scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF HORMONES AND FOLLICULAR FLUID ON MATURATION OF PIG OOCYTES

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-104
Author(s):  
Margot Alves Nunes Dode ◽  
Charles Graves

To evaluate the effect of follicular fluid on in vitro maturation, pig oocytes were cultured in the presence of hormones where 10% of fetal calf serum (FCS), 10% of follicular fluid from large follicles (l-pFF), 10% of follicular fluid from medium follicles (m-pFF) or no supplement were added. When oocytes where matured in medium containing the hormones the addition of different supplements did not affect (P<0.05) nuclear maturation. However, changing the supplement altered the cytoplasmic maturation, with higher rate (P<0.05) observed in the l-pFF group. To determine the effect of the presence of hormone and/or supplement during maturation, the oocytes were cultured either in presence of TCM-199 alone, with hormones, with 10% l-pFF or with hormones and 10% l-pFF. The highest proportion of oocytes undergoing nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation was obtained when both hormones and follicular fluid were present. Cumulus expansion had a significant (P<0.05) effect on cytoplasmic maturation with the non-expanded groups showing a lower percentage of maturation in all groups. When the adequacy of gonadotropins levels were evaluated by adding higher or lower concentrations into the maturation medium neither beneficial nor detrimental effects were observed in either nuclear or cytoplasmic maturation. These results suggest that changes in the composition of the medium can alter the percentage of oocytes completing maturation. Follicular fluid combined with hormones was found to give better conditions for pig oocyte maturation in vitro.

Zygote ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ji-Eun Park ◽  
Sang-Hee Lee ◽  
Yong Hwangbo ◽  
Choon-Keun Park

Summary The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of porcine follicular fluid (pFF) from large-sized (LFF; >8 mm in diameter) and medium-sized (MFF; 3–6 mm in diameter) follicles on the maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from follicles 3–6 mm in diameter. The collected COCs were incubated for 22 h with LFF or MFF (in vitro maturation (IVM)-I stage) and were incubated subsequently for 22 h with LFF or MFF (IVM-II stage). Cumulus expansion was confirmed after the IVM-I stage and nuclear maturation was evaluated after the IVM-II stage. Intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured and embryonic development was evaluated. Relative cumulus expansion and GSH levels were higher in the LFF group compared with in the MFF group after the IVM-I stage (P < 0.05). After the IVM-II stage, the numbers of oocytes in metaphase-II were increased in the LFF group and GSH content was higher in all of the LFF treatment groups compared with in the MFF treatment groups during both IVM stages (P < 0.05). ROS levels were reduced by LFF treatment regardless of IVM stage (P < 0.05). Blastocyst formation and the total numbers of cells in blastocysts were increased in all LFF treatment groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). These results suggested that pFF from large follicles at the IVM stage could improve nucleic and cytoplasmic maturation status and further embryonic development through reducing ROS levels and enhancing responsiveness to gonadotropins.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 281
Author(s):  
T. Otoi ◽  
M. Yuge ◽  
M.-k. Murakami ◽  
N.W.K. Karja ◽  
P. Wongsrikeao ◽  
...  

The low meiotic competence of canine oocytes cultured in vitro is a major obstacle to the in vitro production of canine embryos. The objectives of the present study were to examine meiotic competence of oocytes embedded in collagen gels and to investigate the effects of timed exposure of the oocytes embedded in collagen gels to hormone supplements on the nuclear maturation. Ovaries were collected from 17 bitches at various stages of the estrous cycles by ovariohysterectomy following anesthesia at local veterinary practices. Only non-degenerate COCs were collected and then suspended in TCM-199 supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum. Only oocytes with diameter &gt;110μm were selected and used for this study. In the first experiment, the effect of embedding in collagen gels of COCs on their meiotic competence was tested. Half of selected oocytes were embedded in 0.3mL of collagen gels (3 to 4 COCs per gel) as described by Yamamoto et al. (Yamamoto K et al., 1999 Theriogenology 52, 81–89). The COCs with or without collagen gels were cultured in a dish containing 2.5mL of TCM-199 supplemented with 0.1IUmL−1 HMG and 10IUmL−1 hCG (3 to 4 COCs per dish) for 72h at 38.5°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. In the second experiment, the effect of removal of hormonal supplements from maturation medium on nuclear maturation in vitro was examined. At 24 and 48h after the start of culture, the COCs embedded in collagen gels were cultured in TCM-199 without HMG and hCG for 48 and 24h, respectively. As a control, the COCs embedded in collagen gels were cultured with hormone supplement for 72h. After 72 of maturation culture, the oocytes were fixed, stained with Hoechst 33342 and examined for the meiotic stage of the oocytes using a fluorescence microscope. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. The proportion of oocytes that resumed meiosis was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) in the COCs with collagen gels than in the control COCs without collagen gels (50.6 v. 26.5%). Significantly more oocytes reached metaphase I to metaphase II stage (MI/II) in the collagen gels culture than in the control culture (P&lt;0.05; 27.4 v. 8.3%). The proportion of collagen embedded-oocytes that resumed meiosis was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) in COCs cultured with hormone supplements for 24h than in COCs cultured for 48h (59.1 v. 30.4%) but not different from COCs exposed for 72h (41.9%). Moreover, there were no significant differences of MI/MII rates (22 to 24%) among the three treatment groups. These observations indicate that embedding of COCs in collagen gels enhances the meiotic competence of canine oocytes, but removal of hormone supplement from maturation medium does not improve the ability of the oocytes to reach MI/MII stage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 452-456
Author(s):  
Mohamed Fathi ◽  
Amr F. Elkarmoty

Aim: Several factors had been concerned with the developmental competence of the sheep oocyte. This study aims to investigate the effect of adding growth factors (insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1] and epidermal growth factor [EGF]) in the maturation medium of ewe oocytes selected based on brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) screening on in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization, and pre-implantation embryo development. Materials and Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained from the ovaries of slaughtered ewes by either aspiration or slicing techniques. COCs were in vitro matured in a medium containing IGF-1 and EGF (control group). For BCB screening, oocytes were stained and divided into BCB+ oocytes that matured in the same maturation conditions without adding growth factors (Group 2) or in the presence of growth factors (Group 3), and BCB– oocytes that matured in medium without growth factors (Group 4) or with growth factors (Group 5). Results: The supplementation of the maturation medium with growth factors during IVM of (BCB+) oocytes resulted in a significant increase in nuclear maturation rate (90.9%), fertilization rate (75.6%), and embryo developmental rates (60.0%, 46.7%, and 33.3% for cleavage, morula, and blastocyst, respectively). Conclusion: Culturing BCB+ oocytes in a maturation medium containing both EGF and IGF-1 showed a significant improvement in nuclear maturation, fertilization, and pre-implantation embryo development in vitro.


2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G.L. PINTO ◽  
M.I.B. RUBIN ◽  
C.A.M. SILVA ◽  
T.F. HILGERT ◽  
M.F. SÁ FILHO ◽  
...  

O desenvolvimento embrionário de oócitos bovinos maturados in vitro (MIV) foi avaliado em meio suplementado com líquido folicular eqüino (Lfe). Foram distribuídos 1045 oócitos em 11 repetições formando três grupos tratamentos (T1, T2, T3) e um controle (C). O meio de maturação utilizado foi o TCM-199 acrescido de piruvato de sódio, hormônio folículo estimulante recombinante (rFSHh) e hormônio luteinizante equino (LHe). Suplementou-se esse meio com 10% de soro de égua em estro para o grupo controle e para T1, T2 e T3, o meio foi suplementado com 5, 10, e 20% de LFe, respectivamente. Os oócitos foram maturados in vitro (MIV) por 24h. A fecundação in vitro (FIV) foi realizada em meio Talp-Fert. A MIV e a FIV foram realizadas em estufa a 39ºC com 5% de CO2 em ar e umidade saturada. Os zigotos foram cultivados em meio SOFaaci, sob óleo mineral no interior de bolsas plásticas gaseificadas. As taxas de clivagem e de blastocistos foram observadas diariamente (D), e em D7, foram superiores (P0,05) às do grupo controle. Em D9, a taxa de blastocistos do T2 foi superior (P0,05). O LFe, na concentração de 10% pode ser utilizado, em substituição ao soro de égua em estro para suplementar o meio de MIV de oócitos bovinos. Equine follicular fluid on in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes Abstract Embryo development of bovine oocytes was evaluated using maturation medium supplemented with equine follicular fluid (eFF). One thousand and forty five (1045) oocytes were distributed in 11 replications forming three treatment groups (T1, T2 e T3) and one Control (C). TCM-199 added with sodium pyruvate, rFSHh and LHe was used as maturation medium. This medium was supplemented with 10% estrous mare serum for Control group, and 5, 10, and 20% eFF, respectively, for T1, T2 e T3 groups. In vitro maturation (IVM) of all groups was performed during 24h. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed in TALP-FERT medium. IVM and IVF were carried out in an incubator at 39ºC with 5% CO2 in air and saturated humidity. Zygotes were cultured in SOFaaci medium, under mineral oil in gasified bags. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were daily observed (D), and at D7, were higher (P0.05) for those from control group. At D9, blastocyst rate of T2 was higher (P0.05). The eFF, at a 10% concentration, can replace the use of estrous mare serum to supplement the IVM medium of bovine oocytes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 219
Author(s):  
F. R. O. de Barros ◽  
M. G. Marques ◽  
M. D. Goissis ◽  
M. A. Peres ◽  
M. P. Milazzotto ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to compare 2 different techniques to obtain swine oocytes from abattoir ovaries. Ovaries were washed in saline at 35°C and submitted to slashing or aspiration, simultaneously. For the slashing group, ovaries were held with a hemostat inside a beaker containing 35 mL of HEPES-buffered Tyrode’s media (HbT) and follicles (2–6 mm) were incised with a scalpel. For every 5 slashed ovaries, HbT-containing follicular fluid was transferred to 50-mL centrifuge tubes. For the aspiration group, follicles (2–6 mm) were aspirated using an 18-gauge needle and a 5-mL syringe. The follicular fluid of each ovary was transferred to a 50-mL centrifuge tube. Tubes from both techniques were placed in a water bath at 35°C for 15 min to allow settling of the cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC). The supernatant was removed and the sediment was resuspended in HbT and placed in water bath at 35°C for an additional 15 min. The sediment was resuspended in 15 mL of HbT and COC were recovered under stereomicroscopy. Oocytes were in vitro matured for 44 h in TCM-199 added with 10% porcine follicular fluid (PFF) and hormones (LH and FSH) at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 and high humidity. The oocyte recovery rate of each technique was determined by the ratio between the number of COC and ovaries used. To verify nuclear maturation by epifluorescence microscopy (Zeiss), oocytes were fixed, permeabilized, and incubated in 10 μg mL–1 of RNAse for 30 min and in 10 μg mL–1 of propidium iodide for 10 min. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) content was assessed as described in Kawarsky and King (2001 Zygote 9(3), 39–50) to verify the metabolic stress. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test using the software Statistica for Windows. A level of 5% was considered significant in all assessments. The oocyte recovery rate (COC/ovary) was higher for the slashing group (2.665 ± 0.38) compared with the aspiration group (1.762 ± 0.15). The percentage of oocytes that reached the germinative vesicle (GV) stage (h 0 of maturation) did not differ between groups (100 ± 0 and 86.66 ± 13.36, slashing and aspiration group, respectively). The same was observed for the percentage of oocytes that reached the metaphase II stage (MII, after 44 of maturation; 79.99 ± 9.74 and 96.00 ± 4.00, slashing and aspiration group, respectively). Moreover, no difference at pixel quantification of HSP70 was observed between groups (256.50 ± 42.42 and 238.61 ± 71.18, slashing and aspiration group, respectively). In conclusion, the slashing procedure provided a better oocyte recovery rate compared with the aspiration of ovaries. This technique does not affect nuclear maturation, because no differences were observed regarding the percentage of oocytes that reached the GV and MII stages. In addition, it does not affect HSP70 content, suggesting that the slashing of ovaries does not increase the basal stress of oocytes in an in vitro-maturation system.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. De los Reyes ◽  
D. Luna ◽  
J. Palomino

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.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 292
Author(s):  
K. R. L. Schwarz ◽  
T. H. C. de Bem ◽  
T. T. Zampieri ◽  
P. R. Adona ◽  
C. L. V. Leal

Nitric oxide (NO) is a chemical messenger detected in several cell types such as endothelial cells, neurons, and macrophages, exerting varied functions including vasodilatation, neurotransmission, and cell death induction. NO is generated by the activity of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which has been detected in several organs and tissues including the reproductive system. The aim of the present study was to assess the dose-response effect of N-omega-nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester (l-NAME), an NOS inhibitor, on in vitro nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of bovine oocytes. Slaughterhouse ovaries were collected and their follicles (2–6 mm) were aspirated to obtain cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). Increasing l-NAME concentrations (0, 10-7, 10-5, 10-4, and 10-3 M) were added to IVM medium (TCM-199, supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, 0.5 �g mL-1 FSH, 5.0 �g mL-1 LH, 0.2 mM pyruvate, and 10 mg mL-1 gentamicin); oocytes were cultured for 22 h. Nuclear maturation was assessed by propidium iodide staining (10 �g mL-1). For IVF, frozen–thawed semen prepared by Percoll gradient was used. Sperm cells were co-cultured with the oocytes at a final concentration of 2 � 106 sperm cells mL-1 in TALP-IVF medium supplemented with 2 �M penicillamine, 1 �M hypotaurine, 250 �M epinephrine, and 20 �g mL-1 heparin. After 20 h, presumptive zygotes were partially denuded and transferred to IVC medium (TCM-199 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, 2.0 mM pyruvate, and 10 mg mL-1 gentamicin). All cultures were at 38.5�C under 5% CO2 in air and maximum humidity. Cytoplasmic maturation was assessed by blastocyst development rates on Day 7. DNA fragmentation was assessed on Day 8 embryos by TUNEL (In Situ–Cell Death Detection kit, fluorescein; Roche Diagnostica Brasil, Sao Paulo, Brazil). Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the GLM procedure (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA), and means were compared by Duncan test at a 5% level. After IVM, the control group (0 M l-NAME) showed a greater number of oocytes in metaphase II (MII: 95.8 � 3.7%; P &lt; 0.05), whereas the groups cultured with l-NAME had lower MII rates (78–82%; P &lt; 0.05), irrespective of concentration (P &gt; 0.05). Many oocytes remained in metaphase I (MI: 18–22%). Cleavage rates at 48 h IVC was not affected (77–88%; P &gt; 0.05). Blastocyst rates (34.0 � 7.2% to 41.5 � 4.8%; P &gt; 0.05) and total cell numbers (151 to 174) were also unaffected by NO inhibition by l-NAME. However, the number of TUNEL-positive cells was lower in the control group (1.4 � 4.7; P &lt; 0.05) than in the treated groups (2.7 � 4.8 to 4.4 � 6.4; P &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, NO synthesis inhibition in oocytes during IVM reduces nuclear maturation, particularly during MI–MII transition, and increases apoptosis in blastocysts, suggesting that NO may be involved in oocyte maturation and apoptosis protection.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 235
Author(s):  
J. D. Yoon ◽  
E. Lee ◽  
S.-H. Hyun

Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF8) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β that has been identified as a strong physiological regulator. SB-431542 (SB) is a specific inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β superfamily type I activin receptor-like kinase (ALK) receptors such as ALK4, ALK5, and ALK7. The purpose of this study is investigation of the effects of GDF8 and SB on porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation and subsequent embryonic development. We first performed ELISA to detect GDF8 concentrations in follicular fluid for each size of follicle; sizes were as follows: small (<3 mm), medium (>3 mm and <6 mm), and large (>6 mm) follicle. After detection of the GDF8 concentration in follicular fluid, we investigated the effect of GDF8 and SB treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) on nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and embryonic development after IVF and parthenogenetic activation (PA). Data were analysed by ANOVA followed by Duncan using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science, IBM, New York, NY, USA) mean ± SEM. The ELISA result showed different concentrations of GDF8 for each grade of follicular fluid: small, 0.479 ng mL–1; medium, 0.668 ng mL–1; and large, 1.318 ng mL–1. During the IVM process, 1.318 ng mL–1 of GDF8 and 5 ng mL–1 of SB were added to the maturation medium as control, SB, SB+GDF8, and GDF8 treatment groups. After 44 h of IVM, GDF8 group (90.4%) showed a significantly higher nuclear maturation rate than control and SB+GDF8 groups (85.4 and 81.7%). The SB group (78.9%) showed significantly reduced nuclear maturation rate compared with control (P < 0.05). The GDF8 treatment group showed a significant decreased intracellular ROS and increased GSH levels compared with other groups (P < 0.05). The SB+GBF8 treatment group showed a significantly better cytoplasmic maturation than the SB treatment group. In the PA embryonic development analysis, the GDF8 treatment group showed a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate compared with other groups (47.9, 37.2, 46.4, and 58.7% respectively; P < 0.05). In the IVF embryonic development analysis, the GDF8 treatment groups showed significantly higher blastocyst formation rate compared with the SB group (28.2 and 42.2%, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, treatment with GDF8 during porcine oocyte IVM improved the embryonic developmental competence via increased cytoplasmic maturation and led to better oocyte maturation from the ALK receptor inhibition by SB.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
P. Ferré ◽  
T. T. M. Bui ◽  
M. T. Tran ◽  
T. Wakai ◽  
H. Funahashi

The interruption of communication between oocyte and cumulus cells (CC) can trigger meiotic resumption and exogenous additives, such as follicular fluid (FF) and growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF9), can improve oocyte quality and the developmental competence. This study was undertaken to examine if the absence and presence of FF from medium follicles (MF; 3–6 mm in diameter) or recombinant human GDF9 (Biovision, Milpitas, CA, USA) during the first or/and second half of in vitro maturation (IVM) had any effects on IVM of oocytes from small follicles (SF; 0.5–2 mm in diameter) or MF when the oocytes were denuded at 20 h after the start of IVM. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were aspirated from SF or MF of slaughtered prepubertal gilt ovaries. Groups of ~30 COC were cultured in a 300-μL drop of porcine oocyte medium containing 50 µM β-mercaptoethanol (mPOM) with or without 10% (v/v) FF and/or 100 ng mL–1 GDF9 at 39°C and 5% CO2 in air. During the first 20 h after the start of IVM, the medium was supplemented with 1 mM dibutyryl c-AMP, 10 IU mL–1 eCG and 10 IU mL–1 hCG. After the first period of IVM, the CC surrounding the oocytes were removed and the denuded oocytes continued culture for IVM with or without FF or/and GDF9 in the absence of dibutyryl c-AMP and gonadotropins in the same medium for another 24 h. At the end of IVM, meiotic progression of the oocytes was examined by DAPI staining. Statistical analyses from at least 4 replicates data were performed by a 2-way ANOVA and a Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. Removal of CC 20 h after the start of IVM significantly improved the incidence of mature oocytes derived from SF (59.2–64.1% v. 41.6–43.1% in controls, P < 0.05) but not from MF (73.1–78.5% v. 70.6–71.8% in controls), whereas regardless of supplementation with FF or GDF9, the maturation rates were always significantly higher in the denuded oocytes from MF (72.4–83.6%) than SF (57.8–66.2%; P < 0.05). Despite of the origin of COC (SF or MF), maturation rates of oocytes denuded 20 h after the start of IVM were not affected by supplementation with FF or GDF9 during the first and/or second half of IVM (P > 0.05). In summary, CC removal from COC 20 h after the start of IVM promotes nuclear maturation of oocytes from SF. Exogenous additives such as GDF9 and follicular fluid from MF do not seem to affect the promotion of nuclear maturation in our experimental conditions.


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