Enhanced Developmental Competence of Buffalo Oocytes in the Presence of Hormone and Epidermal Growth Factor during In Vitro Maturation

Eufrocina  P. Atabay,; Edwin  C. Atabay,; Danilda  H. Duran,; Libertado  C. Cruz,; R.v.  De Vera,

Enhanced Developmental Competence of Buffalo Oocytes in the Presence of Hormone and Epidermal Growth Factor during In Vitro Maturation

Eufrocina P. Atabay | Edwin C. Atabay | Danilda H. Duran | R.v. De Vera | Libertado C. Cruz

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

Abstract:

The cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation of buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) after maturation (IVM) in tissue culture medium 199 (TCM 199) containing 10% fetal calf serum was studied. The experimental groups included: (a) no supplement (control); (b) hormones (FSH and estradiol); (c) epidermal growth factor (EGF)j (d) hormones + EGF. Experiments were conducted to note four end points: (1) nuclear maturation (MIl) 24 hr after IVM; (2) cleavage 32-48 after fertilization j (3) development to morula and blastocysts; and (4) cell number of blastocyst. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Fischer's Protected Least Significant Difference using Stat View software. The proportion of oocytes reaching metaphase II was significantly higher (78.3, 74.7, 81.9%) with supplements compared to the control group (64.9%). Similarly, the cleavage rate after fertilization and subsequent development to morula and blastocyst increased when supplements were added to IVM medium. Finally, the supplements increased the number of cell per blastocyst with the hormones + EGF combination the highest number of cell indicating production of quality and viable after in vitro culture. It is concluded that the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation were enhanced by all supplements tested. Enhanced development was maximal with the combination of hormones and EGF.