Developmental potential of embryos produced by in-vitro fertilization from gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist-treated macaques stimulated with recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone alone or in combination with luteinizing hormone.
We previously demonstrated, in luteinizing hormone (LH)-deficient macaques, that follicular growth and maturation occurred with administration of exogenous (recombinant human) follicle stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) alone, and that the oocytes recovered fertilized at a notably higher rate than their counterparts from animals receiving both r-hFSH and r-hLH (Zelinski-Wooten et al., 1995). Here, the developmental potential of embryos produced from animals treated with r-hFSH alone or in combination with r-hLH was evaluated. Embryos (n = 127) were cryopreserved, thawed and either co-cultured on buffalo rat liver cells until the hatched blastocyst stage or transferred to synchronized recipients. Although embryos from each treatment group demonstrated a similar ability to develop to hatched blastocysts with a definitive inner cell mass, a significant difference was seen in cryosurvival (56 versus 78%) and in developmental rate to the hatched blastocyst (12 versus 10 days) between embryos from the r-hFSH alone and the combination group respectively. Pregnancies resulted following oviductal embryo transfers in both groups, with corpus luteum rescue occurring on days 12-16 of the luteal phase. In summary, r-hFSH alone during the pre-ovulatory interval is adequate for the gametogenic events required to produce embryos that develop either in vitro or in vivo; however, exposure to r-hLH may improve embryo viability and the rate of development.
Weston
A M
AM
Oregon Regional Primate, Research Center, Beaverton 97006, USA.
Zelinski-Wooten
M B
MB
Hutchison
J S
JS
Stouffer
R L
RL
Wolf
D P
DP
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D051381:Rats
D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D009842:Oligopeptides; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C057022:iturelix