In Vitro and in vivo developmental competence of dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) embryos produced in vitro using two culture systems (mKSOMaa and oviductal cells).
Development competence and pregnancy rate of in vitro-produced (IVP) dromedary embryos were studied in two culture systems: (i) semi-defined modified medium (mKSOMaa) and (ii) co-culture using camel epithelial oviducal cells. Five hundred and three cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) were selected, allowed to mature, fertilized and cultured in vitro (38.5 degrees C; 5% CO2, maximum humidity > 95%, with concentration of oxygen of 5% for semi-defined medium and 20% for co-culture cells). Maturation was accomplished by incubation in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% heat-treated foetal calf serum (FCS), 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, 1 microg/ml follicle-stimulating hormone, 1 microg/ml oestradiol and 500 microM cysteamine for 30 h. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed using fresh semen (0.5 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml in modified TALP solution). Fertilized COCs were denuded by vortexing, then cultured in either mKSOMaa (10% heat-treated FCS was added 24 h post-IVF), under 5% O2 and 90% N2 (group 1; n = 249) or with dromedary epithelial oviducal cell monolayers in TCM-199 with 10% heat-treated FCS under 20% O2 (group 2; n = 254). The rate of cleavage was significant higher (p < 0.05) for group 1 (63%, 156/249) than for group 2 (51%, 130/254). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the rate of development to blastocyst (21% vs 16.5%) and their hatchability (21% vs 14%). Pregnancy rates were similar for the first 60 days. However, all pregnancies were lost after 60 days with the exception of two of six (33%) from recipients of hatched blastocysts from group 1. We conclude that both systems support in vitro production of dromedary embryos by in vitro maturation (IVM)/IVF of oocytes. However, embryos obtained by culture in the semi-defined medium (mKSOMaa) appear to have a better in vivo development ability.
Khatir
H
H
Veterinary Research Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Anouassi
A
A
Tibary
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus / Q000196:embryology*; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum; D003470:Culture Media; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000662:veterinary; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000662:veterinary; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy
D003470:Culture Media