Effect of oocyte-secreted factors on porcine in vitro maturation, cumulus expansion and developmental competence of parthenotes

Effect of BMP15 and GDF9 in the IVM medium on subsequent oocyte competence and embryo development of prepubertal goats

Oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs), such as BMP15 and GDF9, are soluble paracrine factors that drive cumulus cell differentiation and function, sustaining oocyte competence acquisition and embryo development. This study aimed to assess the effect of BMP15 and GDF9 on IVM medium of prepubertal goat oocytes. COCs were in vitro matured in absence (control group) or presence of 100 ng/mL of BMP15, GDF9, or both. To determine cumulus-oocyte communication, transzonal projections (TZP) density at 0h, 6h, 12h and 24h of IVM were evaluated. After IVM, mitochondrial activity, intracellular ROS and glutathione (GSH) levels, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in oocytes and cumulus cells, and cumulus expansion were assessed. Blastocyst production and quality were evaluated after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and IVF. IVM supplementation with BMP15 increased the TZP density during the first 6 h of culture. After IVM, BMP15 increased mitochondrial activity, EGFR expression in oocytes and cumulus cells, and cumulus expansion compared to control, but ROS and GSH levels were similar to control. BMP15 improved blastocyst production following PA (15.5 % vs 6.3 %) and the number of cells in the blastocyst inner cell mass. No differences were observed on blastocyst production or quality following IVF. IVM supplementation with GDF9 did not improve results from control group in any parameters studied. Additionally, GDF9 in combination with BMP15 only improved mitochondrial activity and cumulus expansion over control. In conclusion, IVM medium supplementation with BMP15 (100 ng/ml) improves COCs quality parameters and PA-blastocyst production and quality of prepubertal goat oocytes. However, GDF9 (100 ng/mL) did not have any beneficial effect in this study and was possibly antagonistic to BMP15.

Association of growth differentiation factor 9 expression with nuclear receptor and basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors in buffalo oocytes during in vitro maturation

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is an oocyte-specific paracrine factor involved in bidirectional communication, which plays an important role in oocyte developmental competence. In spite of its vital role in reproduction, there is insufficient information about exact transcriptional control mechanism of GDF9. Hence, present study was undertaken with the aim to study the expression of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) such as the factor in the germline alpha (FIGLA), twist-related protein 1 (TWIST1) and upstream stimulating factor 1 and 2 (USF1 and USF2), and nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily TFs like germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF) and oestrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) under three different in vitro maturation (IVM) groups [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and oestradiol)] along with all supplementation group as positive control, to understand their role in regulation of GDF9 expression. Buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated from abattoir-derived ovaries and matured in different IVM groups. Following maturation, TFs expression was studied at 8 h of maturation in all four different IVM groups and correlated with GDF9 expression. USF1 displayed positive whereas GCNF, TWIST1 and ESR2 revealed negative correlation with GDF9 expression. TWIST1 & ESR2 revealing negative correlation with GDF9 expression were found to be positively correlated amongst themselves also. GCNF & USF1 revealing highly significant correlation with GDF9 expression in an opposite manner were found to be negatively correlated. The present study concludes that the expression of GDF9 in buffalo oocytes remains under control through the involvement of NR and bHLH TFs.

Efficient editing BMP15 in porcine oocytes through microinjection of CRISPR ctRNP

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) is an X-linked gene encoding an oocyte secreted factor, which plays varied functions in the female fertility between mono-ovulatory and poly-ovulatory mammalian species. We previously found that knockout of BMP15 completely blocked porcine follicular development at preantral stages. However, the specific function of BMP15 on porcine oocytes in vitro maturation remains largely unknown. Here, we injected the pre-assembled crRNA + tracrRNA + Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (ctRNP) complex into the cytoplasm of germinal vesicle stage porcine oocytes to disrupt BMP15. The ctRNP composed of Cas9 nuclease and crRNA-tracrRNA complex at 1.2/1 content ratio. The tested crRNA-tracrRNA complex concentration ranging from 50 to 200 ng/μL, all presented effective editing of BMP15 in porcine oocytes, and the 125 ng/μL crRNA-tracrRNA complex presented the highest editing efficiency (39.23 ± 3.33%). Surprisingly, we found approximately 95% edited oocytes presented monoallelic mutations, and only 5% edited oocytes harbored biallelic mutations. Interestingly, the coinjected two crRNAs guided the ctRNP complex to concurrently cut within a 10 bp window of the PAM (protospacer adjacent motif), resulting in a precise deletion within BMP15 in 85.9% edited oocytes, and additional deletion happened in 14.1% edited oocytes, which resulted in large fragment deletions in BMP15. Most deletions caused frameshift and introduced premature stop codon in BMP15, resulting in the disruption of BMP15 protein expression, which was confirmed by the Western blot analysis showing the reduced BMP15 protein expression in ctRNP injected oocytes. The disruption of BMP15 attenuated the activation of SMAD1/5/8 signaling, and impaired cumulus expansion of porcine cumulus cell-oocyte complexes (COCs). Our study proved that delivering CRISPR ctRNP into porcine oocytes by microinjection was able to edit BMP15 efficiently, providing a new strategy to investigate the functions of oocyte-specific secreted factors in oocyte in vitro maturation.

Paracrine regulation of granulosa cell development in the antral follicles in mammals

Background

Development of ovarian follicles is regulated by a complex interaction of intra- and extra-follicular signals. Oocyte-derived paracrine factors (ODPFs) play a central role in this process in cooperation with other signals.

Methods

This review provides an overview of the recent advances in our understanding of the paracrine regulation of antral follicle development in mammals. It specifically focuses on the regulation of granulosa cell development by ODPFs, along with other intrafollicular signals.

Main Findings

Bi-directional communication between oocytes and surrounding cumulus cells is a fundamental mechanism that determines cumulus cell differentiation. Along with estrogen, ODPFs promote the expression of forkhead box L2, a critical transcription factor required for mural granulosa cells. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) facilitates these processes by stimulating estrogen production in mural granulosa cells.

Conclusion

Cooperative interactions among ODPFs, FSH, and estrogen are critical in determining the fate of cumulus and mural granulosa cells, as well as the development of oocytes.

Buffalo oocyte-secreted factors promote cumulus cells apoptosis and the rate of cGMP production but not steroidogenesis

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of buffalo oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) on cumulus cells (CCs) functions, apoptosis and cGMP generation, and whether the direct contact between oocyte and CCs is essential for oocyte-mediated regulation of CCs functions. Buffalo CCs were cultured during IVM within three groups: (a) intact cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), (b) CCs cocultured with denuded oocytes (DOs) (CCs + DOs) and (c) CCs monolayer cultured alone (CCsM). After 24 hr of IVM, CCs were harvested for evaluation of the relative mRNA abundance of the genes encoding gap junction (GJA1), glycolysis (PFKP and LDHA), apoptosis (CASPASE-3 and BCL-2) and steroidogenesis (ER-β and PGR) by QRT-PCR, and CASPASE-3 proteins, using western blot. Intracellular cGMP content was also assessed by ELISA. Results showed that the relative abundance of LDHA, PFKP and BCL-2 significantly increased (p < 0.05) in COCs, whereas GJA1 and CASPASE-3 exhibited lower expression (p < 0.05) compared to CCs + DOs and CCsM groups. However, the expression levels of CASPASE-3, both mRNA and protein, were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in CCs + DOs compared to CCsM. There was no significant difference in the expression level of PGR and ER-β between the groups. The intracellular content of cGMP was notably (p < 0.05) higher in COCs compared to CCs + DOs and CCsM groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated, for the first time, that buffalo OSFs protect CCs against apoptosis and stimulate their cGMP production; however, the regulation of cumulus glycolysis and gap junction is confined to those in close contact with the oocyte. Neither OSFs from COCs nor those from DOs have any effect on CCs steroidogenesis.

GDF-9 and BMP-15 direct the follicle symphony

Understanding the physiology underlying the complex dialog between the oocyte and its surrounding somatic cells within the ovarian follicle has been crucial in defining optimal procedures for the development of clinical approaches in ART for women suffering from infertility and ovarian dysfunction. Recent studies have implicated oocyte-secreted factors like growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15), members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) superfamily, as potent regulators of folliculogenesis and ovulation. These two factors act as biologically active heterodimers or as homodimers in a synergistic cooperation. Through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, the GDF-9 and BMP-15 system has been shown to regulate growth, differentiation, and function of granulosa and thecal cells during follicular development playing a vital role in oocyte development, ovulation, fertilization, and embryonic competence. The present mini-review provides an overview of recent findings relating GDF-9 and BMP-15 as fundamental factors implicated in the regulation of ovarian function and discusses their potential role as markers of oocyte quality in women.

Molecular Aspects and Clinical Relevance of GDF9 and BMP15 in Ovarian Function

Growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are oocyte-secreted factors with a leading role in the control of ovarian function in female reproduction, modulating both the cell fate of the somatic granulosa cells and the quality and developmental competence of the egg. This short review aims to consolidate the molecular aspects of GDF9 and BMP15 and their integral actions in female fertility to understand particularly their effects on oocyte quality and fetal growth. The significant consequences of mutations in the GDF9 and BMP15 genes in women with dizygotic twins as well as the clinical relevance of these oocyte factors in the pathogenesis of primary ovarian insufficiency and polycystic ovary syndrome are also addressed.

Impact of oocyte-secreted factors on its developmental competence in buffalo

Oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) play an important role in the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence through bidirectional cross-talk between oocyte and cumulus cells via gap junctions. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of two OSFs, growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), on the developmental competence of buffalo oocytes derived from two different follicle sizes. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) from large follicles (LF, >6 mm) or small follicles (SF, <6 mm) were collected and matured in vitro either in the presence of GDF9 or BMP15, or both, or with the denuded oocytes (DOs) as a source of native OSFs. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in LF-derived than SF-derived oocytes. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the DOs and the combination groups compared with the control, GDF9 alone and BMP15 alone groups, both in LF-derived and SF-derived oocytes, although the cleavage and blastocyst rates did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between DOs and combination groups. Relative mRNA analysis revealed significantly higher (P > 0.05) expression of the cumulus cell marker genes EGFR, HAS2, and CD44 in LF-derived than SF-derived oocyte; the expression of these markers was significantly higher (P > 0.05) in DOs and combination groups, irrespective of the follicle size. These results suggested that LF-derived oocytes have a higher developmental competence than SF-derived oocytes and that supplementation of GDF9 and BMP15 modulates the developmental competence of buffalo oocytes by increasing the relative abundance of cumulus-enabling factors and thereby increasing cleavage and the quality of blastocyst production.

Adição da proteína específica do oviduto de porcas (pOSP) e da melatonina em meios de maturação e o efeito na clivagem in vitro de embriões suínos

RESUMO No presente estudo, utilizou-se a melatonina e a proteína específica do oviduto (pOSP) nos meios de maturação in vitro. Foram avaliadas a expansão do complexo cumulus-ovócito (CCOs), as concentrações intracelulares de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) e o desenvolvimento embrionário nos diferentes grupos (C = controle; T1 = somente com melatonina; T2 = com melatonina e pOSP e T3 somente com pOSP). No tocante à expansão do CCOs, houve diferença (P<0,05) dos valores obtidos no grupo C em relação aos valores médios dos grupos T1, T2 e T3, porém não houve diferença entre os valores obtidos nos tratamentos (P>0,05). Na dosagem de ROS, não houve diferença entre os valores médios obtidos no grupo C (26,4±10,9) e o valor verificado no grupo T1 (23,4±7,8), porém no grupo T2 (21,3±9,7) o valor médio mostrou-se satisfatório em relação ao valor do grupo C. No entanto, o valor médio do grupo T3 (16,6±10,5) foi o que demonstrou resultado mais satisfatório quando comparado aos demais grupos (P<0,05). A produção de embriões foi avaliada por meio da taxa de clivagem. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os valores obtidos entre o grupo C (48,9 %) e os valores verificados nos grupos T1 (51,5 %), T2 (50 %), T3 (57,7 %), nem destes entre si. Este estudo permitiu concluir que a proteína específica do oviduto recombinante e a melatonina foram eficientes em melhorar a expansão dos CCOs. Além disso, as células tratadas com pOSP mostraram-se com menor quantidade de ROS, podendo a pOSP ser considerada um antioxidante proteico.

Porcine oocyte maturation in vitro: role of cAMP and oocyte-secreted factors - A practical approach

Polyspermy or the penetration of more than one sperm cell remains a problem during porcine in vitro fertilization (IVF). After in vitro culture of porcine zygotes, only a low percentage of blastocysts develop and their quality is inferior to that of in vivo derived blastocysts. It is unknown whether the cytoplasmic maturation of the oocyte is sufficiently sustained in current in vitro maturation (IVM) procedures. The complex interplay between oocyte and cumulus cells during IVM is a key factor in this process. By focusing on this bidirectional communication, it is possible to control the coordination of cumulus expansion, and nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation during IVM to some extent. Therefore, this review focuses on the regulatory mechanisms between oocytes and cumulus cells to further the development of new in vitro embryo production (IVP) procedures, resulting in less polyspermy and improved oocyte developmental potential. Specifically, we focused on the involvement of cAMP in maturation regulation and function of oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) in the bidirectional regulatory loop between oocyte and cumulus cells. Our studies suggest that maintaining high cAMP levels in the oocyte during the first half of IVM sustained improved oocyte maturation, resulting in an enhanced response after IVF and cumulus matrix disassembly. Recent research indicated that the addition of OSFs during IVM enhanced the developmental competence of small follicle-derived oocytes, which was stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) via developing EGF-receptor signaling.

Modifications of human growth differentiation factor 9 to improve the generation of embryos from low competence oocytes

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is an oocyte-derived growth factor that plays a critical role in ovarian folliculogenesis and oocyte developmental competence and belongs to the TGF-β family of proteins. Recombinant human GDF9 (hGDF9) is secreted in a latent form, which in the case of the fully processed protein, has the proregion noncovalently associated with the mature region. In this study, we investigated a number of amino acid residues in the mature region of hGDF9 that are different from the corresponding residues in the mouse protein, which is not latent. We designed, expressed, and purified 4 forms of chimeric hGDF9 (M1-M4) that we found to be active in a granulosa cell bioassay. Using a porcine in vitro maturation model with inherent low developmental competence (yielding 10%-20% blastocysts), we tested the ability of the chimeric hGDF9 proteins to improve oocyte maturation and developmental competence. Interestingly, one of the chimeric proteins, M3, was able to significantly increase the level of embryo production using such low competence oocytes. Our molecular modeling studies suggest that in the case of hGDF9 the Gly(391)Arg mutation probably increases receptor binding affinity, thereby creating an active protein for granulosa cells in vitro. However, for an improvement in oocyte developmental competence, a second mutation (Ser(412)Pro), which potentially decreases the affinity of the mature region for the proregion, is also required.

Influence of co-culture with denuded oocytes during in vitro maturation on fertilization and developmental competence of cumulus-enclosed porcine oocytes in a defined system

Co-culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) with denuded oocytes (DOs) during in vitro maturation (IVM) was reported to improve the developmental competence of oocytes via oocyte-secreted factors in cattle. The aim of the present study was to investigate if addition of DOs during IVM can improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) results for oocytes in a defined in vitro production system in pigs. The maturation medium was porcine oocyte medium supplemented with gonadotropins, dbcAMP and β-mercaptoethanol. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured without DOs or with DOs in different ratios (9 COC, 9 COC+16 DO and 9 COC+36 DO). Consequently; oocytes were subjected to IVF as intact COCs or after denudation to examine if DO addition during IVM would affect cumulus or oocyte properties. After fertilization, penetration and normal fertilization rates of zygotes were not different between all tested groups irrespective of denudation before IVF. When zygotes were cultured for 6 days, no difference could be observed between all treatment groups in cleavage rate, blastocyst rate and cell number per blastocyst. In conclusion, irrespective of the ratio, co-culture with DOs during IVM did not improve fertilization parameters and embryo development of cumulus-enclosed porcine oocytes in a defined system.

Expression and cellular distribution of estrogen and progesterone receptors and the real-time proliferation of porcine cumulus cells

Although the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors within porcine ovary and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) is well recognized, still little information is known regarding expression of the progesterone receptor (PGR), PGR membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and of estrogen-related receptors (ERRγ and ERRβ/γ) in separated cumulus cells in relation to real-time proliferation. In this study, a model of oocytes-separated cumulus cells was used to analyze the cell proliferation index and the expression PGR, PGRMC1 and of ERRγ and ERRβ/γ during 96-h cultivation in vitro using real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and confocal microscopic observation. We found that PGR protein expression was increased at 0 h, compared with PGR protein expression after 96 h of culture (P < 0.001). The expression of PGRMC1, ERRγ and ERRβ/γ was unchanged. After using qRT-PCR we did not found statistical differences in expression of PGR, PGRMC1, ERRγ and ERRβ/γ during 96 h of cumulus cells in vitro culture (IVC). We supposed that the differential expression of the PGR protein at 0 h and after 96 h is related to a time-dependent down-regulation, which may activate a negative feedback. The distribution of PGR, PGRMC1 proteins may be linked with the translocation of receptors to the cytoplasm after the membrane binding of respective agonists and intra-cytoplasmic signal transduction. Furthermore, cumulus cells analyzed at 0 h were characterized by decreased proliferation index, whereas those after 96 h of culture revealed a significant increase of proliferation index, which may be associated with differentiation/luteinization of these cells during real-time proliferation.

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 in the pro-mature complex form enhances bovine oocyte developmental competence

Developmental competence of in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes needs to be improved and this can potentially be achieved by adding recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) or growth differentiation factor (GDF9) to IVM. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a purified pro-mature complex form of recombinant human BMP15 versus the commercially available bioactive forms of BMP15 and GDF9 (both isolated mature regions) during IVM on bovine embryo development and metabolic activity. Bovine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro in control medium or treated with 100 ng/ml pro-mature BMP15, mature BMP15 or mature GDF9 +/− FSH. Metabolic measures of glucose uptake and lactate production from COCs and autofluorescence of NAD(P)H, FAD and GSH were measured in oocytes after IVM. Following in vitro fertilisation and embryo culture, day 8 blastocysts were stained for cell numbers. COCs matured in medium +/− FSH containing pro-mature BMP15 displayed significantly improved blastocyst development (57.7±3.9%, 43.5±4.2%) compared to controls (43.3±2.4%, 28.9±3.7%) and to mature GDF9+FSH (36.1±3.0%). The mature form of BMP15 produced intermediate levels of blastocyst development; not significantly different to control or pro-mature BMP15 levels. Pro-mature BMP15 increased intra-oocyte NAD(P)H, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were increased by both forms of BMP15 in the absence of FSH. Exogenous BMP15 in its pro-mature form during IVM provides a functional source of oocyte-secreted factors to improve bovine blastocyst development. This form of BMP15 may prove useful for improving cattle and human artificial reproductive technologies.

Effect of single-oocyte culture system on in vitro maturation and developmental competence in mice

Purpose

To investigate whether single-culture systems influence the quality of in vitro-matured oocytes, we examined the maturation and developmental competence of oocytes obtained by grouped in vitro maturation (IVM) or single IVM.

Methods

In vitro-matured oocytes were obtained using the culture drop (CD) method for the grouped IVM experiments, and the CD and hanging drop (HD) method for the single IVM experiments. To evaluate oocyte developmental competence, we performed in vitro fertilization and culture, and counted the number of blastocysts. To evaluate the oocyte cytoplasmic maturation, we measured the maturation promoting factor (MPF) expression levels.

Results

Oocytes cultured singly had lower maturity and developmental competence than the grouped IVM oocytes. However, enhanced oocyte fertility and blastocyst quality was achieved by the HD single IVM method. Additionally, the MPF activity level increased in all culture methods, compared to the control; however, it lagged behind nuclear maturation.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the HD method is efficient for single IVM.

Recombinant human growth differentiation factor-9 improves oocyte reprogramming competence and subsequent development of bovine cloned embryos

Previously, we found that oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) secreted by denuded oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM) enhance subsequent development of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. This treatment requires many oocytes during IVM. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate whether supplementing with recombinant growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF9), one of crucial OFSs, in oocyte maturation medium could improve developmental competence of bovine oocytes and subsequent development of cloned embryos. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from antral follicles of bovine ovaries collected from an abattoir were cultured with (SCNT+GDF9 group) or without (SCNT group) 200 ng/mL recombinant human GDF9 in oocyte maturation medium. After 22 h, metaphase II (MII) oocytes were used for SCNT. The presence of 200 ng/mL GDF9 significantly increased oocyte maturation rates, the cleavage rate, and blastocyst formation rates of bovine cloned embryos. The blastocyst total, inner cell mass (ICM) cell numbers, and ratio of ICM:TE were higher, whereas the rate of apoptosis in bovine cloned blastocysts was lower in the SCNT+GDF9 group than in the SCNT group. The histone modifications at various sites were also different between each group. These results suggest that COCs cultured with recombinant GDF9 in oocyte maturation medium improve oocyte developmental competence and subsequent developmental competence of cloned embryo in cattle.

Oocyte-secreted factors in oocyte maturation media enhance subsequent development of bovine cloned embryos

Successful in vitro maturation (IVM) and oocyte quality both affect the subsequent development of cloned embryos derived from somatic-cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Developmental competence is usually lower in oocytes matured in vitro compared with those that matured in vivo, possibly due to insufficient levels of oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) and disrupted oocyte-cumulus communication. This study investigated the effects of OSFs secreted by denuded oocytes (DOs) during IVM on the subsequent developmental competence of cloned bovine embryos. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from antral follicles of slaughtered-cow ovaries collected from an abattoir were divided into four groups: COCs co-cultured with and without DOs in maturation media used for SCNT, as well as COCs co-cultured with and without DOs in maturation media used for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Based on the developmental competence and embryo quality of bovine embryos generated from these four groups, we found that co-culturing the COCs with DOs enhanced the in vitro development of IVF and cloned bovine embryos, and potentially generated more high-quality cloned blastocysts that possessed locus-specific histone modifications at levels similar to in vitro-fertilized embryos. These results strongly suggest that co-culturing COCs with DOs enhances subsequent developmental competence of cloned bovine embryo.

Effects of differing oocyte-secreted factors during mouse in vitro maturation on subsequent embryo and fetal development

PURPOSE

We hypothesised that varying native oocyte-secreted factor (OSF) exposure or using different recombinant OSF peptides would have differential effects on post-in vitro maturation (IVM) embryo and fetal development.

METHODS

Mouse cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were treated with the purified mature domain of GDF9 and/or BMP15 or were co-cultured with denuded oocytes (DOs) from 0 h or 3 h of IVM. DOs were matured for 3 h as either intact COCs+/-FSH before denuding, or as DOs + FSH. COCs were fertilised and blastocyst development was assessed on days 5 and 6, and either differentially stained for ICM numbers or vitrified/warmed embryos were transferred to recipients to assess implantation and fetal rates.

RESULTS

No improvement in embryo development was observed with the addition of GDF9 and/or BMP15 to IVM. In contrast, embryos derived from COCs co-cultured with DOs had significantly improved blastocyst rates and ICM numbers compared to controls (P < 0.05). The highest response was obtained when DOs were first added to COCs at 3 h of IVM, after being pre-treated (0-3 h) as COCs + FSH. Compared to control, co-culture with DOs from 3 h did not affect implantation rates but more than doubled fetal yield (21% vs 48%; P < 0.05). GDF9 Western blot analysis was unable to detect any differences in quantity or form of GDF9 (17 and 65 kDa) in extracts of DO at 0 h or 3 h.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides new knowledge on means to improve oocyte quality in vitro which has the potential to significantly aid human infertility treatment and animal embryo production technologies.

Effects of sorbitol on porcine oocyte maturation and embryo development in vitro

In the present study, a porcine system was supplemented with sorbitol during in vitro maturation (IVM) or in vitro culture (IVC), and the effects of sorbitol on oocyte maturation and embryonic development following parthenogenetic activation were assessed. Porcine immature oocytes were treated with different concentrations of sorbitol during IVM, and the resultant metaphase II stage oocytes were activated and cultured in porcine zygote medium-3 (PZM-3) for 7 days. No significant difference was observed in cumulus expansion and the nuclear maturation between the control and sorbitol-treated groups, with the exception of the 100 mM group, which showed significantly decreased nuclear maturation and cumulus expansion. There was no significant difference in the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels between oocytes matured with 10 or 20 mM sorbitol and control groups, but 50 and 100 mM groups had significantly higher ROS levels than other groups. The 20 mM group showed significant increases in intracellular glutathione and subsequent blastocyst formation rates following parthenogenetic activation compared with the other groups. During IVC, supplementation with sorbitol significantly reduced blastocyst formation and increased the apoptotic index compared with the control. The apoptotic index of blastocysts from the sorbitol-treated group for entire culture period was significantly higher than those of the partially sorbitol-exposed groups. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the addition of a low concentration of sorbitol (20 mM) during IVM of porcine oocytes benefits subsequent blastocyst development and improves embryo quality, whereas sorbitol supplement during IVC has a negative effect on blastocyst formation.