scholarly journals Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 is required for lipid droplet formation in pig embryo

Reproduction ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Kyung Lee ◽  
Kwang-Hwan Choi ◽  
Jae Yeon Hwang ◽  
Jong-Nam Oh ◽  
Seung-Hun Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oleic Acid ◽  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Coenzyme A ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Parthenogenetic Embryos

Lipid droplets (LD) provide a source of energy, and their importance during embryogenesis has been increasingly recognized. In particular, pig embryos have larger amounts of intercellular lipid bilayers than other mammalian species, suggesting that porcine embryos are more dependent on lipid metabolic pathways. The objective of the present study was to detect the effect of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) on LD formation and to associate these effects with the mRNA abundance of LD formation-related genes (SREBP, ARF1, COPG2, PLD1 and ERK2) in in vitro-produced porcine embryos. To determine the effect of SCD1 on LD formation and related genes, we examined the effects of SCD1 inhibition using CAY10566 (an SCD1 inhibitor, 50 μM) on parthenogenetic embryos. SCD1 inhibition downregulated the mRNA levels of LD formation-related genes and embryo development. Our results revealed that SCD1 functions in the regulation of LD formation via phospholipid formation and embryo development. In addition, we treated parthenogenetic embryos with oleic acid (100 μM), which led to a significant increase in the blastocyst formation rate, LD size and number compared to controls. Remarkably, the adverse effects of the SCD1 inhibitor could be counteracted by oleic acid. These data suggest that porcine embryos can use exogenous oleic acid as a metabolic energy source.

scholarly journals Linoleic Acid Reduces Apoptosis via NF-κB During the in Vitro Development of Porcine Embryos.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Kyu Lee ◽  
Dong-Kyung Lee ◽  
Kwang-Hwan Choi ◽  
Jong-Nam Oh ◽  
Seung-Hun Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Linoleic Acid ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Apoptosis Pathway ◽  
Apoptotic Gene

Abstract Background: Recent studies suggest that endogenous and exogenous free fatty acids play many important roles in mammalian oocyte and preimplantation embryo development. Among these fatty acids, linoleic acid has been reported to affect the apoptosis pathway via nuclear transcription factor-kappa B. The transcription factor NF-κB is a key modulator of apoptosis in a variety of cell types, but to date, this specific function of NF-κB has not been demonstrated in porcine preimplantation embryos. To examine the effect of linoleic acid on parthenogenetic pig embryos produced in vitro, we treated these embryos with linoleic acid at various concentrations to examine the developmental rate, NF‐κB expression, IL-6 expression and apoptosis-related gene mRNA levels. Results: Linoleic acid had a positive effect on embryo development and was not toxic at a certain concentration, but toxicity was observed at higher concentrations. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the concentration of NF‐κB increased, unlike that of IL-6, as the concentration of linoleic acid increased, and the concentration of NF‐κB was found to increase even at the concentration of linoleic acid at which embryo development decreased. We found that pro-apoptotic gene expression was downregulated in the linoleic acid-treated group. It was also found that BCL-XL, an anti-apoptotic gene, was not affected by linoleic acid, which appears to be an effect of IL-6. In contrast, MCL-1, an anti-apoptotic gene known to be unaffected by IL-6, was found to be increased at the mRNA level in linoleic acid-treated pig embryos. Furthermore, based on both apoptosis and immunocytochemistry staining, as the concentration of NF-kB increased, the nuclear translocation of C-JUN, which is also related to apoptosis, gradually increased, which was dependent on the linoleic acid concentration. It was confirmed that NF-κB is an important factor in the development of porcine embryos by confirming that treatment with a very low concentration of ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC, inhibitor of NF-κB) affected NF-κB protein expression, IL-6 protein expression and blastocyst production. Conclusion: These datas could suggest that porcine embryos can use exogenous linoleic acid as a metabolic energy source via NF-κB. The data also demonstrate the important role of NF-kB in porcine early embryo development.

scholarly journals NLRP7 is expressed in the ovine ovary and associated with in vitro pre-implantation embryo development

Reproduction ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 158 (5) ◽  
pp. 415-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangdong Li ◽  
Xiuzhi Tian ◽  
Dongying Lv ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Zhenzhen Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
The Future ◽  
First Time ◽  
Hydatidiform Moles ◽  
Parthenogenetic Embryos

NLRP (NACHT, LRR and PYD domain-containing proteins) family plays pivotal roles in mammalian reproduction. Mutation of NLRP7 is often associated with human recurrent hydatidiform moles. Few studies regarding the functions of NLRP7 have been performed in other mammalian species rather than humans. In the current study, for the first time, the function of NLRP7 has been explored in ovine ovary. NLRP7 protein was mainly located in ovarian follicles and in in vitro pre-implantation embryos. To identify its origin, 763 bp partial CDS of NLRP7 deriving from sheep cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) was cloned, it showed a great homology with Homo sapiens. The high levels of mRNA and protein of NLRP7 were steadily expressed in oocytes, parthenogenetic embryos or IVF embryos. NLRP7 knockdown by the combination of siRNA and shRNA jeopardized both the parthenogenetic and IVF embryo development. These results strongly suggest that NLRP7 plays an important role in ovine reproduction. The potential mechanisms of NLRP7 will be fully investigated in the future.

Effects of Different Types of Incubators on Embryo Development and Clinical Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Liu ◽  
Yan-Hua Zhou ◽  
Xiao-Xiao Wang ◽  
Ling-Xi Tong ◽  
Yan-Hong Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Water Jacket ◽  
Different Types

Abstract Background: Different types of incubators have been designed for gamete and embryo culture in the past few years. The main differences of these incubators are humidity, temperature and gas control system, which play important roles in regulating the steady state of culture media. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of different types of incubators (air jacket incubators and water jacket incubators) on embryo development and clinical outcomes in human in vitro fertilization (IVF).Methods: First, the physical performances of different incubators were tested by mimicking routine IVF procedures. After that, in a randomized controlled trial, 1013 cumulus oocyte complexes from 43 patients were equally divided into two groups, fertilized and cultured in two types of incubators to analyze the effects of different types of incubators on embryo development and clinical outcomes. Results: We found that temperature recovery time in the air jacket incubator was significantly shorter than that in water jacket incubator. Although the O2 recovering time was also significantly shorter in the air jacket incubator as compared with the water jacket incubator, no significant differences were observed in the CO2 recovering time between two groups, which was also verified by pH recovering time of culture media. Besides, the temperature of culture medium in the dish covered with oil recovered more quickly in the air jacket incubators than that in water jacket incubators. However, there were no significant differences observed in the fertilization rate, Day 3 high-quality embryo formation rate, blastocyst formation rate, good blastocyst rate and clinical outcomes between two groups.Conclusions: These results indicate that the microenvironment, especially the temperature, in air jacket incubator recover faster than that in conventional water jacket incubator, however, there were no significant differences in embryo development and clinical outcomes between two types of incubators.

Effect of increasing stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase mRNA concentrations using forage and concentrate diets on the fatty acid composition of ovine adipose tissue

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 206-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z.C.T.R. Daniel ◽  
R.J. Wynn ◽  
A.M. Salter ◽  
P.J. Buttery
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Fatty Acid Composition ◽  
Oleic Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Stearic Acid ◽  
Acid Composition ◽  
Coenzyme A ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Mrna Levels

Compared to meat from other animals lamb contains high levels of saturated fat, particularly stearic acid which comprises 18% of the total fatty acids (Enser et al, 1996). This stearic acid can be desaturated in the tissue by stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) to produce oleic acid. In sheep SCD is produced from a single gene and the levels of SCD mRNA in the tissue correlate well with oleic acid (Ward et al, 1998, Barber et al, 2000) suggesting that an upregulation of SCD activity may increase the relative proportions of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids and so significantly improve the nutritional quality of sheep meat. Our recent studies have shown that insulin increases SCD mRNA levels and monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis in cultured ovine adipose tissue explants (Daniel et al, 2001). The present study was designed to investigate whether feeding a diet believed to manipulate SCD mRNA concentrations would significantly alter the fatty acid composition of lamb.

scholarly journals The Usefulness of Retinoic Acid Supplementation during in Vitro Oocyte Maturation for the in Vitro Embryo Production of Livestock: A Review

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelnour ◽  
El-Hack ◽  
Swelum ◽  
Saadeldin ◽  
Noreldin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Embryonic Growth ◽  
Oxidative Damages

Retinoic acid (RA) is an indigenous metabolite and descriptive physiologically functioning constituent of vitamin A. Retinoids were documented as vital regulators for cell development and distinction, embryonic growth, and reproductive function in both male and female livestock. Previously, RA has been shown to have several positive impacts in vivo and in vitro and critically control many reproductive events, such as oocyte development, follicular growth, and early embryonic growth. In addition, RA manages apoptotic signaling and oxidative damages in cells. Recently, RA has been used widely in assisted reproductive technology fields, especially during in vitro embryo development in various mammalian species, including buffaloes, bovine, goats, sheep, pigs, and rabbits. However, the optimum concentration of RA greatly differs based on the condition of maturation media and species. Based on the obtained findings, it was generally accepted that RA enhances nuclear oocyte maturation, cleavage and maturation rates, blastocyst formation, and embryo development. As such, it possesses antioxidant properties against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an anti-apoptotic effect through enhancing the transcription of some related genes such as superoxide dismutase, prostaglandin synthase, glutathione peroxidase, peroxiredoxins, and heme oxygenase. Therefore, the current review concludes that an addition of RA (up to 50 nM) has the potential to improve the oocyte maturation media of various species of livestock due to its antioxidant activity.

22 EFFECT OF OOCYTE AGE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOUSE PARTHENOGENETIC EMBRYOS AND EFFECT OF OXYGEN CONCENTRATION ON EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN VITRO

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
H. Bagis ◽  
S. Arat ◽  
H. Odaman ◽  
A. Tas
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Mouse Embryo Development ◽  
O2 Concentration ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Development In Vitro

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two parameters on mouse embryo development in vitro. These parameters were the effect of oocyte age on activation and the effect of O2 concentration in culture. In the first experiment, oocytes were recovered from superovutated mice at 15 h (group 1) or 20 h (group 2) after human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection. All oocytes were activated for 6 h with 10 mM Sr2+ in Ca2+ free medium in the presence of 5 �g/mL of cytochalasin B. After activation, embryos were cultured in KSOM.aa medium for 4.5-5.5 days. Zygotes from naturally bred mice were used as control. Differences in blastocyst formation rate and blastocyst cell number among treatments were analyzed by one-way ANOVA after arcsin square transformation. In the first experiment, blastocyst formation rate in the first group was higher than in the second group (62.6% vs. 47.1%; P < 0.05). In addition, blastocyst cell number was also higher in the first group than in the second one (69.4 � 3.2 vs. 52.4 � 2.2; P < 0.05). However, both values were higher in control group (80%, 76.2 � 1.2; P < 0.05) than in the experimental groups. These results showed that young oocytes were activated more effectively than aged oocytes. In the second experiment, mouse zygotes were cultured in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air (group 3) or 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 (group 4). Blastocyst formation rate and blastocyst cell number of zygotes cultured in low O2 concentration (group 4) for 4.5 days were higher than for group 3 (76.3% vs. 56.4 and 69.0 � 3.4 vs. 52.8 � 2.3; P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in blastocyt formation rate of embryos for 5.5 days between the two groups (25.8% for group 4 vs. 14.4% for group 3; P < 0.05). This suggests that the embryos developed more slowly in high O2 concentration. These results showed that low O2 concentration provided a more suitable environment for mouse embryo development in vitro. The same experiment was repeated with parthenogenetic embryos recently in our laboratory. This study was supported by a grant from TUBITAK, Turkey (VHAG-1022).

150 DEVELOPMENT OF ZONA-FREE AND WITH ZONA PARTHENOGENETIC GOAT EMBRYOS IN DIFFERENT MEDIA

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
M. K. Jena ◽  
D. Malakar ◽  
A. K. De ◽  
S. Garg ◽  
Y. S. Akshey
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Chemical Activation ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Electrical Activation ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Maturation Medium ◽  
Parthenogenetic Embryo ◽  
Oviductal Fluid ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline

The present study was carried out to see the developmental efficiency of zona-free and with zona parthenogenetic goat embryos cultured in Research Vitro Cleave from Cook Australia (RVCL), Embryo Development Media (EDM), modified synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF), and modified Charles Rosenkrans media (mCR2a). Zona-free embryos were cultured in 4 media, whereas with zona embryos were cultured in 3 media except mCR2a. Ovaries were collected from slaughterhouse and oocytes were isolated by puncturing the follicles in medium containing Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline, 3% BSA, and 50 μg mL-1 gentamicin. Oocytes were matured in maturation medium containing TCM-199 (HEPES modified), 0.05 mg mL-1 Na pyruvate, 0.003 mg mL-1 L-glutamine, 5.5 mg mL-1 glucose, 3 mg mL-1 BSA, 5 μg mL-1 FSH, 10 μg mL-1 LH, 1 μg mL-1 estradiol-17β, 50 μg mL-1 gentamicin, and 10% FBS in 5% CO2 in air at 38.5°C. The COC (15 to 20 oocytes) were placed in 100-μL droplets of maturation medium and incubated in a CO2 incubator (5% CO2 in air) with maximum humidity at 38.5°C for 27 h. Matured oocytes were made cumulus free by treatment with hyaluronidase (0.5 mg mL-1) and zona-free by pronase (2 mg mL-1) in zona-free parthenogenesis. Then the oocytes were activated by 5 μM Ca ionophore for 5 min in a CO2 incubator and then treated with 2 mM 6-DMAP for 4 h. Activation was also done by electrical activation with DC 1.78 kV cm-1, 20 μs, and 2 pulses. Then the zona-free oocytes were kept for in vitro culture in 4 types of media such as RVCL, EDM, mSOF, andm CR2a for 7 days in 5% CO2 in air at 38.5°C. The cleavage rate andmorulae formation were observed in RVCL 40.95%, 13.95%, in EDM 46.92%, 14.75%, in mCR2a 56.66%, 5.88%, and in mSOF 48.23%, 14.63%, respectively. The cleavage rate and morulae formation were also found 55.9%, 14.63% during chemical activation and 32%, 12.5% in electrical activation. Hence, better result was found in chemical activation than electrical activation. For with zona parthenogenesis, the matured oocytes were chemically activated by 5 μM Ca ionophore for 5 min and 2 mM 6-DMAP for 4 h. Then the oocytes were cultured in RVCL, EDM, and mSOF in 100-μL micro-drops media for 7 days. The cleavage, morulae, and early blastocyst production rate were as follows: cleavage rate 75.68%, 72.03%, and 57.11%; morulae 44.61%, 30.29%, and 40.22%; and early blastocyst 17.49%, 11.88%, and 25.01% in RVCL, EDM, and mSOF, respectively. Hatched blastocyst formation rate was 6.75%, 5.48%, and 1.15% in RVCL, EDM, and mSOF, respectively. It could be concluded that zona-free parthenogenetic embryos were produced better in EDM medium and with chemical activation. With zona parthenogenetic embryo development was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in RVCL and EDM media.

324 CELL LINES DERIVED FROM MAMMALIAN PARTHENOGENETIC EMBRYOS DISPLAY ABNORMAL CHROMOSOME COMPLEMENTS AND ABERRANT CENTRIOLE NUMBER

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 318
Author(s):  
T. A. L. Brevini ◽  
G. Pennarossa ◽  
A. Vanelli ◽  
G. Tettamanti ◽  
L. Bogliolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Embryoid Body ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Primary Fibroblast ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Paternal Contribution ◽  
Parthenogenetic Embryos

Mature oocytes can be activated in vitro, leading to the generation of parthenotes that will develop in culture forming blastocysts morphologically indistinguishable from those derived from fertilized eggs. Parthenotes have been used as a source of pluripotent cells that show the traditional features associated with their biparental counterpart: expression of totipotency markers, telomerase activity, embryoid body formation, in vitro differentiation and, in most cases, teratoma formation. However, many aspects still need to be elucidated and, in particular, little attention has been paid to the inci- dence of aneuploidy in these cells. Limited data available for parthenotes derived from different mammalian species indicate a high rate of aneuploidy, whichis consideredtobecaused by the lackofthe paternal contribution, because alterations of the centrosome are knowntolead to multipolar spindles that, in turn, cause aneuploid cells. In this study, we analyzed the rate of aneuploidy and centriole distribution (as a marker of centrosome anomalies) in pluripotent cell lines (pSC) previously derived in our laboratory from pig parthenogenetic embryos and in primary fibroblast cultures and sections obtained from sheep parthenogenetic fetuses (n = 3) that reached 24 days of development in vivo. This protocol was chosen to separate the effect related tooocyte activation from those of the procedures used to derive pSC lines. Centriole number and distribution were assessed both by immunocy- tochemical analysis using an anti-centrin-1 antibody (1 : 200, Abcam, Cambridge, UK) and an appropriate secondary antibody, and by ultrastructural evaluation of thin sections, using a Jeol 1010 EX electron microscope (Jeol, Tokyo, Japan). Karyotyping was performed on mitotically active cells. Metaphases were fully karyotyped under a Leica HC microscope (Wetzlar, Germany). Images were then captured with a Leica DC250 digital camera and cells karyotyped using the Leica CW4000 Karyo software. The results obtained indicate that cell lines of parthenogenetic origin have, in all examined cases, an incidence of aneuploidy significantly higher than that of their respective controls. In particular, although the diploid configuration represented the modal value, the majority of the cells displayed a consistently lower number of chromosomes, between <1N (hypohaploid) and >1N to <2N (hypodiploid).This resultis possibly related toa lossofchromosomes during the mitotic process.Ahigher incidence ofmultiple centrioles was also detected, suggesting that aneuploidy may be related to the lack of paternal contribution that results in abnormal centrosome formation, incorrect control of the process of spindle rearrangement, and consequent chromosomal malsegregation.Abnormal segregation and multicentriolar distribution were not limited to parthenogenetic cell lines but was observed in parthenotes as well, indicating that culture artifacts are unlikely to be the cause. PUR 2007, PUR 2008.

Effect of trichostatin A on fertilization and embryo development during extended culture of mouse oocyte

Zygote ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byung Chul Jee ◽  
Jun Woo Jo ◽  
Jung Ryeol Lee ◽  
Chang Suk Suh ◽  
Seok Hyun Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histone Deacetylase ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Trichostatin A ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Extended Culture ◽  
Mouse Oocytes

SummaryWe performed this study to investigate the effect of histone deacetylase inhibition during extended culture of in vitro matured mouse oocytes. In vitro matured mouse (BDF1) oocytes were cultured in vitro for 6, 12, and 24 h, respectively, and then inseminated. During in vitro culture for 6 and 12 h, two doses of trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, were added (100 nM and 500 nM) to the culture medium and the oocytes were then inseminated. During the 24-h in vitro culture, two doses of TSA were added (100 nM and 500 nM) to the medium and the oocytes were activated with 10 mM SrCl2. After the 6-h culture, the fertilization rate was similar to that of the control group, but the blastocyst formation rate was significantly decreased. After the 12-h culture, both the fertilization and blastocyst formation rates were significantly decreased. After the 24-h culture, total fertilization failure occurred. In the oocytes cultured for 6 and 12 h, the fertilization and blastocyst formation rates did not differ between the TSA-supplemented and control groups. Although extended culture of the mouse oocytes significantly affected their fertilization and embryo development, TSA supplementation did not overcome their decreased developmental potential.

Glutathione content and embryo development after in vitro fertilisation of pig oocytes matured in the presence of a thiol compound and various concentrations of cysteine

Zygote ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalantha R. Abeydeera ◽  
Wei-Hua Wang ◽  
Thomas C. Cantley ◽  
Randall S. Prather ◽  
Billy N. Day
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Thiol Compound ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Pronuclear Formation

The present study examined the effect of different concentrations of cysteine in the presence of a thiol compound, β-mercaptoethanol (BME), during in vitro maturation (IVM) of pig oocytes on cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH) level and subsequent embryonic development after in vitro fertilisation (IVF). In experiment 1, oocytes were matured in NCSU 23 medium containing 10% porcine follicular fluid, 25 μM BME, 0.5 μg/ml LH, 0.5 μg/ml FSH and 0, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg/ml cysteine for 20–22 h and then without hormonal supplements for an additional 20–22 h. After culture, cumulus cells were removed and a proportion of oocytes fixed to examine the rate of nuclear maturation. The remaining oocytes were co-incubated with spermatozoa for 5–6 h and putative zygotes were transferred to NCSU 23 medium containing 0.4% bovine serum albumin for 144 h. A proportion of putative zygotes were fixed 12 h after insemination to examine fertilisation parameters. In experiment 2, oocytes were matured as in experiment 1 and the GSH content was measured by a DTNB-GSSG reductase recycling assay. No mean differences among treatments were observed in nuclear maturation (78–89%). The mean differences in penetration rate (69–77%), polyspermy rate (31–40%), male pronuclear formation rate (93–96%) or mean number of sperm per oocyte (1.5-1.8) were not affected by the presence or absence of cysteine during oocyte maturation. Also no difference was observed in cleavage rates 48 h after insemination. However, compared with no addition (19%), the presence of 0.1-0.4 mg/ml cysteine during IVM increased (p < 0.001) the proportion of blastocysts (32–39%) at 144 h. In comparison with controls (5.6 pmol/oocyte), the GSH content of oocytes matured in the presence of cysteine was significantly (p < 0.001) higher (13–15 pmol/oocyte) with no mean differences among different cysteine concentrations. The results indicate that in the presence of a thiol compound, supplementation of IVM medium with cysteine can increase the GSH level and improve the developmental competence of pig oocytes following fertilisation. Further, no effect on either GSH level or embryo development was observed by increasing the levels of cysteine supplementation from 0.1 to 0.4 mg/ml.

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