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。     

Astaxanthin Normalizes Epigenetic Modifications of Bovine Somatic Cell Cloned Embryos and Decreases the Generation of Lipid Peroxidation

Astaxanthin is an extremely common antioxidant scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and blocking lipid peroxidation. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on oocyte maturation, and development of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were cultured in maturation medium with astaxanthin (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/l), respectively. We found that 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin supplementation significantly increased the proportion of oocyte maturation. Oocytes cultured in 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin supplementation were used to construct SCNT embryos and further cultured with 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/l astaxanthin. The results showed that the supplementation of 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin significantly improved the proportions of cleavage and blastulation, as well as the total cell number in blastocysts compared with the control group, yet this influence was not concentration dependent. Chromosomal analyses revealed that more blastomeres showed a normal chromosomal complement in 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin treatment group, which was similar to that in IVF embryos. The methylation levels located on the exon 1 of the imprinted gene H19 and IGF2, pluripotent gene OCT4 were normalized, and global DNA methylation, H3K9 and H4K12 acetylation were also improved significantly, which was comparable to that in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. Moreover, we also found that astaxanthin supplementation significantly decreased the level of lipid peroxidation. Our findings showed that the supplementation of 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin to oocyte maturation medium and embryo culture medium improved oocyte maturation, SCNT embryo development, increased chromosomal stability and normalized the epigenetic modifications, as well as inhibited overproduction of lipid peroxidation.     

聚合嵌合法制作黄牛和水牛种间嵌合胚的初步研究

通过聚合嵌合法初步建立一套黄牛和水牛种间嵌合的程序与方法。聚合嵌合法采用链酶蛋白酶消化透明带或用机械剥离法去除透明带，然后在含有100 μg/ml PHA的培养液中聚合形成嵌合胚。结果发现， 8-细胞黄牛胚胎聚合水牛桑椹胚与黄牛囊胚聚合水牛桑椹胚相比，聚合胚存活率和囊胚发育率均无显著差异（P>0.05）。采用显微手术法分离黄牛和水牛8-细胞胚胎卵裂球进行聚合，聚合率为92.3%，囊胚发育率为58.3%，与用0.25%链酶蛋白酶分离胚胎卵裂球进行胚胎聚合的聚合率（86.7%）和囊胚发育率（46.2%）均无显著差异（P>0.05）。以上结果表明：①水牛和黄牛胚胎通过卵裂球聚合获得的种间嵌合胚胎能继续发育；②胚胎聚合前的发育阶段对其聚合成功率和随后的胚胎发育无明显影响。③胚胎卵裂球的分离方法（显微手术法和酶消化法）对其聚合率和囊胚发育率无明显影响。     

没食子酸对黄牛卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

试验旨在研究没食子酸（gallic acid，GA）对黄牛卵母细胞体外成熟及早期胚胎发育的影响，进一步优化黄牛卵母细胞体外成熟体系。在卵母细胞体外成熟液（M液）中添加不同浓度没食子酸（0、10、30、50、100 μmol/L），成熟22~24 h后，统计卵丘扩展情况及卵母细胞成熟率；同时，对成熟的卵母细胞进行正常体外受精（IVF），统计早期胚胎的分裂率、囊胚率、囊胚卵裂球数及卵裂球细胞凋亡率。根据试验结果，选择最优浓度，使卵母细胞在含该浓度没食子酸的成熟液中成熟24 h后，检测其细胞内的活性氧水平（ROS）和总谷胱甘肽（TGSH）含量。结果显示，M液中添加30 μmol/L没食子酸组卵丘扩展分值和成熟率显著高于对照组（0 μmol/L）（P<0.05），其他处理组与对照组无显著差异（P>0.05）；成熟的卵母细胞体外受精后进行后续胚胎培养，其中10和30 μmol/L组的分裂率均显著高于对照组和100 μmol/L组（P<0.05），50和100 μmol/L组分裂率较对照组也有所提高，但差异不显著（P>0.05）；早期囊胚率统计发现，与对照组相比，30和100 μmol/L能够显著提高囊胚发育率（P<0.05），10和50 μmol/L浓度组则无显著差异（P>0.05）；与对照组相比，30、100 μmol/L没食子酸均能显著提高IVF胚胎的早期囊胚卵裂球数（P<0.05）；但囊胚卵裂球凋亡率与对照组无显著差异（P>0.05）；对卵母细胞内活性氧和总谷胱甘肽含量检测时，发现30 μmol/L没食子酸可显著降低细胞内活性氧水平（P<0.05），且显著提高总谷胱甘肽含量（P<0.05）。综上所述，在黄牛卵母细胞体外成熟液中添加适量的没食子酸能有效降低卵母细胞内活性氧水平，提高总谷胱甘肽含量，进而提高卵母细胞成熟的质量及其后续IVF胚胎发育能力。     

Transfer of Bovine Blastocysts Derived from Short-term In Vitro Culture of Low Quality Morulae Produced In Vivo

The aim of this study was to evaluate if blastocysts arising from in vitro culture of Grade 3 bovine morulae produced in vivo can promote acceptable pregnancy rates when transferred into recipients. Embryos of different stages and qualities were recovered from superovulated Bos taurus and B. indicus donors. Grade 3 morulae were cultured in either Holding Plus® or TCM‐199 (supplemented with 10% bovine fetal serum) media for 24 h at 38.5°C. After this culture period, the resulting blastocysts were morphologically classified (Grades 1, 2 and 3) and transferred into recipients previously synchronized with the donors. Non‐cultured Grades 1 and 3 morulae were used as control. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out 60 days after embryo transfer and the data were analysed by logistic regression, considering variables, such as embryo quality (Grade), donor breed, culture medium, donor‐recipient synchrony and seasonality. Embryo quality was the only variable, showing significant effect on the pregnancy rate. Pregnancy rates for non‐cultured Grade 1 and 3 morulae, and blastocysts arising from cultured Grade 3 morulae were 58.1% (n = 31), 17.1% (n = 35) and 51.1% (n = 47), respectively (p < 0.05). There were no statistical differences between non‐cultured Grade 1 morulae and cultured blastocysts. Pregnancy rates for Grades 1 (65.0%) and 2 (60.0%) were higher than Grade 3 (29.4%) cultured blastocysts (p < 0.05). It was concluded that short‐term in vitro culture is a very convenient method of identifying morphologically low quality morulae with higher chances of continuing development after the transfer into recipients.     

Developmental competence and glutathione content of maternally heat-stressed mouse oocytes and zygotes

The loss of developmental competence and the glutathione (GSH) content of maternally heat‐stressed mouse oocytes and zygotes were determined. In experiment 1, zygotes were collected from female mice that were heat‐stressed at 35°C for 10 h after hCG injection (oocyte maturation stage), or for 12 h on Day 1 of pregnancy (zygote stage), followed by in vitro culture. To minimize the effects of heat stress on the fertilization process, heat‐stressed oocytes that were fertilized in vitro were also included in this experiment. In experiment 2, heat‐stressed oocytes and zygotes were assayed for GSH content. The application of heat stress to the oocytes resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of zygotes that developed to morulae or blastocysts, both for naturally fertilized oocytes (56.9% for heat‐stressed vs 85.4% for control) or in vitro‐fertilized oocytes (54.5%vs 73.6%). In the heat‐stressed zygotes, the disruption of embryonic development was more drastic (24.3%vs 90.3%), with the majority of zygotes being arrested at the two‐cell stage. In contrast, the GSH content decreased significantly in heat‐stressed zygotes, but not in heat‐stressed oocytes. These results demonstrate that the loss of developmental competence of early embryos is associated with a decrease in the GSH content of maternally heat‐stressed zygotes, but not of maternally heat‐stressed oocytes.     

Effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the development of preimplantation rabbit embryos <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

This study aimed to investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the development of preimplantation rabbit embryos in vitro. Zygotes were collected from superovulated New Zealand rabbits 19 h after injection of hCG and immediately mating and cultured in TCM-199 plus fatty-acid free BSA with different concentrations of NGF. Zygotes not treated with NGF served as control. At 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h of the culture, the numbers of the early cleavage stage, morulae, blastocysts and hatching blastocysts were determined. The intrazonal diameter of the blastocyst and the total cell numbers per blastocyst were measured after 96 h of culture. The results showed: (1) NGF at 100 ng/mL and 1000 ng/mL could improve the numbers of the hatching blastocysts which developed compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05); (2) All concentrations of NGF increased the total cell numbers in the blastocysts compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05); (3) NGF had no significant effect on the blastocyst intrazonal diameter of the blastocysts at 96 h of culture (p = 0.493); (4) The proportion in the early cleavage stage at 24 h of culture (p = 0.635), of morulae at 48 h of culture (p = 0.812) and of blastocysts at 72 h of culture (p = 0.812) in all treatments were not significantly different.     

Developmental Competence and Embryo Quality of Small Oocytes from Pre‐pubertal Goats Cultured in IVM Medium Supplemented with Low Level of Hormones,Insulin–Transferrin–Selenium and Ascorbic Acid

The aim of this study was to test the effect of insulin–transferrin–selenium (ITS) and L‐ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation and the hormonal level during in vitro maturation (IVM) of small oocytes from pre‐pubertal goat on the blastocyst yield and quality. Concretely, we used four maturation media: conventional IVM medium (CM), growth medium (GM: CM+ITS+AA and low level of hormones), modified CM (mCM: CM with low level of hormones) and modified GM (mGM: CM+ITS+AA and normal level of hormones). Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were classified into two categories according to oocyte diameter: <125 μm and ≥125 μm. Large oocytes were matured 24 h in CM (Treatment A). Small oocytes were matured randomly in six experimental groups: Treatment B: 24 h in CM; Treatment C: 12 h in GM and 12 h in CM; Treatment D: 24 h in mGM; Treatment E: 12 h in mGM and 12 h in CM; Treatment F: 12 h in mCM and 12 h in CM; and Treatment G: 12 h in GM and 12 h in mGM. After IVM, oocytes were fertilized and cultured for 8 days. The blastocyst quality was assessed by the survival following vitrification/warming and the mean cell number. When different maturation media were combined, the blastocyst rate did not improve. The large oocytes produced the highest blastocysts yield. However, the culture of small oocytes in GM (53.3%) enhanced the post‐warming survival of blastocysts compared to large oocytes matured in CM (35.7%). In conclusion, IVM of pre‐pubertal goat small oocytes in GM would be useful to improve the quality of in vitro‐produced blastocysts.     

Predictive value of the area of expanded cumulus mass on development of porcine oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro

The objective of the present study was to investigate the correlation between the degree of cumulus expansion and in vitro development of porcine cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) matured and fertilized in vitro. The COCs were matured in the maturation medium (IVMM) supplemented with 15% or 5% of porcine follicular fluid (PFF) from small, medium and large follicles (<2 mm, 2-5 mm and >5 mm, respectively). COCs cultured in IVMM with PFF for 48 h displayed less expansion than those cultured in IVMM alone (P<0.05), irrespective of follicle size. After culture for 24 h in IVMM with PFF and for another 24 h in IVMM alone, the degree of cumulus expansion was more prominent than culture in the presence of PFF for the entire 48 h period (P<0.05), but the percentages of oocytes with PB I showed no significant difference between the control and experimental groups (P>0.05). After in vitro fertilization, the oocytes failed to develop to the morula/blastocyst stages except for those matured in IVMM supplemented with 15% or 5% PFF obtained from >5 mm follicles for the first 24 h and followed by in IVMM alone for the second 24 h (12.5% and 11.1% of the embryos developed to morulae and blastocysts, respectively). The expanded cumulus areas of COCs were significantly positively correlated with their in vitro development (p=0.0058, 0.0001 and 0.0348 for the percentages of embryos developed to 2-4 cell, beyond 4 cell and morula and blastocyst stages, respectively). In conclusion, PFF had an inhibiting effect on cumulus expansion, and the inhibitory effect decreased progressively with the increase in size of follicles from which PFF was obtained, and the action of PFF on cumulus expansion was affected by the PFF culture time. The areas of the expanded cumulus mass may be used as a parameter to predict development of porcine oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro.     

Naloxone increases maturation rate and ratio of inner cell mass to total cells in blastocysts in pigs

The purposes of the present study were to examine the effect of naloxone, a mu‐opioid receptor (MOR) antagonist, on porcine oocyte maturation and embryo development. MOR gene was expressed in germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (M‐II) porcine oocytes, one‐, four‐cell stage embryos and blastocysts. In blastocysts, MOR gene was mainly expressed in inner cell mass (ICM) cells. Supplementation of 10^?8 mol/L naloxone in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium increased the maturation rate (P < 0.05). However, 10^?4 mol/L naloxone reduced the maturation rate (P < 0.05) compared with the control. The presence of naloxone during IVM had no effects on fertilization status and subsequent embryonic development after in vitro culture (IVC). The addition of 10^?3 mol/L dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP), and 10^?8 mol/L naloxone together into IVM medium increased nuclear maturation (P < 0.05) compared with the addition of either dbcAMP or naloxone alone. Supplementation with naloxone in IVC medium did not improve embryonic development. However, at the concentrations of 10^?6 mol/L and 10^?8 mol/L, naloxone increased the ratio of ICM to total cells in blastocysts (P < 0.05). In conclusion, at low concentration, naloxone increases maturation rate and the ratio of ICM to total cells in blastocysts. Naloxone and cAMP have a synergistic effect on oocyte maturation.     

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.     

Effect of insulin,transferrin and selenium and epidermal growth factor on development of buffalo oocytes to the blastocyst stage in vitro in serum-free,semidefined media

The in vitro development of buffalo oocytes up to the blastocyst stage was studied in serum-free, semidefined media containing bovine serum albumin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin, transferrin and selenium (ITS) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). In experiment 1, oocytes aspirated from abattoir-derived ovaries were cultured in eight serum-free, semidefined culture media containing different combinations of these four factors. In experiment 2, the maturation of buffalo oocytes and the development of the embryos were compared in a complex co-culture system and in the serum-free, semidefined media. Supplementation with FSH and EGF significantly (P < 0.05) increased the maturation rates of buffalo oocytes, and the yield of blastocysts was higher (P < 0.05) in media containing EGF and ITS. The yield of blastocysts was lower in the serum-free semidefined media (P < 0.05) than in the complex co-culture system.     

Effects of BSA and fetal bovine serum in culture medium on development of rat embryos

Rat 1-cell embryos, recovered from naturally mated females, were cultured in a chemically defined medium (mR1ECM) or in mR1ECM supplemented with BSA (4 mg/ml; mR1ECM-BSA) or fetal bovine serum (FBS; 10%, v:v; mR1ECM-FBS) instead of polyvinylalcohol. There was no difference in percentages of embryos that developed to the 2-cell to blastocyst stages between mR1ECM and mR1ECM-BSA, but in mR1ECM-FBS, no development beyond the 2-cell stage was observed. When embryos were transferred to mR1ECM-FBS from mR1ECM after 24 to 64 h of culture, development of embryos to and beyond the 4-cell stage was inhibited. However, when transferred after 80 h of culture, more embryos developed to blastocysts and hatching or hatched blastocysts than in embryos cultured in mR1ECM. When 8-cell embryos and early morulae obtained after 72 and 80 h of culture in mR1ECM, respectively, were cultured in mR1ECM-FBS, a higher proportion of early morulae developed to the blastocyst stage than did 8-cell embryos. When morulae obtained after culture in mR1ECM or mR1ECM-BSA were transferred to recipient females, there was no difference in proportions of fetuses obtained. However, a higher proportion of blastocysts cultured in mR1ECM-FBS developed to fetuses compared with those obtained in mR1ECM. These results indicate that BSA has neither deleterious nor beneficial effects on development of rat 1-cell embryos. In contrast, FBS has deleterious effects on early cleavage of embryos but it promotes more rapid development of morulae to blastocysts, resulting in better quality blastocysts.     

Defined system for in vitro production of porcine embryos using a single basic medium

We have previously indicated that porcine blastocysts can be produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and culture (IVC) in chemically defined porcine gamete medium (PGM) and porcine zygote medium (PZM)-5, respectively, In the present study, the effects of basic media and macromolecular components on in vitro maturation (IVM) were investigated to develop a defined system for in vitro embryo production using a single basic medium through IVM, IVF and IVC. Porcine immature oocytes were matured in porcine oocyte medium (POM) or modified North Carolina State University (mNCSU) 37, which were supplemented with either 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid (pFF) or 3 mg/ml polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a macromolecular component (designated POM+pFF, POM+PVA, mNCSU37+pFF and mNCSU37+PVA). In the maturation with mNCSU37+PVA, the percentages of oocytes that reached the metaphase II stages were significantly lower than those in the other treatments. Following IVM with the above media, oocytes were treated with an electrical stimulus and cycloheximide for parthenogenetic activation and were cultured in PZM-5 for 5 days. The rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation of parthenogenetic oocytes were significantly lowered for maturation with mNCSU37+PVA compared with the other treatments, while there were no significant differences in the total numbers of cells in blastocysts among the treatments. Following IVF and IVC, the rates of penetration, male pronucleus formation, cleavage and blastocyst formation were significantly lower when oocytes were matured in mNCSU37+PVA than in other maturation media. The normal fertilization rate was significantly higher in POM+PVA compared with the other treatments, although the total number of cells in blastocysts was reduced with the addition of PVA to both POM and mNCSU37 compared with pFF supplementation. These results demonstrate that porcine blastocysts can be produced by the defined system using a single basic medium.     

The use of human and bovine commercial media for oocyte maturation and embryo development in the domestic cat (Felis catus)

The aim of this study was to examine the suitability of commercial media designed for humans and cattle for oocyte maturation and embryo culture in the domestic cat. In Exp. I, feline oocytes collected ex vivo were subjected to in vitro maturation in a laboratory‐made culture medium (based on M199) or a commercial medium designed for cattle cells (BO‐IVM^®). In Exp. II, ICSI‐derived feline embryos were cultured for 7 days in a commercial human (Continuous Single Culture^®) or bovine (BO‐EC^®) cell medium. The rates of cleavage, morula and blastocyst formation were evaluated at 24 hr, 6 days and 7 days after ICSI, respectively, and compared between experimental groups. At the end of culture, embryos were assessed for viability and apoptotic changes. In Exp. I, no statistically significant difference in oocyte maturation outcome between laboratory‐made (52.7%) and commercial media (58.9%) was observed. However, the use of a commercial medium prepared for use with bovine cells resulted in a significantly lower variance of the maturation rate. In Exp. II, no statistically significant differences between two commercial media were observed for cleavage (67.5% and 64.5%), morula (39.3% and 47.1%) and blastocyst rates (25.0% and 19.6%), as well as for the percentage of late apoptotic blastomeres. Morulae cultured in medium marketed for humans exhibited significantly more early apoptotic (43.2 ± 31.2% vs. 23.4 ± 23.2%) and necrotic (60.6 ± 47.6% vs. 29.4 ± 22.6%) blastomeres. In conclusion, both commercial media tested are suitable for in vitro oocyte maturation and embryo culture procedures in cats. It is remarkable that a culture medium designed for use in cattle for in vitro maturation of cat oocytes provides more reproducible results.     

In vitro developmental potential of nuclear transfer embryos cloned with enucleation methods using pre-denuded bovine oocytes

Enucleation of a recipient oocyte is an important essential process in the procedure of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The present study investigated a method for the improvement of enucleation efficiency. Oocytes were denuded of cumulus cells before the completion of nuclear maturation (pre-denuded) after 12 h of culture at MI stage and subsequently cultured for additional 6 h until the completion of nuclear maturation and extrusion of the first polar body (PB1). The extrusion rate of PB1 was not significantly different in the pre-denuded oocyte group, compared with control oocyte group matured for 18 h. However, the number of oocytes showing the metaphase II (MII) located just underneath the PB1 was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the pre-denuded oocyte group than those in control oocyte group. To test the effect of pre-denuding on the enucleation rate and developmental potential of embryos to blastocyst stage, subsequent somatic cell nuclear transfer comparisons were made with three different methods of enucleation at MII stage using vital dyes (demicoline and Hoescht) or the PB1 (blind enucleation) to localize the chromosome plate. Enucleation rate of the oocytes with demicoline, Hoechst and pre-denuding enucleation groups were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of blind enucleation groups. However, cleavage rate to two-cell stage and, developmental rate to blastocyst and hatched blastocyst stage, the mean numbers of total and ICM cells in the SCNT embryos with Hoechst enucleation groups were significantly decreased (p<0.05), compared to those of blind, demicoline and pre-denuding enucleation groups. Moreover, the level of telomerase activity was also significantly (p<0.05) decreased in SCNT blastocysts of Hoechst enucleation group, compared to those of blind, demicoline and pre-denuding enucleation groups. Taken together, pre-denuding enucleation group using pre-denuded oocytes was a useful and simple enucleation method for bovine SCNT embryos.     

PMSG和hCG对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

对猪卵母细胞不同发育阶段的激素需要进行了初步探讨。结果表明 :猪卵母细胞体外培养 48h ,前 2 4h在培养液中加入激素 ,后 2 4h不加激素 ,卵母细胞的A级成熟率 (51 73% )和总成熟率 (83 2 5 % )最高 ,极显著高于前 2 4h不加激素 ,后 2 4h添加激素培养的成熟率 (P <0 0 1 ) ;也显著高于不含激素的培养液连续培养 48h的成熟率 (P <0 0 5) ;但与添加激素连续培养 48h组成熟率差异不显著 (P >0 0 5)。     

Ghrelin在绵羊卵母细胞体外成熟过程中对BCL-2、BAX的mRNA表达的影响

为了探讨Ghrelin在绵羊卵母细胞体外成熟过程中与BCL-2、BAX的相关性及Ghrelin在绵羊卵母细胞成熟过程中可能的作用机理,试验在绵羊卵母细胞成熟液中添加500 ng/mL Ghrelin,采用实时荧光定量PCR分别在0,8,16,24小时时检测卵母细胞BCL-2、BAX的表达量。结果表明:试验组添加Ghrelin后8,16小时时卵母细胞BCL-2 mRNA相对表达量显著升高(P<0.05),但成熟后16,24小时时较8小时时有下降趋势;下降到24小时时,其表达量与0小时时没有显著变化(P>0.05);8,16小时时试验组与对照组比较差异显著(P<0.05),0,24小时时差异不显著(P>0.05)。试验组添加Ghrelin后8,16,24小时卵母细胞BAX mRNA相对表达量较0小时时下降,且差异显著(P<0.05),但成熟后16,24小时时与8小时时比较有上升趋势;在8,16小时时试验组较对照组BAX mRNA相对表达量均有所下降,且差异有显著性(P<0.05),而在0,24小时时差异不显著(P>0.05)。说明Ghrelin在绵羊卵母细胞成熟过程中与BCL-2和BAX的表达存在相关性,推测Ghrelin在卵母细胞成熟过程中存在积极调控作用。     

Effects of Plasma Urea Nitrogen Levels on the Bovine Oocyte Ability to Develop After In vitro Fertilization

The overall aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro development ability of oocytes recovered from 56 Holstein Frisian heifers with low [group 1 (G1): <13 mg /dl], moderate [group 2 (G2): 13–16 mg /dl] and high [group 3 (G3): >16 mg /dl] plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations, to determine whether PUN concentrations affect the competence of oocytes to progress to blastocysts after in vitro fertilization. In vitro oocyte and embryo development was assessed by blastocyst rates, embryo total cell numbers and apoptosis. Blood samples for the determination of PUN were collected 24 h prior to collection of the ovaries at the slaughter. A total of 112 ovaries were collected at a local abattoir and oocytes (n = 697) were aspirated, in vitro matured and fertilized. On day 8, blastocysts were assigned to the terminal dUTP nick end labelling assay. Cleavage rates were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for groups 1 and 2 than for group 3 (i.e. 72.5% and 72.2% vs 61.7%, respectively). The proportion of fertilized oocytes that developed into blastocysts was higher (p < 0.05) for group 1 than for group 3 (34.0% vs 23.0%, respectively). Day 8 blastocysts showed higher total cell counts (p < 0.05) for group 1 than for group 3 (123.7 vs 76.3), and a higher (p < 0.05) total apoptotic cell rate was found in group 3 (25.9 and 19.0 vs 43.2 for G1, G2 and G3, respectively). In conclusion, the ability of oocytes from heifers with increased levels of PUN to develop to the blastocyst stage was significantly reduced when standard routines for in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture were followed. These detrimental effects can be mediated in part through direct effect of urea and/or by the metabolic products on the process of follicle-enclosed oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic development.