scholarly journals 41 EFFECT OF CELL TYPES AND PASSAGES ON DEVELOPMENT AND APOPTOSIS OF PORCINE CLONED EMBRYOS

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 170
Author(s):  
J.-G. Kim ◽  
Y.-S. Lee ◽  
S.-L. Lee ◽  
S.-A. Ock ◽  
C.-S. Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Female Fetus ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Donor Cells ◽  
Fetal Fibroblasts

The purpose of this study was to improve the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in pigs by assessing the development, cell numbers and apoptosis when using different cell types as nuclear donors and different numbers of passages. Primary cultures of the donor cells, porcine fetal fibroblasts (pFFF) from a female fetus at ∼30 days of gestation and adult female ear skin cells (pAESC), were established in DMEM + 15% FCS. For nuclear donor, cells at different passages were cultured for 5 days until confluent. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured and fertilized in vitro as controls by the following methods (2000 Theriogenology 54, 787–797). Following enucleation, oocytes were reconstructed by transfer of donor cells and fusion with two DC pulses (1.4 kV/cm, 50 μs) in 0.28 M mannitol containing 0.01 mM CaCl2 and MgCl2. Eggs were then cultured in NCSU23 + 1.9 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine for 3 h. SCNT and IVF embryos were cultured in NCSU23 for 54 h and subsequently in the same medium with 5.55 mM glucose for 90 h at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in air. In Experiment 1, when the rates of development between IVF and SCNT embryos constituted with cells at 5–7 passages were compared, no significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in the cleavage rates. The rates of blastocyst formation were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in IVF than in SCNT embryos with pFFF and pAESC (21% vs. 15% and 10%), but it did not differ between SCNT embryos. Total cell numbers in IVF blastocysts (35.4 ± 12) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in SCNT blastocysts with pFFF and pAESC (28.4 ± 8 and 26.2 ± 10, respectively). The apoptosis signal by TUNEL was initiated at Day 3 in IVF and SCNT embryos. Apoptosis rates in SCNT blastocysts with pFFF and pAESC (13.1 ± 2.5 and 16.6 ± 4.3, respectively) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in IVF embryos (3.6 ± 1.4). As the embryos developed, the rates of apoptosis were increased. On Day 6, the rates of apoptosis in IVF (4.8%) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those in SCNT embryos with pFFF (13.1%) and pAESC (16.6%). However, both total cell number and apoptosis in SCNT embryos with pFFF and pAESC revealed no significant differences. In Experiment 2, SCNT embryos with pFFF in different cell passages were compared for the development and apoptosis. No significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in the cleavage rates of SCNT embryos among different cell passages. The rates of blastocyst formation were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in SCNT embryos with 5–7 passages than those with other numbers of passages (14% vs. 6–8%, respectively). Although total cell numbers of SCNT blastocysts did not differ among different cell passages, apoptosis rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher when the number of cell passages was increased. These results suggest that fetal fibroblasts at 5–7 passages are ideal nuclear donor cells for obtaining high-quality porcine SCNT embryos. This work was supported by grant No. 1000520040020000 from Biogreen 21, Republic of Korea.

197 EFFECTS OF HYALURONAN ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND ATP CONTENT IN PIG BLASTOCYSTS PRODUCED IN VITRO

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
K. Yoshioka ◽  
M. Yokoo ◽  
T. Ozawa ◽  
C. Suzuki ◽  
H. Abe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Metabolic Activity ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Defined Medium ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Chemically Defined Medium ◽  
Atp Content ◽  
Cell Numbers

Hyaluronan (HA), a glycosaminoglycan present in follicular and oviductal fluids, has been related to sperm capacitation, fertilization, and embryo development. We have found that exogenous HA improves cell proliferation of porcine embryos cultured in a chemically defined medium (Yoshioka et al. 2004 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 16, 264–265). Moreover, mitochondrial maturation was clearly more advanced in blastocysts cultured with HA compared to those cultured without HA, as seen by transmission electron microscopy. In the present study, the effects of HA on oxygen consumption and ATP content of blastocysts, produced in a defined system which reflects metabolic activity, were investigated. Porcine immature oocytes were matured for 44 h in porcine oocyte medium (POM) and subsequently fertilized with frozen–thawed ejaculated semen in porcine gamete medium supplemented with theophylline, adenosine, and cysteine (PGMtac4). Both POM and PGMtac4 were chemically defined media modified from porcine zygote medium (PZM)-5. After IVF, presumptive zygotes were cultured in PZM-5 containing HA (from the microorganism, Nacalai tesque, Kyoto, Japan) at concentrations of 0 [control], 10 [HA10], or 100 [HA100] �g mL-1 until 5 days after IVF. Blastocyst formation rate and total cell numbers/blastocyst at Day 5 were assessed. In addition, oxygen consumption and ATP content of single Day 5 blastocysts were measured. Blastocyst oxygen consumption was quantified using scanning electrochemical microscopy (HV-403; Research Institute for the Functional Peptides, Yamagata, Japan), and embryonic ATP content was determined using a commercial assay based on the luciferin-luciferase reaction (ATPlite; PerkinElmer, Groningen, The Netherlands). Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Fisher&apos;s PLSD test. While the percentage of embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage [30.5% (63/206) to 31.7% (65/206)] did not differ among treatments, blastocyst cell number in the HA100 group [57.9 cells (n = 64)] was greater (P &lt; 0.05) compared to those in the control [48.6 cells (n = 63)] or HA10 [50.0 cells (n = 65)] groups. Blastocyst oxygen consumption rate in the HA100 group [0.629 � 10-14 mol s-1 (n = 15)] was significantly higher than in the control [0.500 � 1-14 mol s-1 (n = 16)] or HA10 [0.464 � 10-14 mol s-1 (n = 14)] groups. ATP content/blastocyst did not differ among treatments [control: 0.645 pmol (n = 38), HA10: 0.727 pmol (n = 42), and HA100: 0.704 pmol (n = 43)]. It is concluded that HA affects the metabolic activity of pig blastocysts developed in a chemically defined medium, enhancing oxygen consumption and their total cell numbers, thus improving the quality of IVP blastocysts.

41 EFFICIENT STRATEGY FOR INTERSPECIFIC CLONING IN FELIDS

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
L. N. Moro ◽  
M. I. Hiriart ◽  
J. Jarazo ◽  
C. Buemo ◽  
A. Sestelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Conservation ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Felis Silvestris ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Number Of Cells

Most of the 36 species of wild felids are at a level of threat, and interspecific SCNT (iSCNT) comes as a strategy to contribute to these species conservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of embryo aggregation in cheetah (Ch, Acinonyx jubatus), bengal (Ben, a hybrid between Felis silvestris and Prionailurus bengalensis), and domestic cat (DC, Felis silvestris) embryos generated by cloning. DC oocytes were in vitro matured and zona-free SCNT (with DC fibroblasts) or iSCNT (with Ch or Ben fibroblasts) was performed. The reconstructed embryos were activated with 5 μM ionomycin and 1.9 mM 6-DMAP, and cultured in SOF using microwells. Cloned embryos were cultured individually or as 2-embryo aggregates. The experimental groups were Ch1X, Ch2X, Ben1X, Ben2X, and the control groups were DC1X and DC2X. Embryo development was compared by Fisher's exact test (P ≤ 0.05). Embryo aggregation improved cleavage (Day 2) and blastocyst (Day 7) rates per well in all the groups (87.2% v. 96.7%, 83.8% v. 93.3% and 87.6% v. 98.2% for cleavage; and 13.7% v. 28.6%, 33.3% v. 43.8% and 27.4% v. 47.7% for blastocyst, for Ch1X (n = 102), Ch2X (n = 91), Ben1X (n = 154), Ben2X (n = 105), DC1X (n = 113), and DC2X (n = 109), respectively. Moreover, the Ch2X blastocyst rate was statistically similar as the control group DC1X. The mean total cell numbers of the blastocysts obtained were 264 ± 211 and 400.8 ± 97 for Ch1X and Ch2X, 278 ± 62 and 517 ± 104 for Ben1X and Ben2X, 385 ± 127 and 625 ± 183 for DC1X and DC2X, respectively. Although no statistical differences were obtained between the 1X and 2X groups, the 2X groups nearly doubled the average number of cells compared with the 1X groups. Blastocysts were also classified as grade 1 (expanded blastocysts with a well-defined ICM), grade 2 (expanded blastocysts without a well-defined ICM), and grade 3 (not expanded blastocysts). This classification showed an increase in grade 1 DC2X blastocyst compared with DC1X blastocysts (36.7% v. 16.1%), but no differences were observed in the other species. Expression of OCT-4 was assessed by inmunocytochemistry. The cheetah blastocysts markedly over-expressed this protein: the percentage of cells that expressed OCT-4 in Ch1X, Ch2X, Ben1X, Ben2X, DC1X, and DC2X was 88.2, 80.2, 46.3, 45.4, 51, and 47.4%, respectively, with statistical differences among all the groups except Ben1X and Ben2X. The proportion of OCT-4 expressing cells over total cell numbers was analysed by the difference of proportions test (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, iSCNT resulted in high rates of blastocyst formation, especially when embryo aggregation was applied. This strategy has not been previously evaluated in felids or iSCNT procedures, and has been demonstrated to improve blastocyst formation, the number of cells in the 3 groups, and the blastocyst quality in the DC. Other pluripotent genes besides OCT-4 should be studied to determine whether the overexpression of this gene in cheetah embryos is the consequence of an inefficient nuclear reprogramming that prevents a correct regulation. Finally, the iSCNT and embryo aggregation could contribute to species conservation in felids.

50 EFFECT OF AGGREGATION OR FUSION ON DEVELOPMENT AND CELL NUMBER OF BOVINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY HANDMADE CLONING AND PARTHENOGENESIS

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
E. S. Ribeiro ◽  
R. P. C. Gerger ◽  
L. U. Ohlweiler ◽  
I. Ortigari Jr ◽  
F. Forell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Chemical Activation ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
In Vitro Development ◽  
Vitro Development ◽  
Handmade Cloning

Cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer has been associated with developmental abnormalities, with the level of heteroplasmy imposed by cell fusion being one of many potential determining factors. As the cytoplast exerts a key role in nuclear reprogramming, embryo aggregation is an alternative to minimize such negative effects during cloning. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fusion of hemi-cytoplasts or aggregation of hemi-embryos on in vitro development and cell number of clone and parthenote embryos. Bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) from slaughterhouse ovaries, after 17 h of IVM, were used for the production of parthenotes by chemical activation, and clone embryos by handmade cloning (HMC) (Vajta et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 68, 571–578). Following cumulus and zona removal, oocytes were manually bisected, followed by segregation of nucleated and enucleated hemi-cytoplasts by fluorescence using Hoechst stain. One or two enucleated hemi-cytoplasts were paired with an adult skin somatic cell from primary cultures (>90% confluence) and fused using a 25V AC pre-pulse, followed by a single 1.2 kV cm–1 DC pulse for 10 μs. Reconstructed clone structures and groups of zona-intact oocytes and nucleated hemi-cytoplasts were chemically activated in ionomycin and 6-DMAP. Clone and parthenote structures were in vitro-cultured in the WOW system (Vajta et al. 2000 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55, 256–264) for 7 days, as follows: (G1) clone embryos reconstructed by aggregation of two hemi-embryos per WOW; or (G2) one embryo (two hemi-cytoplasts + cell) perWOW; and parthenote embryos composed of (G3) zona-intact oocytes cultured in wells; or aggregation of one (G4), two (G5), three (G6), or four (G7) nucleated hemi-cytoplasts per WOW. Fusion, cleavage (Day 2), and blastocyst (Day 7) rates, evaluated on a per WOW basis, were compared by the chi-square test (8 replications). Total cell number estimated by fluorescence (Hoechst stain) in blastocysts was analyzed by the Student t-test. Fusion rates of one hemi-cytoplast + cell (G1; 275/592, 46.5%) were lower than for two hemi-cytoplasts + cell (G2; 264/337, 78.3%). Cleavage rates were lower in G1 and G4 and higher in G6 and G7 than G2 and G3. A significant linear increase in blastocyst rates was observed in G5, G6, and G7. Total cell numbers were lower in parthenotes than in clones, except in G6 and G7. The lower fusion and cleavage rates after the aggregation of two clone hemi-embryos (G1) caused nearly a 50% reduction in the overall cloning efficiency. In addition, the aggregation of parthenogenetic hemi-embryos increased cleavage and blastocyst rates and cell number. However, aggregation of hemi structures did not improve blastocyst yield or cell number on a hemi-cytoplast basis. Table 1. In vitro development of parthenote or clone bovine embryos This work was supported by funding from CAPES/Brazil.

158 IMPACT OF MATURED CATTLE OOCYTES AT HIGHER INCUBATION TEMPERATURE ON IN VITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
M. Nkadimeng ◽  
E. van Marle-Koster ◽  
K. P. M. Lekola ◽  
M. L. Mphaphathi ◽  
M. M. Seshoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Embryo Production ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
In Vitro Embryo Production

Heat stress during IVF is associated with reduced fertility in cattle oocytes. It may, however, enhance thermo-tolerance or cause detrimental effects on a variety of cell types or organisms, depending on the duration and intensity of the thermal challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the developmental potential of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) matured for 18 or 24 h and incubated at 39°C or 41°C. A total of 1000 immature oocytes were collected at slaughter from indigenous South African cow ovaries. The COC were randomly allocated (100/treatment) into 2 maturation times (18 or 24 h) and cultured in M199 + FSH-LH-estradiol medium under oil at 100% humidity and 5% CO2 at 39°C or 41°C. Post maturation, oocytes were subjected to normal subsequent embryo conditions. The Bracket and Oliphant medium was used for IVF. All matured oocytes were fertilised for 6 h with frozen-thawed Nguni bull semen at a concentration of 265 × 106. The presumptive zygotes from each treatment were cultured into SOF-BSA medium under oil and incubated at 39°C for assessment of cleavage rate 48 h post IVF. After Day 7 of culture, blastocyst were stained (Hoechst 33323) for nuclei cell count. Statistical analyses was performed using Genstat® software of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA; P < 0.05). Oocytes that were matured for 18 h in 41°C resulted in more 8-cell embryos (41%) compared with those incubated at 39°C (21.6%). However, no difference was observed for cleavage rate at both maturation times and incubation temperatures (41 or 39°C). There was more morula formation from oocytes matured for 18 h (19.6%) and 24 h (19.0%) at 41°C compared to 39°C (8.4%) group. The results further showed more blastocyst formation during 18 h at 41°C (15.2%) than at 39°C (7.4%) and during 24 h at 41°C (11.2%), 39°C (11.4%). However there was no difference in the nuclei cell number during 18 h at 41°C (45.2), 24 h (45.8), and 18 h at 39°C (43.4) of maturation. Thus, there was a significant difference in the nuclei cell numbers at 24 h on 39°C (n = 133.2) and 41°C (n = 45.8). In conclusion, oocytes that were matured for 18 and 24 h at 41°C or for 18 h at 39°C developed further to blastocyst stage on in vitro embryo production, however, with low nuclei cell numbers due to accelerated maturation temperature or shortened maturation period.

59 HIGHER BLASTOCYST FORMATION OF SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS DOES NOT GUARANTEE BETTER PREGNANCY IN PIG

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
E. Lee ◽  
K. Song ◽  
Y. Jeong ◽  
S. Hyun
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Skin Fibroblasts ◽  
Miniature Pig ◽  
Donor Cells ◽  
Fetal Fibroblasts

Generally, blastocyst (BL) formation and embryo cell number are used as main parameters to evaluate the viability and quality of in vitro-produced somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. We investigated whether in vitro development of SCNT pig embryos correlates with in vivo viability after transfer to surrogates. For SCNT, cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in TCM-199 supplemented with follicular fluid, hormones, EGF, cysteine, and insulin for the first 22 h and in a hormone-free medium for 18 h. Three sources of pig skin cells were used as nuclear donor: (1) skin fibroblasts of a cloned piglet that were produced by SCNT of fetal fibroblasts from a Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc F1 hybrid (LYD), (2) skin fibroblasts of a miniature pig having the human decay accelerating factor gene (hDAF-MP), and (3) skin fibroblasts of a miniature pig with a different strain (MP). MII oocytes were enucleated, subjected to nuclear transfer from a donor cell, electrically fused, and activated 1 h after fusion. SCNT embryos were cultured in a modified NCSU-23 (Park Y et al. 2005 Zygote 13, 269–275) for 6 days or surgically transferred (110–150 fused embryos) into the oviduct of a surrogate that showed standing estrus on the same day as SCNT. Embryos were examined for cleavage and BL formation on Days 2 and 6, respectively (Day 0 = the day of SCNT). BLs were examined for their cell number after staining with Hoechst 33342. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound 30 and 60 days after embryo transfer. Embryo cleavage was not affected by donor cells (82, 81, and 72% for LYD, hDAF-MP, and MP, respectively), but BL formation was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in hDAF-MP (16%) than in LYD (9%) and MP (6%). MP showed higher (P &lt; 0.05) BL cell number (46 cells/BL) than hDAF-MP (34 cells) but did not show a difference from LYD (37 cells). LYD and MP showed higher pregnancy rates (Table 1) on Days 30 and 60, even though they showed lower BL formation in vitro. Due to a relatively small number of embryo transfers through a limited period, we could not exclude any possible effects by seasonal or operational differences. These results indicated that pregnancy did not correlate with in vitro BL formation of SCNT pig embryos but rather were affected by the source of donor cells. Table 1.In vivo development of somatic cell nuclear transfer pig embryos derived from different sources of donor cells This work was supported by the Research Project on the Production of Bio-organs (No. 200506020601), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Republic of Korea.

335 EFFECT OF VITAMIN E ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE OOCYTES AFTER CHEMICAL ACTIVATION

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
J. I. Park ◽  
Y. Jang ◽  
E. S. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Chemical Activation ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Humidified Air

Oxidative stress is known to induce apoptotic cell death by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from in vitro culture systems. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Vitamin E (VitE), as antioxidant, on development of bovine embryos activated in vitro. Bovine ovaries were collected from slaughtered cows at a local abattoir. Oocytes were aspirated from follicles 3-8 mm in diameter and transferred to maturation medium: tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal calf serum, 100 mg/mL-1 l-cysteine, 20 mg/mL-1 sodium pyruvate, gonadotropins (250 IU each of eCG and hCG/mL), 10 mg/mL-1 epidermal growth factor, and 100 �M VitE. Oocytes were cultured at 38.9�C in 5% CO2 in humidified air. After 22 hours of culture, oocytes with polar bodies were selected and subjected to activation treatments. Oocytes were exposed to calcium ionomycin (5 �M for 5 min), followed by incubation with 6-DMAP (2 mM) for 3.5 hours in medium supplemented with or without VitE (100 �M). After activation, oocytes were cultured in mSOF medium containing 0.8% BSA at 38.9�C in 5% CO2, 5% O2 in humidified air for 7–8 days. Cell numbers were counted by the number of nuclei of blastocysts stained with Hoechst 33342, and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay using a MK500 kit (Takara Bio, Inc., Otsu, Shiga, Japan). Total cell and apoptotic cell number were determined under a fluorescence microscope. Data were analyzed using Student&apos;s t-test and chi-square test. The cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) after activation with VitE (78.1&percnt; and 16.3&percnt;, n &equals; 80) than without VitE (66.7&percnt; and 11.0&percnt;, n &equals; 60). Total cell numbers were also significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) in blastocysts after activation with VitE (143.0 &plusmn; 34.02, n &equals; 21) than in those without VitE (127.63 &plusmn; 40.25, n &equals; 20). However, the percentage of TUNEL-positive (apoptotic) cells was similar between blastocysts activated with VitE (5.38 &plusmn; 2.22) and those without VitE (6.76 &plusmn; 1.98). The results of the present study demonstrate that vitamin E added to activation medium promoted further development of activated embryos, although its role in the alleviation of apoptosis remains unclear.

250 HUMAN EXHALED AIR CAN EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT IN VITRO MATURATION OF PORCINE OOCYTES AND SUBSEQUENT IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Z. B. Cao ◽  
L. C. Sui ◽  
S. F. Ji ◽  
J. W. Chen ◽  
T. Gui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
High Oxygen ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Total Cell Number ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Air Atmosphere ◽  
Significant Difference

The objective of the present study was to examine the feasibility of culturing porcine oocytes and embryos in vitro using the human exhaled lung air atmosphere. In Experiment 1, the effects of lung air atmosphere on nuclear maturation of prepubertal gilt oocytes and subsequent development in vitro of parthenogenetic-activated and somatic-cell-cloned embryos were explored. Abattoir-derived prepubertal gilt cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were matured in TCM-199 supplemented with 10 IU mL–1 of eCG, 10 IU mL–1 of hCG, 10 ng mL–1 of epidermal growth factor, and 10% porcine follicular fluid (pFF) for 40 to 44 h at 38.5°C, 100% humidity, and 5% CO2+20% O2 (high oxygen tension) or human exhaled air encapsulated in plastic, airtight bags (lung air) or 5% CO2+7% O2 (low oxygen tension) in the incubator. Nuclear maturation was evaluated by the presence of the 1st polar body. For parthenogenetic activation, denuded oocytes with the 1st polar body were selected and stimulated with a single 1.6-kV/cm, 100-μs direct current pulse followed by culture in porcine zygote medium-3. For NT, denuded metaphase II oocytes were enucleated, and then the donor cell was directly injected into the perivitelline space. After NT, reconstructed couplets were fused and activated electrically followed by treatment in 7.5 μg mL–1 of cytochalasin B and 10 μg mL–1 of cycloheximide for 4 to 6 h before culture in porcine zygote medium-3. We found no significant difference among groups in terms of nuclear maturation rate (66.5% v. 60.2%, 63.2%), cleavage rate (94.8% v. 94.2%, 85.2%), blastocyst formation rate (39.5% v. 40.3%, 32.5%), and total cell number (37 v. 38, 32). Moreover, as for porcine cloned embryo, no significant difference between the lung-air and high-oxygen (20% O2) groups was observed in the cleavage rate (88.3% v. 80.3%), blastocyst formation rate (7.3% v. 10.7%), and total cell number (34 v. 36). The above results indicated that porcine oocytes can be matured in vitro safely and efficiently using the human exhaled lung air atmosphere. In Experiment 2, in vitro developmental competence of porcine zona-free parthenogenetically activated embryos cultured in a lung air, low oxygen (5% O2), or high oxygen (20% O2) tension gas environment was studied. We found no obvious difference among the 3 groups regarding the rates of cleavage (83.0%, 83.6%, 82.8%), but blastocyst formation rate (26.8% v. 48.6%, 48.2%) and total cell number (23 v. 34, 29) in lung air were lower than those in the rest of the groups (P < 0.05). The results show that lung air could be an alternative for preparing a gas environment for in vitro culture of porcine zona-free parthenotes, although not an ideal alternative. Taken together, porcine oocytes and embryos can be cultured in vitro safely and efficiently using the human exhaled lung air atmosphere. Z. B. Cao and L. C. Sui contributed equally to this work. X. R. Zhang and Y. H. Zhang are the corresponding authors. This work was supported by NSFC (30700574), 863 (2008AA101003).

235 A COMPARISON OF PARTHENOGENETIC DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE OOCYTES SYNCHRONISED DURING MATURATION BY CYCLOHEXIMIDE OR cAMP

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
W. C. Chen ◽  
J. Zhu ◽  
P. Fisher ◽  
D. Amarnath ◽  
K. H. S. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Time Window ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Parthenogenetic Development ◽  
High Level

In vitro maturation of porcine oocytes is characterized by a high level of asynchrony between oocytes. Previous studies reported that cycloheximide (CHX) and 3′, 5′-cyclic AMP (cAMP) synchronize porcine oocytes and improve development to blastocyst stage following IVF or have been used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) (Ye et al. 2005 Biol. Reprod. 72(2), 399–406; Betthauser et al. 2000 Nat. Biotechnol. 18(10), 1055–1059). We previously reported that cAMP was more effective than CHX in synchronizing porcine oocyte maturation, producing MII oocytes in a shorter time window and providing a more homogenous population for future SCNT studies (Chen et al. 2008 SRF conference, 2008 abst, p34). Here we compared parthenogenetic development of porcine oocytes synchronized by these two treatments. Selected cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) obtained from slaughtered gilts were randomly divided into three groups and cultured at 39°C, 5% CO2 in air in modified NCSU-23 medium (with 1 μm glutathione, 1 mm cysteine, 5 mg L–1 insulin, 10 ng mL–1 epidermal growth factor, 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid, 1% essential and 0.5% nonessential amino acids) ± hormones (10 IU mL–1 PMSG and 10 IU mL–1 hCG): (1) with hormones for the first 22 h and then without hormones until 44 h; (2) with hormones and 5 μg mL–1 CHX for 12 h, and then with hormones but no CHX until 44 h; (3) with hormones and 1 mm cAMP for 22 h, and then without hormones and cAMP until 44 h. Parthenogenetic development of cycloheximide and cAMP treated oocytes was compared by cleavage rate at 48 h postactivation (hpa) and blastocyst formation at 168 hpa. No significant differences were observed in the frequency of cleavage (96.7 ± 2.1% v. 81.4 ± 11.6% v. 84.5 ± 5.7%), development to blastocyst (28.3 ± 11.4% v. 27.1 ± 5.7% v. 32.8 ± 5.3%) between control, CHX or cAMP treated oocytes, respectively (chi-square test, P > 0.05). However, total cell number was significantly higher in the CHX group than cAMP group (42.7 ± 4.1 v. 31.8 ± 2.0, respectively; t-test, P < 0.05). The results demonstrate that synchronization of porcine oocytes by treatment with CHX or cAMP does not affect subsequent parthenogenetic development if judged by the blastocyst formation, although the meaning of the difference of total cell numbers between CHX and cAMP treatments is still unclear.

140 EFFECT OF A NOVEL BOVINE EMBRYO CULTURE MEDIUM TO IMPROVE BLASTOCYST DEVELOPMENT

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 217
Author(s):  
R. F. Gonçalves ◽  
C. Figueiredo ◽  
M. A. Achilles
Keyword(s):  
Culture Medium ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1 ◽  
Hatching Rates

There are still immense differences in the quality of in vitro-produced embryos compared to their in vivo-generated counterparts. These differences include a higher sensitivity of in vitro-produced embryos towards cryopreservation. The quality of such embryos has been evaluated using various parameters like morphological examination, assessment of total cell numbers, or pregnancy rates after transfer. In the present study, the effects of glycine, alanine, taurine, and glutamine addition to SOF (Achilles Genetics culture medium, Achilles Genetics®, Garça, SP, Brazil) on the in vitro development (cleavage and blastocyst rates) and quality (total cell and apoptotic cell numbers) of bovine embryos were determined. Ovaries of Nelore cows were obtained from a slaughterhouse. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were collected from follicles ≥4 mm in diameter, matured in TCM-199, and fertilized with frozen–thawed Nelore bull semen (IVF = Day 0). On Day 1, presumptive zygotes were cultured in SOF supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS, group 1, n = 550) or in Achilles Genetics culture medium (SOF supplemented with Achilles Mixture and FBS, group 2, n = 557) at 38.5°C and 5% CO2 in air until Day 9. Embryos were evaluated during culture: at Day 3 cleavage rates, at Day 7 blastocyst rates, and on Day 9 hatching rates. Experiments were replicated 5 times, analysed using ANOVA, followed by a comparison of means by Tukey test (P ≤ 0.05). Blastocysts at Day 8 from Group 1 (n = 75) and Group 2 (n = 75) were fixed and permeabilized for TUNEL assay (DeadEndTM Florimetric TUNEL System, Promega, Madison, WI, USA), according to the manufacturer instructions. Total cell number, apoptotic cell number, and apoptotic cell index (calculated by dividing the apoptotic cell number by total cell number) were analyzed by analysis of variance and means were compared by Student Newman Keuls test. The threshold of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Cleavage rates were 79.2 ± 2.5 for group 1 and 91.0 ± 2.5 for group 2. Blastocyst and hatching rates (calculated on the total of zygotes) for group 2 (47.4 ± 2.8; 82.1 ± 1.5) were significantly greater than for group 1 (39.8 ± 2.8; 74.3 ± 1.5). The total cell numbers were not different (P > 0.05) between group 1 (112.7 ± 2.9) and group 2 (111.1 ± 2.7). Blastocysts from group 2 showed lower (P < 0.05) number of apoptotic cells (10.7 ± 1.2) than those from group 1 (20.9 ± 1.2). These results indicate that the addition of glycine, alanine, taurine, and glutamine to SOF (Achilles Mixture) may be an important energy source for the bovine blastocyst and could act synergistically to enhance embryo development to the hatching stage and embryo quality. Financial support from CNPq and FAPESP.

Replacement of glutamine with the dipeptide derivative alanyl-glutamine enhances in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes and development of embryos

Zygote ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Jin Kim ◽  
Ok Jae Koo ◽  
Dae Kee Kwon ◽  
Jung Taek Kang ◽  
Sol Ji Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Porcine Oocyte ◽  
Potent Factor ◽  
Dipeptide Derivative

SummaryThe presence of glutamine (Gln) in in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro culture (IVC) medium is a more potent factor for improving porcine oocyte and embryo development than other amino acids. However Gln is inherently unstable and spontaneously breaks down into ammonia, and therefore interferes with proper development. To avoid this adverse effect, Gln was replaced in the present study with its stable dipeptide derivative alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) and the effects of this replacement on porcine IVM and IVC were evaluated. Replacement of Gln with Ala-Gln during IVM did not improve nuclear maturation, however numbers of early cleaved embryos were significantly increased after activation. Blastocyst formation rates were also significantly improved by using Ala-Gln during IVM. Replacement of Gln with Ala-Gln during IVC significantly increased total cell numbers in blastocysts. Blastocyst formation rate was also significantly higher when Ala-Gln was used in both IVM and IVC. In conclusion, the use of Ala-Gln rather than Gln gives better results for development in both porcine IVM and IVC.

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