title: Beneficial effects of electrical stimulation before round spermatid nuclei injections into rabbit oocytes on fertilization and subsequent embryonic development.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation of rabbit oocytes before round spermatid nuclear injection procedure on oocyte activation and fertilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ratio of activated oocytes to the number of successfully injected oocytes and the proportion of offspring to the number of activated oocytes after round spermatid nuclear injections into oocytes stimulated via mechanical stimulation (group A) or a combination of electrical and mechanical stimulation (group B) was compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  Round spermatid nuclei were isolated from mature male rabbits and microinjected into the oocytes of groups A and B. Injected oocytes were cultured for 24 hours. The embryos developed from groups A and B were transferred to synchronized recipient does.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Embryos that developed normally through implantation in groups A and B were carried successfully through complete gestation in the recipient does. The ratio of the activated oocytes to the number of successfully injected oocytes and the proportion of offspring to the number of activated oocytes were significantly higher in group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrical stimulation of oocytes before ooplasmic spermatid nuclear injections and ET procedures has beneficial effects on oocytes activation, fertilization, and subsequent embryonic development.
authors.affiliation: Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Sofikitis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toda
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Miyagawa
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Zavos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pasyianos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mastelou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D008297:Male; D008845:Microinjections; D009865:Oocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011817:Rabbits; D013087:Spermatids / Q000648:ultrastructure*