Abstract

Effects of hyperthermia on maturing oocytes of a random-bred stock of mice were investigated to determine if those effects might in part be responsible for the decreased reproductive efficiency observed in animals during periods of high ambient temperatures. Oocytes were collected from virgin mice 15 1 2 h following synchronization of ovulation with Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). Stressed animals were exposed to hyperthermic conditions (35 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 3% relative humidity (RH)) immediately following the injection of HCG until the time of oocyte recovery. Prior to heat exposure all animals were maintained at control conditions of 21 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 5% RH. Meiotic maturation was disrupted in a significant proportion (>25%) of oocytes from stressed animals. Apparent disruption of the spindle mechanism resulted in the cessation of the meiotic process at metaphase I in 12.28% of the oocytes from heat-stressed mice with 4.87% oocytes exhibiting subnucalei. Other nuclear forms presumed to be non-viable occurred in an additional 8.58% of the oocytes. Two oocytes exhibited retained polar body chromatin and several oocytes at metaphase II exhibited atypical configuration. The remaining oocytes were in normal metaphase II configuration.

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