Effects of differing oocyte-secreted factors during mouse in vitro maturation on subsequent embryo and fetal development

Sudiman, J.; Ritter, L. J.; Feil, D. K.; Wang, X.; Chan, K.; Mottershead, D. G.; Robertson, D. M.; Thompson, J. G.; Gilchrist, R. B.

Abstract

Purpose
We hypothesised that varying native oocyte-secreted factor (OSF) exposure or using different recombinant OSF peptides would have differential effects on post-in vitro maturation (IVM) embryo and fetal development.

Methods
Mouse cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were treated with the purified mature domain of GDF9 and/or BMP15 or were co-cultured with denuded oocytes (DOs) from 0 h or 3 h of IVM. DOs were matured for 3 h as either intact COCs+/-FSH before denuding, or as DOs + FSH. COCs were fertilised and blastocyst development was assessed on days 5 and 6, and either differentially stained for ICM numbers or vitrified/warmed embryos were transferred to recipients to assess implantation and fetal rates.

Results
No improvement in embryo development was observed with the addition of GDF9 and/or BMP15 to IVM. In contrast, embryos derived from COCs co-cultured with DOs had significantly improved blastocyst rates and ICM numbers compared to controls (P < 0.05). The highest response was obtained when DOs were first added to COCs at 3 h of IVM, after being pre-treated (0–3 h) as COCs + FSH. Compared to control, co-culture with DOs from 3 h did not affect implantation rates but more than doubled fetal yield (21 % vs 48 %; P < 0.05). GDF9 Western blot analysis was unable to detect any differences in quantity or form of GDF9 (17 and 65 kDa) in extracts of DO at 0 h or 3 h.

Conclusions
This study provides new knowledge on means to improve oocyte quality in vitro which has the potential to significantly aid human infertility treatment and animal embryo production technologies.

Citation

Sudiman, J., Ritter, L. J., Feil, D. K., Wang, X., Chan, K., Mottershead, D. G., …Gilchrist, R. B. (2014). Effects of differing oocyte-secreted factors during mouse in vitro maturation on subsequent embryo and fetal development. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 31(3), 295-306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0152-5

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 5, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Jan 11, 2014
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Deposit Date: Jun 8, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
• Print ISSN: 1058-0468
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 295-306
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0152-5
• Keywords: Genetics (clinical); Developmental Biology; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Genetics; Reproductive Medicine; General Medicine