title: Combined epidermal growth factor and hyaluronic acid supplementation of in vitro maturation medium and its impact on bovine oocyte proteome and competence.
abstract: The conditions for in vitro oocyte maturation impact on cytoplasmic and nuclear processes in the oocyte. These events are differentially influenced by the nature of the maturation inducer and the presence of intact cumulus in cumulus-oocyte complexes. Epidermal growth factor is the main growth factor promoting oocyte maturation. Also, hyaluronic acid (HA) produced by cumulus cells is known to be responsible for the correct structural and functional organization of the cumulus during oocyte maturation. Therefore, we evaluated the developmental competence of bovine oocytes matured in vitro in a maturation medium supplemented with both EGF and HA, compared to FSH and fetal bovine serum (FBS). In addition, the impact of IVM conditions on the proteomic profile of metaphase II bovine oocytes was analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured in two media: (1) 10 ng/mL EGF, 15 μg/mL HA, and 100-μM cysteamine and (2) 0.01 UI/mL rh-FSH and 10% FBS. The percentages of first polar body and embryo production and the kinetics of embryo development and oocyte proteomic profiles were analyzed. Oocytes matured in the presence of EGF-HA showed an increase (6%, P < 0.05) in the percentage of polar body extrusion. The blastocyst rate was 3% (P < 0.05) higher in the FSH-FBS group, but no differences were found in the rate of expanded blastocyst neither in total embryo production between IVM conditions. Cleavage rate of oocytes matured with FSH-FBS was 5% higher (P < 0.05) with respect to EGF-HA-matured oocytes when evaluated 30 hours after fertilization. However, at Day 7, those inseminated oocytes that underwent division at a correct timing showed that although there are still early blastocysts in the FSH-FBS condition, EGF-HA embryos have developed completely into blastocysts. Still, the production rate of those embryos that achieved expansion was similar between both maturation conditions. On the other hand, noncleaved presumptive zygotes at Day 7 developed into the different stages with similar rates (∼4%) independently of the medium condition. Modifications of IVM medium composition markedly affected protein profile of bovine oocytes in a differential manner. The proteomic approach revealed the presence of 68 spots in both treatments, 41 exclusively found in the FSH-FBS group and 64 exclusive for the EGF-HA group. Taken together, these results indicate that combined EGF-HA supplementation of in vitro maturation medium could be used to improve oocyte meiotic competence and ensure a better timing to develop into the blastocyst stage.
authors.affiliation: Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Producción Animal, INTA, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: rios.glenda@inta.gob.ar.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.affiliation: Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Producción Animal, INTA, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNS-CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buschiazzo
authors.affiliation: Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Producción Animal, INTA, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Mucci
authors.affiliation: Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Producción Animal, INTA, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET-CCT Mar del Plata), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cesari
authors.affiliation: Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Producción Animal, INTA, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Alberio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003470:Culture Media; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D020543:Proteome / Q000187:drug effects*; D059467:Transcriptome / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D020543:Proteome; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: EGF; Hyaluronic acid; In vitro maturation; Oocyte competence; Proteome