Cryotolerance of bovine blastocysts is affected by oocyte maturation in media containing palmitic or stearic acid.
In this study, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) were added during in vitro maturation at concentrations measured previously in follicular fluid (FF) of high-producing dairy cows in a negative energy status to evaluate their subsequent effect on the embryos cryotolerance. Oocytes were matured for 24 h in serum-free media with or without (negative control) the addition of NEFAs dissolved in ethanol or ethanol alone (positive control). Matured oocytes were fertilized and cultured for 7 days in synthetic oviduct fluid medium supplemented with 5% FCS. Embryos that had at least reached the blastocyst stage were vitrified by open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification. Addition of palmitic (C16 : 0) or stearic acid (C18 : 0) during oocyte maturation had significant negative effects on embryo cryotolerance, whereas ethanol or oleic acid (C18 : 1) had no effect. These in vitro results suggest that high NEFA concentrations in FF during a period of negative energy balance in high-yielding dairy cows can have carry-over effects on embryo quality.
Shehab-El-Deen
M A
MA
Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Leroy
J L M R
JL
Maes
D
D
Van Soom
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000196:embryology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D003470:Culture Media; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000662:veterinary; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013229:Stearic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D003470:Culture Media; D013229:Stearic Acids; D019301:Oleic Acid; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D000431:Ethanol; C031183:stearic acid