In vitro maturation and fertilization of goat oocytes

Goat oocytes were isolated from 3-5 mm diam. follicles. The oocytes with compact cumulus mass were matured and fertilized in vitro. Three different media, viz. modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate, Dulbecco's and Ham's F-12 with three different additives (bovine serum albumin, BSA; follicle stimulating hormone, FSH and fetal calf serum, FCS) were tested. The three basal media gave almost similar results with Ham's F-12 being slightly better. Addition of BSA (10 mg/ml) increased the rates of maturation and penetration. FSH + BSA (2.5 micrograms/ml + 10 mg/ml) further enhanced the rates while FCS (10%) proved to be even more effective. In modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate and Dulbecco media with additives FCS + BSA, around 60% oocytes matured to metaphase II of which 53% were penetrated by capacitated goat spermatozoa while in F-12 medium 70% reached metaphase II and 63% were penetrated. Ham's F-12 medium with additives FCS + BSA was slightly better for maturation and penetration of goat oocytes in comparison to two other media tested.