Brackett And Oliphant Research Articles

Efficient and repeatable in vitro fertilization in rabbits

Rabbits constitute an interesting model to understand gamete interaction and test novel Artificial Reproductive Techniques, but in vitro fertilization (IVF) is particularly problematic in this species. We have conducted a series of experiments to develop a consistent IVF technique. Initially, we checked viability, acrosome integrity, capacitation and motility in ejaculated sperm purified by a density gradient and incubated at different times in three different media: Tyrode's Albumin Lactate Pyruvate (TALP), human tubal fluid (HTF), and Brackett and Oliphant (BO). Total and progressive motility at 10–24 h and linearity from 3 h onwards was significantly higher in BO medium compared to TALP and HTF. Subsequently, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) collected 10 h after induction of ovulation were incubated with sperm in TALP, HTF or BO for 18 h with or without performing sperm pre-incubation for 6 h. Pronuclear formation rate at 18 h was significantly higher in BO compared to other media (∼84 % vs. 17–22 %) and was not improved by pre-incubation. As COCs recovery rate was low at 10 h after induction of ovulation, COCs were collected at 12 h and co-incubated with sperm in BO. Pronuclear formation rate was similar than those obtained in COCs collected at 10 h (∼85 %), and when embryos were allowed to develop in vitro, the protocol yielded high cleavage and blastocyst rates (91 and 59 %, respectively). In conclusion, ejaculated rabbit sperm purified in a density gradient fertilize efficiently COCs collected at 12 h in BO medium.

In vitro maturation of buffalo oocytes and fertilization by cattle spermatozoa

The present research was undertaken to explore the maturation of buffalo oocytes using bovine follicular fluid (BFF) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), as well as subsequent fertilization using cattle spermatozoa. The cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected by aspiration of slaughterhouse buffalo ovaries. Maturation was performed in TCM 199 supplemented with 10% BFF, 5% BSA or without supplementation (control). The COCs were fertilized in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium using capacitated fresh cattle spermatozoa. It was observed that the percentage of COCs reached to M-II stages were 40.78±3.84, 65.74±2.39 and 67.52±0.85; normal fertilization (formation of 2 pronuclei) were 23.28±3.00, 29.30±0.73 and 30.52±1.21 for control, 10% BFF and 5% BSA supplementation, respectively. The supplementation of BFF (10%) and BSA (5%) were given similar results on maturation and increased significantly (p<0.05) than that of the control. It was observed that cattle spermatozoa were fertilized by the buffalo oocytes and the fertilization rate was 23.28% to 30.52% in BFA and BSA supplemented media, respectively. It can be concluded that buffalo oocytes might be fertilized using capacitated cattle spermatozoa and both 10% BFF and 5% BSA could be supplemented in maturation media to enhance the maturation rate as well as fertilization of buffalo oocytes.http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i1.11969

216 COMPARISON BETWEEN A TRI-GAS THERMO INCUBATOR AND A MODULAR CHAMBER WITH PREMIXED GAS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE EMBRYOS IN VITRO

In an attempt to optimize germplasm and reproduction biotechnology IVF laboratory conditions in South Africa, we compared the effects of 2 triple-gas incubation systems, a tri-gas thermo incubator and a modular chamber with premixed gas, on the development of bovine embryos in vitro. After aspirating ovaries collected from a local abattoir, 778 oocytes were matured for 24 h in M-199 supplemented with 10% FBS, and 1 μg mL–1 of FSH and LH at 39°C in 5% CO2. Oocytes were then fertilized in vitro in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium at 39°C in 5% CO2. Presumptive zygotes were randomly allocated to the tri-gas thermo incubator or the modular chamber with premixed gas and cultured in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) medium at 39°C in 5% CO2, O2, and 90% N2. Total cleavage (Day 2), 8-cell (Day 2), morula (Day 6), and blastocyst (Day 7) rates were recorded postfertilization. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. There was no statistical difference in total cleavage rate between the 2 incubation systems. However, the 8-cell, morula, and blastocyst rates were significantly higher for the modular chamber group compared with the tri-gas incubator group (Table 1). In summary, this study suggests that the modular chamber with premixed gas was a better system for culturing zygotes of South African domestic animals to the blastocyst stage. Table 1.Effect of modular chamber and tri-gas incubator on embryo development in vitro This work was funded by the South African National Department of Agriculture, DST-PDP, and the National Research Foundation (NRF, Grant Nos. RT21 and 24000).

214 EFFECT OF OOCYTE SOURCE ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL CAPACITY OF SOUTH AFRICAN IN VITRO-PRODUCED INDIGENOUS CATTLE EMBRYOS

The present study was undertaken to determine whether the source of oocytes (slaughterhouse ovaries from feedlot cows or naturally grazing indigenous cows) would affect in vitro bovine embryo production. Bovine oocytes (n = 1047), aspirated from slaughterhouse ovaries from feedlot cows and naturally grazing indigenous cows were randomly allocated to Sanyo, Forma, and Thermo 5% CO2 incubators. Oocytes were then in vitro matured in TCM-199 plus 10% fetal bovine serum, 1 μg mL–1 for both FSH and LH at 39°C for 24 h, and fertilized in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium per treatment group at 39°C. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in vitro per treatment group. Total cleavage and blastocyst rates were recorded postfertilization. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Preliminary results demonstrated that there was no effect of incubator or source of oocytes on cleavage and 8-cell embryos. However, the cleavage and embryo developmental rate tended to be lower for the feedlot group, regardless of the incubator used (Table 1). In conclusion, this study suggests that slaughterhouse ovaries obtained from South African indigenous cows from a feedlot resulted in a lower blastocyst formation rate. Further studies are currently underway to count the cell numbers and to conduct embryo transfer. Table 1.Comparison of three different incubators and source of oocytes on embryo development in vitro This work was funded by the South African National Department of Agriculture, DST-PDP, and the National Research Foundation (NRF, Grant. Nos. RT21 and 24000).

221 EFFECT OF ROCKING ON IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF BOVINE EMBRYOS

This study tested whether embryo development yield using in vitro fertilization (IVF) could be improved by rocking cultures. Bovine ovaries were obtained at a slaughterhouse and transported to the laboratory within 6 h. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were collected and 20–25 were transferred in 100-μL drops of TCM-199 containing 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics under paraffin oil. Maturation was for 20–24 h at 38.5°C under 5% CO2 and 95% air in a humid atmosphere (IVM). In vitro fertilization was carried out for 6 h using frozen–thawed sperm from a single bull in modified Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in CR1aa supplemented with 10 mg mL–1 of BSA or 5% FBS for 9 d at 38.5°C under 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 in a humid atmosphere (IVC). Rocking was performed to a height of 6 cm every 7 s using a Profile Rocker (New Brunswick Scientific Co., Edison, NJ, USA) in an incubator. Dishes were placed at a 15-cm distance from the fulcrum of the rocker. The conventional method (no rocking) served as a control, and every experiment was replicated 3 times. For Experiment 1, the effect of the period of rocking on developmental competence was examined when COC or zygotes were subjected to rocking for IVM, IVF, or IVC (IVM-move, IVF-move, and IVC-move). There were no significant differences in rates of oocyte maturation, cleavage, and development for IVM-move v. the control, or for rate of development between IVC-move and the control. However, the rate of fertilization for IVF-move was higher than that of the control (88.9 v. 67.5%; P < 0.01), and the rate of development was higher for IVF-move than for the control (39.0 v. 25.7%; P < 0.05). For Experiment 2, the effect of rocking frequency during IVF on development was determined. The IVF cultures were rocked every 7, 3.5, and 1.5 s (IVF-1move, IVF-2move, IVF-3move). The rates of cleavage on IVF-1move, IVF-2move, IVF-3move, and the control were 74.3, 69.8, 68.8, and 60.4%, and the rates of development were 39.0, 48.3, 26.2, and 25.7%, respectively. The rates of development on IVF-1move and IVF-2move were significantly different from the control and IVF-3move (P < 0.01). These results showed that rocking during IVF improved fertilization and embryo yield, and that frequency of rocking affected embryo development.

The effect of incubation time on capacitation and acrosome reaction of in vitro ovine spermatozoa

The aim of this research was to know the effect of incubation time on capacitation and acrosome reaction of in vitro ovine spermatozoa. Twelve ejaculates from two Garut sheep were collected using artificial vagina and then evaluated macro and microscopically. After semen washing (centrifugation method), semen was diluted in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium and then incubated during 6 hours in incubator CO 2, temperature 38.5oC. Evaluation of capacitation and acrosome reaction was conducted on 0 hour, 0.5 hour, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours and 6 hours incubation time. The result showed that incubation time had significant (P<0.05) effect on no capacitation sperm (pattern F), capacitation (pattern B) nad acrosome reaction (pattern AR). Incubation time had significantly (P<0.01) effect on subjective motility, life sperm and membrane integrity. Key Words : Ovine spermatozoa, incubation, capacitation, reaction, in vitro

Developmental competence and post-thaw survivability of buffalo embryos produced in vitro: effect of growth factors in oocyte maturation medium and of embryo culture system

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of supplementation to IVM medium of epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) along with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) on oocyte maturation and cleavage of buffalo embryos (experiment 1). The developmental competence of cleaved embryos cultured in either a complex co-culture system (TCM-199+10% serum+oviduct cell monolayer) or defined media (a) modified form of synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF) was evaluated (experiment 2). The post-thaw morphology and survivability of frozen blastocysts developed from embryos cultured either in complex or defined medium was compared (experiment 3). Aspirated oocytes were cultured in maturation medium (TCM-199+PMSG (40 IU/ml—control)) supplemented with EGF (20 ng/ml), FGF (20 ng/ml) and VIP (20 ng/ml), either alone or in combination, in a CO 2 incubator at 38.5 °C for 24 h. Maturation rate was assessed and oocytes were inseminated in vitro with frozen–thawed sperm processed in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium. The cleaved embryos were cultured either in complex co-culture system or mSOF. Results suggested that EGF had more beneficial effect on buffalo oocyte maturation, and embryo cleavage than FGF. Addition of VIP to the oocyte maturation medium did not improve the results. Blastocyst yields from buffalo oocytes were significantly higher in a complex co-culture system than in defined media (mSOF) when oocytes were matured in presence of EGF either alone or in combination with FGF and VIP. The mean percent of morphologically normal blastocysts after thawing and their survivability were significantly higher in blastocysts obtained from embryos cultured in mSOF than those cultured in complex co-culture system.

Timing of sequential changes in cumulus cells and first polar body extrusion during in vitro maturation of buffalo oocytes

Studies were conducted to investigate the degree of the cumulus cell expansion and expulsion of the first polar body in relation to time of incubation in three different culture media during in vitro maturation of buffalo oocytes and to suggest a suitable practical method for assessment of in vitro maturation rate of buffalo oocytes. Buffalo oocytes were aspirated from ovaries collected from a local slaughterhouse. Only oocytes with more than two layers of cumulus cells and homogenous ooplasm were cultured into 50 μl droplets of three different culture systems: (1) TCM-199+steer serum (10%); (2) TCM-199+steer serum (10%)+PMSG (40 IU/ml); and (3) TCM-199+steer serum (10%)+PMSG (40 IU/ ml)+ estradiol 17β (1 μg/ml) in a 35 mm Petri dish. The droplets were covered with warm (39 °C) mineral oil and incubated in a CO 2 incubator (39 °C, 5% CO 2 in air, 90–95% relative humidity) for 16–18, 20, 22, and 24 h. The maturation rate was assessed by evaluation of degree of cumulus cells expansion and identifying first polar body extrusion into the perivitelline space under stereo zoom microscope. Matured oocytes were inseminated in vitro with 9–10 million sperm/ml of Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium. Cleaved embryos were cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with steer serum (10%) for 8 days. Cumulus expansion and extrusion of first polar body commenced at 16 and 17 h, respectively, of buffalo oocyte culture. These events mainly exhibited during 22–24 h of culture. Oocytes with Degrees 1 and 2 cumulus cells expansion and extruded first polar body in degree 0 oocytes may be considered as matured and can be used in IVF studies.

Comparison of the longevity of motility of stallion spermatozoa incubated at 38°C in different capacitating media and containers

This study was designed to compare the effects of different media and containers on longevity of motility of spermatozoa during in vitro incubation at 38°C in either air or 5% CO 2 atmosphere. Three ejaculates were collected from each of 4 stallions. The media tested were skim milk-glucose, modified Krebs/Ringer and Hank's salts solution for incubation in an air atmosphere, and modified Krebs/Ringer and Brackett and Oliphant (BO) defined medium for incubation in a 5% CO 2 atmosphere. All samples were incubated in 5-mL borosilicate glass tubes filled with 3 mL of extended spermatozoa, 5-mL borosilicate tubes filled with 6 mL (topped) of extended spermatozoa, 35-mm Petri dishes filled with 3 mL of extended spermatozoa, and 35-mm Petri dishes with 200-μL microdroplets of extended spermatozoa under sterile mineral oil. For all treatments, individual samples were removed at 2, 4, 6 and 12 h of incubation to determine the percentage of motile cells. Overall, spermatozoa incubated in Petri dishes in both 3-mL and microdroplet treatments had significantly higher motility than those incubated in glass tubes (P<0.01). At 6 and 12 h of incubation in Petri dishes, progressive motility was significantly higher for spermatozoa extended in the Hank's salts solution than in the other media. Both the medium and container used significantly affected the longevity of motility of spermatozoa incubated at 38°C.

Effects of follicular fluid on fertilization and embryonic development of bovine oocytes in vitro

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of bovine follicular fluid (BFF) on fertilizability and developmental capacity of bovine oocytes matured in vitro. Oocytes were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries, and matured in TCM 199 supplemented with 5% superovulated cow serum (SCS), 2 mM pyruvate and 1 IU/mL PMSG. BFF was aspirated from small follicles (1 to 5mm in diameter). In Experiment 1, BFF was added to the Brackett and Oliphant (BO) fertilization medium at concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10 and 20%. After insemination with frozen-thawed and heparin-treated (10 μ/mL. 15 min) bull spermatozoa for 18 h, some of the oocytes were fixed and stained to evaluate the fertilization rate. The rest of the oocytes were co-cultured in serum-free embryo culture medium (ECM; TCM199 supplemented with 5% SCS, 2 mM pyruvate and 5 μ/mL insulin) with bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) at 38.5°C under 5% CO 2 in air, and the developmental capacity of embryos was examined at 2, 7 and 9 d. In Experiment 2, BFF was added to the serum-free ECM with BOEC at 0, 5, 10 and 20% concentrations, and embryos were cultured for 9 d. Fertilization rates and blastocyst rates in low (1 and 5%) BFF in fertilization medium were not significantly different from the control (without BFF). However, high concentrations of BFF (10 and 20%) in the fertilization medium suppressed both fertilization rates and development. Large vesicles with fast monolayer formation were observed at all concentrations of BFF added to ECM with BOEC. There were no significant differences in cleavage or development to blastocyst in different concentrations of BFF added to ECM. However, the rate of development to hatched blastocysts in 20% BFF was significantly lower than that of the control (P<0.05). The results of the present study indicate that BFF addition to fertilization medium and ECM with BOEC does not improve fertilizability or developmental capacity and that high concentrations of BFF reduce the rate of both fertilization and development.

Effect of nuclear stages during IVM on the survival of vitrified-warmed bovine oocytes

The effect of nuclear stages during IVM on the survival of vitrified-warmed bovine oocytes was investigated. Oocytes with compact cumulus cells were cultured for 0, 6, 12 and 24 h in TCM199 supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in 3% CO 2 in air. The oocytes were first exposed to 20% ethylene glycol solution and were subjected to vitrification in a solution containing 40% ethylene glycol, 18% Ficoll-70 and 0.3 M sucrose. After warming in 20 °C water, oocytes which had been vitrified at less than 24-h of IVM were again cultured to complete the 24-h of IVM period. Oocytes were then incubated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium containing 60 μg/ml heparin and 0.25% BSA for 20 h. In vitro fertilization rates of oocytes vitrified-warmed at 0, 6, 12 and 24-h IVM were 75.2, 68.0, 82.0 and 72.4%, respectively, comparable to the rates for unvitrified control oocytes (80.6%). A higher incidence of polyspermic fertilization was observed in oocytes vitrified at 24-h IVM (44.9 vs 22.6% in the control group, P < 0.05). Vitrification of oocytes at 12-h IVM seemed to be better than that of other IVM groups, since the normal fertilization rate of all treated oocytes was the highest (36.0%) among the vitrification groups. Developmental competence of the oocytes following vitrification and in vitro fertilization (12-h IVM group) was examined by cell-free culture of presumptive zygotes up to 9 d in modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF) in 5% CO 2, 5% O 2 and 90% N 2. The cleavage rate of zygotes from vitrified oocytes 48 h after insemination was 29.8%. which was lower than that of the control group (57.0%, P < 0.05). Development to blastocysts from the vitrified oocytes (4.8%) was much lower than that of the control group (27.0%, P < 0.05). These results indicate that cryopreservation of bovine oocytes by vitrification may be affected by their maturation stage in vitro, and that developmental competence to blastocysts of cleaved oocytes following vitrification may be impaired compared with unvitrified control oocytes.

Influence of follicular fluid from different sources on in vitro development of bovine embryos produced in vitro

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of supplementation to IVM medium of epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) along with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) on oocyte maturation and cleavage of buffalo embryos (experiment 1). The developmental competence of cleaved embryos cultured in either a complex co-culture system (TCM-199+10% serum+oviduct cell monolayer) or defined media (a) modified form of synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF) was evaluated (experiment 2). The post-thaw morphology and survivability of frozen blastocysts developed from embryos cultured either in complex or defined medium was compared (experiment 3). Aspirated oocytes were cultured in maturation medium (TCM-199+PMSG (40 IU/ml—control)) supplemented with EGF (20 ng/ml), FGF (20 ng/ml) and VIP (20 ng/ml), either alone or in combination, in a CO2 incubator at 38.5 °C for 24 h. Maturation rate was assessed and oocytes were inseminated in vitro with frozen–thawed sperm processed in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium. The cleaved embryos were cultured either in complex co-culture system or mSOF. Results suggested that EGF had more beneficial effect on buffalo oocyte maturation, and embryo cleavage than FGF. Addition of VIP to the oocyte maturation medium did not improve the results. Blastocyst yields from buffalo oocytes were significantly higher in a complex co-culture system than in defined media (mSOF) when oocytes were matured in presence of EGF either alone or in combination with FGF and VIP. The mean percent of morphologically normal blastocysts after thawing and their survivability were significantly higher in blastocysts obtained from embryos cultured in mSOF than those cultured in complex co-culture system.

Comparison of the developmental potential of in vivo and in vitro maturated bovine oocytes in an in vitro test system

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of bovine follicular fluid (BFF) on fertilizability and developmental capacity of bovine oocytes matured in vitro. Oocytes were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries, and matured in TCM 199 supplemented with 5% superovulated cow serum (SCS), 2 mM pyruvate and 1 IU/mL PMSG. BFF was aspirated from small follicles (1 to 5mm in diameter). In Experiment 1, BFF was added to the Brackett and Oliphant (BO) fertilization medium at concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10 and 20%. After insemination with frozen-thawed and heparin-treated (10 μ/mL. 15 min) bull spermatozoa for 18 h, some of the oocytes were fixed and stained to evaluate the fertilization rate. The rest of the oocytes were co-cultured in serum-free embryo culture medium (ECM; TCM199 supplemented with 5% SCS, 2 mM pyruvate and 5 μ/mL insulin) with bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) at 38.5°C under 5% CO2 in air, and the developmental capacity of embryos was examined at 2, 7 and 9 d. In Experiment 2, BFF was added to the serum-free ECM with BOEC at 0, 5, 10 and 20% concentrations, and embryos were cultured for 9 d. Fertilization rates and blastocyst rates in low (1 and 5%) BFF in fertilization medium were not significantly different from the control (without BFF). However, high concentrations of BFF (10 and 20%) in the fertilization medium suppressed both fertilization rates and development. Large vesicles with fast monolayer formation were observed at all concentrations of BFF added to ECM with BOEC. There were no significant differences in cleavage or development to blastocyst in different concentrations of BFF added to ECM. However, the rate of development to hatched blastocysts in 20% BFF was significantly lower than that of the control (P<0.05). The results of the present study indicate that BFF addition to fertilization medium and ECM with BOEC does not improve fertilizability or developmental capacity and that high concentrations of BFF reduce the rate of both fertilization and development.

Effects of Individual Stallions and Mare Breeds on Assisted Fertilization In Vitro.

Comparative experiments were conducted to assess the effect o f individual stallions on the fertilizing ability o f the spermatozoa in in-vitro-matured and partially zona-removed (PZR) equine oocytes (Experiment 1), as well as the effect o f mare breeds for ovaries from which oocytes were collected (Experiment 2). Experiment 1: Spermatozoa from 3 fertile stallions (A: Thoroughbred, B: Crossbred, and C: Palomino) were separately frozen-thawed in 5% glycerol and washed by a 4530% discontinuous percoll-gradient. Aliquots of the sperm were incubated for 3 h at 38.5°c in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium containing 2.5 mM caffeine and then treated for 60 sec with 0.1μM calcium ionophore A23187. The sperm suspension was introduced into BO medium supplemented with 0.3% BSA where 6 to 10 PZR oocytes after 32 h maturation culture were placed, and the oocytes and spermatozoa were co-incubated for 20 h. There were significant differences among stallions in the fertilization rates with PZR oocytes (34.2, 72.2, and 100% in stallions A, B, and C, respectively; P<0.05). High frequencies of monospermy in the fertilized oocytes were observed in the stallions with low fertilization rates (76.9, 57. 7, and 22.0% in stallions A, B, and C, respectively), resulting in similar overall proportions o f monospermic fertilized zygotes (range 22.0 to 41.7%). Experiment 2: Using mixed semen from 2 stallions (Stallions A and B), spermatozoa were incubated with PZR oocytes which were derived from the mare ovaries o f di f ferent breeds (Draft and Light horse). No significant difference in fertilization rates was found between the mare breeds (Draft and Light horse, fertilization rates 50.0 and 52.6%; overall monospermic fertilization rates 40.5 and 42.1 %, respectively).

Cryopreservation of equine oocytes by 2-step freezing

Immature equine oocytes were frozen-thawed with ethylene glycol (EG), 1,2-propanediol (PD) or glycerol (GL) in PBS and cultured to assess the rate of in vitro maturation (Experiment 1). Compact-cumulus oocyte complexes were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries and equilibrated for 10 min in the freezing medium containing 10% (V/V) cryoprotectant and 0.1 M sucrose. The 0.25-ml straws, loaded with 10 to 30 oocytes, were seeded at −6°C and cooled to −35°C at 0.3°C/min before being plunged into liquid nitrogen. The straws were thawed rapidly in a 37°C waterbath for 20 sec. The proportions of frozen-thawed oocytes reaching Metaphase II (MII) stage after in vitro maturation of 32 h were 15.8% (EG), 5.8% (PD) and 0% (GL), while 63.3% of the nonfrozen control oocytes matured in vitro. The fertilizing ability of immature and mature oocytes after freezing in EG was tested by the insemination of zona-free oocytes with stallion spermatozoa (Experiment 2). Spermatozoa were preincubated for 3 h with 5 mM caffeine, treated with 0.1 μ M ionophore A23187, and inseminated for 20 h at the concentration of 1 to 2 × 107/ml with 6 to 10 oocytes in 50 μ l of Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium. Immature oocytes (Group 1) were matured in vitro after thawing and then their zona pellucida removed using 0.5% protease. The zona of mature oocytes were removed immediately after thawing (Group 2) or maturation (nonfrozen controls). The oocytes, which had mechanically damaged plasma membrane or lost by artifact, were not examined for insemination. Significantly more control oocytes exhibited a polar body at the time of insemination (53.5%) than either frozen-thawed immature or mature oocytes (25.8 and 27.3%, respectively). Similar proportion of frozen-thawed and control oocytes were penetrated by spermatozoa (71.8 to 79.1%) and exhibited 2 or more pronuclei (73.6 to 80.8%). The mean numbers of spermatozoa per penetrated oocyte were 1.9, 3.0 and 2.5, respectively, for Groups 1 and 2 and for the control oocytes. These results indicate that immature equine oocytes mature to the MII stage in vitro following freezing and thawing in EG or PD but not in GL. Stallion spermatozoa can penetrate zona-free immature and mature oocytes following freezing/thawing in EG and form morphologically normal pronuclei.

The viability testing of frozen-thawed bovine embryos produced in vitro

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of supplementation to IVM medium of epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) along with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) on oocyte maturation and cleavage of buffalo embryos (experiment 1). The developmental competence of cleaved embryos cultured in either a complex co-culture system (TCM-199+10% serum+oviduct cell monolayer) or defined media (a) modified form of synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF) was evaluated (experiment 2). The post-thaw morphology and survivability of frozen blastocysts developed from embryos cultured either in complex or defined medium was compared (experiment 3). Aspirated oocytes were cultured in maturation medium (TCM-199+PMSG (40 IU/ml—control)) supplemented with EGF (20 ng/ml), FGF (20 ng/ml) and VIP (20 ng/ml), either alone or in combination, in a CO2 incubator at 38.5 °C for 24 h. Maturation rate was assessed and oocytes were inseminated in vitro with frozen–thawed sperm processed in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium. The cleaved embryos were cultured either in complex co-culture system or mSOF. Results suggested that EGF had more beneficial effect on buffalo oocyte maturation, and embryo cleavage than FGF. Addition of VIP to the oocyte maturation medium did not improve the results. Blastocyst yields from buffalo oocytes were significantly higher in a complex co-culture system than in defined media (mSOF) when oocytes were matured in presence of EGF either alone or in combination with FGF and VIP. The mean percent of morphologically normal blastocysts after thawing and their survivability were significantly higher in blastocysts obtained from embryos cultured in mSOF than those cultured in complex co-culture system.

Effect of serum on in vitro maturation of equine oocytes

This study was designed to compare the effects of different media and containers on longevity of motility of spermatozoa during in vitro incubation at 38°C in either air or 5% CO2 atmosphere. Three ejaculates were collected from each of 4 stallions. The media tested were skim milk-glucose, modified Krebs/Ringer and Hank's salts solution for incubation in an air atmosphere, and modified Krebs/Ringer and Brackett and Oliphant (BO) defined medium for incubation in a 5% CO2 atmosphere. All samples were incubated in 5-mL borosilicate glass tubes filled with 3 mL of extended spermatozoa, 5-mL borosilicate tubes filled with 6 mL (topped) of extended spermatozoa, 35-mm Petri dishes filled with 3 mL of extended spermatozoa, and 35-mm Petri dishes with 200-μL microdroplets of extended spermatozoa under sterile mineral oil. For all treatments, individual samples were removed at 2, 4, 6 and 12 h of incubation to determine the percentage of motile cells. Overall, spermatozoa incubated in Petri dishes in both 3-mL and microdroplet treatments had significantly higher motility than those incubated in glass tubes (P<0.01). At 6 and 12 h of incubation in Petri dishes, progressive motility was significantly higher for spermatozoa extended in the Hank's salts solution than in the other media. Both the medium and container used significantly affected the longevity of motility of spermatozoa incubated at 38°C.

In vitro development of bovine oocytes into morulae and blastocysts

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of bovine follicular fluid (BFF) on fertilizability and developmental capacity of bovine oocytes matured in vitro. Oocytes were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries, and matured in TCM 199 supplemented with 5% superovulated cow serum (SCS), 2 mM pyruvate and 1 IU/mL PMSG. BFF was aspirated from small follicles (1 to 5mm in diameter). In Experiment 1, BFF was added to the Brackett and Oliphant (BO) fertilization medium at concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10 and 20%. After insemination with frozen-thawed and heparin-treated (10 μ/mL. 15 min) bull spermatozoa for 18 h, some of the oocytes were fixed and stained to evaluate the fertilization rate. The rest of the oocytes were co-cultured in serum-free embryo culture medium (ECM; TCM199 supplemented with 5% SCS, 2 mM pyruvate and 5 μ/mL insulin) with bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) at 38.5°C under 5% CO2 in air, and the developmental capacity of embryos was examined at 2, 7 and 9 d. In Experiment 2, BFF was added to the serum-free ECM with BOEC at 0, 5, 10 and 20% concentrations, and embryos were cultured for 9 d. Fertilization rates and blastocyst rates in low (1 and 5%) BFF in fertilization medium were not significantly different from the control (without BFF). However, high concentrations of BFF (10 and 20%) in the fertilization medium suppressed both fertilization rates and development. Large vesicles with fast monolayer formation were observed at all concentrations of BFF added to ECM with BOEC. There were no significant differences in cleavage or development to blastocyst in different concentrations of BFF added to ECM. However, the rate of development to hatched blastocysts in 20% BFF was significantly lower than that of the control (P<0.05). The results of the present study indicate that BFF addition to fertilization medium and ECM with BOEC does not improve fertilizability or developmental capacity and that high concentrations of BFF reduce the rate of both fertilization and development.

&lt;i&gt;In Vitro&lt;/i&gt; Production Of Goat Embryos In Bangladesh

The present study was undertaken to collect the quality cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) from ovaries of goat from slaughterhouse by aspiration to establish the suitable culture condition for in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC). Follicular COCs were collected from follicles of 2-6 mm diameter, categorized by microscopic observation and cultured for 22 h in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) to determine the success rate of in vitro maturation in a condition of 5% CO2 in air at 38.5°C. The collected ovaries were classified as type-I (corpus luteum absent) and type-II (corpus luteum present). The average numbers of follicles aspirated per ovary were 3.15 and 2.57 in type-I and type-II, respectively. The collected COCs were classified into normal COCs (grade A and B) and abnormal COCs (grade C and D). The number of normal and abnormal COCs collected from two type of ovaries were significantly (P&lt;0.01) differed. Average number of normal COCs per ovary obtained from type-I (1.30) was significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher than that of type-II (0.68). Within the normal COCs significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher maturation was obtained in grade A COCs (71.70%) than that of grade B (51.52%). The matured COCs were cultured for 5 h with fresh buck semen in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium and assumed that the COCs were fertilized successfully. In progress, IVC was practiced in TCM-199 supplemented with FCS and bovine serum albumen (BSA) at 38.5°C with 5% CO2 for 6-7 days. The rate of development to compact morula was found significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher in grade A (25.64%) compared to grade B COCs (6.89%) and similar trend of blastocyst was found in grade A COCs (12.82%) than that of grade of B (3.45%). The results suggested that culture condition for IVM, IVF and IVC was found optimum and grade A COCs might be suitable for in vitro production (IVP) of goat embryos.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v37i1.9859 BJAS 2008; 37(1): 1-9