Effect of Sericin Supplementation During In Vitro Maturation on the Maturation,Fertilization and Development of Porcine Oocytes

This study aimed to examine the effects of sericin supplementation during in vitro oocyte maturation on the nuclear maturation, fertilization and development of porcine oocytes. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in maturation medium supplemented with 0 (control), 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0% sericin and were then subjected to in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. More COCs matured with 1.0% sericin underwent germinal vesicle breakdown and reached metaphase II compared with the control COCs matured without sericin (p < 0.01). The proportions of oocytes with DNA‐fragmented nuclei did not differ between the groups, regardless of the sericin level. The total fertilization rate of oocytes matured with 1.0% sericin was higher (p < 0.05) than that of oocytes matured with 0.1%, 2.5% and 5.0% sericin. Supplementation with more than 1.0% sericin decreased the DNA fragmentation index of the blastocysts compared with the control group (p < 0.05). However, the supplementation of the maturation medium with sericin had no beneficial effects on the cleavage, development to the blastocyst stage and the total cell number of the embryos. Our findings indicate that supplementation with 1.0% sericin during maturation culture may improve the nuclear maturation and the quality of the embryos but does not affect blastocyst formation.     

Evaluation of Zona Pellucida Function for Sperm Penetration During In Vitro Fertilization in Pigs

In porcine oocytes, the function of the zona pellucida (ZP) with regard to sperm penetration or prevention of polyspermy is not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the ZP on sperm penetration during in vitro fertilization (IVF). We collected in vitro-matured oocytes with a first polar body (ZP+ oocytes). Some of them were freed from the ZP (ZP− oocytes) by two treatments (pronase and mechanical pipetting), and the effects of these treatments on sperm penetration parameters (sperm penetration rate and numbers of penetrated sperm per oocyte) were evaluated. There was no evident difference in the parameters between the two groups. Secondly, we compared the sperm penetration parameters of ZP+ and ZP− oocytes using frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa from four boars. Sperm penetration into ZP+ oocytes was found to be accelerated relative to ZP− oocytes. Thirdly, we evaluated the sperm penetration of ZP+ and ZP− oocytes at 1−10 h after IVF (3 h gamete co-incubation). The proportions of oocytes penetrated by sperm increased significantly with time in both groups; however, the number of penetrated sperm per oocyte did not increase in ZP− oocytes. Finally, we performed IVF using ZP− oocytes divided into control (3 h) and prolonged gamete co-incubation (5 h) groups. Greater numbers of sperm penetrated in the 5 h group than in the control group. These results suggest that the ZP and oolemma are not competent factors for prevention of polyspermy in our present porcine IVF system. However, it appears that ZP removal is one of the possibilities for reducing polyspermic penetration in vitro in pigs.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

不同浓度CO2对牛卵母细胞体外成熟和受精的影响

对牛卵巢卵泡内卵母细胞在不同浓度的CO2培养箱内体外成熟、体外受精后的卵裂率及胚胎体外发育进行了研究。结果显示,含5%小牛血清(CS)的TCM-199内的卵母细胞在2%CO2条件下培养20h后,达到第二次减数分裂期(MⅡ期)的卵子数明显高于在5%CO2条件下培养的卵母细胞数(P<0.05)。两种浓度的CO2条件下培养的牛卵母细胞体外受精后的卵裂率无明显差异,2%CO2浓度下培养的卵母细胞的囊胚发育率高于5%CO2浓度下培养的卵母细胞。     

铁对牛卵母细胞体外成熟和体外受精的影响

本试验研究铁对体外生产牛胚胎的影响。从屠宰场收集牛卵巢,抽取卵巢表面的卵母细胞,采用体外成熟和体外受精的方法,研究不同浓度的铁(0.45mg/L,0.81mg/L,1.96mg/L,2.78mg/L)对牛卵母细胞体外成熟和体外受精的影响。结果如下:当卵母细胞在体外培养22h时,不同浓度的铁之间对卵母细胞体外成熟影响较小,差异不显著(p>0.05),且与对照组之间差异不显著(p>0.05);在体外受精的研究中,铁浓度为1.96mg/L和2.78mg/L的受精卵培养液可以明显提高8细胞胚胎发育率,差异显著(p<0.05);铁浓度为1.96mg/L的受精卵培养液可以明显提高囊胚发育率,囊胚发育率为31.6%,与其他浓度的铁相比,差异显著(p<0.05)。本试验结果说明:在卵母细胞体外成熟阶段,培养液中的铁对卵母细胞体外成熟没有影响,但对受精后早期胚胎的发育有促进作用,1.96mg/L是比较合适的早期胚胎培养液中铁的添加量。     

Microdroplet In Vitro Fertilization Can Reduce the Number of Spermatozoa Necessary for Fertilizing Oocytes

Successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) in mice has been achieved using spermatozoa at concentrations specifically optimized for the experimental conditions, such as species and source of spermatozoa. Although IVF in mice is mostly performed using about 80–500 µl drops, it is expected that the number of spermatozoa used for insemination can be reduced by decreasing the size of the IVF drops. The present study was undertaken to examine the extent to which the number of spermatozoa used for IVF could be reduced by using small droplets (1 µl). We devised the experimental parameters using frozen–thawed spermatozoa from C57BL/6 mice in anticipation of broader applications to other mouse facilities. We found that as few as 5 spermatozoa per droplet could fertilize oocytes (1 or 3 oocytes per droplet), although the fertilization rates were low (13–15%). Practical fertilization rates (> 40%) could be achieved with frozen-thawed C57BL/6J spermatozoa, which are sensitive to cryopreservation, when 20 sperm per droplet were used to inseminate 3 oocytes. Even with spermatozoa from a very poor quality suspension (10% motility), about 25% of oocytes were fertilized. Our calculations indicate that the number of inseminated spermatozoa per oocyte can be reduced to 1/96–1/240 by this method. In two separate embryo transfer experiments, 60% and 47%, respectively, of embryos developed to term. Our microdroplet IVF method may be particularly advantageous when only a limited number of motile spermatozoa are available because of inadequate freezing-thawing or genetic reasons.     

马卵母细胞体外成熟的研究进展

随着全球马产业的发展,马发挥的经济价值越来越大。辅助生殖技术有利于发挥优良马匹的潜在价值。马卵母细胞体外成熟(IVM)是辅助生殖技术重要的组成部分,卵母细胞的获取是体外成熟的前提,切刮法能从离体卵巢中获得较多的马卵母细胞,而活体采卵技术(OPU)则能持续地获得卵母细胞,并能较好的保存马卵母细胞的发育能力。扩张型卵母细胞的成熟率高于紧密型卵母细胞,母马的年龄会影响到其卵母细胞的质量。马卵母细胞体外存放较长时间不会影响其发育能力,现在已有较为成熟的体系能使马卵母细胞在体外保存24 h以上而不影响其成熟率。在马卵母细胞成熟体系中常用的基础培养液是M199,添加胎牛血清(FBS)、促卵泡素(FSH)、促黄体生成素(LH)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)等物质能显著提高成熟率,常用培养环境为38~39℃,5%CO2饱和湿度下培养,培养时间30 h。成熟的卵母细胞有扩张的卵丘细胞和极体,且成熟的卵母细胞的细胞骨架及微管结构也会发生变化。本文针对马卵母细胞的采集和体外成熟培养的相关研究进行总结,重点阐述了不同采集技术的回收率以及影响马卵母细胞体外成熟率的关键因素,以期对今后马卵母细胞体外成熟的进一步研究及后期体外受精技术的发展提供借鉴与参考。     

不同成熟时间的猪卵母细胞对体外受精的影响及孤雌发育

采用NCSU-37为体外成熟、受精、培养体系,比较不同成熟时间46h、58h和70h的猪卵母细胞对体外受精的影响和孤雌发育。结果显示,猪卵母细胞在体外成熟培养46h、58h和70h后,46h培养组的卵母细胞体外受精后的卵裂率明显低于58h和70h培养组(P<0.05),但囊胚发育率明显高于其他两组(P<0.05)。46h组的孤雌发育率明显高于其他两组(P<0.05),囊胚发育率三组之间无显著差异。表明猪卵母细胞体外成熟培养时间延长,体外受精后的囊胚发育率降低,孤雌发育率相应增加。     

Phosphofructokinase and Malate Dehydrogenase Participate in the In Vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes

Oocyte maturation depends on the metabolic activity of cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) that performs nutritive and regulatory functions during this process. In this work, the enzymes [phosphofructokinase (PFK) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH)] were tested to elucidate the metabolic profile of porcine COCs during the in vitro maturation (IVM). Enzymatic activity was expressed in U/COC and U/mg protein (specific activity) as mean ± SEM. In vitro maturation was performed with 2‐oxoglutarate (5, 10 and 20 mm ) or hydroxymalonate (30, 60 and 100 mm ) inhibitors of PFK and MDH, respectively. The PFK and MDH activities (U) remained constant during maturation. For PFK, the U were (2.48 ± 0.23) 10^?5 and (2.54 ± 0.32) 10^?5, and for MDH, the U were (4.72 ± 0.42) 10^?5 and (4.38 ± 0.25) 10^?5 for immature and in vitro matured COCs, respectively. The specific activities were significantly lower after IVM, for PFK (4.29 ± 0.48) 10^?3 and (0.94 ± 0.12) 10^?3, and for MDH (9.08 ± 0.93) 10^?3 and (1.89 ± 0.10) 10^?3 for immature and in vitro matured COCs, respectively. In vitro maturation percentages and enzymatic activity diminished with 20 mm 2‐oxoglutarate or 60 mm hydroxymalonate (p < 0.05). Viability was not affected by any concentration of the inhibitors evaluated. The U remained unchanged during IVM; however, the increase in the total protein content per COC provoked a decrease in the specific activity of both enzymes. Phosphofructokinase and MDH necessary for oocyte IVM would be already present in the immature oocyte. The presence of inhibitors of these enzymes impairs the meiotic maturation. Therefore, the participation of these enzymes in the energy metabolism of the porcine oocyte during IVM is confirmed in this study.     

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.     

In Vitro Maturation and Fertilization of Buffalo Oocytes: Effects of Storage of Ovaries, IVM Temperatures, Storage of Processed Sperm and Fertilization Media

Studies were conducted to examine the possibility of preserving slaughterhouse‐derived buffalo ovaries at 4°C for 0 (control), 12 and 24 h to maintain the developmental competence of the oocytes (experiment 1), to assess the effect of incubation temperature during oocyte maturation on rates of in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of buffalo oocytes and embryo development (experiment 2), and to examine the effect of storage at 25°C for 0 (control), 4 and 8 h of frozen–thawed buffalo sperm and BO and H‐TALP as sperm processing and fertilization media on cleavage and embryo development in vitro of buffalo oocytes (experiment 3) in order to optimize the IVF technology in buffalo. Results suggested that storage of ovaries at 4°C for 12 or 24 h significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the developmental potential of oocytes. Incubation temperatures during the IVM influenced the fertilization rate but had no significant effect on maturation and subsequent embryo development. The incubation temperature of 38.5°C during IVM was found to be optimum for embryo production in vitro. Storage of frozen–thawed sperm at 25°C for 8 h significantly (p < 0.05) decreased its ability to cleave the oocytes. Sperm processed in BO medium had significantly (p < 0.05) higher ability to cleave the oocytes than the H‐TALP medium.     

小鼠去透明带裸卵的体外受精及其胚胎发育

为了建立提高小鼠弱精子体外受精率的新方法 ,将小鼠宰杀在 2 0℃下搁置 14 h,然后取出附睾尾精子进行冷冻保存。用解冻后活力明显下降的精子 ,与去透明带裸卵进行体外受精。结果显示 ,与带有颗粒细胞卵的体外受精率(0 % )和透明带切开卵的体外受精率 (4%～ 31% )相比 ,去透明带卵的体外受精率增至 39%～ 6 8% (P<0 .0 1) ;体外受精所获的 2细胞胚 ,经培养有 74 %～ 10 0 %的胚胎发育至扩张囊胚 ;来自 BDF1雄性小鼠精子的 2细胞期体外受精胚 ,经体外培养至囊胚期后再移植 ,获得了正常新生小鼠。以上结果表明 ,去透明带裸卵与小鼠弱精子体外受精 ,可提高小鼠弱精子的利用率