Microtubule assembly and in vitro development of bovine oocytes with increased intracellular glutathione level prior to vitrification and in vitro fertilization. Issue 4 (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hara, H.; Yamane, I.; Noto, I.; Kagawa, N.; Kuwayama, M.; Hirabayashi, M.; Hochi, S.
• Is Part Of: Zygote. Volume 22:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 476
• Page End: 482
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Embryology -- Periodicals; Zygotes -- Periodicals; Gametes -- Periodicals; 571.864
• DOI: 10.1017/S0967199413000105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-1994

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Although vitrification is a useful technique for preservation of bovine oocytes, the yield of blastocysts derived from the vitrified oocytes is still low. We have recently reported a new type of cryoinjury, multiple aster formation, by which pronuclear migration and development of vitrified–warmed and <italic>in vitro</italic>-fertilized bovine oocytes are impaired. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of glutathione (GSH) content of vitrified bovine oocytes on multiple aster formation and subsequent <italic>in vitro</italic> development. Treatment of bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes with β-mercaptoethanol (βME) and <sc>l</sc>-cysteine (Cys) during <italic>in vitro</italic> maturation resulted in 2.5-fold higher GSH content not only in fresh control but also in vitrified–warmed oocytes. The percentage of normally fertilized zygotes exhibiting sperm aster(s) was >95% in all four groups (with or without βME/Cys × fresh control or vitrified). The frequency of multiple aster formation in vitrified oocytes (three-fold higher than that in fresh control oocytes) was not affected by the increased level of intracellular GSH with βME/Cys. Consequently, the migration and development of pronuclei as well as the yield of blastocysts from vitrified–warmed oocytes (17 versus 41%) were not improved. In addition, there was no effect of increased GSH level on the yield of blastocysts in fresh control groups.</p> </abstract>