Effect of recombinant-LH and hCG in the absence of FSH on in vitro maturation (IVM) fertilization and early embryonic development of mouse germinal vesicle (GV)-stage oocytes.
During in vitro maturation (IVM), intrinsic and extrinsic factors must co-operate properly in order to ensure cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation. We examined the possible effect of LH/hCG in the process of oocyte maturation in mice with the addition of recombinant LH (r-LH) and hCG in our IVM cultures of mouse germinal vesicle (GV)-stage oocytes. Moreover, the effects of these hormones on fertilization, early embryonic development and the expression of LH/hCG receptor were examined. Nuclear maturation of GV-stage oocytes was evaluated after culture in the presence of r-LH or hCG. Fertilization rates and embryonic development were assessed after 24h. Total RNA was isolated from oocytes of different stages of maturation and from zygotes and embryos of different stages of development in order to examine the expression of LH/hCG receptor, using RT-PCR. The in vitro nuclear maturation rate of GV-stage oocytes that received hCG was significantly higher compared to the control group. Early embryonic development was increased in the hCG and LH cultures of GV oocytes when LH was further added. The LH/hCG receptor was expressed in all stages of in vitro matured mouse oocytes and in every stage of early embryonic development. Addition of hCG in IVM cultures of mouse GV oocytes increased maturation rates significantly. LH, however, was more beneficial to early embryonic development than hCG. This suggests a promising new technique in basic science research or in clinical reproductive medicine.
Division of Human Reproduction, IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens 11528, Greece.
Vasiliki
V
Dinopoulou
Division of Human Reproduction, IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens 11528, Greece.
Peter
P
Drakakis
Division of Human Reproduction, IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens 11528, Greece.
Stella
S
Kefala
Division of Human Reproduction, IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens 11528, Greece.
Erasmia
E
Kiapekou
Division of Human Reproduction, IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens 11528, Greece.
Ritsa
R
Bletsa
Division of Human Reproduction, IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens 11528, Greece.
Elli
E
Anagnostou
Division of Human Reproduction, IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens 11528, Greece.
Konstantinos
K
Kallianidis
Division of Human Reproduction, IVF Unit, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens 11528, Greece. Electronic address: loutradi@otenet.gr.
Dimitrios
D
Loutradis
D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
GV; IVM; LH/hCG receptor; hCG; r-LH