scholarly journals Supplementation of 9-cis retinoic acid in the in vitro maturation medium increase blastocyst development rate and quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 516-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabiul Islam ◽  
Gautam Kumar Deb ◽  
Md Ahsanul Kabir ◽  
Md Faizul Hossain Miraz ◽  
Talukder Nurun Nahar ◽  
...  

The 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cisRA) enhances early embryonic development in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of 9-cisRA in the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium on embryo development efficiency and embryo quality. For this purpose, immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) collected from slaughterhouse derived bovine ovaries were matured in three different IVM media (control group, DMSO group and DMSO+RA group). In the control group, base IVM medium were used without supplementation of 9-cisRA and DMSO. In the DMSO group, base IVM medium was supplemented with 0.5 μl DMSO per ml IVM medium without 9-cisRA. In DMSO+RA group, base medium was supplemented with 5 nm 9-cisRA dissolved in 0.5 μl DMSO. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA method and means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test. Results showed that, supplementation of 9-cisRA in the maturation medium has no effect on embryonic development uptocleavage stage. However, blastocyst development rates (P>0.01), total blastomere number (P> 0.01), number of apoptotic blastomere per blastocyst (P>0.05) and percent of apoptotic blastomere per blastocyst (P>0.05) were significantly influences by 9-cisRA. In conclusion, 9-cisRA may be supplemented into the maturation medium for increasing bovinein vitro blastocyst development efficiency and blastocyst quality.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 516-520

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 258
Author(s):  
B. Agung ◽  
T. Otoi ◽  
D. Fuchimoto ◽  
S. Senbon ◽  
A. Onishi ◽  
...  

When used as a solo maturation medium for oocytes, porcine follicular fluid (pFF) promoted male pronucleus formation (MPF) of oocytes after in vitro maturation (IVM), using a static system, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in pigs (Naito et al. 1988 Gamete Res. 21, 289–295). However, the developmental competence of oocytes matured in pFF after IVM/IVF has not been reported. This study was conducted to assess the ability of pFF as a maturation medium to support IVM/IVF of porcine oocytes and their subsequent in vitro development. pFF, including cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs), was aspirated from follicles (2–5 mm in diameter) of prepubertal crossbred gilt ovaries, and large clusters of follicular cells (FC) were removed from pFF by filtration through 212 �m of mesh. All of the COCs in filtered pFF were collected, and COCs with compact cumulus cells were selected for IVM. Also, small clusters of FC were collected by centrifugation of the filtered pFF, and pFF without any cells was prepared by centrifugation and used as a maturation medium (MpFF) after supplementation with FSH and antibiotics. COCs were transferred to 3.5 mL (in a 15-mL test tube) of MpFF with FC (5.2 � 106 cells mL-1) and cultured for 44–48 h at 38.5�C in 5% O2 and 5% CO2 using the rotating culture system. As a control group, COCs were cultured in 2 mL of MpFF without FC in a 35-mm Petri dish by the standard static culture system. After maturation, culture oocytes were co-incubated (IVF) for 5 h with frozen–thawed sperm in vitro, as reported previously (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041), and then some of them were fixed 10 h after IVF to assess the fertilization status; the rest of them were cultured in PZM (Yoshioka et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 60, 112–119) for 7 days to assess their early embryonic development. All of the data were analyzed by ANOVA. Oocytes cultured with FC in the rotating system (R group) showed significantly higher sperm penetration (71.0%), MPF formation (70.5%), and normal fertilization (monospermic fertilization with female and male pronuclei; 31.5%) rates than those in the control group (56.0%, 56.9%, and 17.6%, respectively; P < 0.05). Also, the R group showed significantly higher rates of 8-cell embryos at 2 days after IVF and blastocyst formation at 7 days after IVF than those of the control group (17.2% vs. 8.3% and 10.9% vs. 4.5%, respectively; P < 0.05). These results indicate that porcine oocytes matured in pFF supplemented with FC using the rotating system have the ability to be penetrated by sperm and form MPF, and to develop to the blastocyst stage at higher rates, than oocytes cultured in the standard static maturation culture system. In conclusion, the pFF can be a sole and simple maturation culture medium useful for the in vitro production of blastocysts in pigs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gad ◽  
U. Besenfelder ◽  
V. Havlicek ◽  
M. Hölker ◽  
M. U. Cinar ◽  
...  

An understanding of gene expression patterns due to altered environmental conditions during different time points of the pre-implantation period would improve our knowledge on regulation of embryonic development and improve success of embryo culture. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of alternative in vivo and in vitro culture conditions at specific phases of early embryonic development on transcriptome profile of bovine blastocysts. Using nonsurgical endoscopic oviducal transfer technology, 5 different blastocyst groups were produced. The first 2 groups were matured in vitro and then either transferred after maturation or after in vitro fertilization to synchronized recipients. The other 3 groups were matured, fertilized and cultured in vitro until 4-cell, 16-cell and morula stage before transfer. Blastocysts from each group were collected by uterine flushing at Day 7 and pooled in groups of 10. Complete in vitro (IVP) and in vivo blastocysts were produced and used as controls. A unique custom microarray (Agilent) containing 42 242 oligo probes (60-mers) was used over 6 replicates of each group vs the in vivo control group to examine the transcriptome profile of blastocysts. Compared with the in vivo control group, clear dramatic shifts were found in the number of differentially expressed genes (DEG, fold change ≥2) at 2 different time points. The first shift occurred for blastocyst groups that were transferred after in vitro fertilization and before embryonic genome activation (EGA). The second shift occurred for blastocyst groups that were transferred after EGA, as well as for the IVP group. Ontological classification of DEG showed that the more time spent under in vitro conditions, the higher the percentage of DEG involved in cell death and apoptotic processes. Moreover, lipid metabolism was the most significant process affected in the blastocysts transferred after in vitro maturation and blastocysts transferred at 16-cell stage. Most DEG involved in this process were down-regulated. Pathway analysis revealed that signalling pathways were the dominant pathways in all groups except the group that was transferred after in vitro maturation. That group showed significant down-regulation for genes involved in retinoic acid receptors activation pathways. These results showed that fertilization and EGA were the most critical developmental stages influenced by in vitro culture conditions and subsequently affect blastocyst quality, as measured in terms of gene expression patterns. Moreover, we identified molecular mechanisms and pathways that were influenced by altered culture conditions. These findings will enable the examination of strategies for modifying in vitro culture conditions at critical stages that will allow more efficient production of developmentally competent blastocysts.


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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
M. Barcelo-Fimbres ◽  
L. F. Campos-Chillon ◽  
N. R. Mtango ◽  
L. Bonilla ◽  
J. Verstegen

The aim of the present work was to evaluate embryonic development after shipping and maturation of bovine cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) collected by ovum pick up (OPU) in medium (SMM) that does not require CO2 gas for transport and maturation. Two experiments were conducted, experiment 1 stimulated nonlactating Holstein (n = 4), Jersey (n = 2), Angus (n = 4), and Wagyu (n = 2) donors with 6 pFSH injections (Pluset, MOFA Global LLC, Verona, WI, USA) were used. From each donor, some OPU sessions were delivered the same day (~3 h after collection) for IVM in conventional gas bicarbonate-equilibrated medium system (control), while COC from the other sessions were placed in a portable incubator at 38.5°C, delivered the next day allowing 24 h of maturation in SMM (BoviPro, Mofa Global, WI, USA). The COC were fertilized using commercial semen for each breed, and embryos were cultured in BBH7 medium (BoviPro, Mofa Global, WI, USA) at 38.5°C in 5% O2, 5% CO2, and 90% N2 atmosphere. Embryonic development was evaluated in this experiment. For experiment 2, Day 7 fresh Holstein and Jersey embryos (n = 610) from SMM (n = 550) and controls (n = 60) were transferred in synchronized virgin heifers and pregnancies were diagnosed by ultrasonography at d 35. Data were analysed by ANOVA using GLM, percentages were transformed using arcsin square root, and pregnancy rates were analysed by GenMod using SAS statistical software (Cary, NC, USA). Similar COC numbers were recovered for maturation treatments (P > 0.1; Table 1). The COC matured in SMM had higher cleavage and blastocyst rates than the control group (P < 0.01; Table 1), and this resulted in more transferable embryos per OPU session (P < 0.05; Table 1). We did not find breeds effects or interactions for any variable (P > 0.1; Table 1). After ET, SMM had similar pregnancy rates than control (53.8 v. 58.3%; P > 0.1); however, as more blastocysts were produced per OPU session in the SMM condition, more pregnancies were obtained per session (4.3 v. 2.1; P < 0.01). We conclude that COC matured in SMM had greater oocyte competence than control in commercial settings. The SMM resulted in greater embryonic development, similar pregnancy rates, but more transferable embryos and pregnancies per OPU session than the conventional maturation system. Table 1.Least squares means (± SE) of embryonic development of COC matured in SMM or control


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
F. Salerno ◽  
M. Rubessa ◽  
B. Gasparrini ◽  
M. Wheeler

It is known that cryopreservation triggers spindle disassembly, increased aneuploidy risk, decreased post-thaw survival, fertilization, and embryo development. We hypothesised that a treatment with D2O before vitrification would slow down oocyte metabolism and reduce ice crystal formation by replacing water inside the cells. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a 4-h treatment with different D2O concentrations (0, 3, 15, and 30%) on cryotolerance of bovine in vitro-matured oocytes. Abattoir-derived bovine oocytes were matured in vitro for 20h in TCM-199 medium with 15% of bovine serum (BS), 0.5µg mL−1 of FSH, 5µg mL−1 of LH, 0.8mM l-glutamine, and 50µg mL−1 of gentamicin at 39°C with 5% of CO2 and randomly divided into 5 experimental groups. A group of non-vitrified oocytes was used as the fresh oocyte control group, whereas the remaining oocytes were incubated for 4h in in vitro maturation medium with 0% (vitrified control; n=205), 3% (n=205), 15% (n=205), and 30% D2O (n=205) before vitrification. The experiment was repeated 4 times. Oocytes were denuded in HEPES-buffered TCM-199 (H199)+5% BS and vitrified using a cryotop freezing straw. The oocytes were incubated in 200μL of H199+20% BS with 7.5% ethylene glycol and 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide for 3min. After that, oocytes were collected in 50μL of H199+20% fetal bovine serum with 15% ethylene glycol+15% dimethyl sulfoxide and 0.5M sucrose for 20s and plunged into LN2. One month later, oocytes were warmed in thawing media with decreasing concentrations of sucrose (1.35M to 0.31M) and then placed into in vitro maturation medium for 2h before IVF. Matured oocytes were IVF and cultured according to standard procedures (Rubessa et al. 2011 Theriogenology 76, 1347-1355). Cleavage and blastocyst rates were evaluated after 7 days of culture. Data were analysed using the GLM procedure of SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The least statistical difference post-hoc test was used to perform statistical multiple comparison. The α-level was set at 0.05. As expected, both cleavage [60.5±4.6 (fresh control); 36.9±2.6 (0% D2O); 46.3±3.7 (3% D2O); 31.6±2.4 (15% D2O); and 24.4±2.6 (30% D2O)] and blastocyst rates [25.7±0.8 (fresh control); 9.0±0.8 (0% D2O); 9.0±0.7 (3% D2O); 3.6±0.2 (15% D2O); and 4.3±0.8 (30% D2O)] decreased in all vitrified groups compared with the fresh control group. Within vitrified oocytes, cleavage rate increased (P&lt;0.05) with 3% D2O treatment compared with the other groups. However, pretreatment with higher (15-30%) D2O concentrations decreased (P&lt;0.05) blastocyst rates of vitrified-warmed oocytes. In conclusion, a pretreatment with low concentrations (3%) of D2O improved the cleavage rate of bovine vitrified-warmed oocytes, suggesting a potential beneficial effect, whereas deleterious effects were observed using the higher concentrations. Therefore, further studies are required to assess a potential use of D2O to improve oocyte cryotolerance, likely testing different incubation times.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
A. Zegarra ◽  
J. Rivas ◽  
A. Gallegos ◽  
E. Mellisho

Oocyte protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) during invitro maturation (IVM) may play a decisive role in pre-implantation embryonic development. For instance, anthocyanins have shown greater antioxidant effects than vitamins C and E. The objective of this study was to determine the anthocyanin supplementation level that influences quantity and quality of bovine blastocysts development during IVM. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were recovered from 185 abattoir ovaries in 6 sessions and classified (Grade 1 and 2) for maturation. Oocytes were in IVM in commercial medium (Vitrogen®) supplemented with anthocyanin (pelargonidin chloride) at different concentrations: 0 (control), 1, 10, 20, and 40μM, in droplets of 70μL with 12 to 15 COC at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 and 90% humidity for 22to 24h. Sperm selection was performed by Percoll gradient method (45/90%) with centrifugation at 600×g for 6min. The final concentration for IVF was 2×106 sperm mL−1. A total of 462 oocytes were used in the experiment (6 replicates). Presumptive zygotes were invitro cultured (IVC) in commercial medium (Vitrogen) in droplets of 70µL with 12–15 zygotes at 38°C, 5% CO2, and 90% humidity until the blastocyst stage (Day 7 of culture). The cleavage (Day 2), morulae (Day 4), and blastocyst (Day 7) rates were measured during IVC. The data were processed with non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis test with independent samples, P&lt;0.05) using IBM SPSS Statistics 2.0 for Windows. The results in the control group of cleavage, morulae, and blastocyst rates were 67.3, 27.0, and 22.1%, respectively. Although, numerically, anthocyanin at 1μM resulted in a higher blastocyst rate (28.8%) and anthocyanin at 10μM resulted in a greater number of blastocysts of advanced stages (65.0%), anthocyanin supplementation during IVM did not influence the quantity and quality of bovine blastocyst development (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of anthocyanin to the maturation medium did not affect invitro development of bovine embryos. Complementary studies at the cellular and gene expression level may be required.


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.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Islam M. Saadeldin ◽  
Ok Jae Koo ◽  
Jung Taek Kang ◽  
Dae Kee Kwon ◽  
Sol Ji Park ◽  
...  

Kisspeptin (Kp) is best known as a multifunctional peptide with roles in reproduction, the cardiovascular system and cancer. In the present study the expression of kisspeptin hierarchy elements (KISS1, GNRH1 and LHB) and their receptors (KISS1R, GNRHR and LHCGR, respectively) in porcine ovary and in cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were investigated, as were its effects on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes and their subsequent ability to sustain preimplantation embryo competence after parthenogenetic electrical activation. Kp system elements were expressed and affected IVM of oocytes when maturation medium was supplemented with 10–6 M Kp. Oocyte maturation, maternal gene expression (MOS, GDF9 and BMP15), blastocyst formation rate, blastocyst hatching and blastocyst total cell count were all significantly increased when oocytes were matured in medium containing Kp compared with the control group (without Kp). A Kp antagonist (p234) at 4 × 10–6 M interfered with this hierarchy but did not influence the threshold effect of gonadotrophins on oocyte maturation. FSH was critical and permissive to Kp action on COCs by increasing the relative expression of KISS1R. In contrast, Kp significantly increased apoptosis, the expression of pro-apoptotic gene, BAK1, and suppressed trophoblast outgrowths from hatched blastocysts cultured on feeder cells. The present study provides the first functional evidence of the Kp hierarchy in porcine COCs and its role in enhancing oocyte maturation and subsequent developmental competence in an autocrine–paracrine manner. However, Kp supplementation may have a harmful impact on cultured hatched blastocysts reflecting systemic or local regulation during the critical early period of embryonic development.


Author(s):  
Alan da Silva LIRA ◽  
Ricardo de Macedo CHAVES ◽  
Felipe de Jesus MORAES JUNIOR ◽  
Sergio Henrique COSTA JUNIOR ◽  
Brenda Karine Lima do AMARAL ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We aimed to assess the effects of melatonin in the in vitro production of bovine embryos. Our experiment was conducted at the Laboratório de Reprodução Animal of the Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were distributed among treatments at concentrations of 0, 10-1, 10-3 and 10-5 µMol/L melatonin. Our experiment was further divided into two: the first was to assess the effect of different concentrations of melatonin (treatments) on the maturation rate of COCs, and the second was to assess the effects of melatonin treatments on the in vitro production of bovine embryos. The results from the first experiment demonstrated no significant difference between the in vitro maturation rate of the cultivated COCs in treatments with melatonin. In the second experiment, however, melatonin treatments yielded statistically higher cleavage, morula and blastocyst rates in the 10-5 µM group (52.9%, 52.9%, and 35.3%, respectively), and lower rates in the 10-1 µM group (19.5%, 19.5% and 7.8%, respectively), compared to the others. The control group (no melatonin) and the 10-3 µM group showed similar results. We concluded that supplementation of melatonin in the in vitro maturation medium resulted in no improvement in the oocyte maturation rate, but in the in vitro production of embryos at different concentrations, the 10-5 µM group displayed better results, but with no improvement in the variables (P < 0.05).


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
C. Yamada ◽  
M. D. Goissis ◽  
H. V. A. Caetano ◽  
A. R. S. Coutinho ◽  
M. E. O. A. Assumpção ◽  
...  

The cryopreservation of bovine oocytes remains a challenge despite significant reported progress. Immature bovine oocytes have a complex structure and the conventional cryoprotectants (penetrating cryoprotectants, sugars, and macromolecules) appear to be not sufficient to preserve them efficiently during freezing. Studies on semen and fibroblast cryopreservation indicate that amino acids, particularly l-glutamine, protect enzymes during freezing and increase the post-thaw viability. Therefore, the amino acids may optimize oocyte cryopreservation when associated with conventional cryoprotectants. This work evaluated the effect of l-glutamine on cryopreservation of immature bovine oocytes after in vitro maturation. Oocytes with homogeneous cytoplasm and several cumulus cell layers from slaughterhouse ovaries were distributed randomly in three groups: non-vitrified control, vitrified control, and vitrified with l-glutamine. Oocytes from vitrified groups were exposed for 10 min to PBS + 10% FCS + 10% ethylene glycol (EG) + 0.25 m trehalose (T), and for 30 s to PBS + 10% FCS + 25% EG + 25% dimethylsulfoxide + 0.5 m T at room temperature, adding 80 mm l-glutamine for the third group. Oocytes were loaded into OPS and plunged in liquid nitrogen. For thawing, OPS were immersed in PBS + 10% FCS + 10% EG + 1 m T for three min. Oocytes werethen placed in PBS + 10% FCS + 0.5 m T and in PBS + 10% FCS, remaining three min in each solution. For in vitro maturation, oocytes were washed three times on holding medium (TCM-HEPES + FCS + pyruvate + gentamycin), washed three times in maturation medium (TCM-bicarbonate + FCS + pyruvate + gentamycin + hCG + FSH + estradiol), and cultured in microdrops (90 μL) of maturation medium covered with mineral oil at 38.5°C under 5% CO2 in air and high humidity for 24 h. Oocytes were denuded, fixed in paraformaldehyde and triton, stained with Hoechst 33342, and evaluated under epifluorescence microscopy. Oocytes at metaphase II were considered matured. The group vitrified with l-glutamine had a significantly higher maturation rate than the group vitrified without l-glutamine; however, both had significantly lower maturation rates than the non-vitrified control group. In conclusion, l-glutamine improved the viability of vitrified oocytes. Table 1. Oocyte maturation rates of non-vitrified control, vitrified control, and vitrified with glutamine groups This work was supported by FAPESP 03/08543-1.


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