title: Effect of L-carnitine on maturation, cryo-tolerance and embryo developmental competence of bovine oocytes.
abstract: In this study, the effects of the addition of L-carnitine in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium for bovine oocytes on their nuclear maturation and cryopreservation were investigated; they were matured in IVM medium supplemented with 0.0, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/mL of L-carnitine (control, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 groups, respectively) and some of them were vitrified by Cryotop. Moreover, the effects of L-carnitine during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) on the developmental potential and quality of IVF embryos were also examined. A significantly higher maturation rate of oocytes was obtained for 0.3 and 0.6 mg/mL groups compared with the control (P < 0.05). The blastocyst formation rate in the 0.6 group was significantly improved, whereas the rate in the 1.2 group was significantly decreased when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in embryo development between the control and the L-carnitine group after oocyte vitrification. Supplementation of IVF and IVC media with L-carnitine had no effect on development to the blastocyst stage of IVM oocytes treated with 0.6 mg/mL L-carnitine. In conclusion, the supplementation of L-carnitine during IVM of bovine oocytes improved their nuclear maturation and subsequent embryo development after IVF, but when they were vitrified the improving effects were neutralized.
authors: Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center and School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima.
authors: Teewara
authors: T
authors: Phongnimitr
authors: Yuanyuan
authors: Y
authors: Liang
authors: Kanokwan
authors: K
authors: Srirattana
authors: Kanchana
authors: K
authors: Panyawai
authors: Nucharin
authors: N
authors: Sripunya
authors: Chatchai
authors: C
authors: Treetampinich
authors: Rangsun
authors: R
authors: Parnpai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000662:veterinary; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002331:Carnitine
keywords: L-carnitine; bovine; embryo development; maturation; vitrification