Growth hormone and in vitro maturation of rhesus macaque oocytes and subsequent embryo development.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to use a nonhuman primate model to examine the effects of growth hormone (GH) on oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM).


METHODS
Immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of GH receptors in rhesus cumulus oocyte complexes and the cytoplasm of embryonic blastomeres. Recombinant human GH (r-hGH) was added to IVM medium and cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation, cytoplasmic maturation and embryo development were analyzed.


RESULTS
Cumulus expansion was highest in the presence of 1 and 10 ng/ml r-hGH. The addition of r-hGH during IVM increased the percentage of embryos progressing to at least the 9-16 cell stage. In a separate study, 100 ng/ml r-hGH was supplemented to IVM and embryo culture medium and no effect was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of GH receptors along with increased cumulus expansion and embryos progressing to the 9-16 cell stage supports the hypothesis that r-hGH may be involved in oocyte maturation.
de Prada
Jenna K Nyholt
JK
California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Roads 98 and Hutchison, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
VandeVoort
Catherine A
CA
D000818:Animals; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D023421:Models, Animal; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone