Primate model of metaphase I oocyte in vitro maturation and the effects of a novel glutathione donor on maturation, fertilization, and blastocyst development.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of glutathione ethyl ester (GSH-OEt) on the development of macaque metaphase (MI) oocytes as a model for human MI oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM).


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Nonhuman primate assisted reproductive technology program.


METHODS
Twenty-three Macaca fascicularis females aged 6.5-12.5 years.


METHODS
Ovarian stimulation and maturation of MI oocytes in [1] human tubal fluid (HTF), [2] mCMRL-1066, [3] mCMRL-1066+GSH-OEt 3 mM, or [4] mCMRL-1066+GSH-OEt 5 mM. Oocytes were assessed for maturation after 4-6 hours (early) and 18-20 hours (late) of culture. Mature oocytes were inseminated or subjected to glutathione (GSH) assay. Zygotes were cultured to the blastocyst stage for total differential cell counts.


METHODS
Oocyte maturation rate, GSH content, pronuclear formation and blastocyst development, and cell number were compared between IVM treatment groups and sibling in vivo matured (IVO) MII oocytes.


RESULTS
Compared with HTF, mCMRL-1066 supported higher rates of normal fertilization and blastocyst development in early but not late maturing MI-MII oocytes. Five micromoles of GSH-OEt significantly increased blastocyst total cell and inner cell mass cell number in early MI-MII oocytes compared with IVO and IVM controls. GSH-OEt significantly increased oocyte GSH content and fertilization in late maturing oocytes but not blastocyst development.


CONCLUSIONS
GSH-OEt positively affects the development of early and late maturing IVM oocytes.
Curnow
Eliza C
EC
Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98121, USA. ecurnow@wanprc.org
Ryan
John P
JP
Saunders
Douglas M
DM
Hayes
Eric S
ES
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase / Q000502:physiology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D011323:Primates; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation
D005978:Glutathione