Efeitos de diferentes sistemas de maturação in vitro no potencial de desenvolvimento de oócitos bovinos

Abstract

In vitro maturation is an important step for in vitro embryo production. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the interaction of serum and oxygen tension during in vitro maturation on nuclear maturation, viability of cumulus cells, oocyte transcript amount, preimplantation development and blastocyst apoptosis. Four experimental groups were designed: G1 (10% estrus cow serum [ECS] with 20% O2); G2 (0.1% polyvinyl alcohol [PVA] with 20% O2), G3 (10% ECS with 5% O2) e G4 (0.1% PVA with 5% O2). Proportion of metaphase II oocytes, viability of cumulus cells, blastocyst rates and the total cell number were not affected (P>0.05) when the ECS was replaced by PVA under 5% O2, whereas higher (P<0.05) blastocyst rate and total cell number were found with ECS than PVA, both under 20% O2. Apoptosis index were lower in blastocysts from oocytes matured with PVA under 5% O2 (G4) than blastocysts from other groups (G1, G2 and G3), but no differences (P>0.05) were found in nuclear maturation, viability of cumulus cells and blastocyst rate. Differences (P<0.05) in amount of specific transcripts were found in oocytes matured under different conditions. In conclusion, presence of serum during maturation is important for embryo development only when under 20% O2, and maturation with PVA and 5% O2 provides better environment for oocyte, resulting in blastocysts with low apoptosis index.