Exposure to L-Ascorbic Acid or α-Tocopherol Facilitates the Development of Porcine Denuded Oocytes from Metaphase I to Metaphase II and Prevents Cumulus Cells from Fragmentation

It is known that alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can modulate many biochemical processes intracellularly or extracellularly as antioxidants. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of alpha-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid on porcine oocyte meiotic maturation, viability and the functions of cumulus cells. In two independent experiments, porcine oocytes with or free from cumulus cells were exposed to different levels of alpha-tocopherol (0, 10, 100 and 200 microM) or L-ascorbic acid (0, 50, 250 and 750 microM). Cumulus expansion, cumulus cell DNA fragmentation, meiotic maturation and degeneration of oocytes were assessed 48 h after in vitro culture. The results showed that: (1) neither alpha-tocopherol nor L-ascorbic acid influenced cumulus expansion but both prevented cumulus cell DNA fragmentation. (2) Alpha-tocopherol lowered the percentage of denuded oocytes (DOs) arrested at germinal vesicle stage (GV). Among the oocytes undergoing germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) proportion, fewer DOs treated by alpha-tocopherol were at metaphase I (MI) and more at metaphase II (MII). L-ascorbic acid caused lower percentage of DOs arrested at GV stage and higher percentage of DOs undergoing GVBD, especially at MII. The influences of alpha-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid were not obvious in cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEOs). (3) Both vitamins compromised the viability of CEOs and DOs. These results indicate that exposure to alpha-tocopherol or L-ascorbic acid promotes the development of porcine DOs from MI to MII and prevents cumulus cell DNA fragmentation at certain levels, especially 10 microM alpha-tocopherol or 250 microM L-ascorbic acid.     

培养介质、卵丘细胞和卵泡直径对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

A类卵母细胞在mTCM 199、NCSU2 3和NCSU37体系中培养 4 4～ 5 2小时后 ,成熟率分别为 76 .1%、78.1%和 6 5 .2 %。前两者差异不显著 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,但显著高于后者 (P <0 .0 5 )。卵母细胞在添加eCG和hCG的NCSU2 3体系中的成熟率 (75 .6 % )明显高于添加FSH的LH和成熟率 (6 5 .2 % ) (P <0 .0 5 )。A、B、C三类卵母细胞在NCSU2 3的成熟率分别为 73.3%、6 0 .4 %和 11.0 % ,三者间差异显著 (P <0 .0 5 )。大 (ф >6mm)、中 (ф =3～ 6mm)和小 (ф <3mm)三种卵泡中的卵母细胞在NCSU2 3中培养后 ,成熟率分别为 5 6 .2 % ,78.1%和 5 1.9% ,中等卵泡中卵母胞的体外成熟率显著高于其他两组 (P <0 .0 5 )。     

卵丘细胞对卵母细胞成熟、受精和胚胎发育的影响试验

将从猪卵巢上获取的卵母细胞根据卵丘细胞层数的多少分为两类,并将这两类卵母细胞进行成熟培养、体外受精和孤雌激活,以验证两类卵母细胞的发育潜能.结果显示,将两类卵母细胞分别进行成熟培养时,优级卵的成熟率高于次级卵（67.42±177;1.52％vs 48.33±177;2.85％）,且差异极显著（P＜0.01）;将成熟的卵母细胞进行孤雌激活后,优级卵的囊胚率高于次级卵（58.00±177;2.88％ vs 41.00±177;6.40％）,且差异极显著（P＜0.01）,但囊胚总细胞教两者无显著差异（P＞0.05）;将成熟的卵母细胞进行体外受精后,优级卵的囊胚率、囊胚总细胞数均高于次级卵（18.00土5.70％ vs 4.25±177;2.31％,41.7±177;3.33 vs 36.2土2.10）,且差异极显著（P＜0.01）;进行受精卵孵育时,未去除卵丘细胞的胚胎卵裂率、囊胚率、囊胚总细胞数均高于去除卵丘细胞的（88.14土7.48％ vs 58.69±177;2.89％,51.2±177;7.33％ vs 11.92±177;2.29％,41.7±177;3.33 vs 36.8±177;3.15）,且差异极显著（P＜0.01）.以上结果说明：卵丘细胞层数较多的卵母细胞成熟率高,且其孤雌和体外受精胚胎的发育潜能也好;卵丘细胞存在时,有助于卵母细胞的受精及以后的胚胎发育.     

半胱氨酸对猪卵母细胞体外成熟、体外受精及GSH水平的影响

体外受精技术也称胚胎生产技术（invitro production,IVP）,包括卵母细胞的体外成熟、精子的获能、卵子的体外受精和受精卵的体外培养等几个连续的过程。半胱氨酸是GSH的前体物质,在牛体外胚胎生产过程中疏基复合物能增加细胞内GSH的合成,在受精和胚胎的开始阶段保持高浓度GSH可以增加发育率。试验的目的是评价半胱氨酸对猪卵母细胞的成熟率、受精率及成熟培养时期卵母细胞内GSH水平的影响,现报道如下。     

Effect of the Removal of Cumulus Cells on the Nuclear Maturation, Fertilization and Development of Porcine Oocytes

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of attachment of cumulus cells to porcine oocytes during the process of maturation and fertilization on the nuclear maturation, fertilization and subsequent development after in vitro fertilization (IVF). In the first experiment, the cumulus cells were removed from cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) at 0, 24 and 42 h after the onset of maturation culture and were then cultured until reaching 42 h of cultivation. In the second experiment, COCs were denuded as described in the first experiment, then fertilized and cultured for 7 days. As a control, cumulus cells were allowed to maintain attachment to the oocytes until the end of IVF. The proportion of oocytes reaching metaphase II significantly increased with the delay in the removal treatment of cumulus cells. The proportion of normal fertilization gradually increased with delay in the removal treatment of cumulus cells from COCs until the end of IVF. However, no significant difference in the proportion of normal fertilization was found between the 42-h and control groups. The removal treatment of cumulus cells in the 0- and 24-h group significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the proportion of cleaved embryos when compared with the control, and none of them developed to the blastocyst stage. The proportion of development to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the control group than in the 42-h group (18.1% vs 12.4%; p < 0.05). The present study indicates that the attachment of cumulus cells to the oocyte during maturation and fertilization is important to support oocyte nuclear maturation, fertilization and subsequent embryo development. Particularly, the attachment of cumulus cells to the oocyte during IVF promotes embryonic development.     

卵丘细胞与卵母细胞解离对小鼠卵子体外成熟及受精的影响

卵丘细胞与卵母细胞的解离会降低小鼠卵母细胞的成熟质量,该研究将解离所得裸卵用不同种成分明确的成熟培养液进行体外成熟、体外受精、体外发育,从而确定卵丘细胞与卵母细胞的解离对小鼠卵母细胞成熟、受精、发育的影响,并通过筛选建立起最优的试验体系,为去除卵丘细胞的卵母细胞体外成熟质量的提高及后续研究提供参考依据。结果显示,裸卵的成熟率与成熟培养液的选择密切相关,TYH组、HTF组极显著优于M199组、α-MEM组;卵丘细胞与卵母细胞的解离与否对受精率的影响是巨大的,解离后(10%～28%)与解离前(48%～76%)差异极为显著(P<0.01);卵丘细胞与卵母细胞的解离与否对发育率的影响未发现显著差别(P>0.05)。因此,卵丘细胞与卵母细胞的解离主要影响了小鼠卵母细胞的体外受精率,通过选用适当的培养液可以相对改善该情况。     

In Vitro Fertilization and Development of Porcine Oocytes Matured in Follicular Fluid

This study was conducted to assess the fertilization and development of porcine oocytes matured in a solo follicular fluid (pFF) using different in vitro culture systems and insemination periods. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), follicular cells (FCs), and pFF were collected from the follicles of ovaries. The pFF was used as a maturation medium (MpFF) after supplementation with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and antibiotics. The COCs were matured in a 15 ml test tube containing 3.5 ml of MpFF with FCs (5.2 × 10⁶ cells/ml; rotating culture system) or 2 ml of MpFF without FCs in a 35-mm petri dish (static culture system) for 44 to 48 h. After maturation culture, oocytes were co-incubated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa for 5 h and then cultured for 7 days. The total mean rates of sperm penetration, normal fertilization, male pronucleus (MPN) formation, cleavage, and development to the blastocyst stage of oocytes after insemination were significantly higher (P<0.01) in the rotating culture system than in the static culture system. In conclusion, compared with the static culture system, the rotating culture system is adequate for the production of developmentally competent porcine oocytes when MpFF is used as a maturation medium.     

共培养系统的体细胞类型和状态对猪胚胎早期发育的影响

经体外成熟、受精和培养获得猪胚胎 ,采用体细胞共培养研究了体细胞类型和状态对胚胎早期发育的影响。取体外成熟的不同直径卵泡 (>5 m m,2～ 5 mm)卵母细胞的卵丘团 (颗粒细胞团 ) ,培养铺层后与猪受精卵共培养 ,组间受精卵的卵裂率和发育能力无显著差异 ;根据卵巢的状况对猪输卵管上皮细胞 (POECs)的状态进行分组 ,受精卵和卵巢表面布满卵泡的 POECs共培养 ,卵裂率显著低于卵巢表面有黄体和 /或红体的 POECs共培养组 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,虽然各组间 3～ 4-细胞的发育率无显著差异 ,但卵巢表面有红体和卵泡的 POECs共培养组的 >4-细胞的发育率显著高于卵巢表面布满卵泡的 POECs共培养组 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;受精卵在共培养系统和非共培养系统中的卵裂率无显著差异 ,受精卵非共培养系统中 3～ 4-细胞的发育能力显著低于颗粒细胞共培养组 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,极显著低于 POECs共培养组 (P<0 .0 1) ,无能力突破 4-细胞继续发育 ,与颗粒细胞单层、POECs单层共培养的受精卵 >4-细胞的发育率分别为 2 4.0 %、5 3.8% ,差异显著 (P<0 .0 5 )。结果表明 ,共培养系统对胚胎体外发育的作用 ,一方面与体细胞类型有关 ,另一方面也受输卵管上皮细胞状态的影响     

Effect of Porcine and Ovine FSH on Nuclear Maturation of Pig Oocytes In Vitro

The effect of porcine or ovine FSH on the maturation rate of porcine oocytes and on the time course of meiotic progression was studied. Groups of 20 grade‐A cumulus oocyte complexes, aspirated from slaughterhouse cycling‐gilt ovaries, were cultured in vitro in 400 μl of Modified Parker's Medium supplemented with oestrous cow serum and porcine FSH (Folltropin®‐V, 0.50 mg/ml) or ovine FSH (Ovagen^TM, 0.44 iu/ml), in four‐well dishes under mineral oil, at 38.5°C, 5% CO₂ in humidified air. At the end of each 3‐h interval, from 3 to 42 h of culture, the nuclear status of oocytes was assessed microscopically (1000×), after fixation (methanol/acetic acid: 3/1) and orcein (2%) staining. Oocytes were classified as (i) immature (IMM), i.e. oocytes at germinal vesicle stage, germinal vesicle break down and prophase I, (ii) metaphase I (MI) and (iii) metaphase II (MII), i.e. oocytes at anaphase I, telophase I and metaphase II. Data were analysed using regression analysis, chi‐square and t‐test. Nuclear status was assessed in 1610 oocytes (porcine FSH: 787, ovine FSH: 823). Most of the oocytes were at MI from 24 to 33 h (porcine FSH 60.27%, ovine FSH 42.80%, p < 0.001) and at MII from 36 to 42 h (porcine FSH 80.38%, ovine FSH 67.45%, p < 0.01) of culture. Significantly higher maturation rate was observed in porcine FSH than in ovine FSH treated oocytes (86.69 ± 12.97%, 71.34 ± 9.86%, mean ± SD, p < 0.05), after 42 h of culture. In conclusion, under the specific culture conditions, porcine FSH seems to support pig oocyte maturation better than ovine FSH.     

促卵泡素与促黄体素对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

本试验探讨了促性腺激素(FSH、LH)对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响,最终找到了其合理的使用剂量。在成熟液中添加LH浓度分别为1、5、10 IU/mL时,与没有添加FSH与LH的对照组(15.9%)相比,成熟率有显著提高,成熟率分别为49.1%、30.0%、36.3%。LH浓度为1 IU/mL的实验组成熟率最高,显著高于对照组(p<0.05);然后以成熟液中只添加1 IU/mLLH为对照组,试验组分别添加1、5、10 IU/mLFSH。试验结果表明:添加FSH浓度为5和10 IU/ml时其成熟率分别为40.1%、27.6%,低于对照组(49.0%)。添加FSH浓度为1 IU/mL时其成熟率(49.1%)高于对照组(49.0%),但差异不显著(p>0.05)。两组试验同时得出,随着LH与FSH添加浓度的增加,成熟率呈下降趋势。通过本试验结果得出,在体外成熟培养猪卵母细胞时,各添加1 IU/mL LH与FSH时,得到最佳的成熟效果。     

透明质酸对牛卵母细胞体外成熟影响的研究

在改良的基础培养液中添加HA,主要探讨HA对牛卵母细胞成熟的影响。结果表明,当mTCM-199中HA浓度为3．0mg／mL时,第一极体排出率和卵裂率显著高于其他各组（P〈0．05）,初步表明3．0mg／mL是无血清培养中HA的最佳浓度。当在mTC-199中添加HA、BSA和OCS时,OCS组的第一极体排出率显著高于其他两组（P〈0．05）,分别为83．40％、84．33％和92．17％,但HA组与BSA差异不显著（P〉0．05）;卵裂率三者差异均不显著（P〉0．05）;表明在无血清培养中HA可代替BSA,但是培养的效果不如血清。HA在mTCM-199和mSOF基础培养基中,对卵母细胞的第一极体排出率和卵裂率无明显差异（P〉0．05）。表明在无血清培养下,HA在复杂和简单的培养液中都支持卵母细胞的成熟。     

透明质酸对牛卵母细胞体外成熟影响的研究

在改良的基础培养液中添加HA,主要探讨HA对牛卵母细胞成熟的影响。结果表明,当mTCM-199中HA浓度为3．0 mg/mL时,第一极体排出率和卵裂率显著高于其他各组 (P<0．05),初步表明3．0 mg/mL是无血清培养中HA的最佳浓度。当在mTC-199中添加 HA、BSA和OCS时,OCS组的第一极体排出率显著高于其他两组(P<0．05),分别为 83．40％、84．33％和92．17％,但HA组与BSA差异不显著(P>0．05);卵裂率三者差异均不显著(P>0．05);表明在无血清培养中HA可代替BSA,但是培养的效果不如血清。HA在 mTCM-199和mSOF基础培养基中,对卵母细胞的第一极体排出率和卵裂率无明显差异(P >0．05)。表明在无血清培养下,HA在复杂和简单的培养液中都支持卵母细胞的成熟。     

Effects of N‐acetyl‐cysteine and N‐acetyl‐cysteine‐amide Supplementation on In Vitro Matured Porcine Oocytes

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of the antioxidant N‐acetyl‐cysteine (NAC) supplemented to the maturation medium on porcine embryo development. Concentrations of NAC and its synthetic derivative, NAC‐amide (NACA) were evaluated for effects on nuclear maturation, fertilization success and embryo development. Concentrations of NAC (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mm ) were supplemented to maturing oocytes, and embryo development was analysed at 48 and 144 h post‐fertilization. There were no differences among cleavage rates for any of the treatment groups. Blastocyst formation for 1.5 mm NAC (56.5 ± 9.2%) was higher (p < 0.05) than all other supplementations. There were no differences in nuclear maturation or fertilization or in cleavage rates when comparing 1.5 mm NAC and 1.5 mm NACA supplementation to the control. Blastocyst formation for 1.5 mm NAC (44.4 ± 4.7%) and 1.5 mm NACA (46.2 ± 3.4%) supplementation were higher (p < 0.05) than the control (32.1 ± 6.2%) oocytes. These results indicate that supplementing 1.5 mm of NAC or NACA to the oocyte maturation medium increased the percentage of viable embryos reaching the blastocyst stage of development.     

猪卵泡卵母细胞的体外成熟与体外受精

本试验对猪卵泡卵母细胞不同体外成熟培养时间、不同精子获能时间、不同精卵共孵育时间对体外受精的影响进行了研究。结果表明,体外成熟培养44 h左右,精子获能时间在1～2 h之间,精卵共孵育时间在6～8 h之间,受精后卵裂率最高。     

Influence of the Cumulus and Gonadotropins on the Metabolic Profile of Porcine Cumulus–Oocyte Complexes During In Vitro Maturation

The aim of this work was to examine the influence of the cumulus and gonadotropins on the metabolic profile of porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro maturation. Immature COCs were assigned to morphological classes A₁ (with a dense cumulus), A₂ (with a translucent cumulus), B₁ (with the corona radiata), B₂ (with only some remaining cumulus cells) and matured with or without gonadotropins. Glycolysis and ammonia production were higher in the A class COCs; gonadotropins increased both, especially in the A₁ COCs (p < 0.05). The A class COCs had the highest initial protein contents and at the end of in vitro maturation. Furthermore, hormonal stimulation induced a similar increase in protein contents of both A classes (p < 0.05). The neutral lipid content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were similar in the immature oocytes of the COCs of all classes. A reduction was seen in both these variables when maturation proceeded either in the presence or absence of gonadotropins. The cumulus type surrounding the oocyte is related to the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids by the COC during in vitro maturation under gonadotropic stimulation. Oocyte lipolytic activity and ROS production appear to be independent of the surrounding cumulus and the presence of gonadotropins.     

Effect of Follicle Stimulation Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone on Cumulus Cell Expansion and In Vitro Nuclear Maturation of Canine Oocytes

In general, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) play important roles in the regulation of cumulus cell expansion and oocyte maturation. We investigated the effects of supplementation of FSH or LH in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium on the incidence of cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation in canine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS), 1 mg/ml cysteine, 0.2 mm pyruvic acid and different concentrations of FSH or LH (control, 0.5, 5 or 50 microg/ml) at 38.5 degrees C, 5% CO(2) in air for 72 h. The cumulus cell expansion was measured by microscopic visualization, and nuclear maturation of denuded oocytes was determined by staining with 10 microg/ml Hoechst33342 for 30 min. The cumulus cell expansion in the 5 microg/ml FSH group (397.2 +/- 64.3 microm) was significantly higher than those in the control, 0.5, and 50 microg/ml FSH groups (168.3 +/- 19.1, 286.0 +/- 69.7 and 300.0 +/- 84.3 microm, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in cumulus cell expansion among the control, 0.5, 5 and 50 microg/ml LH groups (165.6 +/- 20.2, 160 +/- 26.5, 172 +/- 20.5 and 168 +/- 23.1 microm, respectively; p > 0.05). After 72 h of IVM, the proportion of nuclear development to the MI-MII stage in the 0.5 microg/ml FSH group (15.1%) was higher than those in the control, 0.5 and 50 microg/ml FSH groups (0.9%, 6.5% and 8.0%, respectively; p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in nuclear maturation to the MI-MII stage among control, 0.5, 5 and 50 microg/ml LH groups (4.6%, 2.3%, 5.4% and 8.6%, respectively; p > 0.05). This study indicated that a FSH supplement in IVM medium can increase cumulus cell expansion and nuclear maturation, while the nuclear maturation rate remained low. Further studies are required to improve the nuclear development to the MI-MII stages in canine oocytes.     

Influence of Cysteamine on In Vitro Maturation, In Vitro and In Vivo Fertilization of Equine Oocytes

The effect of cysteamine on in vitro nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of equine oocytes collected by transvaginal ultrasound guided follicular aspiration was assessed. Oocytes were matured in vitro with (cysteamine group) or without (control group) cysteamine. The nuclear stage after DNA Hoechst staining, penetration rates after two different in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques (IVF media with ionophore and Hepes buffer with heparin) and the embryo yield following oocyte intra-oviductal transfer were used as a criterion for assessing nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, respectively. Contrary to the data described in other domestic species, there was no effect of cysteamine on in vitro nuclear maturation, IVF or in vivo embryonic development under our conditions. Ovum pick up yields (52%) and maturation rates (control group: 47% and cysteamine group: 55%) were similar to those previously reported. From 57 oocytes transferred to the oviduct in each group, the number of embryos collected was 10 (17%) in the control group and five in the cysteamine group (9%). Those two percentages were not statistically different (p > 0.05). No effect of IVF technique was seen on the success rate (6%) in each group.     

牛卵丘细胞对卵母细胞体外成熟与孤雌发育的影响

试验以牛卵泡内卵丘-卵母细胞复合体(COCs)为材料,探讨了牛卵丘细胞包裹程度对卵母细胞体外成熟(IVM)和孤雌胚胎(PAEs)发育的影响。试验1,将COCs随机分为2组,在开展IVM前,将其中一组COCs的卵丘细胞机械吹打去除成为机械裸卵(DOs),研究卵丘细胞层存在与否对卵母细胞体外核成熟(排出第一极体)和孤雌激活后发育能力的影响;试验2,根据COCs卵丘细胞包裹层数将COCs分为3组,即卵丘细胞层少(1～4层)的COCs为A组、卵丘细胞层多(5层以上)的COCs为B组及包裹5层以上卵丘细胞且附带卵泡壁颗粒细胞层(FSP)的COCs为C组,研究卵丘细胞层包裹程度对卵母细胞的体外核成熟和孤雌激活后胚胎发育能力的影响。结果表明:卵丘细胞的存在更有利于卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌胚胎发育;COCs中卵丘细胞包裹层数对卵母细胞体外核成熟率没有显著影响,但包裹卵丘细胞层数多且附带FSP的卵母细胞,其PAEs的囊胚率显著高于包裹卵丘细胞少的卵母细胞PAEs。     

甘氨酸对猪卵母细胞体外成熟质量及卵丘细胞的影响

本实验旨在研究甘氨酸对卵丘细胞及卵母细胞体外成熟质量的影响,优化猪卵母细胞体外成熟(IVM)培养体系。在猪卵母细胞体外成熟培养液中添加6 mmol/L甘氨酸,体外培养至44 h后,通过倒置显微镜测量卵丘细胞扩散直径,结合流式细胞术与qPCR检测卵丘细胞凋亡情况;进一步检测成熟卵母细胞中谷胱甘肽(GSH)、细胞成熟促进因子(MPF)和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)水平及细胞成熟相关基因表达。结果表明:甘氨酸能显著提高卵丘细胞扩散直径,减少卵丘细胞的总凋亡率,并能显著提高卵丘细胞中Bcl-2的mRNA表达;甘氨酸能显著增加成熟卵母细胞中的GSH、MPF和MAPK水平以及成熟相关基因BMP15、GDF9、CyclinB1、CDK1、C-MOS的mRNA表达。综上可知,甘氨酸可提高猪卵母细胞体外成熟质量,降低卵丘细胞凋亡率。