FSH priming improves oocyte maturation, but priming with FSH or hCG has no effect on subsequent embryonic development in an in vitro maturation program.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether maturation and subsequent blastocyst development of in vitro matured oocytes can be improved by in vivo follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) priming, using a mouse model.


METHODS
Five groups of oocytes were used: in vivo control, in vitro matured (IVM) control, IVM after 24 h in vivo priming with FSH, IVM after 48 h in vivo priming with FSH and IVM after 16 h in vivo priming with hCG. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed on all groups. Oocyte maturation, fertilization, blastocyst development rates and blastocyst cell numbers were assessed for all groups.


RESULTS
Significant improvement in oocyte maturation was observed in the two FSH priming groups compared with the IVM control group (P<0.005 and P<0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in fertilization between all five groups. Blastocyst development was significantly higher in the in vivo control compared to the IVM groups (P<0.001). No significant differences were observed in blastocyst cell numbers among all five groups.


CONCLUSIONS
While FSH priming improves the maturation rate of IVM oocytes, FSH or hCG priming does not improve development to the blastocyst stage.
Junk
Stephen M
SM
PIVET Medical Center, 166-168 Cambridge Street, Leederville, Perth 6007, Australia. pivetmc@iinet.net.au
Dharmarajan
Arun
A
Yovich
John L
JL
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone