Effects of Growth Differentiation Factor 9 and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 on the in vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are members of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) family, and their roles in oocyte maturation and cumulus expansion are well known in the mouse and human, but not in the pig. We investigated GDF9 and BMP15 expressions in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation. A significant increase in the mRNA levels of GDF9 and BMP15 was observed at germinal vesicle breakdown, with expression levels peaking at metaphase I (MI), but decreasing at metaphase II (MII). GDF9 and BMP15 protein localized to the oocyte cytoplasm. While treatment with GDF9 and BMP15 increased the expression of genes involved in both oocyte maturation (c‐mos, cyclinb1 and cdc2) and cumulus expansion (has2, ptgs2, ptx3 and tnfaip6), SB431542 (a TGFβ–GDF9 inhibitor) decreased meiotic maturation at MII. Following parthenogenetic activation, the percentage of blastocysts in SB431542 treatment was lower than in the control (41.3% and 74.4%, respectively). Treatment with GDF9 and BMP15 also increased the mRNA levels of maternal genes such as c‐mos [a regulatory subunit of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)], and cyclinb1 and cdc2 [regulatory subunits of maturation/M‐phase‐promoting factor (MPF)]; however, SB431542 significantly decreased their mRNA levels. These data were supported by poly (A)‐test PCR and protein activity analyses. Our results show that GDF9 and BMP15 participate in cumulus expansion and that they stimulate MPF and MAPK activities in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation.     

PI3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase in cumulus cells mediate EGF-induced meiotic resumption of porcine oocyte

Previous studies have shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) has the ability to promote in vitro cultured porcine oocyte maturation. However, little is known about the detailed downstream events in EGF-induced meiotic resumption. We designed this study to determine the relationship of EGF, EGFR, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), MAPK, and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) during oocyte maturation. Our results showed that GVBD in cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEOs) but not in denuded oocytes (DOs) was induced by EGF in a dose-dependent manner, which indicated that cumulus cells but not oocyte itself were the main target for EGF-induced meiotic resumption. Furthermore, we found that MAPK in cumulus cells rather than in oocyte was activated immediately after EGF administration. To explore whether EGF exerts its functions through MAPK pathway, the activities of EGF receptor (EGFR) and MAPK were inhibited by employing AG1478 and U0126, respectively. Inhibition of MAPK blocked EGF-induced GVBD, whereas inhibition of EGFR prevented MAPK activation. Both AG1478 and U0126 could lead to the failure of EGF-induced GVBD singly. Notably, we found that LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI3-kinase, effectively inhibited EGF-induced MAPK activation as well as subsequent oocyte meiotic resumption and this inhibition could not be reversed by adding additional EGF. Thus, PI3-kinase-induced MAPK activation in cumulus cells mediated EGF-induced meiotic resumption in porcine CEOs. Together, this study provides evidences demonstrating a linear relationship of EGF/EGFR, PI3-kinase, MAPK and GVBD and presents a relatively definitive mechanism of EGF-induced meiotic resumption of porcine oocyte.     

甘氨酸对猪卵母细胞体外成熟质量及卵丘细胞的影响

本实验旨在研究甘氨酸对卵丘细胞及卵母细胞体外成熟质量的影响,优化猪卵母细胞体外成熟(IVM)培养体系。在猪卵母细胞体外成熟培养液中添加6 mmol/L甘氨酸,体外培养至44 h后,通过倒置显微镜测量卵丘细胞扩散直径,结合流式细胞术与qPCR检测卵丘细胞凋亡情况;进一步检测成熟卵母细胞中谷胱甘肽(GSH)、细胞成熟促进因子(MPF)和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)水平及细胞成熟相关基因表达。结果表明:甘氨酸能显著提高卵丘细胞扩散直径,减少卵丘细胞的总凋亡率,并能显著提高卵丘细胞中Bcl-2的mRNA表达;甘氨酸能显著增加成熟卵母细胞中的GSH、MPF和MAPK水平以及成熟相关基因BMP15、GDF9、CyclinB1、CDK1、C-MOS的mRNA表达。综上可知,甘氨酸可提高猪卵母细胞体外成熟质量,降低卵丘细胞凋亡率。     

Effects of l-Ascorbic Acid, α-Tocopherol and Co-culture on In Vitro Developmental Potential of Porcine Cumulus Cells Free Oocytes

The maturation and developmental potential on cumulus-cell-free oocytes is of great importance theoretically and practically. The present study was to investigate the effects of l -ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol and co-culture on in vitro developmental potential of porcine denuded oocytes (DOs). Porcine DOs were cultured in maturation medium supplemented with vitamin C (0, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750 μM) and vitamin E (0, 10, 20, 50, 100, 250 μ m ), respectively. And they were also co-cultured with dispersed cumulus cells (group CCscoculture), intact cumulus cells oocyte complexes (COCs) (group COCscoculture), and COCs whose oocytes were removed (group OOXcoculture), respectively. After 44 h incubation, the maturation rates, cleavage rates and blastocyst rates after parthenogenetic activation in three experiments mentioned above were collected and analysed, respectively. L -Ascorbic acid promoted porcine DOs in vitro maturation and blastocyt development after parthenogenetic activation while α-tocopherol did not increase the in vitro maturation rates, but improved the blastocyst rate. None of the three co-culture manner promoted the in vitro maturation and the cleavage of porcine DOs after parthenogenetic activation, but all the co-culture manners improved the blastocyst rates. Both Vitamin C and E enhance the in vitro developmental potential of porcine DOs. Co-culture increases the developmental potential of porcine DOs.     

Elevated Histone H1 (MPF) and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Activities in Pig Oocytes Following In Vitro Maturation do not Indicate Cytoplasmic Maturation

Effects of different media (TCM 199 + BSA, TCM 199 + FCS, TCM 199 + NBCS, Whitten's medium + BSA) supplemented with estradiol-17β and two isolated and everted follicle shells on MPF and MAP kinase activities and the sensitivity to parthenogenetic activation of pig oocytes were examined at the end of culture (48 h). Elevated ( P  <   0.05) activities of MAP kinase were recorded in metaphase II oocytes following culture in Whitten's medium, whereas MPF levels were lowest ( P  <   0.05) in MII oocytes matured in TCM 199 supplemented with BSA. Oocytes matured in TCM 199 based media showed higher ( P  <   0.05) activation rates when compared to oocytes incubated in Whitten's medium. Whitten's medium supplemented with different protein sources (amino acids, FCS, BSA) was used to study the effects of different exposure periods to eCG/hCG stimulation on MPF and MAP kinase activities and in vivo fertilisability following culture for 48 h. MPF and MAP kinase activities were significantly increased by eCG/hCG stimulation of COCs during maturation. Further, the continuous presence of eCG/hCG during culture (48 h) significantly increased the levels of both kinases in comparison to stimulation by gonadotrophins alone during the first 24 h of incubation. In vivo fertilisation of oocytes matured in Whitten's medium supplemented with eCG/hCG for 24 or 48 h led to a significant retardation of early embryonic development compared to ovulated oocytes. In conclusion, media composition and gonadotrophin stimulation affect MPF/MAP kinase activities and the susceptibility to parthenogenetic activation of IVM oocytes. However, elevated kinase levels in pig oocytes following culture do not indicate complete cytoplasmic maturation.     

In Vitro Ageing of Porcine Oocytes: Changes in Phosphorylation of the Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and Parthenogenetic Activability

The role of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) was investigated during ageing of porcine oocytes following in vitro maturation (IVM). Oocytes exhibiting an extruded first polar body after IVM for 46 h (79.3% metaphase II, M II) were used for the experiments. Nuclear maturation stages were not visibly altered after a further 12 h of ageing. Proportion of M II stages (42.9%) decreased significantly whereas fragmentation and degeneration of oocytes increased after an ageing time of 26 h. In vitro ageing for 12 and 26 h led to a significant reduction of MAPK phosphorylation (i.e. activation) compared to oocytes matured for 46 h. When MAPK was inhibited by U0126 in M II oocytes, 30.9% (12 h) and 39.7% (26 h) of oocytes, respectively, left metaphase II arrest and proceeded to early anaphase II. Pronuclear stages or fragmentation could be observed only sporadically (2.6–3.6%). After parthenogenetic activation of oocytes by ethanol/cycloheximide, cleavage stages were reached with rates of 51.9% (46 h IVM), 42.0% (12 h ageing) and 40.3% (26 h ageing), respectively. Furthermore, a significant higher proportion of long‐term aged oocytes (26 h) showed pronuclear formation (8.6%) and fragmentation (7.9%) compared to non‐aged oocytes (each 1.9%). It is concluded that both MAPK phosphorylation and cleavage rate after parthenogenetic activation decreased before alterations of nuclear stages could be detected during in vitro ageing of M II oocytes. A premature MAPK dephosphorylation of M II oocytes caused early anaphase II stages, but cleaved stages could not be achieved.     

Cdk2 activity is essential for the first to second meiosis transition in porcine oocytes

The meiotic progression of Xenopus oocytes has been suggested to depend on the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2). We examined whether Cdk2 is involved in the regulation of mammalian oocyte meiosis by injecting porcine oocytes with anti-Cdk2 antibody. At first, the cross-reactivity of the anti-Cdk2 antibody with Cdc2 kinase was evaluated by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting experiments using porcine granulosa cell extract, and no cross-reactivity with Cdc2 kinase was observed in the antibody used. In the anti-Cdk2 antibody-injected group, 50.7% of the oocytes were arrested in the second metaphase after 50 h of culture and this rate was significantly lower than those in the non-injected intact oocytes or the oocytes injected with mouse IgG (84.5% and 86.7%, respectively). Most of the other oocytes in the antibody-injected group formed a pronucleus without polar bodies or with only one polar body. The cyclin B1 amount in the antibody-injected and activated oocytes was dramatically decreased compared with that in the intact or mouse IgG-injected oocytes after 50 h of culture. These results suggest that Cdk2 is involved in the meiotic maturation of mammalian oocytes, and that the block of Cdk2 activity results in the failure of cyclin B1 accumulation and second meiosis induction.     

生长激素对体外培养猪COCs影响的研究

研究了生长激素对猪COCs体外成熟过程中卵丘细胞扩展、卵丘细胞凋亡、卵母成熟及孤雌激活后卵裂的影响。结果表明:生长激素(STH)能够促进卵丘细胞扩展,抑制卵丘细胞凋亡,对卵母细胞的成熟和激活后卵裂呈现双重效应。在猪COCs培养液中添加0.15μg/mL STH成熟率(73.83%±1.80%)和卵裂率(64.76%±2.84%)显著高于对照组(mNCSU-23+PMSG(10IU/mL)+hCG(10 IU/mL))及添加0.01、0.05、0.1、2μg/mL STH组(P<0.05),在本实验中为猪卵母细胞体外成熟的最佳条件。     

Meiotic resumption of porcine immature oocytes is prevented by ooplasmic Gsalpha functions

A high cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level in fully-grown immature oocytes prevents meiotic resumption. In Xenopus, inhibitory cAMP is synthesized within oocytes depending on a stimulatory alpha-subunit of G-protein (Gsalpha). In the present study, we examined whether ooplasmic Gsalpha is involved in meiotic arrest of porcine oocytes. First, we studied the presence of Gsalpha molecules in porcine oocytes by immunoblotting, and this suggested the presence of reported isoforms (45 and 48 kDa) not only in cumulus cells but also in porcine oocytes. Then we injected an anti-Gsalpha antibody into porcine immature oocytes and found that inhibition of ooplasmic Gsalpha functions significantly promoted germinal vesicle breakdown of the oocytes, whose spontaneous meiotic resumption was prevented by 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (IBMX) treatment. Although cyclin B synthesis and M-phase promoting factor (MPF) activation were largely prevented until 30 h of culture in IBMX-treated oocytes, injection of anti-Gsalpha antibody into these oocytes partially recovered cyclin B synthesis and activated MPF activity at 30 h. These results suggest that meiotic resumption of porcine oocytes is prevented by ooplasmic Gsalpha, which may stimulate cAMP synthesis within porcine oocytes, and that synthesized cAMP prevents meiotic resumption of oocytes through the signaling pathways involved in MPF activation.     

RFRP-3对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

旨在研究RFRP-3对猪卵母细胞体外成熟的影响。本研究采用从屠宰场收集健康母猪的卵巢中挑取的GV期卵母细胞,随机分为3组,在培养基中分别添加0、10^-6和10^-8mol·L^-1 RFRP-3培养猪卵母细胞44 h后统计各组卵母细胞的成熟率;在后续试验中将收集到的卵母细胞随机分为2组,在培养基中分别添加0和10^-8 mol·L^-1 RFRP-3培养猪卵母细胞44 h,观察猪卵母细胞的卵丘扩展情况并计算各组的卵丘扩展指数和各组卵母细胞的成熟率;利用qRT-PCR检测卵丘扩展因子(PTGS2、HAS2、PTX3)、卵母细胞分泌因子(GDF9、BMP15)和周期蛋白相关基因(CCNB1和CDK1)的表达变化;利用ELISA试剂盒检测MPF和cAMP的含量;采用放射免疫法检测孕酮和雌激素的浓度,每组卵母细胞量不少于100枚,每个试验重复3次。结果表明,与对照组相比,添加10^-8mol·L^-1 RFRP-3培养猪卵母细胞可极显著降低卵母细胞的成熟率(P<0.01);通过显微镜观察并计算卵丘扩展指数发现,试验组中卵丘扩展无明显变化(P>0.05),但卵丘扩展因子(PTGS2、HAS2、PTX3)的表达极显著下降(P<0.01);RFRP-3可以极显著降低猪卵母细胞MPF的含量(P<0.01),对cAMP的含量无显著影响(P>0.05);添加RFRP-3可促进GDF9(P<0.01)和BMP15(P<0.05)的表达,抑制CCNB1(P<0.05)和CDK1(P<0.05)的表达;同时试验组培养基中孕酮、雌激素的浓度也极显著下降(P<0.01)。综上,RFRP-3通过调控猪卵母细胞成熟相关因子和卵丘扩展因子的表达以及类固醇激素的分泌,从而抑制卵母细胞的体外成熟。本研究为阐明RFRP-3对哺乳动物卵母细胞的调控作用奠定理论基础。     

Activation with ethanol improves embryo development of ICSI-derived oocytes by regulation of kinetics of MPF activity

Developmental potential of bovine embryos that are not artificially activated after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is generally very low. In this study, we investigated effects of artificial activation with ethanol on kinetics of maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity (p34(cdc2) kinase activity) and development of bovine oocytes following ICSI. Treatment of oocytes with ethanol at 4 h after ICSI improved their first cleavage and further preimplantation development (51% vs. 13%, 14% vs. 4%: treatment with vs. without ethanol, respectively). MPF activity of oocytes was lowered until at least 2 h after ICSI. In oocytes without activation after ICSI, MPF activity temporarily elevated at 6 h after ICSI, whereas this phenomena was not observed in the oocytes treated with ethanol. Furthermore, MPF activity was elevated 20 h after ICSI in oocytes activated with ethanol, whereas this elevation of MPF activity was not shown in oocytes without activation. These results indicate that the stimulus of sperm was sufficient to lower MPF activity of oocytes following ICSI, and moreover the activation treatment of bovine oocytes with ethanol after ICSI served to maintain the low levels of MPF activity until the next cell cycle started.     

Effects of melatonin on maturation,histone acetylation,autophagy of porcine oocytes and subsequent embryonic development

Melatonin (MLT) is an endogenous hormone with roles in animal germ cell development. However, the effect of MLT on porcine oocyte maturation and its underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of exogenous MLT on oocyte maturation, histone acetylation, autophagy and subsequent embryonic development. We found that 1 nmol/L MLT supplemented in maturation medium was the optimal concentration to promote porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent developmental competence and quality of parthenogenetic embryos. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of 1 nmol/L MLT treatment on porcine oocyte maturation and embryo development were mainly attributed to the first half period of in vitro maturation. Simultaneously, MLT treatment could also improve maturation of small follicle‐derived oocytes, morphologically poor (cumulus cell layer ≤1) and even artificially denuded oocytes and their subsequent embryo development. Furthermore, MLT treatment not only could decrease the levels of H3K27ac and H4K16ac in metaphase II (MII) oocytes, but also could increase the expression abundances of genes associated with cumulus cell expansion, meiotic maturation, histone acetylation and autophagy in cumulus cells or MII oocytes. These results indicate that MLT treatment can facilitate porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development probably, through improvements in histone acetylation and autophagy in oocytes.     

曲古抑菌素(Trichostatin)A对猪卵母细胞体外成熟及孤雌胚胎发育能力的影响

曲古抑菌素A（Trichostatin A,TSA）是一种组蛋白去乙酰化抑制剂,用TSA处理鼠核移植胚胎可显著提高胚胎的囊胚率。检验TSA对猪卵母细胞体外成熟以及孤雌胚胎发育的影响。在猪卵母细胞体外成熟液及胚胎培养液中添加TSA,比较不同浓度TSA对卵母细胞成熟的影响,不同浓度TSA对孤雌胚胎发育能力的影响以及TSA处理不同时间对孤雌胚胎发育能力的影响。结果发现：（1）5nmol／LTSA处理对卵母细胞体外核成熟无显著影响,却显著提高了卵母细胞孤雌胚胎的卵裂率和囊胚率（P〈0．05）;（2）50nmol／LTSA处理显著提高了孤雌胚胎的卵裂率及囊胚率（P〈0．05）;（3）50nmol／LTSA处理24h能显著提高胚胎的卵裂率及囊胚率（P〈0．05,82．1％&#177;2．6％和37．4％&#177;3．1％）。结果表明TSA对猪卵母细胞的体外成熟及孤雌胚胎发育具有显著的促进作用。5nmol／L的添加量对卵母细胞的体外胞质成熟具有促进作用;胚胎培养基中添加50nmol／LTSA处理24h能提高孤雌胚胎的发育能力。     

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。     

Steroidogenesis and the influence of MAPK activity during in vitro maturation of porcine cumulus oocyte complexes

The aim of this study was to investigate steroidogenesis within porcine cumulus oocyte complexes during in vitro maturation and to examine the possible influence of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Porcine cumulus oocyte complexes were matured in vitro with and without the MAPK kinase inhibitor U0126 for 0, 5, 26 and 46 h. The 17β-estradiol and progesterone concentration in the culture medium were then determined. In addition, the mRNA levels of StAR, Cyp11A1, 3β-HSD and Cyp19A1 in cumulus cells were analysed by RT-PCR. Using an immunoblot, the MAPK phosphorylation in cumulus cells and oocytes was examined. During the first 26 h of in vitro maturation, 17β-estradiol secretion was predominant, whereas, after a culture period of 46 h, the progesterone secretion decreased conspicuously. Under the influence of U0126, the secretion of 17β-estradiol increased progressively during the complete maturation period, while progesterone secretion was completely inhibited. The mRNA levels of StAR and Cyp11A1 were not altered by U0126; however, corresponding to the hormone secretion, the gene expression of Cyp19A1 was up-regulated and the expression of 3β-HSD down-regulated. The results suggested an influence of the MAPK on steroidogenesis in cumulus cells comparable to a luteinization factor. Hormone synthesis in cumulus cells during oocyte maturation seems to be regulated by altering expression of Cyp19A1 and 3β-HSD.     

Effect of EGF on expression and localization of maturation‐promoting factor,mitogen‐activated protein kinase,p34cdc2 and cyclin B during different culture periods on in vitro maturation of canine oocytes

This study aimed to investigate the localization of MPF, MAPK, p34^cdc2 and cyclin B1 proteins, before and after treatment with EGF during different moments of oocyte maturation. The ovaries obtained from 350 domestic dogs were aseptically isolated, immersed in physiological solution and transported at 4°C. In the laboratory, the ovaries were sectioned for the release of cumulus–oocyte complexes. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were selected and divided into treatment groups with and without EGF and cultured for 24, 48 and 72 hr. Immunofluorescence was used for the detection and the localization of MAPK, MPF, p34^cdc2 and cyclin B1 proteins. We observed that the expression and localization of MPF, MAPK, p34^cdc2 and cyclin B1 proteins are associated with meiosis resumption and cell cycle progression, and that EGF influences cell signalling pathways by promoting alterations in the localization of these proteins, improving the acquisition of oocyte competence. This is the first report of the localization of crucial proteins for meiosis progression in domestic dogs and identification of the expression and localization of proteins for cell cycle progression performed in this study represented a step of great importance to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the meiosis block in domestic dogs, allowing the advance in this research area.     

猪卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌激活参数研究

本研究比较了按不同方法贮藏的培养液对猪卵母细胞体外成熟及成熟后孤雌激活对胚胎发育的影响。此外,还探索了针对初情期前母猪体外成熟卵母细胞和孤雌激活方案。结果如下：①1.4 kv/cm、100 μs、1DC电激活后,卵母细胞死亡率明显高于2.0 kv/cm、30 μs、1DC和2.0 kv/cm、60 μs、1DC处理组,但激活后胚胎卵裂率和囊胚率相似;②使用钙离子载体和6-二甲基氨基嘌呤（Ionomycin+6-DMAP）处理后,胚胎卵裂及囊胚率都明显不如电激活处理;③6次独立试验结果证明：经4℃冷藏和-20℃冷冻保存的培养液用于猪卵母细胞培养,其体外成熟率、孤雌激活后的卵裂率及囊胚发育率无显著差异（P＞0.05）。说明成熟卵在2.0 kv/cm、30 μs、1DC或者 2.0 kv/cm、60 μs、1DC电击参数激活下可以降低死卵率;按本试验设计的电激活方案处理初情期前母猪成熟卵优于化学激活;在-20℃冷冻保存猪卵母细胞成熟液是可行的。      

Alterations of spindle and microfilament assembly in aged cat oocytes

To obtain insights into the cytoplasmic maturation status of cat oocytes recovered from cat ovaries following hormone treatment, we first examined microtubule and microfilament assembly in cat oocytes recovered from hormone-treated ovaries at various stages of maturation. Additionally, we determined the alteration of spindle and microfilament assembly, as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, in cat oocytes at 0, 6, 12 and 18 h of further maturation in vitro. We then looked at pronuclear formation and cleavage of these oocytes following parthenogenetic activation. Similar to other species, microtubules are present in germinal vesicle (GV) stage cat oocytes, and following GV breakdown, microtubules encompassed condensed chromatin particles to form the meiotic metaphase spindle. Microfilaments were located in the cortex and around the GV. A microfilament-rich area, in which the chromatin is located, was observed in the oocytes during meiotic maturation. Maturation rates in aged oocytes (cultured for 18 h) were increased when compared with that in relatively fresh oocytes (<12 h culture), and the number of oocytes with abnormal spindle shapes was also increased in aged oocytes. Furthermore, in aged oocytes, the incidence of the metaphase plate observed outside the thick microfilament domain was higher compared with that of young oocytes, and this seemed to result in an increase in the number of oocytes with two pronuclei and one polar body following activation. Western blot analysis revealed a decrease in MAPK activity in aged cat oocytes. Taken collectively, these results suggest that the optimum time for improved cytoplasmic maturation is <12 h in cat oocytes recovered from hormone-treated ovaries.