scholarly journals Highly successful production of viable mice derived from vitrified germinal vesicle oocytes

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248050
Author(s):  
Maki Kamoshita ◽  
Katsuyoshi Fujiwara ◽  
Junya Ito ◽  
Naomi Kashiwazaki
Keyword(s):  
Ethylene Glycol ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Efficient Production ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
First Time ◽  
Successful Production

The vitrification of immature germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes is an important way to preserve genetic resources and female fertility. However, it is well known that cryopreserved GV oocytes have very poor developmental ability and that further improvement in this technique is needed. We previously reported the successful vitrification of matured mouse oocytes with enclosed cumulus cells using the calcium-free vitrification solution supplemented with ethylene glycol (EG) by the minimal volume cooling (MVC) method. In this study, we investigated whether our method is applicable to the vitrification of mouse oocytes at the GV stage (GV oocytes). Following maturation and fertilization in vitro, vitrified GV oocytes showed high survival (94.3 ± 2.0%) and maturation (94.3 ± 2.1%) rates. Although the fertilization and blastocyst rates of vitrified oocytes (fertilization: 46.6 ± 4.9% and blastocyst: 46.6 ± 3.0%) were significantly lower than those of fresh oocytes (fertilization: 73.0 ± 7.1% and blastocyst: 71.6 ± 8.0%) (P < 0.01), there were no differences in the ability to develop to term between fresh oocytes (50.0 ± 8.4%) and vitrified oocytes (37.5 ± 4.6%) (P > 0.05). In conclusion, we here show, for the first time, the efficient production of live mice derived from vitrified GV oocytes.

83 VITRIFICATION OF IMMATURE AND IN VITRO-MATURED HORSE OOCYTES

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bogliolo ◽  
F. Ariu ◽  
I. Rosati ◽  
M. T. Zedda ◽  
S. Pau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Ethylene Glycol ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Hoechst 33342 ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
And Control ◽  
Cryopreservation Protocol

Few attempts have been carried out to cryopreserve equine oocytes, and an effective cryopreservation protocol is not defined yet. Studies were conducted to compare the viability of immature and in vitro-matured horse oocytes vitrified by the minimal volume cooling (MVC) cryotop vitrification method (Kuwayama et al. 2005 Reprod. BioMed. Online 11, 300–308). Oocytes were recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries and divided, on the basis of the morphology of cumulus cells, into cumulus-expanded (CE) and cumulus-compacted (CC) oocytes. Groups of CC and CE oocytes were vitrified immediately after recovery [germinal vesicle (GV) stage] or matured in vitro (IVM) and cryopreserved at the MII stage as follows: oocytes were incubated 30 min in TCM-199 + 20% FCS + 10% ethylene glycol (EG) + 10% DMSO, followed by 20 min in TCM-199 + 20% FCS + 20% EG + 20% DMSO + 0.25 M sucrose, loaded in cryotops (2 µL), and plunged into liquid nitrogen. Warming was performed at 38.5°C by washing the oocytes in TCM-199 + 20% FCS with decreasing sucrose concentrations (1.25 M, 0.62 M, 0.31 M). After warming oocytes cryopreserved at the GV stage were matured in vitro for 24 h (CE) or 36 h (CC) in TCM-199 + 10% FCS + FSH, LH each at (0.1 UI/mL) + cysteamine, fixed, and stained with glycerol-Hoechst 33342 to assess nuclear maturation. Oocytes vitrified at the MII stage were in vitro cultured for 2 h to evaluate their morphological survival on the basis of the presence of an intact zona pellucida and membrane. Nonvitrified oocytes undergoing the same maturation protocol were used as controls. Results (Table 1) indicated that the survival rate of oocytes vitrified at the GV stage, after IVM, was similar between CE and CC oocytes (43.6% vs 42.6%). Significantly (P < 0.01) higher numbers of vitrified CE MII oocytes (52.9%) survived, compared to CC (34.8%), after 2-h culture. The percentages of viable MII oocytes from CE and CC GV vitrified oocytes were 43.6% and 40.9% respectively and were comparable to those from vitrified MII oocytes (CE, 52.9%; CC, 34.8%) and control oocytes (CE, 56.4%; CC, 53.3%). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that vitrification by the MCV Cryotop method of horse oocytes at either the GV or the MII stage allows a similar number of viable mature oocytes to be recovered. Table 1. Maturation and survival rates of immature and mature equine oocytes vitrified by the MCV Cryotop method

scholarly journals Obox4-silencing-activated STAT3 and MPF/MAPK signaling accelerate nuclear membrane breakdown in mouse oocytes

Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 151 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Seo Lee ◽  
Kyeoung-Hwa Kim ◽  
Eun-Young Kim ◽  
Su-Yeon Lee ◽  
Jung-Jae Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Membrane ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Interferon Α ◽  
Membrane Breakdown ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Mouse Oocytes

Mouse oocytes begin to maturein vitroonce liberated from ovarian follicles. Previously, we showed that oocyte-specific homeobox 4 (Obox4) is critical for maintaining the intact nuclear membrane of the germinal vesicle (GV) in oocytes and for completing meiosis at the metaphase I–II (MI–MII) transition. This study further examines the molecular mechanisms of OBOX4 in regulating GV nuclear membrane breakdown. Maturation-promoting factor (MPF) and MAPK are normally inactive in GV stage oocytes but were activated prematurely in arrested GV stage oocytes by 3-isobutyl-1-metyl-xanthine (IBMX)in vitroafterObox4RNA interference (RNAi). Furthermore, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was significantly activated byObox4RNAi. We confirmed that thisObox4RNAi-induced premature STAT3 and MPF/MAPK activation at the GV stage provoked subsequent GV breakdown (GVBD) despite the opposing force of high cAMP in the IBMX-supplemented medium to maintain intact GV. When cumulus–oocyte complexes were exposed to interferon α (IFNA), a STAT3 activator, oocytes matured and cumulus cells expanded to resume nuclear maturation in IBMX-supplemented medium, suggesting that STAT3 activation is sufficient for stimulating the continuation of meiosis. Using Stattic, a specific STAT3 inhibitor, we confirmed that GVBD involves STAT3 activation inObox4-silenced oocytes. Based on these findings, we concluded that i)Obox4is an important upstream regulator of MPF/MAPK and STAT3 signaling, and ii)Obox4is a key regulator of the GV arrest mechanism in oocytes.

65 THE EFFECTS OF CUMULUS CELLS ON DEVELOPMENTAL RATES OF VITRIFIED MOUSE OOCYTES IN C57BL/6J STRAIN

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
N. Kashiwazaki ◽  
N. Kohaya ◽  
K. Fujiwara ◽  
K. Furui ◽  
J. Ito
Keyword(s):  
Ethylene Glycol ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Free Media

Unfertilized oocytes are one of the most desired germ-cell stages for cryopreservation because these cryopreserved oocytes can be used for assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. However, in general, the fertility and developmental ability of cryopreserved oocytes are still low. We have recently reported that, in the presence of surrounding cumulus cells, matured mouse oocytes vitrified using calcium-free media and ethylene glycol retain their developmental competence (Kohaya et al. 2011 J. Reprod. Dev. 57, 675–680). Since the previous study was carried out using ICR mice (closed colony), we examined whether our protocol can be applied for C57BL/6J mice (inbred strain), which are commonly used for production of transgenic and knockout mice. The effect of cumulus cells on the ability of C57BL/6J mouse oocytes to be fertilized and develop in vitro was examined. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) derived from female mice with super ovulation were collected by flushing. Cumulus cells were removed for a portion of the oocytes (DO) using hyarulonidase. Oocytes from both treatment groups (COC and DO) were then vitrified according to the protocol we previously reported (Kohaya et al. 2011). After warming, vitrified COC and DO were used for IVF. All percentage data were subjected to arcsine transformation before statistical analysis. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Significance was considered at P < 0.05. The pronuclear formation rate of vitrified DO after IVF (20/58, 33.3%) was reduced compared with vitrified COC (55/90, 62.1%). Vitrified COC showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher developmental ability to develop into the 2-cell (50/90, 57.0%) and blastocyst stages (42/90, 45.9%) compared with vitrified DO [24.8% (16/58) and 18.4% (11/58), respectively]. The vitrified COC developed to term at a high success rate (51/90, 56.7%) being equivalent to the rate obtained with IVF using fresh COC (52/90, 57.8%). Taken together, the current results clearly demonstrate that, in the presence of surrounding cumulus cells, matured mouse oocytes vitrified using calcium-free media and ethylene glycol retain their developmental competence. These findings will contribute to improve oocytes vitrification in not only experimental animals but also in clinical application in human infertility.

231 STAGE-DEPENDENT CHANGES OF IP3R1 PHOSPHORYLATION DURING IN VITRO MATURATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN PIG OOCYTES

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
J. Ito ◽  
C. Suzukamo ◽  
T. Mochida ◽  
A. Furugaichi ◽  
N. Nakajima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Pn Stage

During fertilization in mammalian species, a sperm-induced intracellular Ca2+ signal [Ca2+] is well suited to mediate the highly specialized spatiotemporal patterns of [Ca2+]i responses that underlie fertilization. Recently, we demonstrated that the expression pattern of inositol 1,4,5- triphosphate receptor type 1 (IP3R1) did not change during in vitro maturation and parthenogenetic activation in mouse oocytes; however, the phosphorylation status of IP3R1 depended on the cell cycle during meiosis. Moreover, it was shown that IP3R1 phosphorylation played a crucial role in the induction of [Ca2+]i oscillations (Lee et al. 2006 Development 133, 4355–4365). In other species, expression of IP3R1, especially phosphorylation levels of IP3R1 during meiosis, has not been examined. The aim of this study was to examine the kinetics of IP3R1 expression and phosphorylation during in vitro maturation and activation in pig oocytes. Immature oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage were collected from ovaries and cultured in modified NCSU37 up to 48 h. After culture, cumulus cells were removed and oocytes were parthenogenetically activated by 25 µm Ca2+ ionophore for 3 min and 2 mm 6-DMAP for 6 h. After activation, oocytes were further cultured up to the 2-cell stage. Groups of 30 oocytes were collected at each culture period for detection of IP3R1. According to our previous report in the mouse, IP3R1s were detected by western blotting using MPM-2 and Rbt03 antibody for detecting IP3R1 phosphorylation and total IP3R1 expression, respectively (Lee et al. 2006). In pig oocytes, IP3R1 was abundantly expressed at the GV stage. The total level of IP3R1 expression did not change during in vitro maturation or after activation. However, phosphorylated IP3R1 levels increased by 24 h although they were undetectable at the start of culture. Phosphorylation of IP3R1 reached maximal levels at 36 h. After activation, phosphorylation levels decreased progressively until the pronuclear (PN) stage. Phosphorylation of IP3R1 was observed at mitosis I to some extent. From these results, we detected for the first time IP3R1 expression and phosphorylation in pig oocytes. Moreover, our data suggest that phosphorylation of IP3R1 is dependent on cell cycle at least during meiosis, especially M-phase, as already shown for mouse oocytes. In vitro kinase assays for p34cdc2 kinase and MAPK will be carried out to clarify the relationship between IP3R1 phosphorylation and M-phase kinase(s).

Approaches to oocyte meiotic arrest in vitro and impact on oocyte developmental competence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dulama Richani ◽  
Robert B Gilchrist
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Protein Synthesis Inhibitors ◽  
Meiotic Arrest ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence

Abstract Oocytes are maintained in a state of meiotic arrest following the first meiotic division until ovulation is triggered. Within the antral follicle, meiotic arrest is actively suppressed in a process facilitated by the cyclic nucleotides cGMP and cAMP. If removed from this inhibitory follicular environment and cultured in vitro, mammalian oocytes undergo spontaneous meiotic resumption in the absence of the usual stimulatory follicular stimuli, leading to asynchronicity with oocyte cytoplasmic maturation and lower developmental competence. For more than 50 years, pharmacological agents have been used to attenuate oocyte germinal vesicle (GV) breakdown in vitro. Agents which increase intra-oocyte cAMP or prevent its degradation have been predominantly used, however agents such as kinase and protein synthesis inhibitors have also been trialled. Twenty years of research demonstrates that maintaining GV arrest for a period before in vitro maturation (IVM) improves oocyte developmental competence, and is likely attributed to maintenance of bidirectional communication with cumulus cells leading to improved oocyte metabolic function. However, outcomes are influenced by various factors including the mode of action of the modulators, dose, treatment duration, species, and the degree of hormonal priming of the oocyte donor. Cyclic GMP and/or cAMP modulation in a prematuration step (called pre-IVM) prior to IVM has shown the greatest consistency in improving oocyte developmental competence, whereas kinase and protein synthesis inhibitors have proven less effective at improving IVM outcomes. Such pre-IVM approaches have shown potential to alter current use of artificial reproductive technologies in medical and veterinary practice.

326 EVALUATION OF CULTURE DURATION AND PARTIAL CUMULUS CELL REMOVAL DURING CANINE OOCYTE MATURATION

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 270
Author(s):  
C. Hanna ◽  
C. Long ◽  
M. Westhusin ◽  
D. Kraemer
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Culture Duration

The objectives of this study were to determine whether the percentage of canine oocytes that resume meiosis during in vitro maturation could be increased by either increasing culture duration or by removing approximately one-half of the cumulus cells 24 h after oocytes were placed into culture. Canine female reproductive tracts were collected from a local clinic and ovaries were minced in warm TL-HEPES. Oocytes with a consistently dark ooplasm and at least two layers of cumulus cells were selected, cultured in a basic canine oocyte in vitro maturation medium consisting of TCM-199 with Earl's salts, 2.92 mM Ca-lactate, 20 mM pyruvic acid, 4.43 mM HEPES, 10% fetal calf serum, 1% Penicillin/Streptomycin (GibcoBRL, Grand Island, NY, USA), and 5 μg/mL porcine somatotropin, and incubated at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in humidified air. Treatment groups were randomly assigned and oocytes were cultured for 60, 84, or 132 h (Basic). From each of these groups, one-half of the oocytes were pipetted through a fine bore pipette to partially remove the cumulus cells 24 h after the start of culture (Basic–1/2). At the end of culture, all oocytes were denuded and the nuclear status was observed with Hoechst 33342 under ultraviolet fluorescence. All data were analyzed by ANOVA with P < 0.05. Since the canine oocyte is ovulated at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage of meiosis and requires up to five days to mature in the oviduct, it was hypothesized that an increased culture time would allow for more oocytes to undergo nuclear maturation to metaphase II (MII). It was also hypothesized that partial removal of cumulus cells would decrease the cumulus cell component in the ooplasm that sustains meiotic arrest, allowing for more oocytes to resume meiosis (RM = germinal vesicle breakdown to MII). Results within each treatment group indicate that there is no significant difference between culture duration and the percent of oocytes that mature to MII. Additionally, there was no significance in the percent of oocytes that resumed meiosis after partial cumulus cell removal. Taken together, these data suggest that neither treatment is effective in canine in vitro maturation systems, given the current maturation culture conditions. Table 1. Nuclear status* of oocytes for three time periods with or without partial cumulus cell removal

249 FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE AND DIBUTYRYL cAMP TREATMENTS DURING IN VITRO MATURATION IMPROVE THE DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE OF MOUSE OOCYTES

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
R. Oishi ◽  
Y. Isaji ◽  
H. Imai ◽  
M. Yamada
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Basal Medium ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Control Medium ◽  
Dibutyryl Camp ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Junctional Communication

The high level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is provided to the oocytes from cumulus cells via gap junctional complexes in cumulus-enclosed oocytes (CEOs), is known to contribute to meiotic arrest at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage of CEOs. However, whether intraoocyte cAMP during the period of in vitro maturation (IVM) affects postfertilization developmental competence of mouse oocytes still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of FSH or dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) treatment during IVM on in vitro development of mouse oocytes after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Whether a junctional association between cumulus cells and the oocyte would be essential for a cytoplasmic maturation-promoting effect was also examined. CEOs were isolated from and eCG-primed 3-week-old ICR mouse by rupturing preovulatory follicles with needles in M16 medium with 5% FCS and essential and nonessential amino acids (basal medium). IVM media used were basal medium without (control) or with 100 µm dbcAMP or 1 IU mL–1 FSH. Carbenoxolone (100 µm, CBX), an inhibitor of gap junction, was used to inhibit a junctional association between cumulus cells and the oocyte. Denuded oocytes (DOs) were prepared by repeatedly pipetting in basal medium with 0.2% hyaluronidase. CEOs and DOs were cultured in IVM media at 37�C under 5% CO2 in air for 16.5 h, and then transferred to TYH medium (a modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium) containing 0.4% BSA, followed by insemination with capacitated sperm. After 6 h of IVF, inseminated oocytes were cultured in KSOM medium with 0.3% BSA. Development to the 2-cell and blastocyst stages was estimated at 24 h and 120 h after IVF, respectively. All experiments were done in 3 replicates, and the statistical analysis was carried out by ANOVA and Fisher's protected least-squares difference (PLSD) test. When CEOs were matured in IVM media, the rates of postfertilization development to the 2-cell and blastocyst stages of oocytes matured in the control medium were very low(29% and 13%, respectively), whereas those of oocytes matured with FSH or dbcAMP significantly increased (FSH: 61% and 52%, dbcAMP: 63 and 57%, respectively, v. control; P < 0.05). Next, when CEOs were matured in basal medium with 1 IU mL–1 FSH and 100 µm CBX, the developmental rate to the 2-cell stage (56%) was similar to that in medium with FSH alone (61%) but the rate to the blastocyst stage (40%) was little lower compared with that in medium with FSH alone (52%), although not significantly different (P > 0.05). Furthermore, when DOs were matured in IVM media, the developmental rates to the blastocyst stage after IVF of the oocytes matured with FSH or dbcAMP significantly increased (FSH: 25%, dbcAMP: 15%; P < 0.05) compared with those in control medium (7%). Taken together, it is suggested that increasing the concentration of intraoocyte cAMP during the IVM period is important to improve the developmental competence after IVF of mouse oocytes, and that the competence is acquired in part in a cumulus-oocyte junctional communication-independent manner.

336 MEIOTIC DEVELOPMENT AND CORTICAL GRANULES DISTRIBUTION IN CANINE OOCYTES DURING IN VITRO MATURATION

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. De los Reyes ◽  
D. Luna ◽  
J. Palomino
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Cortical Granules ◽  
Dapi Staining ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Cytoplasmic Maturation

Low development of IVM canine oocytes could be in part attributed to an impaired cytoplasmic maturation. In mammalian oocytes, migration and the redistribution of cortical granules (CGs) around the periphery of the oocyte contribute to the inhibition of polyspermy and it is an important criterion to evaluate cytoplasmic maturation. The state of nuclear maturation and the distribution of CGs were evaluated in canine oocytes cultured for different periods in order to compare the synchrony of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation during in vitro maturation. Bitch ovaries at different stages of the estrous cycle were obtained following ovariectomy. COCs with compact cumulus cells showing a homogeneous cytoplasm were selected for experiments. Thirty-six COCs were processed at immature stage, placed in PBS medium until evaluation. A total of 275 COCs were matured in vitro for 48, 72, and 96 h in TCM-199 with Earle’s salt supplemented with 25 mM Hepes, 10% FCS, 0.25 mM pyruvate, 10 IU mL-1 of hCG, 300 IU mL-1 penicillin, and 20 mg mL-1 streptomycin, at 38.5°C and 5% CO2. At each culture period, the oocytes were stained with Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, and the CGs distributions were examined under a fluorescent microscope. The nuclear status of the denuded oocytes was determined by DAPI staining under a fluorescence microscope. For each treatment, at least four replicates were performed and the data was analyzed by ANOVA using Tukey’s test to determine the differences P < 0.05. Three types of CGs distribution were distinguished during canine oocyte maturation: (1) homogeneous distribution throughout the cytoplasm including the cortex; (2) heterogeneous (clusters) within the cytoplasm and (3) densely distributed beneath the oolemma. Nuclear stages were classified as immature or germinal vesicle (GV) stage; resumption of meiosis or germinal vesicle break down (GVBD); metaphase I to telophase I (MI toTel I); and mature or second metaphase (MII). The distribution patterns of GCs were different (P < 0.05) among oocytes cultured for different periods and the nuclear maturation status also differed between oocytes cultured for different intervals (P < 0.05). Most (>84%) of the immature oocytes at GV showed a uniform distribution of CGs throughout the cytoplasm. At 48 h of culture, CGs distribution was mainly Type 2 (25%) and 3 (61%) and the oocytes were at GVBD (33%) and MI-Tel I (33%) stages. Most nuclei of the type 3 oocytes were in the MI (40%) and MII (11%) stages, corresponding to those oocytes matured for 72 (88%) or 96 h (71%). These results indicate that canine oocytes migrate to the cortex during IVM and this process is not finished before 72 h of culture. In addition, although the re-distribution of the CGs occurred in parallel with nuclear maturation, the oocytes cannot always proceed to the MII stage; however, in such oocytes the CGs are distributed beneath the oolemma. Supported by Grant FONDECYT 1080618.

159 EFFECT OF 3-ISOBUTYL-1-METHYLXANTHINE (IBMX) ON THE GERMINAL VESICLE STAGE OF PORCINE OOCYTES DURING OOCYTE COLLECTION IN VITRO

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
R. Appeltant ◽  
J. Beek ◽  
D. Maes ◽  
A. Van Soom
Keyword(s):  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Guanosine Monophosphate ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Meiotic Arrest ◽  
Oocyte Collection

When using modern maturation conditions for in vitro maturation, pig oocytes yield ~20% blastocysts only. One problem is that cumulus cells, which are normally connected with the immature oocyte by cellular projections penetrating through the zona pellucida and with the oolemma via gap junctions, are prematurely losing these connections after the cumulus–oocyte complex is removed from the follicle. The oocyte possesses a type 3 phosphodiesterase, which degrades 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and this activity is inhibited by supply of 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) to the oocyte via the cumulus cells. Consequently, cAMP levels, which are typically high during early stages of oocyte maturation in vivo, decrease, leading to spontaneous nuclear maturation and oocytes of low developmental competence. Therefore, the maintenance of these cumulus-oocyte connections is important to keep cAMP high and the oocyte under meiotic arrest. One way to prevent this drop in cAMP is using N6, 2′-o-dibutyryladenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium (dbcAMP) that causes an arrest at germinal vesicle (GV) stage II (Funahashi et al. 1997 Biol. Reprod. 57, 49–53). Another option is collecting the oocytes in a medium containing the phoshodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX. The present study investigated the influence of IBMX on the progression of the GV of the oocyte after collection, just before the start of the maturation procedure. The GV stage was defined according to Sun et al. (2004 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 69, 228–234). In parallel with the findings on dbcAMP, we hypothesised an arrest at GV II by the presence of IBMX during collection. One group of oocytes were collected in HEPES-buffered TALP without IBMX (n = 375) and another group in the same medium containing 0.5 mM IBMX (n = 586). An average incubation time of 140 min was applied in both groups, and 3 replicates were performed. The proportions of oocytes before or at GV II and beyond GV II were compared in both groups using logistic regression analysis. The proportion of oocytes was included as dependent variable and group (IBMX addition or not) as independent variable. Replicate was also included in the model. The proportion of oocytes before or at GV II was not statistically significant between the group without and the group with IBMX (59.2 v. 58.7% respectively; P > 0.05). In conclusion, the use of IBMX during oocyte collection did not influence the state of the germinal vesicle of the oocyte during collection, indicating that IBMX did not cause a meiotic arrest in the oocytes during collecting in vitro.

IVM of mouse fully grown germinal vesicle oocytes upon a feeder layer of selected cumulus cells enhances their developmental competence

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1068
Author(s):  
Federica Cavalera ◽  
Milena Simovic ◽  
Mario Zanoni ◽  
Valeria Merico ◽  
Silvia Garagna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Development Rate ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Oocyte Developmental Competence ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Feeder Layers ◽  
Morula Stage ◽  
Bidirectional Exchange

In the ovary, acquisition of oocyte developmental competence depends on a bidirectional exchange between the gamete and its companion cumulus cells (CCs). In this study we investigated the contribution of CCs surrounding oocytes of known developmental competence or incompetence to the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence. To this end, feeder layers of CCs (FL-CCs) were prepared using CCs isolated either from: (1) developmentally competent mouse oocytes whose nucleolus was surrounded by a chromatin ring (FL-SN-CCs); or (2) developmentally incompetent mouse oocytes whose nucleolus was not surrounded by a chromatin ring (FL-NSN-CCs). Denuded, fully grown oocytes (DOs) were matured to the MII stage on either FL-SN-CCs or FL-NSN-CCs, inseminated with spermatozoa and cultured throughout preimplantation development. FL-SN-CCs significantly improved the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence, with a blastocyst development rate equal to that for maturation of intact cumulus–oocyte–complexes. In contrast, DOs matured on FL-NSN-CCs or in the absence of CCs exhibited developmental failure, with embryos arresting at either the 4-cell or morula stage. These results set a culture platform to further improve the protocols for the maturation of DOs and to unravel the molecules involved in the cross-talk between the gamete and its companion CCs during the germinal vesicle to MII transition.

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