title: Effects of maturation conditions on spindle morphology in porcine MII oocytes.
abstract: Incomplete cytoplasmic maturation of in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes has been known to cause microtubule and microfilament alterations, which may result in abnormal pronuclear formation and failed embryonic development. We examined the influences of maturation conditions on meiotic spindle morphology at metaphase of meiosis II (MII) in porcine oocytes. Porcine oocytes were matured under various conditions, i.e., in vitro or in vivo, with different amounts of cumulus cells, with or without hormonal supplements, and with various exposure durations to the hormones, to examine the effects on spindle morphology in MII oocytes by immunofluorescence under confocal laser microscopy. Interpolar spindle length (microm) and spindle area (microm2) were compared among these maturation conditions. The spindle length was significantly shorter in IVM oocytes compared to those matured in vivo. Oocytes collected from cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs), which were poor in cumulus cells, showed smaller spindle areas than those from cumulus-rich COCs. The spindle length and area were both significantly reduced in oocytes grown without hormonal supplements. When oocytes were grown with hormonal supplements for either 6 or 22 hours for the first half of culture, there was no difference in the spindle morphology between these oocytes. These results suggested that maturation conditions significantly influence morphogenesis of MII spindles in porcine oocytes. Oocytes matured in poor conditions were more likely to have a shorter spindle length (long axis) and smaller spindle areas.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Science, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan. cf50405@isc.meiji.ac.jp
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: Mayuko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurome
authors.forename: Hideto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tomii
authors.forename: Katsumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hiruma
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagashima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008540:Meiosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008677:Metaphase / Q000187:drug effects; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008941:Spindle Apparatus; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine