title: Effect of melatonin on maturation capacity and fertilization of Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes.
abstract: This study evaluated the effect of melatonin supplementation of in vitro maturation media on in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate of buffalo oocytes. Cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) were aspirated from follicles of 2-8 mm diameter. In experiment I, COCs were matured in IVM medium supplemented with 0 (control), 250, 500, and 1000 μM melatonin for 22-24 hours in CO2 incubator at 38.5°C with 5% CO2 and at 95% relative humidity. The maturation rate did not differ in media supplemented with melatonin at 250 μM, 500 μM, 1000 μM and control (0 μM). In experiment II, the matured oocytes were fertilized in 50 μl droplets of Tyrode's Albumin Lactate Pyruvate (TALP) medium having 10 ug/ml heparin for sperm (2 million/ml) capacitation. The fertilization droplets were then kept for incubation at 5% CO2, 39°C and at 95% relative humidity for 18 hours. The fertilization rate was assessed by sperm penetration and pronuclear formation. Fertilization rate was improved when maturation medium was supplemented with 250 μM melatonin compared to control. In conclusion, melatonin supplementation to serum free maturation media at 250 μM improved the fertilization rate of buffalo oocytes.
authors.affiliation: PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nagina
authors.affiliation: PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asima
authors.affiliation: University of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nemat
authors.affiliation: PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shamim
keywords: Buffalo; In vitro fertilization; In vitro maturation; Melatonin