Synergistic Effect of Porcine Follicular Fluid and Dibutyryl Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate on Development of Parthenogenetically Activated Oocytes from Pre‐Pubertal Gilts

This study investigated the effect of porcine follicular fluid (PFF) and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes on meiotic maturation, fertilization and embryo development, and compared the effect of supplementing the embryo culture media with PFF or foetal bovine serum (FBS) on embryo development. Oocytes from pre‐pubertal gilts were IVM for 44 h, and parthenogenetically activated or in vitro‐fertilized. Embryos were cultured in porcine zygote medium (PZM3) for 7 days. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were evaluated at 48 h and 7 days of culture. The supplementation of the IVM medium with 25% PFF and 1 mm dbcAMP for the first 22 h resulted in more (p < 0.05) embryos developing to the blastocyst stage as compared with the inclusion of dbcAMP alone. The dbcAMP + PFF combination increased (p < 0.05) the average number of nuclei per blastocyst as compared with either of these components alone or in its absence. A synergistic effect of dbcAMP + PFF during IVM was also reflected in the capacity of oocytes to regulate sperm penetration and prevent polyspermy, as twice as many oocytes from the control group were penetrated by more than one sperm as compared with those matured in the presence of both dbcAMP and PFF. The supplementation of PZM3 with 10% FBS from days 5 to 7 of culture significantly improved the total cell quantity in embryos derived either from control or dbcAMP + PFF matured oocytes. There was no effect on the total cell quantity when FBS was replaced by the same concentration of PFF. These studies showed that dbcAMP, PFF and FBS can improve both the quantity (57.3% vs 41.5%) and quality (74.8 vs 33.3 nuclei) of porcine blastocysts derived from oocytes recovered of pre‐pubertal gilts.     

Effects of 17beta-estradiol on in vitro maturation of pig oocytes in protein-free medium

The present study examined the effects of 17 beta-estradiol (E(2)) on in vitro maturation and subsequent in vitro fertilization of pig oocytes matured with or without cumulus cells. When E(2) (10 ng/ml) was added to the protein-free maturation medium, the proportions of cumulus-enclosed oocytes that underwent germinal vesicle breakdown and reached metaphase II were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and cumulus expansion was also significantly inhibited (P<0.05) compared with the control (no E(2) added). Although oocytes matured in the presence of E(2) were penetrated by sperm in vitro at the same level as the control, the incidences of male pronuclear (MPN) formation and activated oocytes were significantly lower (P<0.05) than the control. These inhibitory effects of E(2) were prevented when the medium was supplemented with E(2) together with its antagonist, ICI 182,780 (1 microg/ml), although the presence of the antagonist alone in the medium had no effect on the maturation and fertilization in vitro of oocytes. In cumulus-free oocytes, E(2) had no effect on nuclear maturation and penetration in vitro, but low MPN formation was observed in oocytes matured in the presence and absence of E(2). When cumulus-enclosed oocytes were cultured in the presence of progesterone (P(4); 600 ng/ml) alone or together with E(2), no significant differences in nuclear maturation, cumulus expansion or penetration in vitro were observed compared with control oocytes. The concentration of P(4) in maturation medium was significantly (P<0.01) lower when cumulus-enclosed oocytes were cultured for 44 h in the medium with E(2) than in medium without E(2). These results indicate that E(2) inhibits both nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of cumulus-enclosed pig oocytes, and that this inhibition can be prevented by an E(2) antagonist or P(4). This E(2) inhibition may occur indirectly via the cumulus cells and inhibition of P(4) synthesis.     

Effect of capacitation of stallion sperm with polyvinylalcohol or bovine serum albumin on penetration of bovine zona-free or partially zona-removed equine oocytes

Experiments were conducted to study effects of macromolecules on stallion sperm capacitation and fertilization as determined by penetration of bovine zona-free and equine partially zona-removed oocytes. Stallion sperm were capacitated in TYH medium (modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate) supplemented with either 1 mg/mL of polyvinylalcohol (PVA) or 4 mg/mL of BSA. Capacitation was induced with 8 bromoadenosine cyclic monophosphate (8BrcAMP; 0.5 mM) alone or in combination with 0.1 microM of ionomycin. Intraspecies gametes were co-incubated in TYH/PVA or TYH/BSA for 18 to 20 h. For zona-free bovine oocytes, penetration rate (35%) with the combination of 8BrcAMP and ionomycin in PVA-containing medium was higher (P < 0.05) than any treatment in BSA-containing medium (5 to 6%). A similar study was conducted using equine oocytes with partially removed zonae. Sperm capacitated and used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in PVA-containing medium had higher penetration rates (P < 0.01) than sperm in BSA-containing medium (54 vs. 11%). The effect of equine preovulatory follicular fluid on bovine oocyte penetration was assessed. Bovine oocytes were matured in tissue culture medium-199 with 0, 20, 50, or 100% equine preovulatory follicular fluid, and 1 IU/mL of equine chorionic gonadotropin. Stallion sperm were treated with 8BrcAMP + ionomycin in PVA- or BSA-containing media. The penetration rates of bovine zona-free oocytes by stallion sperm were again higher with PVA (47%) than BSA (18%; P < 0.01). Penetration rates of oocytes matured in 100% follicular fluid were higher (P < 0.05) than for oocytes matured with 0% follicular fluid. The effects of equine follicular fluid and PVA/BSA during sperm capacitation on standard bovine IVF were examined. Culture of bovine oocytes with equine follicular fluid did not affect oocyte maturation or penetration rates after IVF. Bovine sperm capacitated with heparin in PVA-containing medium yielded lower (P < 0.05) fertilization rates than those capacitated in BSA-containing medium when incubated with both zona-intact and zona-free bovine oocytes. In summary, PVA was superior to BSA for ionophore-induced capacitation of equine sperm for penetration of zona-free bovine oocytes or partially zona-removed equine oocytes, but not for standard bovine IVF with bovine sperm. Zona-free bovine oocytes may be useful for assaying in vitro capacitation and fertilization of stallion sperm.     

Cumulus and oocyte maturation and in vitro and in vivo fertilization of oocytes in relation to follicular steroids,prolactin, and glycosaminoglycans throughout the estrous period in superovulated heifers with a normal LH surge,no detectable LH surge,and progestin inhibition of LH surge

Crossbred heifers (n = 103) were synchronized to estrus with prostaglandin (PGF_2α) and superovulated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-P). Animals were ovariectomized every 12 hr after the PGF_2α injection (n = 7 to 9/time) up to 108 hr to monitor the follicular, hormonal, and oocyte changes associated with follicular development and ovulation. Twenty-eight animals were implanted with Norgestomet implants 12 hr before PGF_2α and ovariectomized at 72, 84, 96, and 108 hr post PGF_2α injection to monitor effects of progesterone and suppression of the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge on oocyte maturation and quality. Follicular fluid was collected and analyzed for progesterone, estradiol, prolactin, and glycosaminoglycan content in conjunction with cumulus maturation and nuclear stage of oocyte maturation. Analysis of in vivo matured oocytes by in vitro fertilization was carried out at 60, 72, 84, and 96 hr post PGF_2α and in vitro matured oocytes at 12 to 108 hr post PGF_2α. No developmental changes in cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte of small follicles was noted (≤ 4 mm dia) indicating a static population. Medium (> 4 ≤ 8 mm) and large size (> 8 mm) follicles developed to the corona radiata and loose cumulus stages in animals in which an LH surge was detected but cumulus status remained primarily in the tight cumulus stage for animals without an LH surge. The estradiol-to-progesterone ratio for tight cumulus (TC), corona radiata (CR), and loose cumulus (LC) stages was 1.8 ± .1, 1.0 ± .1, and .4 ± .2, respectively (P < .01). Nuclear maturation of oocytes in small follicles from animals without a detectable LH surge seem to indicate early maturation (48 to 72 hr post PGF_2α) in conjunction with a high percent of degenerate oocytes not seen in animals exhibiting an LH surge. Oocytes from medium size follicles matured to germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and early meiosis (metaphase I; MI) stages of development in all treatments. Most oocytes were degenerate in Norgestomet-implanted animals. Oocytes from large follicles (> 8 mm dia) from animals exhibiting an LH surge were in MI and metaphase II (MII) stages (48 to 84 hr post PGF_2α) in preparation of ovulation whereas oocytes from animals not exhibiting an LH surge had oocytes that early matured to MII (48 to 72 hr post PGF_2α), later regressing to degenerate oocytes (84 to 108 hr). Follicular progesterone, estradiol, and prolactin increased with oocyte maturation, particularly in medium and large follicles. In vivo matured oocytes for fertilization (60, 72, 84, and 96 hr post PGF_2α) were nude (from the oviduct) and primarily CR from follicles. Tubal oocytes (37%) were fertilized more frequently by a single sperm than follicular oocytes (14.3%; P < .01) and single sperm penetration peaked at 72 hr post PGF_2α. Follicular hormone concentrations were not related to sperm penetration. Oocytes (n = 101) matured in vivo had lower fertilization potential from ovaries producing < 14 or > 50 follicles (39.3%) as compared to 21 to 45 aspirated follicles (68.2%; P < .05), with a peak penetration at 32 follicles (86.7% penetration). No treatment differences (LH surge or no detectable LH surge) were noted in relation to in vivo matured oocytes. Oocytes with single sperm penetration had the lowest estradiol/progesterone ratio of 2.2 vs polyspermic penetration of 13.7.     

Ultrastructure changes in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes before and after maturation in vitro with sericin

The aim of this research was to identify the changes in the cytoplasmic ultrastructure of immature and matured oocytes in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis ). Oocytes were matured in vitro in tissue culture medium?199 with and without sericin, and then analyzed by light and transmission electron microscopy. The experiment result showed that the nuclear maturation rate of buffalo oocytes was significantly higher in the presence of sericin (80.6%) than without sericin (68.1%) (P  < 0.05). The immature oocytes were characterized by cortical granule clusters in the ooplasm and the absence of perivitelline space (PVS ). In contrast, the oocytes matured either with or without sericin showed the formation of PVS , erected microvilli, the migration of cortical granules to the cytoplasmic periphery, and the clear appearance of the mitochondria and vesicle in the oolemma. Interestingly, matured oocytes with sericin have smaller cortical granules than do immature oocytes (P  < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of 0.05% sericin in the maturation medium can enhance the maturation rate of buffalo oocytes. Several cytoplasmic ultrastructures were relocated and modulated during the in vitro maturation process of buffalo oocytes: PVS development, cortical granules migration to periphery, and mitochondria and vesicles in the cortical region. The ultrastructure was similar between the groups with and without sericin.     

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.     

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.     

马卵母细胞胞质内精子注射后体外发育能力的研究

本研究在非繁殖季节评估卵丘形态(松散型、致密型)、成熟培养体系(TCM 199、NCSU 23)、体外成熟时间(34、38 h)和离子霉素结合6-DMAP激活对马卵母细胞胞质内精子注射(ICSI)后体外发育能力的影响。从屠宰场采集马卵巢,获得的卵母细胞进行体外成熟,然后注射马冷冻解冻精液,统计分裂情况。试验结果表明,①马松散型卵母细胞成熟率显著高于致密型卵母细胞(P<0.05),分别为61.09%和41.24%,但ICSI后36 h分裂率无显著差异(P>0.05),分别为47.34%和44.92%;②两种培养体系对马松散型或致密型卵母细胞成熟率及ICSI后36 h分裂率无显著影响(P>0.05),但相同成熟体系培养松散型卵母细胞成熟率均显著高于致密型卵母细胞(P<0.05),然而ICSI后36 h分裂率差异不显著(P>0.05);③松散型或致密型卵母细胞在TCM 199或NCSU 23中成熟38 h成熟率均高于34 h成熟率,分别为44.43%～68.87%和34.52%～58.90%,松散型卵母细胞在TCM 199体系中成熟34 h、ICSI后激活组或对照组的分裂率显著高于成熟38 h、ICSI后激活组的分裂率(P<0.05),以及致密型卵母细胞在TCM 199体系中成熟34 h、ICSI后激活组的分裂率(P<0.05),而且显著高于松散型卵母细胞在NCSU 23体系中成熟38 h、ICSI后对照组的分裂率(P<0.05);④ICSI后用离子霉素结合6-DMAP激活对马卵母细胞ICSI后36 h分裂无显著影响(P>0.05)。因此,马松散型和致密型卵母细胞的成熟能力存在差异,TCM 199和NCSU 23成熟体系对这2种类型卵母细胞的发育能力无显著影响(P>0.05),马卵母细胞成熟38 h成熟率高于34 h成熟率,TCM 199成熟体系培养松散型卵母细胞34 h进行ICSI后的分裂率最高。离子霉素结合6-DMAP激活对TCM 199或NCSU 23体系成熟马卵母细胞ICSI后的体外发育能力无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

Nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of bovine oocytes cultured with dbc AMP, FSH and hCG

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of addition of dbc AMP on bovine oocyte maturation and fertilization in vitro. The bovine oocytes isolated from 2–8 mm follicles were cultured for 26 h in TCM-199. The maturation rate (71.4 %) did not significantly increase after supplementation of the culture medium with dbc AMP (86.3 %.) or FSH + hCG (86.3 %). The in vitro fertilization rate of oocytes based on sperm penetration and presence of sperm tail in the ooplasm increased significantly in the dbc AMP (34.7 %) and the dbc AMP + FSH + hCG (33.9 %) treated groups when compared with untreated controls (17.9 %). However, dbc AMP treated oocytes were not able to secure the formation of male pronucleus 20 h after in vitro fertilization, while in oocytes matured in dbc AMP free medium both pronuclei were present in approximately 15 % of the penetrated oocytes. Also, the sperm head decondensation was blocked or slowed down by the dbc AMP treatment. It is concluded (1) that dbc AMP may improve the condition for the interaction of oocytes with spermatozoa, and (2) that the ooplasm of such dbc AMP treated oocytes apparently is not able to decandense the sperm head and transform it to the male pronucleus.     

In vitro maturation using αMEM with reduced NaCl enhances maturation and developmental competence of pig oocytes after somatic cell nuclear transfer

BackgroundCompared to medium containing 108 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), in vitro maturation (IVM) using a simple medium with reduced (61.6 mM) NaCl increases the cytoplasmic maturation and embryonic development of pig oocytes.ObjectivesThis study determines the effect of a complex medium containing reduced NaCl on the IVM and embryonic development of pig oocytes.MethodsPig oocytes were matured in Minimum Essential Medium Eagle-alpha modification (αMEM) supplemented with 61.6 (61αMEM) or 108 (108αMEM) mM NaCl, and containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (αMEMP) or pig follicular fluid (PFF) (αMEMF). Medium-199 (M199) served as the control for conventional IVM. Cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation, intra-oocyte glutathione (GSH) contents, size of perivitelline space (PVS), and embryonic development after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) were evaluated after IVM.ResultsRegardless of PVA or PFF supplementation, oocytes matured in 61αMEM showed increased intra-oocyte GSH contents and width of PVS (p < 0.05), as well as increased blastocyst formation (p < 0.05) after PA and SCNT, as compared to oocytes matured in 108αMEMP and M199. Under conditions of PFF-enriched αMEM, SCNT oocytes matured in 61αMEMF showed higher blastocyst formation (p < 0.05), compared to maturation in 108αMEMF and M199, whereas PA cultured oocytes showed no significant difference.ConclusionsIVM in αMEM supplemented with reduced NaCl (61.6 mM) enhances the embryonic developmental competence subsequent to PA and SCNT, which attributes toward improved oocyte maturation.     

Apoptosis inhibition by insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes

Recently, significant progress has been achieved in improving the yield of good quality embryos in vitro. However, efforts are still required to recognize the factors and understand the mechanisms of oocyte maturation, which are essential for subsequent embryo development. The aims of the present study were to determine the frequency of apoptosis in oocytes recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries and to investigate whether insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I action during oocyte maturation in vitro may withhold apoptosis and improve oocyte quality. Only oocytes of proper morphology with homogenous ooplasm and compact cumulus cells were selected for this study. All oocytes recovered from the slaughterhouse ovaries were divided into two groups. One group of oocytes, chosen for apoptosis detection, was examined immediately after recovery. The other group of oocytes was maturated in vitro. Oocytes were maturated with IGF-I supplementation (100 ng/ml). Oocytes without supplementation were used as a control. Apoptosis in oocytes was determined by positive results of TUNEL assay and active caspase labeling. The percentage of apoptotic oocytes detected by TUNEL fell to zero when the maturation medium was supplemented with IGF-I in comparison to the control matured oocytes (0 vs. 9.87%; P<0.05). However, active caspase labeling was only slightly decreased in the IGF-I matured oocytes compared with the control matured oocytes (1.13 vs. 2.08%; P<0.05). The results indicate that IGF-I may serve as an anti-apoptotic factor during oocyte maturation. We suggest that IGF-I may inhibit apoptosis in oocytes at the stage of caspase activation and may prevent further advancement of oocyte apoptosis.     

Chlorogenic acid supplementation during in vitro maturation improves maturation,fertilization and developmental competence of porcine oocytes

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a quinic acid conjugate of caffeic acid, and a phytochemical found in many fruits and beverages that acts as an antioxidant. The present study investigated the effects of CGA supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM), on in vitro development of porcine oocytes, to improve the porcine in vitro production (IVP) system. Oocytes were matured either without (control) or with CGA (10, 50, 100 and 200 μM). Subsequently, the matured oocytes were fertilized and cultured in vitro for 7 day. The rates of maturation, fertilization and blastocyst formation of oocytes matured with 50 μM CGA were significantly (p < .05) higher than those of the control oocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is one of the reactive oxygen species and induces DNA damage in porcine oocytes. When oocytes were matured with 1 mM H₂O₂ to assess the protective effect of CGA, 50 μM CGA supplementation improved the maturation rate and the proportion of DNA‐fragmented nuclei in oocytes compared with control oocytes matured without CGA. Moreover, when oocytes were matured with either 50 μM CGA (control) or caffeic acid (10, 50 and 100 μM), the rates of maturation, fertilization and the blastocyst formation of oocytes matured with 50 μM CGA were similar to those of oocytes matured with 10 and 50 μM caffeic acid. Our results suggest that CGA has comparable effects to caffeic acid, and IVM with 50 μM CGA is particularly beneficial to IVP of porcine embryos and protects oocytes from DNA damage induced by oxidative stress. Supplementation of CGA to the maturation medium has a potential to improve porcine IVP system.     

Effects of exposure to zearalenone on porcine oocytes and sperm during maturation and fertilization in vitro

The influence of acute exposure to zearalenone (ZEN) on porcine oocyte maturation, fertilization or sperm penetration ability during both in vitro maturation and fertilization was evaluated. First, oocytes were cultured in ZEN-containing (0-1000 μg/l) maturation medium and then fertilized. The oocytes maturing in vitro without ZEN were then fertilized in ZEN-containing fertilization medium. The maturation rates of oocytes and penetration ability of sperm decreased significantly in the presence of 1000 μg/l of ZEN. However, neither increases in the rates of degeneration and DNA fragmentation of oocytes nor reductions in normal and polyspermic fertilization were observed. ZEN did not affect the sperm penetration rates; however, 1000 μg/l ZEN had positive effects on normal and polyspermic fertilization rates. Therefore, it can be suggested that an acute exposure of porcine oocytes during maturation and of oocytes and sperm during fertilization to ZEN up to 1000 μg/l may not affect the fertility of the oocytes.     

Leptin enhances maturation and development of calf oocytes in vitro

We investigated the effects of leptin on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and development of calf oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured in IVM medium containing 0-100 ng/ml leptin. Experiment 1 showed that exposure of calf oocytes to IVM medium containing 1 or 10 ng/ml leptin significantly increased rates of development to the metaphase II stage compared with the control (81.7 ± 3.0% and 83.3 ± 2.1% for 1 and 10 ng/ml leptin, respectively, vs 64.1 ± 5.1% for control; p < 0.05). Experiment 2 showed that 1 or 10 ng/ml leptin significantly improved cleavage rates after in vitro fertilization when compared to control (58.6 ± 3.3% and 59.3 ± 2.9% for 1 and 10 ng/ml leptin, respectively, vs 48.5 ± 2.6% for control; p < 0.05); in addition, when compared to control medium, the addition of 10 ng/ml leptin to the IVM medium resulted in more presumptive zygotes reaching the 4- to 8-cell stage after 48 h of in vitro culture (30.3 ± 2.3% vs 20.1 ± 2.3%; p < 0.05) and developing into blastocysts after 8 days of culture (20.4 ± 1.6% vs 11.7 ± 1.7%; p < 0.05). Experiment 3 showed that the addition of 1 or 10 ng/ml leptin significantly increased the total number of blastocyst cells on day 8 of culture (114.6 ± 7.8 and 117.4 ± 5.9 for 1 and 10 ng/ml leptin, respectively, vs 92.7 ± 8.3 for control; p < 0.05) and trophectoderm (TE) cells (88.5 ± 5.5 and 90.6 ± 3.7 for 1 and 10 ng/ml leptin, respectively, vs 70.1 ± 5.9 for control; p < 0.05). In summary, these results indicate that the addition of leptin to IVM medium enhances meiotic maturation and embryo development from calf oocytes and improves the quality of embryos derived from these oocytes.     

Effects of maturation conditions on spindle morphology in porcine MII oocytes

Incomplete cytoplasmic maturation of in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes has been known to cause microtubule and microfilament alterations, which may result in abnormal pronuclear formation and failed embryonic development. We examined the influences of maturation conditions on meiotic spindle morphology at metaphase of meiosis II (MII) in porcine oocytes. Porcine oocytes were matured under various conditions, i.e., in vitro or in vivo, with different amounts of cumulus cells, with or without hormonal supplements, and with various exposure durations to the hormones, to examine the effects on spindle morphology in MII oocytes by immunofluorescence under confocal laser microscopy. Interpolar spindle length (microm) and spindle area (microm2) were compared among these maturation conditions. The spindle length was significantly shorter in IVM oocytes compared to those matured in vivo. Oocytes collected from cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs), which were poor in cumulus cells, showed smaller spindle areas than those from cumulus-rich COCs. The spindle length and area were both significantly reduced in oocytes grown without hormonal supplements. When oocytes were grown with hormonal supplements for either 6 or 22 hours for the first half of culture, there was no difference in the spindle morphology between these oocytes. These results suggested that maturation conditions significantly influence morphogenesis of MII spindles in porcine oocytes. Oocytes matured in poor conditions were more likely to have a shorter spindle length (long axis) and smaller spindle areas.     

玻璃化冷冻牛卵母细胞单精子注射后体外发育能力的研究

实验研究了不同成熟培养时间的牛卵母细胞玻璃化冷冻及胞质内单精子注射(ICSI)后的受精效果。结果表明:成熟后的新鲜牛卵母细胞按照ICSI注射方法穿刺而不注射精子组与未经穿刺的对照组相比,孤雌激活后的卵裂率、囊胚发育率及囊胚细胞数无显著差异(P>0.05);成熟培养16h(MⅠ)和23h(MⅡ)卵母细胞冷冻解冻后形态正常率均显著低于新鲜对照组(76.66%、87.33%vs100.0%)(P<0.05),冷冻解冻后二者分别成熟培养至24h,ICSI后胚胎的囊胚发育率(5.29%、14.41%)显著低于新鲜对照组(24.40%)(P<0.05);成熟培养23h与成熟培养16h的卵母细胞冷冻解冻后形态正常率及ICSI后囊胚发育率(14.41%vs5.29%)均有显著性差异(P<0.05)。实验证明,ICSI操作不会影响卵母细胞发育潜力;玻璃化冷冻影响卵母细胞解冻后形态正常率以及ICSI后胚胎的发育能力;成熟培养23h比16h的卵母细胞冷冻保存后经ICSI的胚胎发育潜力高。     

In vitro maturation of oocytes derived from the brown bear (Ursus arctos)

This study was conducted to determine whether meiotic maturation could be induced in ovarian oocytes from the American brown bear (Ursus arctos), a model for gamete "rescue" techniques for endangered ursids. The bears were euthanized, and their ovaries were transported to the laboratory within 4 h. The mean ovarian size was 2.4 x 1.8 cm (range: 2.0-3.3 x 1.5-2.2 cm). The ovaries obtained from the 2 brown bears yielded 97 oocytes (48.5/female), and 88 (90.7%) of them were morphologically classified as normal quality. Oocytes were in vitro matured at 38.5 C in 5% CO2 for 24 or 48 h in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% FBS, 1 microg/ml estradiol-17beta, and 10 microg/ml FSH. In Exp. 1, morphologic evaluation of matured oocytes was conducted by measuring the diameters of oocytes with a zona pellucida (ZP) or cytoplasm without a ZP. In Exp. 2, activation was induced by applying two 20 microsec DC pulses of 2.0 kV/cm delivered by an Electro Cell Fusion Generator. The activated oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 containing 2 mM of 6-dimethylaminopurine for 4 h, in Charles Rosenkrans (CR) 1 for 3 days and the in CR2 for another 4 days. The diameters of the matured bear oocytes with a ZP and with cytoplasm without a ZP (161.8 +/- 6.0 and 135.3 +/- 7.5 microm, respectively) were significantly (P<0.05) larger than those of bovine oocytes (150.7 +/- 4.9 and 118.7 +/- 7.5 microm). The maturation rates of the bear oocytes were 17.6 and 59.4% at 24 and 48 h of in vitro maturation, the percentage of activated oocytes that developed to the 2 or 4-cell stage was 31.6%; however, no blastocysts were observed. These results indicate that bear oocytes can develop to metaphase II in an in vitro culture system and that activated oocytes can develop to the 2 or 4-cell stages.     

猪卵巢卵母细胞体外成熟体系研究进展

猪卵母细胞体外成熟培养中存在的问题是如何进一步提高卵母细胞的采集效率、急待解决的问题是成熟率不高和成熟质量差的问题。综合论述了猪体外受精技术所包含的猪卵母细胞体外成熟(IVM)培养和受精卵的体外培养两项密切相关的技术与方法，以及完善现有的成熟体系及成熟过程。     

树鼩卵母细胞的体外成熟培养及体外受精

利用树鼩卵母细胞的成熟培养、体外受精等方法,生产树鼩的试管婴儿,期望通过此路径来实现生产转基因树鼩动物模型。使用促性腺激素进行树鼩超数排卵、TCM199完全培基对卵母细胞进行体外成熟培养、卵母细胞与体外获能的附睾精子进行体外受精、受精卵发育至桑椹胚、囊胚的实验。结果表明,卵母细胞成熟率A级76.7%、B级55.01%、C级17.39%。受精率52%,受精卵采用体细胞共培养与非共培养的分裂率分别为37.14%和9.6%。桑椹胚/囊胚发育率分别为13.57%和0,(P<0.05)。树鼩卵母细胞的成熟培养、体外受精实验方法可行,受精卵在体外能发育到囊胚阶段。