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Vitrification of In Vitro Matured Oocytes Collected from Adult and Prepubertal Ovaries in Sheep
Published on: July 10, 2021
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Caffeine and oocyte vitrification: Sheep as an animal model
Adel R Moawad1,2, Inchul Choi2,3, Jie Zhu2,4
1Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, PO BOX 12211, Giza, Egypt.
International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine
|February 15, 2019
Summary
Vitrification of ovine oocytes impacts spindle assembly and development. Caffeine supplementation during in vitro maturation did not improve the quality or developmental potential of vitrified oocytes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Oocyte Cryopreservation
- Embryology
Background:
- Oocyte cryopreservation is crucial for preserving female germlines.
- Vitrification of immature ovine oocytes can negatively affect maturation-promoting factor (MPF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in metaphase II oocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of vitrification on ovine oocyte spindle assembly, MPF/MAP kinase activity, and preimplantation development after in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- To determine the impact of caffeine supplementation during IVM on the quality and developmental competence of vitrified-warmed ovine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes.
Main Methods:
- Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from mature ewes were vitrified, subjected to a toxicity test, or used as controls.
- Oocytes underwent in vitro maturation for 18 hours, followed by incubation with or without caffeine for 6 hours.
- Evaluations included spindle configuration, MPF/MAP kinase activity, fertilization, and 7-day in vitro embryo culture.
Main Results:
- Caffeine supplementation did not significantly alter normal spindle assembly rates.
- Caffeine did not enhance MPF/MAP kinase activity in vitrified oocytes.
- Cleavage and blastocyst development rates were significantly reduced in vitrified groups compared to controls, with no significant improvement from caffeine treatment.
Conclusions:
- Vitrification of ovine GV oocytes negatively impacts spindle assembly and subsequent embryonic development.
- Caffeine supplementation during the final stages of in vitro maturation does not improve the quality or developmental outcomes of vitrified-warmed ovine oocytes following IVM/IVF and embryo culture.
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