title: Impact of gonadotropins on oocyte maturation, fertilisation and developmental competence in vitro.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of gonadotropins, either singly (Bravelle (B), Luveris (L), Menupur (M), Repronex (R), Gonal-F (G), Follism (F) and Norvarel (N)) or in combination (Menupur+Bravelle; Repronext+Bravelle; and Bravelle+Norvarel), on rates of oocyte maturation, fertilisation and early embryo development in vitro in an animal model. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were purchased commercially and cultured in TCM-199 with 10% fetal bovine serum supplemented with varying concentrations of gonadotropin (0, 5, 10, 20, 40IU or United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) mL-1) for 24 and 48h according to current IVF clinical stimulation protocols. All gonadotropins enhanced oocyte maturation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Individually, Gonal-F (Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Follism (Merck Co, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA) and Repronext (Ferring, Parsippany, NJ, USA) promoted oocyte maturation; in combination, they effectively enhanced COC expansion and increased the maturation competence of MII oocytes. However, high concentrations of gonadotropins may result in maturation arrest. Specific combinations of gonadotropins may change the rate of early embryonic development (8-16-cells) and morula-blastocyst formation. These data provide support for the responsiveness of bovine oocytes to gonadotropins in vitro and the need to consider variations in the relative concentrations and ratio of combinations (FSH/LH or human chorionic gonadotropin) for optimisation of oocyte developmental competence. The results of the present study could be applied to therapeutic clinical stimulation protocols and help improve IVF success rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Hospital Queens, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 11355, USA.
authors.forename: Xuemei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Hospital Queens, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 11355, USA.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medical Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou , 450052, China.
authors.forename: Zhan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Hospital Queens, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 11355, USA.
authors.forename: Huai L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins