

玻璃化冻存对驴卵母细胞超微结构的影响

试验旨在探究玻璃化冷冻对驴卵母细胞发育的影响,寻求驴卵母细胞冷冻的最佳条件。通过对不同发育时期的驴卵母细胞进行玻璃化冷冻,冷冻复苏后分别进行成熟培养和孤雌激活,并对GV期未冷冻组(对照组)、GV期冷冻组、IVM-MⅡ冷冻组卵母细胞微丝和线粒体超微结构进行免疫荧光标记,统计冷冻复苏后卵母细胞形态正常率、成熟率、孤雌激活卵裂率、超微结构正常率。结果表明,GV期冷冻组卵母细胞的形态正常率与GV期未冷冻组(对照组)间无显著差异(P0.05),成熟率和卵裂率均显著低于对照组(P0.05);IVM-MⅡ冷冻组的卵裂率显著低于对照组(P0.05),且卵裂后细胞发育受到阻滞。冷冻组微丝在皮质区分布明显减少的卵母细胞数目增多,冷冻组卵母细胞的线粒体数量明显低于对照组,由此可以说明冷冻对卵母细胞超微结构有损伤,从而导致复苏后成熟率下降,影响卵母细胞的受精和体外发育,且GV期冷冻组较IVM-MⅡ冷冻组在微丝与线粒体结构上有较小损伤,发育状态较好。     

细胞松弛素B对玻璃化冷冻牛卵母细胞的影响

用不同浓度细胞松弛素B(CB)预处理体外成熟牛卵母细胞,以固体表面玻璃化(SSV)法冷冻解冻后的存活率和孤雌激活发育能力作为评价指标,探讨CB对体外成熟牛卵母细胞冷冻保存的影响。结果显示,存活率方面,各浓度CB处理组与对照组无显著差异(P0.05);激活后卵裂率方面,20μg/mLCB处理组显著高于对照组(47.67%和30.25%,P0.05);囊胚率方面,20μg/mLCB处理组极显著高于对照组(9.00%和1.75%,P≤0.01),同时还显著高于其他4个处理组(P0.05)。研究表明,CB在玻璃化冷冻过程中的保护作用存在一定浓度的依赖性,其中用20μg/mLCB浓度处理最适于牛成熟卵母细胞玻璃化冷冻效果的改善。     

玻璃化冷冻牛GV卵母细胞全基因组甲基化模式初探

旨在研究玻璃化冷冻对牛GV期卵母细胞全基因组甲基化的影响。本研究收集新鲜、玻璃化冷冻的牛GV卵母细胞,采用单细胞全基因组甲基化测序(ScWGBS)技术对新鲜、玻璃化法冷冻牛GV卵母细胞的全基因组甲基化水平进行检测,旨在揭示两者DNA甲基化模式的差异。结果表明,玻璃化冷冻不会对牛GV卵母细胞的全基因甲基化水平造成显著影响。基于基因本体(GO)和信号通路(KEGG)对140个差异甲基化区域(DMRs)进行分析,发现DMRs主要参与细胞发育、细胞骨架组织等功能,主要富集在PI3K-Akt信号通路、GnRH信号通路等,并筛选出与卵母细胞成熟(TSC2)、细胞骨架(NUDC)、细胞活力(MAFK)等相关的基因。上述结果,可为提高GV卵母细胞玻璃化冷冻效率奠定信息基础和研究方向。     

Cryopreservation of immature buffalo oocytes: Effects of cytochalasin B pretreatment on the efficiency of cryotop and solid surface vitrification methods

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficiency of the solid surface (SSV), cryotop (CT) vitrification methods and cytochalasin B (CB) pretreatment for cryopreservation of immature buffalo oocytes. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were placed for 1 min in TCM199 containing 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), 10% ethylene glycol (EG), and 20% fetal bovine serum, and then transferred for 30 s to base medium containing 20% DMSO, 20% EG and 0.5 mol/L sucrose. CB pretreated ((+)CB) or non‐pretreated ((?)CB) COCs were vitrified either by SSV or CT. Surviving vitrified COCs were selected for in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The rate of viable oocytes after vitrification in CT groups (82%) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that in a fresh control group (100%), but significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in SSV groups (71–72%). Among vitrified groups, the highest maturation rate was obtained in the CT (?)CB group (32%). After IVF, the cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were similar among vitrified groups but significantly lower than those of the control group. In conclusion, a higher survival rate of oocytes after vitrification and IVM was obtained in the CT group compared with that in the SSV group, indicating the superiority of the CT method. Pretreatment with CB did not increase the viability, maturation or embryo development of vitrified oocytes.     

Japanese Society for Animal Reproduction: award for outstanding research 2002. Cryopreservation of follicular oocytes and preimplantation embryos in cattle and horses

Factors affecting sensitivity of preimplantation embryos and follicular oocytes to cryopreservation were analyzed in the equine and bovine species. (1) Survival of equine blastocysts after two-step freezing in the presence of glycerol as the cryoprotective agent (CPA) was influenced by development of the embryonic capsule. The use of ethylene glycol (EG) with sucrose as CPAs improved the post-thaw survival of blastocysts and made it possible to transfer the embryos into recipient mares without removing the CPAs. In addition, early blastocysts cryopreserved by vitrification could develop both in vitro and in vivo when the embryos were exposed to vitrification solution in a stepwise manner. The vitrification procedure was also applied to the relatively large expanded blastocysts. (2) Bovine embryos produced in vitro have been considered to be highly sensitive to the process of cryopreservation. To solve this problem, Day-7 blastocysts produced in a serum-free system were cooled at 0.3 C/min rather than 0.6 C/min before being plunged into liquid nitrogen, resulting in no loss of the post-thaw viability. The supplementation of LAA in IVM/IVF media or IVC medium was effective in producing pronuclear-stage zygotes or morula-stage embryos relatively tolerable to freezing, respectively. (3) Transmission electron microscopic observation of immature equine oocytes showed that cellular injury occurred near the sites of gap-junctions between cumulus cells and the oocyte. In cattle, higher fertilization rates of oocytes were obtained when the oocytes were subjected to cryopreservation at an intermediate stage during IVM (GVBD for freezing, Met-I for vitrification). Vitrification of bovine Met-II oocytes in open-pulled glass capillaries, characterized by an ultra-rapid cooling rate (3,000-5,000 C/min), was found to avoid any harmful influence of vitrification and warming.     

Antioxidants and glycine can improve the developmental competence of vitrified/warmed ovine immature oocytes

Despite the numerous potential applications of oocyte cryopreservation, the poor success rate has limited its practical applications. In livestock, particularly in ovine, the oocytes have low developmental competence following vitrification/warming process. Considering the occurrence of osmotic and oxidative stresses during the vitrification/warming process, the application of antioxidants and osmolytes may improve the developmental competence of vitrified/warmed oocytes. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the addition of ascorbic acid (AA) and N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) as antioxidants and glycine as an organic osmolyte either to the vitrification/warming solutions (VWS) or to the IVM medium on the developmental competence of vitrified/warmed ovine germinal vesicle stage oocytes. The survival rate in the vitrified groups was significantly lower than fresh ones. In vitrified/warmed oocytes, there was no significant difference in survival rate between supplemented and non‐supplemented groups. The addition of AA and/or NAC to the VWS or IVM medium and adding glycine to the IVM medium reduced the proportion of apoptotic oocytes and fragmented embryos, which was reflected as an increase in the proportions of metaphase II stage oocytes and blastocyst production. The best result was achieved by supplementing the IVM medium with NAC. In our study condition, antioxidants and glycine could improve the developmental competence of vitrified/warmed ovine immature oocytes, especially when added during IVM.     

Effect of L‐carnitine on maturation,cryo‐tolerance and embryo developmental competence of bovine oocytes

In this study, the effects of the addition of L‐carnitine in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium for bovine oocytes on their nuclear maturation and cryopreservation were investigated; they were matured in IVM medium supplemented with 0.0, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/mL of L‐carnitine (control, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 groups, respectively) and some of them were vitrified by Cryotop. Moreover, the effects of L‐carnitine during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) on the developmental potential and quality of IVF embryos were also examined. A significantly higher maturation rate of oocytes was obtained for 0.3 and 0.6 mg/mL groups compared with the control (P < 0.05). The blastocyst formation rate in the 0.6 group was significantly improved, whereas the rate in the 1.2 group was significantly decreased when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in embryo development between the control and the L‐carnitine group after oocyte vitrification. Supplementation of IVF and IVC media with L‐carnitine had no effect on development to the blastocyst stage of IVM oocytes treated with 0.6 mg/mL L‐carnitine. In conclusion, the supplementation of L‐carnitine during IVM of bovine oocytes improved their nuclear maturation and subsequent embryo development after IVF, but when they were vitrified the improving effects were neutralized.     

Vitrification of bovine matured oocytes and blastocysts in a paper container

In the present study, we aimed to determine the applicability of a paper container for the vitrification of in vitro matured (IVM) bovine oocytes. In experiment 1, IVM oocytes were exposed to vitrification solution (20% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), 20% ethylene glycol (EG), and 5 mol/L sucrose), using a two‐step method, for 30 s; loaded onto either a paper container or Cryotop; and stored in liquid nitrogen. No significant difference (P < 0.05) in the survival and blastocyst formation rates after in vitro vitrification was observed between the paper container and Cryotop. In experiment 2, IVM oocytes were exposed to either a two‐ or three‐step vitrification solution. The three‐step vitrification solution was not significantly different from the two‐step solution in terms of oocyte survival, cleavage and blastocyst rates. In experiment 3, in vitro produced blastocysts were graded according to the manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society (grades 1 and 2) and vitrified using the two‐ and three‐step methods. For grade 2 blastocysts, the three‐step method showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) survival and hatched blastocyst rates than the two‐step method, whereas for grade 1 blastocysts, no significant difference was observed. In conclusion, the paper device and three‐step technique are suitable for oocytes and embryo vitrification.     

Studies on Survival of Horse Oocytes After Rapid-i Method Vitrification

The aim of the present study was to determine the vitality and developmental competence of equine oocytes after in vitro maturation (IVM) and vitrified by Rapid-i method. In experiment 1, oocytes after IVM were vitrified using media: EquiPro VitKit (group 1) or medium containing 18% Ficoll, 40% ethylene glycol, and 0.3 M sucrose (group 2). For evaluation of toxicity effect, oocytes were exposed to media without a plug to liquid nitrogen. To evaluate viability, oocytes were stained with fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide. In experiment 2, oocytes after IVM and vitrification were activated by 7.5 μM ionomicin in TCM 199 (5 minutes) combined with 2 mM 6-DMAP in TCM 199 with 10% fetal bovine serum (4.5 hours). Survival rate was: 63% in group 1 (n = 54), 55% in group 2 (n = 69), and 73.2% (n = 56) in the control group. After parthenogenetic activation, 10.2% (n = 49) of 2–4 blastomeres were observed. This percentage was lower than in the nonvitrified group: 38.5% (n = 53).     

Developmental competence of in vitro matured ovine oocytes vitrified in solutions with different concentrations of trehalose

This study aimed to determine the optimum concentration of trehalose in solutions used for vitrification of in vitro matured (IVM) ovine oocytes. IVM oocytes were randomly divided into four experimental (vitrified) and one control (fresh) groups. Experimental groups were treated with different concentrations (0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 M) of trehalose. After warming, some viable oocytes were exposed to 0.25% pronase to test zona pellucida hardening, whereas the others were fertilized and cultured in vitro for 8 days to evaluate their developmental competence. Blastocysts quality was assessed by differential staining and TUNEL test. Survival and developmental rates of oocytes vitrified in the presence of 0.5 M trehalose were significantly higher than those of the other vitrified groups. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between fresh and vitrified groups in total blastocyst rate. Analysis of blastocysts quality also revealed a significant difference between the group treated with 0.5 M trehalose and other groups in terms of apoptotic index. Furthermore,zona pellucida digestion time period was longer in trehalose‐free (0.0 M) group compared to other groups. In conclusion, we found that IVM ovine oocytes vitrified in solutions containing 0.5 M trehalose are fertilization‐competent and are able to produce good‐quality blastocysts with an apoptotic index comparable to that of the fresh oocytes. Therefore, 0.5 M may be considered the optimum concentration of trehalose to be used in solutions prepared for vitrification of oocytes.     

Oxygen tension and medium supplements for in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes cultured individually in a chemically defined medium

The effects of adding cysteamine, EGF, and glucose as an energy substrate under low oxygen tension during in vitro maturation (IVM) were examined to find ways of improving the individual in vitro production (IVP) system in individually cultured bovine oocytes. The basic medium was mSOFaa containing 1 mg/ml polyvinyl alcohol. Immature oocytes were individually cultured in an IVM medium with 10 ng/ml EGF, 100 microM cysteamine, or EGF plus cysteamine under 20% or 5% O(2). Cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly higher (P<0.05) in IVM culture was under 20% O(2) than in culture under 5% O(2). Under 5% O(2), neither EGF nor cysteamine improved embryonic development. The proportion of matured oocytes was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the presence of 1.5 mM glucose under 20% O(2) (68.6%), and 5.5 mM (66.7%) and 10 mM (65.5%) glucose under 5% O(2). The presence of 5.5 mM glucose significantly (P<0.05) increased the maturation rate compared with the absence of glucose, irrespective of addition of EGF and cysteamine. The addition of cysteamine alone in the maturation medium significantly (P<0.05) increased the intracellular GSH concentration in the oocytes. Also, under 5% O(2) cysteamine and/or EGF significantly (P<0.05) improved the proportions of penetrated oocytes, cleavage and blastocyst formation, which were similar levels to those of oocytes matured under 20% O(2). After vitrification, the re-expanding and hatching rates of blastocysts derived from the individual IVP system containing cysteamine under 5% O(2) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of blastocysts derived from the individual IVP system without cysteamine under 5% O(2) and the group IVP system under 20% O(2). The present study showed that a high glucose level (5.5 or 10 mM) was optimal in IVM culture under low (5%) oxygen tension. The addition of EGF and/or cysteamine to the maturation medium had no positive effect on nuclear maturation, but improved fertilizability, developmental competence and cryoresistance following vitrification, probably due to increased GSH synthesis during the IVM process.