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.     

Effect of Follicle Size on In Vitro Maturation of Pre‐Pubertal Porcine Cumulus Oocyte Complexes

Very small follicles (<3.0 mm diameter) are over‐represented on the surface of ovaries of non‐cycling pigs, and the oocytes collected from these follicles generally have reduced developmental competence in vitro. This study examined the effect of follicle size on the nuclear maturation (n = 608), the potential of parthenogenetic activation (n = 243) and the cyclic AMP (cAMP) content of pre‐pubertal porcine oocytes (n = 480). In addition, the influence of follicle size on steroid hormone synthesis was analysed. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) flushed from small (2.5–4.0 mm) or large (4.5–6.0 mm) ovarian follicles were cultured for 0, 28 and 46 h. After 46 h of IVM, a greater proportion of oocytes from 4.5‐ to 6.0‐mm follicles reach metaphase II (MII) compared with those from follicles with 2.5–4.0 mm of diameter (96.1 vs 77.0%, respectively; p < 0.001). Parthenogenetic activation of oocytes from large follicles produced higher developmental rates than oocytes from large follicles (p < 0.05). At 28 h, the IVM medium with oocytes from large follicles contained significantly more 17ß‐oestradiol (E₂) than the medium with oocytes from small follicles (5.55 vs 3.45 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.05) and at 46 h, the medium with oocytes from small follicles contained significantly more progesterone (P₄) than the medium with oocytes from large follicles (276.7 vs 108.2 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.05). Porcine oocytes from large follicles have higher nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation capacities, but the differences did not appear to be cAMP‐mediated. Our findings also suggest that COCs from small follicles undergo more intensive luteinization than COCs from large follicles. The results show that oocytes from follicles with a diameter greater than 4.0 mm are more suitable for in vitro studies.     

Effects of Follicular Fluid on the Transport of Porcine Oocytes into the Oviduct at Ovulation

Contents Three experiments were conducted to determine whether follicular fluid (FF) enters the oviduct and plays any role in the transport of oocytes into the oviduct. Experiment 1: Oestrus and ovulation were synchronized in cycling gilts (n = 21) over a 15 day period of feeding Regumate^® and injections of 1000 IU pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) 24 h after the last Regumate^® feed and 500 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) 80 h after PMSG. Ipsi-lateral aspiration of FF and salpingectomy (group 1, n = 7), aspiration of FF without salpingectomy (group 2, n = 7) or ligation of the oviduct between the ampulla and infundibulum (group 3, n = 7) was performed endoscopically prior to ovulation (34–36 h after hCG). Ipsi-lateral (group 2 and 3) and contra-lateral salpingectomy was carried out in all gilts post ovulation, 42–44 h after hCG. The oviducts were flushed with 1 ml saline and the samples as well as the aspirated FF were analysed for progesterone and estradiol by RIA methods. In group 1 both progesterone and estradiol concentrations did not differ before and after ovulation. Withdrawal of FF from the ipsi-lateral ovary by aspiration (group 2) or ligation of the oviduct (group 3) did not influence the steroid content within the oviducts. Similarly low progesterone concentrations were measured in ipsi- and contra-lateral oviducts after ovulation (group 2: 0.29 ± 0.17 versus 0.24 ± 0.35 ng/ml and group 3: 0.22 ± 0.19 versus 0.21 ± 0.22 ng/ml). The high content of progesterone of FF (269.7 ± 67.9 and 389.6 ± 226.5 ng/ml in group 1 and 2, respectively) was not reflected in the oviductal fluid. Experiment 2: In five gilts 0.06 ml ³H-progesterone (30 000 dpm) were applied via a fine 27 G injection needle into the largest three follicles of the ipsi-lateral ovary prior to ovulation (34–36 h after hCG). The oviducts were flushed following ovario-salpingectomy 42–44 h after hCG. All follicles had ovulated. The oviductal flushings and oviductal and ovarian tissue were analysed for labelled progesterone. No differences were measured in the content of ³H-progesterone of oviductal flushings and of both oviductal and ovarian tissues between the ipsi-lateral injection and contra-lateral control sides. The main part of the counts detected was within the range of background dpm values. Only 2.4% of the initial counts were recovered from fluid and tissue samples. Experiment 3: In a subsequent study FF was cautiously aspirated by endoscopy from follicles of the ipsi-lateral ovary 34–36 h after hCG (n = 12 gilts). Postovulatory (58 h after hCG), both oviducts were flushed and the oocytes were recovered. To test the influence of follicle puncture alone on the process of ovulation (n = 8 gilts), the aspiration needle alone was pricked into the follicles of the ipsi-lateral ovary, without any fluid aspiration. Despite the cautious aspiration of FF from 89 follicles, 26 oocytes were recovered together with the FF. Eighty-six postovulatory follicles were observed on the ipsi-lateral ovary. Out of 57 oocytes able to reach the oviduct, 29 oocytes were flushed from the oviduct (50.4 ± 28.1%). From the contra-lateral control oviduct 71 oocytes out of 91 ovulations (69.0 ± 33.9%) were recaptured. Puncture of follicles without aspiration did not influence ovulation compared with the control (recovery rate 68.2 and 79.6%, respectively). Results indicate (1) on the basis of the low progesterone level within the oviductal fluid that only a small amount of FF seems to reach the oviduct at ovulation, and (2) FF does not appear to be a compulsory carrier of the porcine oocyte at ovulation.     

Optimizing Electrical Activation of Porcine Oocytes by Adjusting Pre‐ and Post‐Activation Mannitol Exposure Times

Modifying electrical activation conditions have been used to improve in vitro embryo production and development in pigs. However, there is insufficient information about correlations of porcine embryo development with oocyte pre‐ and post‐activation conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare the developmental rates of porcine oocytes subjected to different mannitol exposure times, either pre‐ or post‐electrical activation, and to elucidate the reason for the optimal mannitol exposure time. Mannitol exposure times around activation were adjusted as 0, 1, 2 or 3 min. Blastocyst development were checked on day 7. Exposure of oocytes to mannitol for 1 or 2 min before electrical activation produced significantly higher blastocyst rates than exposure for 0 or 3 min. There was no significant difference in blastocyst rates when activated oocytes were exposed to mannitol for 0, 1, 2 or 3 min after electrical activation. While exposure of oocytes to mannitol for 1 min pre‐ and 3 min post‐activation showed significantly higher blastocyst development than 0 min pre‐ and 0 min post‐activation. It also showed higher maintenance of normal oocyte morphology than exposure for 0 min pre‐ and 0 min post‐activation. In conclusion, exposure of oocytes to mannitol for 1 min pre‐ and 3 min post‐activation seems to be optimal for producing higher in vitro blastocyst development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos. The higher blastocyst development is correlated with higher maintenance of normal morphology in oocytes exposed to mannitol for 1 min pre‐ and 3 min post‐activation.     

Cilostazol Improves Developmental Competence of Pig Oocytes by Increasing Intraoocyte Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Level and Delaying Meiotic Resumption

Cilostazol (CLZ) is a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulator that influences the steady state of the meiotic stage. This study was conducted to determine the effects of CLZ treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) on developmental competence of pig oocytes. Immature oocytes were exposed to 0 (control), 0.5, 2 and 4 μm CLZ during the first 22 h of IVM. Nuclear maturation, intraoocyte glutathione content and embryo cleavage after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) were not influenced by CLZ at any concentrations. However, 4 μm CLZ significantly (p < 0.05) improved blastocyst formation after PA (52.1% vs 38.7–46.0%) and SCNT relative to other concentrations (40.8% vs 25.0–30.7%). The mean cell numbers of SCNT blastocysts were significantly increased by 4 μm CLZ compared to the control (42.6 cells vs 35.3 cells/blastocyst). CLZ treatment significantly increased the intraoocyte cAMP level and effectively arrested oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) and GV break down stages compared to the control (74.5% vs 45.4%). Our results demonstrated that improved developmental competence of PA and SCNT pig embryos occurred via better synchronization of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation induced by increased cAMP and delayed meiotic resumption after CLZ treatment.     

Evaluation of Follicular Development and Oocyte Quality in Pre‐pubertal Cats

Our study was conducted to assess the follicular development and availability of sound ovarian oocytes for in vitro production (IVP) of embryos in pre‐pubertal cats. The relationship between body and ovarian weight was examined in 93 cats. The results revealed that ovarian weight rapidly increased until 100 days of estimated age. By histological evaluation of ovaries obtained from 11 pre‐pubertal cats with estimated age of <20, 20–40 and 100–120 days, it was clarified that the increase in ovarian weight during kitten growth accompanied the increase in the number and size of antral follicles. The follicular diameter and percentage of normal oocytes in secondary/antral follicles also increased as estimated age (body weight) increased. The oocytes obtained from pre‐pubertal cats with 100–120 days of estimated age were used for IVP of embryos. The results showed that the success rates of in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and development to blastocysts after in vitro culture in pre‐pubertal cats were lower than in sexually mature cats. However, the percentage of blastocysts based on the cleaved embryos and cell number of blastocysts in pre‐pubertal cats were comparable to those in mature cats. In conclusion, these results suggest that the ovaries of pre‐pubertal cats with ≥100 days of age contain oocytes with in vitro developmental competence to blastocysts.     

二丁酰环磷腺苷钙对肥育猪生长性能和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究二丁酰环磷腺苷钙对肥育猪生长性能和血清生化指标的影响。选取日龄和体重相近[(83.18±1.62)kg]、生长状况良好的"长×白×杜"三元杂交育肥猪18头,随机分成2组,每组9个重复。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中添加40 mg/kg的二丁酰环磷腺苷钙。试验期30 d。结果显示,与对照组相比:1)饲粮中添加二丁酰环磷腺苷钙使肥育猪日增重提高了30.12 g(P0.05);2)饲粮中添加二丁酰环磷腺苷钙显著降低了肥育猪血清乳酸脱氢酶活性(P0.05),同时显著提高了血清中尿素的含量(P0.05);3)饲粮中添加二丁酰环磷腺苷钙显著降低了肥育猪血清非必需氨基酸中的丝氨酸、甘氨酸和天冬氨酸的含量(P0.05),同时显著提高了必需氨基酸中的苏氨酸、色氨酸、缬氨酸、苯丙氨酸和异亮氨酸的含量(P0.05)。以上结果表明,二丁酰环磷腺苷钙在一定程度上能改善肥育猪的生长性能,这可能与其促进氨基酸的代谢相关。     

Effects of Different Oocyte Activation Procedures on Development and Gene Expression of Porcine Pre‐Implantation Embryos

Among the factors that affect the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in pigs, the activation protocol is the most variable among the current SCNT procedures. The aim of this study is focused on defining an efficient activation treatment of porcine oocytes. In Experiment 1, we studied the effects of nine different oocyte activation procedures (including chemical‐ and electrical‐based treatments) on parthenogenetic embryo development. In Experiment 2, we studied the effect of the more efficient activation procedures on the gene expression profile of Oct4 and Igf2r in parthenogenetic blastocysts. In conclusion, ionomycin as a first calcium stimulus is not able to activate porcine oocytes efficiently in comparison with electric procedures. Electrical treatments with 6‐DMAP significantly increased the level of Oct4 expression, whereas the single and double pulse treatments alone maintained the same profile as the IVF group.     

pFF对猪卵母细胞体外成熟及发育能力的影响

探讨了两种不同成分成熟液配方(I:含PMSG、hCG、pFF与II:含FSH、LH)对猪卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌激活发育能力的影响。结果表明:当卵母细胞分别在I和II液中成熟培养42 h后,卵母细胞存活率差异不显著(82.66%∶83.5%)(P>0.05)。对成熟卵母细胞孤雌激活后体外培养结果表明:I成熟培养组的卵母细胞卵裂率低于II成熟培养组(69.44%∶78.38%)(P<0.05)。但两组卵母细胞经144 h培养后囊胚发育率差异不显著(35.0%∶32.04%,P>0.05)。由此可知:采用不含pFF、化学成分已知的成熟液可以满足猪卵母细胞体外成熟和卵母细胞孤雌激活后的正常发育。     

猪卵泡液抑制素的分离及其生物活性和免疫活性研究

利用ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＧ－２００和ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＧ－１００二次层析分馏,以标准猪抑制素蛋白和抑制素α－亚单位作参照,结合紫外扫描,分离猪卵泡液抑制素,并测定各组分对ＨＣＧ诱导的小白鼠生殖器官发育及输卵管水肿抑制的影响和对补体溶血活性的抑制效果,证明可以分离得到生物活性和免疫活性较高的抑制素蛋白组分,其方法较简便,可用于猪卵泡液抑制素的一般制备。     

Impact of Food Restriction on Ovarian Development,RFamide‐Related Peptide‐3 and the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Ovarian Axis in Pre‐Pubertal Ewes

RFamide‐related peptide‐3 (RFRP‐3), the mammalian ortholog of gonadotropin‐inhibiting hormone, has been implicated as a mediator between reproduction and energy balance. This study aimed to investigate the physiological effects of RFRP‐3 on the process of ovarian development in food‐restricted pre‐pubertal ewes. The results showed that food restriction significantly inhibited the ovarian development and follicular growth. The data of qPCR in the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis showed that food restriction not only upregulated RFRP‐3 mRNA expression but also downregulated the mRNA expression of gonadotropin‐releasing‐hormone receptor, follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR). Immunohistochemistry of RFRP‐3 in the ovaries suggested that RFRP‐3 may regulate the follicular development. These results suggested that the changes of RFRP‐3 in response to food restriction might influence the HPO axis and inhibit ovarian development.     

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 )。     

不同激活方法对猪体外成熟卵母细胞孤雌发育的影响

研究了猪体外成熟卵母细胞的电激活、离子霉素激活和乙醇激活的方法。3种不同激活方法筛选试验表明,猪卵母细胞电激活最佳参数为电场强度130V/min,脉冲时程80μs的1次脉冲激活,即130V/mm-80μs-1次,其囊胚(发育)率为18.92%±8.48%(P>0.05);离子霉素激活的最佳条件为15μmol/L、激活时间40min,其囊胚率为21.27%±8.54%(P>0.05);乙醇激活最佳参数以9%乙醇激活处理3min,囊胚率为13.33%±7.64%。进一步对比试验表明,电激活和离子霉素激活处理的囊胚率和囊胚细胞数无显著差异(P>0.05),电激活的卵裂率明显高于乙醇激活(P<0.05),而囊胚率和细胞数差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

能量水平和来源对后备母猪血液代谢产物、激素分泌及卵泡液成分的影响

选取54头体质量（59&#177;4.2）kg的长白&#215;大白杂交母猪，采用3&#215;2因子设计，研究日粮能量水平和来源对血液代谢产物、激素分泌及卵泡液成分的影响。3个能量水平分别为NRC推荐能量需要的87.5%、100%和112.5%；各能量水平下分别添加淀粉和油脂。第2个发情期开始后的第18和19天分别收集血样和卵泡液。结果表明，能量水平对血液中葡萄糖、甘油三酯等代谢产物的影响差异不显著（P〉0.05），能量来源对血液中葡萄糖浓度无显著影响（P〉0.05），但日粮中添加脂肪极显著提高了血液中甘油三酯、总胆固醇浓度（P〈0.01）。高能组血液中食后胰岛素浓度曲线下面积（Ins AUC）、胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ（IGF-Ⅰ）、瘦素（Leptin）浓度显著高于低能组（P〈0.05），淀粉和脂肪组间差异不显著（P〉0.05）。提高能量水平显著增加促黄体素（LH）的脉冲分泌（P〈0.05），日粮中添加脂肪显著提高血液中雌二醇（E2）浓度（P〈0.05）。随能量水平提高，显著增加大卵泡数和卵泡液中IGF-Ⅰ、E2浓度（P〈0.05），能量来源对大卵泡数和卵泡液成分影响不显著（P〉0.05）。由结果分析可知，日粮提高能量水平促进血液中代谢激素IGF-Ⅰ、LH的分泌并增加大卵泡数及卵泡液中IGF-Ⅰ和E2浓度，日粮中添加脂肪提高血液中甘油三酯、总胆固醇浓度并促进雌激素的分泌。     

Effects of Dietary Energy Level and Source on Blood Metabolites,Hormone Secretion and Follicular Fluid Composition in Gilts

<正>The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary energy levels and sources on the blood metabolites,hormone secretion and the composition of follicular fluid in gilts.Fifty-four gilts with initial body weight of(59±4.2) kg were randomly allotted to six treatments.Treatments were low, normal,and high energy feeding levels,which were 87.5%,100%and 112.5%of recommendatory energy requirements by NRC(1998),respectively,and dietary energy sources(starch or fat).Blood samples and follicular fluids were collected on D18 and D19 of the second estrous cycle.The results showed that plasma concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol were higher in the fat group than that in the starch group(P0.05),but those of glucose were similar between the two energy sources(P0.05);dietary energy level exerted no effect on blood metabolites concentration(P0.05).Gilts fed the high energy diet had a higher area under curve of plasma insulin(Insulin AUC),insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ) and leptin than did gilts fed the lower energy diet(P0.05),but there was no significant difference between fat versus starch(P0.05).Luteinizing hormone(LH) pulses were higher in gilts fed high energy rather than that in low energy diets(P0.05),plasma concentration of estradiol(E_2) was higher in the fat group than that in the starch group(P0.05).The number of large follicles(diameter≥4 mm) and concentrations of IGF-Ⅰand E_2 in follicular fluid were increasing significant as the level of energy increased(P0.05),but the numbers of large follicles and follicular fluid composition were not affected by the source of dietary energy(P0.05).The results indicate that gilts fed high energy diets had elevated plasma concentrations of metabolic hormones,IGF-Ⅰand LH secretion,and increased follicular fluid concentrations of IGF-Ⅰ,E_2 and numbers of large follicles;gilts fed the dietary fat had a higher plasma concentration of cholesterol and E_2.     

Effect of Preserving Condition of Porcine Ovaries on the Development of In Vitro Matured Oocytes

The effect of preservation condition of ovaries on the in vitro maturation of the porcine oocytes was studied. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained from the ovaries preserved in Dulbecco’s phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution at various temperatures for different time intervals, and cultured in M199 maturation medium. Matured oocytes were obtained from the ovaries preserved in PBS for 8 h and electrically activated. The activated oocytes were then cultured in NCSU23 embryo culture medium for 16 h to observe activation or 144 h to observe embryo development. It was found that the preservation temperature affected the maturation of porcine oocytes greatly. The effect was described as a compromise of the suppressions of autolysis at physiological temperature and frostbite because of low temperature. A preservation temperature of approximately 25°C showed the maximum maturation rate for a preservation time of 8 h. Preservation temperature also affected the activation and embryo development of porcine oocytes greatly, following a trend similar to the effect of preservation temperature on the maturation. Based on maturation rate, activation rate and cleavage rate, a preservation temperature of approximately 25°C would be optimum for a preservation time of 8 h.     

Improvement of 2D‐PAGE Resolution of Human,Porcine and Equine Follicular Fluid by Means of Hexapeptide Ligand Library

The major challenge of follicular fluid proteomic analysis is the presence of high‐abundance proteins that originate from plasma. These proteins can prevent the detection of lower abundant ones, produced locally by follicle cells and that may have important roles in follicular activity. In this study, the novel technology called hexapeptide ligand library was evaluated to enrich the low‐abundance proteins in follicular fluid of human (HFF), porcine (PFF) and equine (EFF) prior 2D‐PAGE. Our results showed that the new strategy enabled detection of many new protein spots, increased resolution and highly improved the intensity of low‐abundance proteins by 2D‐PAGE.