Effect of Recombinant Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Recombinant Luteinizing Hormone on Maturation of Mammalian Oocytes in Vitro

Abstract

Abstract In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is an important application in assisted reproductive medicine and reproductive biology research. It can provide high quality oocytes from unstimulated ovaries. However, IVM remains a challenge in mammalian species, and has only been achieved with limited degrees of success. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of adding recombinant Follicle Stimulating Hormone (rFSH), recombinant Luteinizing Hormone (rLH) or the combination of both hormones on the IVM of rabbit oocytes, as rabbit is considered an important model system for human reproduction. Unstimulated ovaries of female rabbits were encountered. Oocytes were collected via tissue slice technique. The Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes (COCs), containing immature oocytes at Germinal Vesicle (GV) stage, were counted, washed, and cultured in different concentrations of rFSH, rLH and a combination of both rFSH and rLH. After cultivation, oocytes were examined for maturation. Our study revealed that the addition of hormone combination (rFSH + rLH) with certain concentrations could significantly improve the results of IVM and increase the percentage of oocytes reaching the second Metaphase (MII) stage. Key words: In vitro maturation, Hormones, Rabbit oocytes.