scholarly journals Effect of sperm preparation method on in vitro fertilization in pigs

Reproduction ◽  
2003 ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Matas ◽  
P Coy ◽  
R Romar ◽  
M Marco ◽  
J Gadea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Sperm Preparation ◽  
Male Pronucleus ◽  
Penetration Time

This study was designed to determine the effect of different sperm preparation treatments before IVF on the acrosome reaction, oocyte penetration time, early embryo development and timing of female and male pronucleus formation. Pooled sperm-rich fractions were (i) washed in PBS, (ii) left unwashed, or (iii) layered in a Percoll gradient. In Expt 1, the proportion of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, determined by staining with fluorescein isothyocyanate-labelled peanut agglutinin lectin and propidium iodide, was highest after treatment with Percoll (P < 0.001). In Expt 2, oocytes matured in vitro were co-cultured with spermatozoa for 2, 4 or 6 h. Attached spermatozoa were then removed and the oocytes were cultured in fresh IVF medium for 16 h. Both sperm treatment and co-culture time were found to affect penetrability and monospermy rates (P < 0.001); spermatozoa treated with Percoll showed fastest oocyte penetration and highest penetrability. In Expt 3, matured oocytes were co-incubated with spermatozoa pretreated by the three above mentioned procedures (i, ii, iii) for 2, 6 and 2 h respectively. Putative zygotes were then washed and transferred to medium NCSU-23 until the blastocyst stage. In this experiment, sperm treatment had a significant effect on the cleavage rate (P < 0.001) and rate of blastocyst formation (P < 0.05); the group treated with Percoll showed the highest rate of blastocyst formation. Finally, in Expt 4, timing of female and male pronucleus formation for each sperm treatment was determined 4, 6 and 8 h after insemination. The time of female and male pronucleus formation was affected by the sperm treatment and was faster for the Percoll group (P < 0.05). The findings of the present study indicate that treatment with Percoll yields the best results in this in vitro pig embryo production system.

154 COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT CULTURE MEDIA AND INCUBATION METHODS ON CULTURING MURINE EMBRYOS IN VITRO USING STRAW AS A RECEPTACLE

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
L. R. Madzhie ◽  
M. A. Raseona ◽  
L. P. Nethenzheni ◽  
O. Ajao ◽  
M. L. Mphaphathi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Murine Embryos

In vitro fertilization in the straw system might increase the efficiency of fertilization and the quality of blastocyst formation as compared with micro-drops-IVF systems. The aim of the study was to in vitro fertilize mouse oocytes and culture the resulting zygotes in bi-gas incubator and in a goat vagina and compare the in vitro embryo developmental stages in TCM-199 and Ham’s F10 culture media until the blastocyst-stage of development. F1 generations (Balb C × C57) were used to harvest oocytes and spermatozoa. The fresh sperm were capacitated in different incubation methods (bi-gas incubator and in the vagina of a goat). A volume of 2–4 µL of Ham’s F10 containing capacitated sperm (~8 × 106 per mL) were placed into Ham’s F10 fertilization drops under the oil, containing 10 oocytes and penicillamine, hypotaurine, and epinephrine for enhancing sperm motility and penetration of oocytes. The same procedure was used with the TCM-199 medium and IVF drops without oil (both TCM-199 and Ham’s F10) for straw filling. The presumptive embryos in Ham’s F10 and TCM-199 were divided into different groups: first group were cultured in micro-drops, second group the embryos were aspirated in semen straws and placed in the incubator (incubator straws) for culture, and other straws were covered with a sponge and inserted in the vagina of a goat (vaginal straws) for culture. The resulted blastocysts were stained using Hoechst 33528 solution and blastomeres were counted on a fluorescent UV light inverted microscope at 400× magnification (Nikon Eclipse TI, Narishige Co., Ltd., Amityville, NY, USA). The results were analysed by 2 × 2 factorial designs and Student’s t-test was used to separate the mean. There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between the media and incubators on the stage of murine embryo development. The overall fertilization rate was 94 to 99%. The incubator straws with Ham’s F10 (80.5%) had the highest rate of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage, followed by incubator straws with TCM-199 (77.0%), and vaginal straws with Ham’s F10 (60.0%) had the lowest rate of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage. The overall mean number of blastomeres in the blastocyst stage of the embryos ranged from 85 ± 9 to 90 ± 9 cells in all receptacles and incubators. It was concluded that the fertilization and culturing of murine embryos are possible in straws incubated in a bi-gas incubator and in the goat vagina as an alternative method of fertilizing oocytes and culturing murine embryos. In addition, Ham’s F10 and TCM-199 can both be used to fertilize oocytes and culture murine embryos until blastocyst formation embryo in vitro, incubated in a bi-gas incubator or in the vagina.

Presence of cumulus cells during in vitro fertilization protects the bovine oocyte against oxidative stress and improves first cleavage but does not affect further development

Zygote ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Nader Fatehi ◽  
Bernard A.J. Roelen ◽  
Ben Colenbrander ◽  
Eric J. Schoevers ◽  
Bart M. Gadella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Vitro Fertilization

The present study was conducted to evaluate the function of cumulus cells during bovine IVF. Oocytes within cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) or denuded oocytes (DOs) were inseminated in control medium, or DOs were inseminated in cumulus cell conditioned medium (CCCM). DOs exhibited reduced cleavage and blastocyst formation rates when compared with intact COCs. The reduced blastocyst formation rate of DOs resulted from reduced first cleavage but subsequent embryo development was not changed. Live-dead staining and staining for apoptotic cells revealed no differences in blastocysts from oocytes fertilized as COC or DO. Fertilization of DOs in CCCM partially restored the cleavage rate, suggesting that factors secreted by cumulus cells are important for fertilization but that physical contact between oocytes and cumulus cells is required for optimal fertilization and first cleavage. Exposure of COCs to hydrogen peroxide shortly before fertilization reduced the cleavage rate, but did not lead to enhanced death of cumulus cells or oocyte death. Exposure of DOs to hydrogen peroxide, however, resulted in oocyte death and a complete block of first cleavage, suggesting that cumulus cells protect the oocyte against oxidative stress during fertilization.

Effect of protein supplementation on development to the hatching and hatched blastocyst stages of cat IVF embryos

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. Kurniani Karja ◽  
Takeshige Otoi ◽  
Masako Murakami ◽  
Minori Yuge ◽  
Mokhamad Fahrudin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bovine Serum ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Fetal Bovine ◽  
The Mean

The effects of protein supplementation in culture medium on development to the hatching and hatched blastocyst stages of cat in vitro-fertilized embryos were investigated. In the first experiment, presumptive zygotes derived from in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization (IVF) were cultured in modified Earle's balanced salt solution (MK-1) supplemented with 0.4% bovine serum albumin (BSA) or 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 9 days. There were no significant differences between the BSA and FBS groups with respect to the proportion of cleavage and development to the morula and blastocyst stages of zygotes. However, the presence of FBS in the medium enhanced development to the hatching blastocyst stage of zygotes compared with the BSA group (31.4% v. 7.8%). Moreover, 2.9% of zygotes cultured with FBS developed to the hatched blastocyst stage. The mean cell number of blastocysts derived from zygotes cultured with FBS was significantly higher (P&lt;0.01) than that from zygotes cultured with BSA (136.6 v.101.5). In the second experiment, embryos at the morula or blastocyst stage, which were produced by culturing in MK-1 supplemented with 0.4% BSA after IVF, were subsequently cultured in MK-1 with 0.4% BSA or 5% FBS. Significantly more morulae developed to the blastocyst (P&lt;0.05) and hatching blastocyst stages (P&lt;0.01) in the FBS group than in the BSA group (71.5% and 53.6% v. 44.9% and 6.0%, respectively). Although none of the morulae cultured with BSA developed to the hatched blastocyst stage, 11.5% of morulae cultured with FBS developed to the hatched blastocyst stage. Moreover, the proportion of development to the hatching blastocyst stage of blastocysts was significantly higher (P&lt;0.01) in the FBS group than in the BSA group (68.7% v. 9.8%). None of the blastocysts cultured with BSA developed to the hatched blastocyst stage, whereas 7.3% of blastocysts cultured with FBS developed to the hatched blastocyst stage. The results of the present study indicate that supplementation with FBS at different stages of early embryo development promotes development to the hatching and hatched blastocyst stages of cat IVF embryos.

scholarly journals Analysis of the activity of oncocalyxone A (Auxemma oncocalyx) and doxorubicin on the in vitro development of porcine oocytes

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-292
Author(s):  
Johanna Leiva Revilla ◽  
Carolina Maside ◽  
Luis Vieira ◽  
Jesús Cadenas ◽  
Ana Clara Ferreira Acioly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Culture ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Oocyte Competence ◽  
Collateral Effects ◽  
Main Component

Most anticancer drugs like doxorubicin (DXR) have low specificity that results in undesirable effects especially when it comes to collateral effects on reproduction. Plants are excellent sources when searching for new drugs. Auxemma oncocalyx (A. oncocalyx) and its main component Oncocalyxone A (onco A) have anti-tumoral activity and are less toxic than DXR in reproductive parameters. However, there are no studies on the action of these drugs regarding the porcine in vitro oocyte competence and embryo development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of A. oncocalyx and onco A exposure during in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes (Experiment 1) or in vitro embryo culture (IVC) (Experiment 2) on the oocyte developmental competence. For experiment 1, COCs were distributed in IVM medium alone (control) or supplemented with DXR (0.3 g/mL), A. oncocalyx (1.2 g/mL) and onco A (1 g/mL). Then, oocytes were submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro embryo culture. For experiment 2, zygotes were cultured with DXR, A. oncocalyx and onco A for 7 days. Viability, maturation, fertilization and embryo developmental parameters were evaluated in both experiments. In experiment 1; DXR, A. oncocalyx and onco A reduced (P<0.05) oocyte viability  and  IVM  efficiency.  Onco A increased (P<0.05) the meiotic resumption. After IVF, all drugs reduced (P<0.05) viability, IVF efficiency and percentage of cleaved embryos, nevertheless, only DXR decreased the percentage of blastocyst. In experiment 2; all drugs reduced (P<0.05) the percentage of penetration, but only DXR and onco A decreased (P<0.05) IVF efficiency. DXR and A. oncocalyx decreased (P<0.05) the percentage of cleaved embryo, but had no effect on blastocyst formation. In conclusion, the addition of DXR during IVM or IVC negatively affected the IVF efficiency and cleavage rate. In addition, the exposure of COCs to DXR only during IVM was more detrimental to oocyte viability and blastocyst formation than A. oncocalyx and onco A.

185 PGI2 ANALOG INDUCES HIGH-QUALITY PORCINE BLASTOCYSTS IN VITRO

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-S. Kim ◽  
G. Wee ◽  
B.-S. Song ◽  
J.-S. Park ◽  
X.-L. Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Prostaglandin I2 ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Porcine Oocyte

Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) exists in oviductal fluid and is synthesized from arachidonic acid by prostacyclin synthetase. In hatched embryos, prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) is related to implantation improvement, but its role during oocyte maturation and early embryo development remains controversial. Therefore, in this study, the effect of addition of a PGI2 analog during early porcine oocyte maturation on nuclear maturation, blastocyst formation, and pre-implantation embryonic quality was investigated. Porcine oocytes were matured in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid, 10 ng mL-1 epidermal growth factor, 25 �M �-mercaptoethanol, 0.57 mM cysteine, 10 IU mL-1 pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, 10 IU mL-1 hCG, and 1 �M PGI2 analog for 22 h, and then further cultured in maturation medium without PGI2 analog and hormones for 22 h. After fertilization in Tris-buffered (mTBM) medium for 6 h, presumptive porcine zygotes were cultured in the NCSU-23 medium supplemented with 4% BSA for 6 days. All data were analyzed by using the Duncan test of ANOVA by the Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). First, we confirmed that PGI2 analog-treated (90.0 � 2.6%) oocytes showed a higher proportion of the metaphase II stage than non-treated (65.7 � 1.4%) ones (P &lt; 0.05). Thus, to confirm the activities of maturation promoting factor (MPF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Western blots were performed in matured oocytes by using specific antibodies such as anti-cdc2 and anti-ERK1/2. The activities of MPF and MAPK were increased in porcine oocytes treated with PGI2 analog. In the PGI2 analog-treated group, polyspermic rate (17.9 � 13.3%) was reduced as compared with that of the non-treated group (35.8 � 9.4%). Furthermore, the rate (25.3%, 40/158) of blastocyst formation in the PGI2 analog-treated group was higher than in the non-treated group (19.7%, 27/137; P &lt; 0.05). Also, cell numbers of blastocysts were increased (29 � 2.5% vs. 39.6 � 1.4%) in the treated vs. the non-treated group. The numbers of fragmented DNA nuclei detected in the blastocyst stage by the TUNEL assay were decreased in the PGI2-treated group compared with the non-treated group (2.1% vs. 5.2%). In conclusion, direct roles of PGI2 during porcine oocyte maturation may involve reducing apoptosis and enhancing blastocyst quality.

175 DETECTION OF LIPID GRANULES ON IVF BLASTOCYSTS MATURED IN APO-TRANSFERRIN IN KOREAN NATIVE COWS (HANWOO)

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
S. H. Choi ◽  
S. R. Cho ◽  
M. H. Han ◽  
H. J. Kim ◽  
C. Y. Choe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Granule Formation ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Sudan Black B ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Maturation Rate ◽  
Lipid Granules

Apo-transferrin (apo-Tf) is found in mammalian sera and plays a role as an anti-oxidant in media. The objective was to investigate the effects of apo-Tf on in vitro maturation and development and to examine the characteristics of blastocysts derived from IVF production in the presence of apo-Tf in Korean native cows (Hanwoo). Ovaries were collected from a slaughterhouse and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were taken from 2–6-mm antral follicles. The collected COCs were washed 3 times with 0.1 M PVA-TCM-199 and matured in 10 �g mL-1 apo-Tf with TCM-199 at 39�C, 5% CO2, 95% air for 24 h. Matured COCs were fertilized with frozen–thawed Korean native cattle semen treated with BO medium containing 5 mM caffeine and 1 �g mL-1 heparin for 8 h, and developed to the blastocyst stage in 5% FBS, 0.3% BSA in TCM-199, and IVMD (IFP, Japan). To detect the lipid granules, blastocysts were fixed with 10% formalin-PBS for 2 h and then 50% ethanol for 2 min. Staining of blastocysts was performed with 1% Sudan Black B in 70% ethanol for 2 min. IVM and IVF were replicated 3 times. The results of blastocyst formation were analyzed by chi-squared test. The maturation rate was 92.6% at Met II in 10 �g mL-1 apo-Tf. The blastocyst formation was 22.5%, 38.4%, and 34.8% in 5% FBS (control), 0.3% BSA in TCM-199 (P &lt; 0.05), and IVMD (P &lt; 0.05), respectively. The lipid granules in blastocysts from the 5% FBS-TCM-199 group were larger than those in the 0.3% BSA-TCM-199 and IVMD groups. The results suggest that apo-Tf is an important factor for in vitro maturation and that FBS in culture medium affects lipid granule formation on bovine blastocysts derived from in vitro fertilization.

235 A COMPARISON OF PARTHENOGENETIC DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE OOCYTES SYNCHRONISED DURING MATURATION BY CYCLOHEXIMIDE OR cAMP

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
W. C. Chen ◽  
J. Zhu ◽  
P. Fisher ◽  
D. Amarnath ◽  
K. H. S. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Time Window ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Parthenogenetic Development ◽  
High Level

In vitro maturation of porcine oocytes is characterized by a high level of asynchrony between oocytes. Previous studies reported that cycloheximide (CHX) and 3′, 5′-cyclic AMP (cAMP) synchronize porcine oocytes and improve development to blastocyst stage following IVF or have been used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) (Ye et al. 2005 Biol. Reprod. 72(2), 399–406; Betthauser et al. 2000 Nat. Biotechnol. 18(10), 1055–1059). We previously reported that cAMP was more effective than CHX in synchronizing porcine oocyte maturation, producing MII oocytes in a shorter time window and providing a more homogenous population for future SCNT studies (Chen et al. 2008 SRF conference, 2008 abst, p34). Here we compared parthenogenetic development of porcine oocytes synchronized by these two treatments. Selected cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) obtained from slaughtered gilts were randomly divided into three groups and cultured at 39°C, 5% CO2 in air in modified NCSU-23 medium (with 1 μm glutathione, 1 mm cysteine, 5 mg L–1 insulin, 10 ng mL–1 epidermal growth factor, 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid, 1% essential and 0.5% nonessential amino acids) ± hormones (10 IU mL–1 PMSG and 10 IU mL–1 hCG): (1) with hormones for the first 22 h and then without hormones until 44 h; (2) with hormones and 5 μg mL–1 CHX for 12 h, and then with hormones but no CHX until 44 h; (3) with hormones and 1 mm cAMP for 22 h, and then without hormones and cAMP until 44 h. Parthenogenetic development of cycloheximide and cAMP treated oocytes was compared by cleavage rate at 48 h postactivation (hpa) and blastocyst formation at 168 hpa. No significant differences were observed in the frequency of cleavage (96.7 ± 2.1% v. 81.4 ± 11.6% v. 84.5 ± 5.7%), development to blastocyst (28.3 ± 11.4% v. 27.1 ± 5.7% v. 32.8 ± 5.3%) between control, CHX or cAMP treated oocytes, respectively (chi-square test, P > 0.05). However, total cell number was significantly higher in the CHX group than cAMP group (42.7 ± 4.1 v. 31.8 ± 2.0, respectively; t-test, P < 0.05). The results demonstrate that synchronization of porcine oocytes by treatment with CHX or cAMP does not affect subsequent parthenogenetic development if judged by the blastocyst formation, although the meaning of the difference of total cell numbers between CHX and cAMP treatments is still unclear.

scholarly journals Development to Blastocyst Stage of Pig Oocytes Matured, Fertilized and Electroactivated In Vitro

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 547-556
Author(s):  
N. R. Mtango ◽  
M. D. Varisanga ◽  
D. Y. Juan ◽  
P. Wongrisekeao ◽  
T. Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Maturation ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Nuclear Maturation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Activation Rates ◽  
Oviduct Fluid

Abstract. This study was designed 1) to determine the effectiveness of two in vitro maturation (IVM) media (tissue culture medium [TCM] and modified synthetic oviduct fluid supplemented with amino acids [mSOFaa]), 2) to compare the effects of two in vitro fertilization (IVF) media (modified Tris-buffered medium [mTBM] and mSOFaa) on the developmental competence of pig oocytes, and 3) to test the activation ability of IVM pig oocytes matured in TCM or mSOFaa, electroactivated and cultured in mSOFaa. The nuclear maturation rates were similar between IVM media (91.0 % vs. 89.0 %). A similar result was obtained when the activation rates were 54.2 % in TCM and 56.0 % in mSOFaa, and the blastocyst rates were 7.9 % and 6.1 %, respectively. There was no significant difference between mSOFaa and mTBM in the percentage of embryos with two pronuclei 33.2 % vs. 13.8 % or polypronuclei 5.3 % vs. 13.4 %. The cleavage rate was the same in both media. The medium mSOFaa gave a significantly higher (P< 0.05) blastocyst rate than mTBM (12.7 % vs. 3.9 %). We concluded that mSOFaa can enhance in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture of pig oocytes.

scholarly journals 245RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF HSP 70 MRNA IN BOVINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED IN VITRO USING DIFFERENT EMBRYO/VOLUME RATIOS IN CULTURE

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
A.T.D. Oliveira ◽  
C. Gebert ◽  
R.F.F. Lopes ◽  
H. Niemann ◽  
J.L. Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Gene Transcripts

In spite of in vitro embryo production systems having been greatly improved over recent years, employing a variety of culture conditions (media, protein sources, gas atmosphere, etc.), we still do not know much about the real necessity of embryos to develop under the same conditions as occur in vivo. These differences between in vivo and in vitro culture at preimplantation embryonic stages can produce deviations in gene expression and in normal fetal development (large offspring syndrome). Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are engaged in cell response to regulatory signals or perturbations in the microenviroment and can be used as a sensitive indicator of stress caused by suboptimal culture conditions (Wrenzycki et al., 2001Hum. Reprod. 16, 893–901). Hsp act as chaperones in facilitating protein folding and assembly and stabilize damaged proteins to prevent aggregation of fragments, thereby allowing repair or degradation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different embryo/volume ratios on bovine embryo development and the relative abundance of Hsp 70.1 gene transcripts. In this experiment, oocytes were isolated from slaugterhouse ovaries and matured, fertilized and cultured in groups of 5, 10, 20 or 30 per each drop of 100μL. The oocytes were matured in TCM 199 supplemented with 0.4% BSA. After maturation, oocytes were fertilized in TALP medium, using frozen/thawed sperm, selected using a percoll density gradient. The zygotes were cultured to the morula or Day 7 blastocyst stage employing SOF supplemented with 0.4 % BSA. Developmental check points were cleavage rate (Day 3pi), blastocyst formation (Day 8pi) and hatching (Day 11pi). A semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay was used to determine the relative levels of gene transcripts in single embryos at morula (Day 6) and blastocyst (Day 7) stages (Wrenzycki et al., 2001 Biol. Reprod. 65, 309–317). Data of cleavage, blastocyst formation and hatching rates were analyzed using chi-square test. Relative abundance (RA) of Hsp 70.1mRNA were compared in tested groups using ANOVA followed a Tukey test. Differences at P&lt;0.05 were considered significant. Results show that no significative difference in hatching rate per blastocyst produced was detected among the four groups. Cleavage rate and blastocyst formation were significantly higher in groups with 5, 10 and 20 embryos compared with drops containing 30 embryos. Hsp transcripts were detected in morula and blastocyst stages in all groups. In morula stage, no differences were observed in the RA of Hsp 70.1mRNA among groups with 5, 10, 20 and 30 embryos cultured per drop. However, in blastocyst stage, the RA was significantly increased in the group with 20 embryos per drop as compared to the group with 5 embryos. The results show that different embryo/volume ratios in culture influence not only cleavage rate, blastocyst formation and hatching rate, but also expression of Hsp 70.1 gene. Further studies changing other culture conditions and using in vivo-derived bovine embryos will aid in elucidating which culture systems are ideal to produce bovine embryos in vitro. This research was supported by CAPES/DAAD program and CNPq.

98 Assessing Endangered Felid Puma concolor Sperm Fertility by In Vitro Fertilization with Domestic Cat Oocytes

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 188
Author(s):  
M. Duque ◽  
A. Sestelo ◽  
D. F. Salamone
Keyword(s):  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Oocyte Activation ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Sperm Suspension ◽  
Morula Stage ◽  
Cryopreserved Sperm

The Puma concolor population has been decreasing during the last 30 years. Semen cryopreservation of this species has been accomplished successfully and offers the possibility of preserving endangered species. We previously showed that fertilizing capability of wild felid spermatozoa can be evaluated using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with in vitro-matured domestic cat oocytes (Moro et al. 2014 Reprod. Domest. Anim. 49, 693-700). Due to the lack of homologous oocytes, we evaluated the capability of the Puma concolor sperm to induce domestic cat oocyte fertilization and subsequent pre-implantation embryo development. In the present study, cryopreserved sperm obtained by electroejaculation from five different males were used for IVF of in vitro-matured (IVM) domestic cat oocytes. Straws were thawed by exposing them to air for 10 s and then immersing in a 37°C water bath for 30 s. The contents of the straws were poured into a sterile 1.5-mL microtube pre-warmed to 37°C. The sperm suspension was diluted (1:3 v/v) by the slow (drop-by-drop) addition of a modified Tyrode’s solution. For IVF, IVM oocytes (n = 370) were co-incubated with 0.5 × 105 motile spermatozoa mL−1 in an atmosphere of 21% O2 in air at 38.5°C for 18 to 20 h. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in vitro in 50-μL drops of modified Tyrode’s medium on 6.5% CO2 in air at 38.5°C. Cleavage was determined at 48 h post-fertilization, and 5% FBS was added at Day 5 of in vitro culture. Blastocyst stage was evaluated at Day 8. Results (mean ± SEM) showed a high cleavage rate (179/370, 49.0 ± 4.0%), and a high development to morula stage (137/370, 34.4 ± 7.2%), and to blastocyst stage (94/370, 23.4 ± 4.7%) for all males. These results indicated that Puma concolor spermatozoa can induce domestic cat oocyte activation and development to blastocyst stage in similar rates to domestic cat homologous IVF: IVM oocytes (n = 291), cleavage rate (199/291, 67.1 ± 6.1%), development to morula stage (144/291, 47.8 ± 4.9%), and to blastocyst stage (86/291, 30.1 ± 1.6%). In conclusion, we demonstrated that domestic cat oocyte can be used to evaluated cryopreserve sperm samples from another felid species.

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