Study of the Viability of Oocytes Collected from Bovine Ovaries Obtained in a Slaughterhouse Under Punctured at Different Times

Abstract

Due to the reduction of use of live animals, for ethical reasons, in studies for reproductive toxicological evaluation of new compounds and ingredients, the use of biotechnology of in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes (bIVM) is a relevant procedure, as it uses slaughterhouse material. To optimize the implementation of this procedure in an animal fertilization facility, in this study we evaluated the feasibility of using bovine oocytes, punctured at different times, from ovaries discarded at the slaughterhouse. We found an overall maturation rate of (86±7%) (mean±SD), which is like maturation rates already described for this method. Moreover, we found no significant difference between the average maturation rates of bovine oocytes obtained from ovaries punctured at the slaughterhouse (88±8%) and the ones obtained from ovaries punctured at the laboratory, after transport (85±6%). We found statistically significant differences when considering the average maturation rates determined in our study by grouping the animals in two different age groups. Moreover, since no statistically significant differences were observed regarding the two different methodological approaches, we assume that puncture at the laboratory following transport is a better option, since the puncture is performed in cleaner, more convenient and controllable environment a more clean, convenient and controllable environment. We conclude that using material obtained from the slaughterhouse is an adequate methodology to implement in vitro bovine maturation procedures in an animal fertility laboratory, namely, to assess reproductive toxicity of testing compounds in gametes.