Transfer of Bisected Cattle Embryos within the Same Zona Pellucida*

Cattle embryos at the compact morula and blastocyst stages were bisected by two different methods. In some embryos the embryo bisection was performed outside of the zona pellucida and both halves were replaced into it. Other embryos were bisected within the zona pellucida and no pipetting of the halves was required. They were transferred to synchronized recipient cows and the pregnancy rates and twinning rates were evaluated.     

Bovine Oocyte Quality in Relation to Ultrastructural Characteristics of Zona Pellucida,Polyspermic Penetration and Developmental Competence

In the present study, the effect of bovine oocyte quality related to ultrastructural characteristics of zona pellucida (ZP), polyspermic penetration and embryo developmental competence was evaluated. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were punctioned from 453 ovaries, classified as 1, 2, 3 and 4 according to their morphological aspect, matured for 24 h and then divided into two groups. In group A, oocytes were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 0.1 m sodium cacodylate and examined under a scanning electron microscope. Photomicrographs were taken and ZP’s pores were evaluated in squares of 6.4‐μm width. In group B, oocytes were fertilized in vitro. After 48 h, non‐cleaved oocytes were fixed for polyspermy evaluation. On days 7, 9 and 10, embryos were classified as developed (blastocysts and hatched blastocysts). Results showed that quality 1 oocytes revealed a ZP pore diameter of 0.50 ± 0.07 μm, which was smaller than the observed on oocytes of quality 2 (0.83 ± 0.10 μm), quality 3 (1.02 ± 0.22 μm) and quality 4 (1.38 ± 0.59 μm) (p ≤ 0.05). For In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), results showed that embryos originating from oocytes classed as 3 and 4 had lower cleavage rate (68.4% and 43.8%) than those belonging to class 1 and 2 (79.5% and 69.3%) (p ≤ 0.05). None oocyte classified as 3 and 4 developed to hatch blastocysts, while for oocytes belonging to quality 1 and 2, these values were, respectively, 15.2% and 12.5%. Concerning polyspermy, oocytes class 1 and 2 had lower polyspermic penetration than those belonging to class 3 and 4 (respectively 4.1%, 4.5%, 11.1% and 9.8%, for class 1, 2, 3 and 4). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that oocytes with low qualities result in lower developmental competence and with high percentage of polyspermy after IVF, which can be the result of the ZP structure such as the number and the pore’s diameter.     

牛胚胎玻璃化冷冻保存研究进展

1 玻璃化冷冻的基本原理 所谓的玻璃化冷冻就是在完全的玻璃化状态下冷冻保存细胞、组织或器官.为了在一定冷冻速度下形成玻璃化,需要使用高浓度的可渗透性低温保护剂. 玻璃化冷冻法是根据物理学原理,将高浓度的低温保护剂(约7 mol/L)在超低温环境下凝固,形成无规则的玻璃化固体,这种固态物质能保持液态时的正常分子与离子分布,因而在细胞内发生玻璃化起到保护作用.这种方法不仅大大简化了冷冻过程,而且减少了由于细胞冰晶形成所引起的一系列物理及化学损伤.此外,这种方法采用迅速通过临界温度区,从而减轻了一些动物胚胎冷冻中常见的冻伤现象.     

牛胚胎玻璃化超快速冷冻一步法移植试验

应用 30 %乙二醇 0 .3mol/ L 蔗糖 - m- PBS液 (VS1)、30 %乙二醇 0 .3m ol/ L 蔗糖 5 %葡聚糖 (T- 5 0 0 ) - m-PBS液 (VS2 )、30 %乙二醇 0 .3mol/ L蔗糖 10 %葡聚糖 (T- 5 0 0 ) - m- PBS液 (VS3)玻璃化超快速冷冻奶牛胚胎 ,一步法移植。结果显示 ,VS1、VS2、VS3组玻璃化超快速冷冻奶牛胚胎解冻后的形态正常率分别为 10 0 % (2 0 / 2 0 )、95 %(19/ 2 0 )和 5 5 .6 % (5 / 9) ;培养存活率分别为 70 % (14 / 2 0 )、75 % (15 / 2 0 )和 2 2 .2 % (2 / 9) ;囊胚孵化率分别为 0、2 0 % (4/2 0 )和 0。VS1、VS2组玻璃化冷冻奶牛胚胎解冻后的形态正常率极显著地高于 VS3组 (P<0 .0 1) ;VS1、VS2组玻璃化冷冻奶牛胚胎解冻后的培养存活率分别显著 (P<0 .0 5 )和极显著 (P<0 .0 1)地高于 VS3组。 VS1组冷冻的胚胎经一步法移植了 5头 (1枚 /头 ) ,未获得妊娠 (0 / 5 ) ;VS2组冷冻的胚胎用一步法移植了 10头 (1枚 /头 ) ,结果获得 2头妊娠(2 / 10 ) ,并产下 2头正常犊牛。     

Viability of Fresh and Frozen-Thawed Biopsied Bovine Embryos

Gustafsson H., U. Jaakma and M. Shamsuddin: Viability of fresh and frozen-thawed biopsied bovine embryos. Acta vet. scand. 1994,35,217-222.– Bovine embryos were biopsied using a simplified splitting technique and frozen-thawed according to a standard method with glycerol as cryoprotectant. The viability of fresh and frozen-thawed biopsied and intact embryos were evaluated after in vitro culture, by means of fluorescence test or following transfer to recipients. The survival rates after in vitro culture of fresh intact and biopsied embryos and of frozen-thawed intact and zona free embryos were not significantly different (70%, 60%, 68% and 52%, respectively), but significantly reduced for bipsied frozen-thawed embryos (16%) (p≤0.05). The pregnancy results after transfer of biopsied frozen-thawed embryos were also significantly lower (8%) compared to fresh biopsied embryos (39%) (p≤0.05). Both intact and biopsied embryos fluoresced after incubation with diacetylfluorescin but with higher intensity for the intact embryos. It is suggested that the reduced survivability for the frozen-thawed biopsied embryos might be caused by combined effects of the loss of the zona pellucida and the reduction of cells as a result of the simplified biopsy technique. It is concluded that improved biopsy and/or freezing techniques must be used if biopsied embryos have to be frozen.     

Functional Morphology of the Zona Pellucida

The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular matrix surrounding the oocyte and the early embryo that exerts several important functions during fertilization and early embryonic development. The ZP of most mammalian species is composed of three major glycoproteins that show considerable heterogeneity due to extensive post-translational modifications. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the ZP reveals three to four glycoproteins which have been nominated ZPI. ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4. As cloning and characterization of the ZP genes of a variety of mammalian species including domestic animals show a high homology, three classes of ZP genes, ZPA, ZPB and ZPC can be discerned. The corresponding proteins were named ZPA, ZPB and ZPC. Whereas in the mouse ZPB is the primary sperm receptor. the situation is more complicated in other species. For instance, in the pig ZPA has been shown to possess receptor activity. Interaction between gametes during fertilization is at least in part regulated by carbohydrate moieties of the ZP and carbohydrate-binding proteins of the sperm surface. In domestic animals zona proteins are expressed in both the oocyte and granulosa cells in a stage-specific pattern and may play a role in granulosa cell differentiation. The role of ZP glycoproteins in immunocontraception is briefly discussed.     

Effect of Protease Inhibitors on the Acrosome Reaction and Sperm‐Zona Pellucida Binding in Bovine Sperm

Acrosomal proteases participate in several events during fertilization process and are necessary during the acrosome reaction (AR) and sperm‐zona pellucida (ZP) binding process. In this study, the participation of sperm trypsin‐like, chymotrypsin‐like, and metalloprotease enzymes in the AR and ZP binding in cattle was investigated using protease inhibitors. Motile bovine sperm were obtained by a swim‐up method (4 × 10⁶ cells / ml) in Brackett and Oliphant medium. The sperm were capacitated and then incubated with Antithrombin III (trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor); N‐α‐p‐tosyl‐l ‐lysine‐chloromethyl‐ketone (trypsin inhibitor); Trypsin inhibitor (I‐S Type from soybean); N‐tosyl‐l ‐phenylalanine‐chloromethyl‐ketone (chymotrypsin inhibitor); or disodium salt from the hydrated ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (metalloprotease inhibitor). Then, the AR was induced with lysophosphatidylcholine and evaluated with the double stain technique. Sperm‐zona binding capacity was evaluated using cumulus cell‐free oocytes. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the percent of true acrosome‐reacted sperm was observed only in cells incubated with trypsin (10.2 ± 1%) and chymotrypsin inhibitors (18.5 ± 1%) in relation to the control (52.2 ± 1%). Treatment with the metalloprotease inhibitor did not affect the AR percentage (51.8 ± 1%). On the contrary, there was no significant change in the number of sperm bound to the ZP with any of the inhibitors used. The results suggest a role for trypsin and chymotrypsin proteases, but not metalloproteases, in the AR in bovine sperm. In addition, these proteases do not seem to be involved in the binding of bovine sperm to the ZP.     

Cellular Composition and Viability of Cloned Bovine Embryos Using Exogene-Transfected Somatic Cells

The present study compared the efficiency of transgenic (TG) cloned embryo production by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) with fetal-derived fibroblast cells (FFCs) which were transfected with pEGFP-N1 to in vitro-fertilized (IVF), parthenogenetic and SCNT counterparts by evaluating the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation, apoptosis rate at different developmental stages, cell number, ploidy and gene expression in blastocysts. In SCNT and TG embryos, the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those of IVF controls, but it did not differ between SCNT and TG embryos. In IVF control, 86.7% embryos displayed diploid chromosomal complements and the rates were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of SCNT and TG embryos. Most TG embryos (79%) with FFCs expressed the gene by both PCR and under fluorescence microscopy. The expression of apoptosis by TUNEL was first detected at six to eight cell stages in all embryos of IVF, SCNT and TG groups, but the expression rate at each developmental stages was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in SCNT and TG embryos than in IVF counterparts. The expression rate in inner cell mass (ICM) of TG embryos was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in SCNT and IVF embryos. These results indicate that the high occurrence of apoptosis observed in SCNT and TG embryos compared with IVF counterparts might influence the developmental competence. Moreover, the SCNT embryos derived using non-transfected donor cells exhibited a lower apoptosis expression in ICM cells than in TG embryos derived using pEGP-N1-transfected donor cells suggesting a possible role of negative gene effect in TG embryos.     

Vitrification of In Vitro-produced Bovine Embryos by Addition of Ethylene Glycol in One-step

The objective of this study was to simplify two-step addition of cryoprotectant for vitrification of bovine embryos by developing a one-step procedure. Survival was calculated as a percentage of non-vitrified controls developed from the same batch of oocytes. In experiment 1, bovine blastocysts were vitrified following one- or two-step addition of cryoprotectant. Exposure of embryos to cryoprotectant in one-step resulted in survival rates not significantly lower (p > 0.1) than those obtained by two-step addition (85% vs 98%, respectively). Based on these results, experiments 2-4 were designed to test one-step addition of cryoprotectant more rigorously. Experiment 2 exposed day 7 blastocysts to 6, 7 or 8 M ethylene glycol for 2.5 or 3.5 min. At 24 h post-vitrification, survival of embryos was similar, irrespective of ethylene glycol concentration or exposure time (6 M 38%, 7 M 51%, 8 M 59%; 2.5 min 54%, 3.5 min 45%). In experiment 3, blastocysts were exposed to 7 M ethylene glycol for shorter times (30 or 60 s); 30 s exposure resulted in decreased survival (8% vs 31%, p < 0.05). Experiment 4 concerned one-step addition of cryoprotectant to day 6 bovine morulae, exposed to 7 M ethylene glycol for 1 or 1.5 min. There was no difference in survival between exposure times of 1 or 1.5 min (28% vs 45%, respectively; p > 0.1). It is unclear why many embryos survive vitrification with one-step addition of cryoprotectant, but others do not. Although, one-step addition of cryoprotectant simplifies the vitrification procedure, survival rates were inadequate for routine cryopreservation of in vitro-produced bovine embryos.     

Changes in Zona Pellucida Surface after in vivo and in vitro Maturation of Caprine Oocytes

Contents
The zona pellucida (ZP) surface features of ovulated, inmature and in-vitro -matured goat oocytes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The in vitro maturation (IVM) process of the ZP surface of oocytes from prepubertal and adult goats were also compared. Ovulated oocytes were collected from superovulated adult goats. Immature oocytes were recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries of prepubertal and adult goats. In-vitro -matured oocytes from adult and prepubertal goats were obtained after culture in TCM199 supplemented with 20% oestrous goat serum + 10 μg/ml FSH + 10 μg/ml LH + 1 μg/ml estradiol 17β for 27 h at 38.5°C in 5% CO₂ in air. All oocytes were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide. Before IVM, the ZP surface of immature oocytes showed a rough surface with tight holes (Type I ZP). After the maturation process, the ZP surface acquired a lattice-like appearance with the outermost layer characterized by the presence of shallower large holes (Type II ZP) . A higher percentage of oocytes showing the mature type II ZP surface was observed in ovulated than in in-vitro -matured oocytes (82.6 versus 56.7%, respectively, p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in ZP surface features when the IVM process of oocytes (immature and in-vitro -matured oocytes) from adult and prepubertal females was compared. These results show that the morphology of the ZP surface is related to the oocyte maturity in caprine. The IVM process gives rise to an adequate and similar development of the ZP surface in oocytes from adult and prepubertal goats.     

亚油酸蛋白对牛IVF胚胎的冷冻后发育能力的影响研究

本试验主要讨论了冷冻液添加亚油酸蛋白(LAA)对牛体外受精胚胎(IVF)冷冻后发育能力的影响。结果表明:①低温(0～4℃)保存卵巢获得的卵子受精卵裂率达68.16%(167/245);②LAA添加浓度为4mg/mL时,IVF6日龄胚胎解冻后的存活率与孵化率分别为69.4%(34/49)和22.4%(11/49)最高;不添加LAA的解冻后胚胎的存活率及孵化率分别为47.8%(22/46)和13.0%(6/46)最低,两者差异显著(P<0.05),添加其他浓度各组间差异不显著;③7日龄胚的冻后存活率和孵化率分别为71.4%(90/126)和23.0%(29/126),6日龄胚的分别为68.6%(48/70)和22.9%(16/70),两者差异不显著(P>0.05),8日龄胚的分别为36.3%(33/91)和3%(3/91),与6,7日龄IVF胚冻后的存活率与卵化率差异极显著(P<0.01)。     

小鼠去透明带裸卵的体外受精及其胚胎发育

为了建立提高小鼠弱精子体外受精率的新方法 ,将小鼠宰杀在 2 0℃下搁置 14 h,然后取出附睾尾精子进行冷冻保存。用解冻后活力明显下降的精子 ,与去透明带裸卵进行体外受精。结果显示 ,与带有颗粒细胞卵的体外受精率(0 % )和透明带切开卵的体外受精率 (4%～ 31% )相比 ,去透明带卵的体外受精率增至 39%～ 6 8% (P<0 .0 1) ;体外受精所获的 2细胞胚 ,经培养有 74 %～ 10 0 %的胚胎发育至扩张囊胚 ;来自 BDF1雄性小鼠精子的 2细胞期体外受精胚 ,经体外培养至囊胚期后再移植 ,获得了正常新生小鼠。以上结果表明 ,去透明带裸卵与小鼠弱精子体外受精 ,可提高小鼠弱精子的利用率     

小鼠胚胎常规冷冻和玻璃化冷冻效果的比较

将小鼠胚胎分别用常规冷冻法和OPS法冷冻，结果用常规冷冻法和OPS法冷冻小鼠桑葚胚，解冻后培养24h胚胎的发育率分别为87．32％、86．67％（P〉0．05）；用两种方法冷冻小鼠囊胚的结果分别为81．43％、83．56％（P〉0．05），结果表明用OPS法冷冻保存小鼠胚胎能达到用常规冷冻法的效果。     

On the Species Specificity of Sperm Binding and Sperm Penetration of the Zona Pellucida

Sperm binding and sperm penetration of the zona pellucida (zp) are regarded as species‐specific. In this investigation, the interactions between bovine oocytes and porcine, respectively, equine spermatozoa have been studied under in vitro conditions and compared with the normal in vitro fertilization of bovine oocytes by bovine sperm. Surprisingly, many of the heterologous spermatozoa adhered firmly to the bovine oocytes and could not be removed by intense washing. On average, more than 100 boar or equine spermatozoa were bound to the zp of bovine oocytes. Electron microscopic studies clearly demonstrated that porcine sperm attached to the zona and underwent the acrosome reaction. Equine spermatozoa displayed a similar binding affinity, but unlike the porcine spermatozoa even penetrated the zp and were taken up into the oocyte after a longer period of co‐incubation. Considering these new results the dogma of a strict species specificity of sperm zona interactions under in vitro conditions has to be reconsidered.     

小鼠胚胎常规冷冻和玻璃化冷冻效果的比较

将小鼠胚胎分别用常规冷冻法和OPS法冷冻,结果用常规冷冻法和OPS法冷冻 小鼠桑葚胚,解冻后培养24 h胚胎的发育率分别为87．32％、86．67％(P>0．05);用两种方 法冷冻小鼠囊胚的结果分别为81．43％、83．56％(P>0．05),结果表明用OPS法冷冻保存小 鼠胚胎能达到用常规冷冻法的效果。     

Ultrastructural Study of the Canine Zona Pellucida Surface During In Vitro Maturation

The aim of the present study was to compare the ultrastructure of the surface of the zona pellucida (ZP) of immature and in vitro matured dog oocytes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bitch oocytes were collected after ovariohysterectomy; the ovaries were sliced and the released cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The selected COCs were randomly allocated into three groups, two groups were processed after in vitro maturation at both 72 and 96 h and a third group was processed immediately at immature state in PBS medium. After that, oocytes were fixed, critical point dried and viewed by using SEM. The diameters of the outer holes of the ZP were measured on a total of 93 oocytes; the results were analyzed with anova . The mean diameters of holes were different between groups (p < 0.05): 0.69 ± 0.12, 1.56 ± 0.19 and 1.42 ± 0.27 μm, for immature and in vitro matured oocytes for 72 and 96 h, respectively. The difference in the hole sizes between immature and in vitro matured canine oocytes indicates that the ZP surface is related to oocyte maturity in canines.     

鼠去透明带裸卵的体外受精及其胚胎发育

为了建立提高小鼠弱精子体外受精率的新方法，将小鼠宰杀在20℃下搁置14h，然后取出附睾尾精子进行冷冻保存。用解冻后活力明显下降的精子，与去透明带裸卵进行体外受精。结果显示，与带有颗粒细胞卵的体外受精率（0％） 透明带切开卵的体外受精率（4％－31％）相比，去透明带卵的体外受精率增至39％－68％（P＜0．01）；体外受精所 2细胞胚，经培养有74％－100％的胚胎发育至扩经囊胚；来自BDF1雄性小鼠精子的2细胞期体外受精胚，经体外培养至囊胚期后再移植，获得了正常新生小鼠，以上结果表明，去透明带裸卵与小鼠弱精子体外受精，可提高小鼠弱精子的利用率。     

牛胚胎原代和继代细胞核移植结果比较

比较了原代和继代核移植的操作各环节以及核移植胚胎在体外发育能力上的差异。通过显微操作将体外受精发育而来的８～３２细胞期胚胎的单个卵裂球注入激活的去核卵母细胞的卵周隙内,并用８０Ｖ/mm、４０us２次电脉冲诱导卵裂球与去核卵母细胞融合,借此进行牛胚胎的原代核移 体外发育来的８～３２细胞期的原代核移植胚胎作为供体,用原代核移植相同的方法进行牛胚胎的继代移植。原代核移植的存活率和融合率（８７．３％和６８．５