Effects of cumulus cells on rabbit oocyte in vitro maturation

Cumulus cells (CCs) are of great importance in oocyte development and maturation in many species, but detailed influence of CCs has not been extensively examined, especially on rabbit. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of CCs and the elongation of in vitro maturation (IVM) time on rabbit oocyte nuclear and ooplasmic maturation and survival. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and naked oocytes (NOs) were recovered directly from rabbits super-ovulated with eCG. Corona-enclosed oocytes (COs) and denuded oocytes (DOs) were obtained from COCs after removing a part or whole of CCs. The oocytes were cultured in the following seven groups. (i) Cumulus cell enclosed oocytes (CEOs) were cultured alone (CEOs); (ii) COs were cultured alone (COs); (iii) DOs were cultured alone (DOs); (iv) NOs were cultured alone; (v) DOs were co-cultured with COCs [DOs(COCs)]; (vi) DOs were co-cultured with CCs [DOs(CCs)]; (vii) NOs were co-cultured with CCs [NOs(CCs)]. After the oocytes were cultured for 24 and 30 h, the nuclear maturation was evaluated by first polar body (PB1) extrusion while the ooplasmic maturation was evaluated by the cleavage rate after parthenogenetic activation. The results showed that the nuclear maturation rate of CEOs, COs, DOs(COCs) and DOs(CCs) after 24 h incubation were significantly different from each other (p < or = 0.05), the rate of DOs(CCs) was similar to that of DOs (p > or = 0.05). The cleavage rates in the first two groups were significantly higher than those of the others (p < 0.05). For oocytes cultured for 30 h, the nuclear maturation rates were significantly different for each culture model (p < 0.05). The cleavage rates in first two groups were significantly higher than those of others (p < 0.05). Both the nuclear and cleavage rates significantly increased when the culture time of DOs(COCs) was prolonged from 24 to 30 h. DOs(CCs) nuclear maturation was significantly improved when the culture time was prolonged from 24 to 30 h, but the ooplasmic maturation was not. Few NOs incubated with or without CCs accomplished nuclear maturation (approximately 2% both), even when the culture time was prolonged from 24 to 30 h. The oocyte degeneration rates were significantly different for each culture model after both 24 and 30 h incubation (p < or = 0.05). There was no significant difference in oocyte degeneration in the same groups between 24 and 30 h incubation (p > 0.05). The results suggest that rabbit CCs affect oocyte nuclear and ooplasmic maturation, and their survival. The prolongation of the culture time of rabbit oocyte from 24 to 30 h improves the nuclear and ooplasmic maturation differently in the present system. Rabbit oocytes free of CCs, especially NOs, show weak meiotic resumption potential and compromised viability, which cannot be improved by co-culture with dispersed CCs. The degeneration mostly happens at early time of IVM.     

不同生理状态乳牛卵巢卵母细胞基因的差异表达

为了研究不同生理状态下的卵巢卵母细胞基因的表达情况，采集乳牛的卵巢，分离了卵母细胞，以单个卵母细胞的mRNA作为模板，用设计的随机引物和锚定引物，采用一步法RT-PCR扩增了卵母细胞基因。经聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳检测，发现有功能黄体和无黄体卵巢卵母细胞基因的电泳条带之间无明显差异，对一条明显差异条带进行回收、纯化，将纯化的PCR产物连接到T载体，阳性克隆经鉴定后，进行测序和同源性比较。结果显示，与体外培养的牛早期胚胎的一条序列具有很高的同源性。     

单层细胞共培养对猪去卵丘卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌发育的影响

本试验比较观察第一极体(The first polar body,PbⅠ)、Oosight imaging system观察和hocchst33342染色法对第2次减数分裂中期(Metaphase Ⅱ,MⅡ)卵母细胞判定结果的相关性分析,并探讨卵巢皮质细胞(porcine ovarian cortex cells,pOCCs)、猪输卵管上皮细胞(porcine oviductal epithelial cells,pOECs)和猪卵丘颗粒细胞(porcine cumulus cells,pCCs)等3种单层细胞体外共培养体系对猪去卵丘卵母细胞(cumulus cells denuded oocytes,Dos)体外成熟(in vitro maturation,IVM)和孤雌发育的影响。结果显示:(1)Oosight imaging system判定卵母细胞成熟的结果与hocchst33342染色法判定的结果有很强相关性(R=0.973,P<0.01,N=90);(2)pOCCs单层细胞共培养体系中猪去卵丘卵母细胞成熟率显著高于pOECs((52.5±0.30)%vs(43.8±2.18)%,P<0.05),且...     

Effect of cumulus cell removal and sperm pre‐incubation with progesterone on in vitro fertilization of equine gametes in the presence of oviductal fluid or cells

In spite of many attempts to establish an in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique in the equine, no efficient conventional IVF technique is available. The presence of oviductal fluid or oviductal cells during IVF helps to improve embryo production in vitro but is not sufficient to reach high fertilization rates. Thus, our aim was to perform equine IVF either after sperm pre‐incubation with oviductal fluid or in the presence of oviductal cells, and to evaluate the effect of cumulus removal from the oocyte or sperm pre‐incubation with progesterone. In experiments 1 and 2, IVF was performed in the presence of porcine oviduct epithelial cells. The removal of cumulus cells from equine oocytes after in vitro maturation tended to increase the percentage of fertilization when fresh sperm was used (1/33 vs. 4/31, p > 0.05) but had no effect when frozen sperm was used (1/32 vs. 1/32). Equine sperm pre‐incubation with progesterone did not significantly influence the fertilization rate when fresh or frozen sperm was used (2/14 vs. 2/18 for fresh, 1/29 vs. 1/25 for frozen). In experiments 3 and 4, IVF was performed after pre‐incubation of sperm with porcine oviductal fluid. The removal of cumulus cells tended to increase the percentage of fertilization when fresh sperm was used (1/24 vs. 3/26, p > 0.05). Sperm pre‐incubation with progesterone did not significantly influence the fertilization rate when fresh or frozen sperm was used (2/39 vs. 2/36 for fresh, 2/37 vs. 1/46 for frozen), but two 3–4 cell stage zygotes were obtained with fresh sperm pre‐incubated with progesterone. This is an encouraging result for the setting up of an efficient IVF procedure in equine.     

猪体细胞核移植胚体外发育初步研究

采用胞质内注射法进行猪体细胞核移植，对去核、激活和培养等关键技术过程进行研究。结果表明：（1）点压法、挤压法对卵母细胞的去核率明显高于盲吸法（三者分别为62．5％、64．6％、50．7％，P〈0．05）。对早成熟的卵母细胞（36-44h）进行去核可明显提高去核效率（P〈0．05），在36-38h、39-41h、42-44h去核率分别为60．9％、67．8％、64．3％，而45-48h为48．4％。（2）体细胞预激活有助于提高核移胚卵裂率（28．0％、20．1％，P〈0．05）。钙离子载体A23187单独或与6-二甲基氨基嘌呤（6-DMAP）联合作用能使猪体细胞核移胚激活继续发育。（3）核移胚以胚胎培养液NCSU23及卵丘单层共培养体系进行分别培养，核移胚卵裂率无明显差异（30．06％、31．5％，P〉0．05）。但NCSU23培养4细胞后发育能力更高（13．5％、3．9％，P〈0.05）。     

胰岛素和白血病抑制因子对猪卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌激活胚胎的影响

为探讨胰岛素(Insulin)和白血病抑制因子(Leukemia inhibit factor,LIF)对猪卵母细胞体外成熟(IVM)和猪孤雌激活胚胎(PAEs)的影响,在卵母细胞体外成熟或者胚胎培养基中添加Insulin和LIF,研究卵裂率和囊胚率的变化。结果:添加了5μg/mL Insulin后猪卵母细胞体外成熟效果显著提高,但成熟后孤雌激活发育能力与非添加组相近;而胚胎培养基中添加Insulin对孤雌胚的卵裂和囊胚的形成也没有明显促进作用;添加1 000 U/mL的LIF后,卵母细胞核成熟率没有明显提高,反而孤雌激活后囊胚率急剧下降,但对卵裂率以及囊胚总细胞数影响不大;在胚胎培养基中添加LIF后,孤雌胚的卵裂和囊胚形成并没有明显的提高。表明:Insulin对卵母细胞体外成熟有益,但是对孤雌胚胎的最佳处理程序还需要摸索;本文所采用的LIF处理对猪卵体外成熟以及孤雌胚胎体外发育没有帮助,还需要进一步研究其他浓度和处理程序对猪卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌激活胚胎发育能力的影响。     

All‐trans retinoic acid improves goat oocyte nuclear maturation and reduces apoptotic cumulus cells during in vitro maturation

All‐trans retinoic acid (t‐RA) is a natural component and representative physiologically active metabolite of vitamin A, having multiple physiologic functions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of t‐RA on goat oocyte maturation and cumulus cell apoptosis during in vitro maturation (IVM). Immature goat cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro in the absence or presence of t‐RA at concentrations of 10 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L and 1000 nmol/L. Oocyte maturation and embryo development were assessed by polar body formation and parthenogenetic activation, respectively. Oocyte survival was checked by Trypan blue staining. Apoptosis of cumulus cells was analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end labeling staining and quantitative real‐time PCR. In comparison with the control group, 100 nmol/L and 10 nmol/L t‐RA significantly improved goat nuclear oocyte maturation and survival (P < 0.05). Addition of 1000 nmol/L t‐RA improved nuclear maturation (P < 0.05), but had no effect on survival of goat oocytes. t‐RA had no positive effect on goat parthenogenetic embryonic cleavage, blastocyst formation or total cell numbers. However, t‐RA inhibits the apoptosis of cumulus cells (P < 0.01). t‐RA treatment up‐regulated the expression of B‐cell lymphoma 2 (BCL‐2), catalase (CAT) (P < 0.05) and down‐regulated the expression of Caspase‐8 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, t‐RA has positive effects on goat oocyte nuclear maturation and reduces apoptotic cumulus cells during IVM.     

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。     

卵母细胞去核及卵丘细胞移核方法对猪体细胞核移植的影响

以猪体外成熟卵母细胞周围分离得到的卵丘细胞作为猪体细胞核移植的供核细胞,研究了卵母细胞不同去核方法(盲吸法、活性荧光染色去核法、盲吸法和活性荧光染色法联合去核法)的去核率差异,并比较了卵丘细胞透明带下注核和胞质内注核两种重建胚构建方法的胚胎裂解率、4 8细胞发育率和桑椹胚率的差异。结果表明:(1)以荧光染料染色法的去核率(87.18%)最高,与其他试验组相比差异显著(P<0.05);盲吸法去核所用时间最少(1.2 min/个),与其他试验组相比差异显著(P<0.05)。(2)透明带下注核比卵母细胞质内直接注核的卵裂率(40.11%/29.75%)和4 8细胞率(11.86%/6.81%)高,差异显著(P<0.05);桑椹胚率(1.75%/1.79%)无明显差异(P>0.05)。     

Relationship between DNA fragmentation of equine granulosa cells and oocyte meiotic competence after in vitro maturation

The acquisition of equine oocyte developmental capacity is ensured by the follicular environment, such as granulosa cells, which could reflect the meiotic development potential of immature oocytes. This study evaluated the relationship between DNA fragmentation of granulosa cells, using the chromatin dispersion test, and equine oocyte meiotic development after in vitro maturation. Granulosa cells and cumulus–oocytes complexes (n = 50) were recovered from slaughterhouse‐derived ovaries. Oocytes were in vitro matured, stained and evaluated under fluorescence microscopy. Maturation rates were classified into outstanding, medium and poor levels of maturation using 25th and 75th percentiles as thresholds. For DNA assessment, each sample was processed with the Ovoselect^® kit (Halotech DNA). High, low and total DNA fragmentation percentages were compared among levels of maturation rates by ANOVA, followed by Duncan test. Results were expressed as mean ± SE. Total and high DNA fragmentation rates of granulosa cells were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in follicles whose oocytes had reached outstanding maturation level than those originating from follicles whose oocytes had reached poor maturation level. In conclusion, the DNA fragmentation analysis of equine granulosa cells can be a valuable test to identify equine oocytes showing the best meiotic competence after in vitro maturation.     

A new three-dimensional glass scaffold increases the in vitro maturation efficiency of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocyte via remodelling the extracellular matrix and cell connection of cumulus cells

At present, many three-dimensional (3D) culture systems have been reported, improving the oocyte quality of in vitro maturation (IVM), yet the mechanism still needs to be further explored. Here we examined the effects of a new self-made 3D glass scaffold on buffalo oocyte maturation; meanwhile, the underlying mechanism on buffalo oocyte maturation was also detected. Compared to the two-dimensional (2D) glass dish culture, results revealed that the 3D culture can improve the first polar body rate of oocytes, subsequent cleavage and blastocysts rate of parthenogenetic activation embryos (p < .05). The extracellular matrix-related proteins COL1A1, COL2A1, COL3A1, FN and cell connection-related proteins N-cadherin, E-cadherin, GJA1 were found higher in cumulus cells of 3D culture. Moreover, in cumulus cells, proteins of the PI3K/AKT pathway reported being regulated by FN and E-cadherin including PI3K P85 and p-AKT were also higher in 3D culture. Furthermore, proapoptosis proteins P53, BAX, caspase-3 were lower in both cumulus cells and oocytes in 3D culture, while proteins PCNA and BCL2 showed the opposite result. Results also showed that the apoptosis was inhibited, and the proliferation was enhanced in cumulus cells of 3D culture. Finally, the cumulus expansion-related genes HAS2, CD44, HMMR, PTX3, PTGS2 were found higher in cumulus cells of 3D culture. Taken together, the 3D culture could promote oocyte maturation by regulating proteins correlated with the ECM, cell connection and PI3K/AKT pathway, inhibiting the apoptosis of cumulus cells and oocytes, enhancing the proliferation of cumulus cells and the cumulus expansion.     

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。     

卵丘细胞对辽宁绒山羊卵母细胞体外成熟与孤雌发育的影响

为了进一步探索辽宁绒山羊卵母细胞体外成熟的方法,本试验以屠宰场绒山羊卵巢为材料,采用抽吸法收集直径大于2 mm卵泡的卵母细胞,研究卵丘细胞对卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌发育的影响。试验1,将一部分COCs经机械吹打脱除卵丘细胞成为机械裸卵(DOs),然后以4种方式培养,即COCs单独培养、DOs与COCs共培养(DOs(COCs))、DOs与卵丘颗粒细胞共培养(DOs(CCs)),以及DOs单独培养。试验2,根据包裹卵母细胞的卵丘细胞的完整性分为3组,有3层卵丘细胞紧密包围的卵母细胞复合体COCs3,有1-3层卵丘细胞包围的卵母细胞COCs1-3,无卵丘细胞包围的裸露卵母细胞NOs,3组各自单独培养。结果表明:COCs组的成熟率、孤雌卵裂率和囊胚率最高,分别为83.25%、41.75%和29.25%,卵丘细胞的存在有利于卵母细胞体外成熟和随后的发育,COCs3组成熟率、孤雌卵裂率和囊胚率分别为83.25%、42.50%和29.75%,显著高于COCs1-3和NOs组,卵丘细胞的完整性也影响着卵母细胞的体外发育,自然裸卵已失去体外发育能力。     

Effects of the E1 activating enzyme UBA2 on porcine oocyte maturation,apoptosis, and embryonic development in vitro

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the E1 activating enzyme UBA2 on the expression of the SUMO-1 protein during in vitro maturation (IVM) of pig oocytes and embryonic development. In the 5 μg/ml UBA2 treatment group, the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and the embryo cleavage rate was significantly increased, while the proapoptotic gene Bax was significantly reduced. When 10 μg/ml UBA2 was added, the in vitro maturation rate, blastocyst rate, and SUMO-1 protein content of oocytes increased significantly (p < .05), and the expression of proapoptotic gene Caspase3 was significantly decreased (p < .05), while the viability of cumulus cells was extremely significantly reduced (p < .01). In summary, UBA2 can regulate the content of the SUMO-1 protein in mature pig oocytes in vitro, which in turn affects the maturation rate of oocytes, expression of apoptosis genes, cumulus cell viability, and the development of embryos after fertilization.     

发情牛血清对绵羊卵母细胞体外成熟及孤雌胚发育的影响

在动物卵母细胞体外成熟及胚胎体外培养体系中添加一定浓度的发情牛血清可能提高卵母细胞的成熟率及胚胎的发育率。本研究以屠宰场卵巢来源的绵羊卵母细胞为试验材料,探讨了发情牛血清对绵羊卵母细胞体外成熟及孤雌胚发育的影响。结果表明,成熟液中添加10%第1天的发情牛血清能显著提高绵羊卵母细胞的体外成熟率及孤雌胚卵裂率(P＜0.05);孤雌胚体外培养72 h后,向培养液中添加10% 第7天的发情牛血清能显著提高绵羊孤雌胚的桑囊胚率(P＜0.05)。结果表明,发情牛血清能够促进绵羊卵母细胞的体外成熟率及孤雌胚发育率。     

单宁酸对猪卵母细胞体外成熟及胚胎发育能力的影响

研究旨在探讨单宁酸对猪卵母细胞体外成熟质量及其胚胎发育能力的影响。在猪卵丘卵母细胞复合体（COCs）体外成熟培养液中添加不同浓度（0、1、10、100 μg/mL）单宁酸培养42 h后,检测COCs的扩散程度和卵丘细胞扩散指数,统计COCs的体外成熟率,检测成熟卵母细胞内谷胱甘肽（glutathione,GSH）、活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）和生长分化因子9（growth differentiation factor 9,GDF9）的水平,并统计孤雌激活及体外受精胚胎48和168 h的卵裂率、囊胚率及囊胚总细胞数。结果显示,与对照组相比,10 μg/mL单宁酸组卵丘细胞扩散指数显著提高（P<0.05）,100 μg/mL单宁酸组显著降低（P<0.05）;1和10 μg/mL单宁酸组卵母细胞成熟率差异不显著（P>0.05）,100 μg/mL单宁酸组卵母细胞成熟率显著降低（P<0.05）;1和10 μg/mL单宁酸组GSH和GDF9水平显著提高（P<0.05）,ROS水平显著降低（P<0.05）。孤雌胚胎和体外受精胚胎发育能力结果显示,与对照组相比,各单宁酸组卵裂率差异不显著（P>0.05）,10 μg/mL单宁酸组孤雌胚胎囊胚率及体外受精胚胎囊胚率显著提高（P<0.05）,100 μg/mL单宁酸组孤雌胚胎囊胚细胞数及体外受精胚胎囊胚细胞数均显著低于其他各组（P<0.05）。以上结果表明,10 μg/mL单宁酸可通过提高卵丘细胞扩散能力及GSH和GDF9水平、降低卵母细胞内ROS水平,改善猪卵母细胞成熟质量,提高孤雌胚胎及体外受精胚胎的发育能力。     

Effect of estradiol‐17β during in vitro growth culture on the growth,maturation, cumulus expansion and development of porcine oocytes from early antral follicles

Growing porcine oocytes from early antral follicles can acquire meiotic and developmental competence under suitable culture conditions, but at lower rates compared to full‐grown oocytes. We postulated that estradiol‐17β (E₂) supported the acquisition of meiotic and developmental competence as well as cumulus‐expansion ability during growth culture. Growing oocytes from early antral follicles (1.2 to 1.5 mm in diameter) were grown in vitro for 5 days in a medium containing 0, 10^?7, 10^?6, 10^?5 or 10^?4 mol/L E₂; after in vitro maturation, 35, 58, 47, 74 and 49% of oocytes matured to metaphase II, 25, 79, 77, 90 and 97% acquired cumulus‐expansion ability, and 23, 54, 63, 89 and 64% were fully surrounded by cumulus cells, respectively. Following maturation, electro‐stimulation was applied to the oocytes grown with 10^?5 mol/L E₂. After 6 days of culture, in vitro‐grown oocytes developed to the blastocyst stage at a rate similar to that for full‐grown oocytes (31% and 40%, respectively). Therefore, we suggest that the use of E₂ during growth culture improves the meiotic and developmental competence of oocytes, cumulus‐expansion ability, and cumulus cell attachment to the oocytes.     

The effects of canthaxanthin on porcine oocyte maturation and embryo development in vitro after parthenogenetic activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of canthaxanthin (Cx) treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes on embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), on intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in mature oocytes, and on gene expression in both PA‐ and SCNT‐derived blastocysts. To determine the optimal effective concentration of Cx, porcine oocytes were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with various concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 80 μM) of Cx for 22 hr. Compared to other groups, supplementation with 40 μM Cx significantly improved blastocyst formation rates after PA (p < .05), but no significant differences were observed among groups in total blastocyst cell numbers. Subsequently, oocytes were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with or without 40 μM Cx. Oocytes treated with 40 μM Cx showed significantly increased cleavage and blastocyst formation rates after SCNT compared to the control group (p < .05). Moreover, significantly increased intracellular GSH and reduced ROS levels were observed in the Cx‐treated group (p < .05). In addition, both PA‐ and SCNT‐derived blastocysts from the 40 μM Cx‐treated group showed significantly increased mRNA expression of Bcl2 and Oct4 and decreased Caspase3 expression level (p < .05), when compared with the control group. PA‐derived blastocysts from the 40 μM Cx‐treated group also exhibited significantly decreased expression of Bax (p < .05). Our results demonstrated that treatment with 40 μM Cx during IVM improves the developmental competence of PA and SCNT embryos. Improvement of embryo development by Cx is most likely due to increased intracellular GSH synthesis, which reduces ROS levels in oocytes, and it may also positively regulate apoptosis‐ and development‐related genes.