title: The effect of conspecific ampulla oviductal epithelial cells during in vitro maturation on oocyte developmental competence and maturation-promoting factor (MPF) activity in sheep.
abstract: The acquisition of fertilization ability by oocytes is one of the prerequisites for successful in vitro embryo production. In the present study, we examined the influence of conspecific ampulla oviductal epithelial cells incubated with cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) throughout the IVM phase on the developmental competence and maturation-promoting factor (MPF) activity of sheep oocytes. There were six experimental groups in this study, namely four groups with and two groups without oviductal epithelial cells added to IVM media: adult COCs matured in vitro with the ampulla oviductal epithelial cells obtained from adult (AAE; G1) or prepubertal donors (prepubertal sheep ampulla oviductal epithelial cells [PAE]; G4), COCs obtained from prepubertal animals cocultured with AAE (G2) or PAE (G3), and adult (C1) and prepubertal sheep COCs (C2) matured without oviductal epithelial cells. Coincubation of oocytes retrieved from both adult and sexually immature donors with AAE (G1 and G2) resulted in significantly improved rates of metaphase-II (M-II) attainment (G1: 85.1 ± 2.0 and G2: 40.2 ± 1.3) and blastocyst formation (G1: 42.2 ± 1.1 and G2: 21.2 ± 1.0) as well as blastocyst development (total cell count; G1: 130.3 ± 7.8, G2: 70.2 ± 3.5) compared with their respective controls (C1: 94.3 ± 4.1 and C2: 49.7 ± 2.0). Prior to IVM, the activity of MPF was greater (P < 0.05) for oocytes obtained from ewes (G1, G4, and C1) compared with those from ewe lambs (G2, G3, and C2). The greatest increment in MPF activity was recorded in G2 (MPF activity before IVM/MPF activity after IVM = 3.62) followed by C2 and G3 (2.22 and 2.20, respectively), and then all remaining groups of oocytes (C1: 1.89, G1: 1.87, and G4: 1.86). In summary, coincubation with AAE during the 24-hour IVM had a positive impact on ovine oocyte competence and ensuing in vitro embryo production efficiency. A significant increase in MPF activity following IVM of G2 oocytes could be responsible, at least partly, for the improved rate of blastocyst formation after IVF of prepubertal sheep oocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Breeding and Production of Laboratory Animals, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran; Department of Animal Science, Faculty College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. Electronic address: navid.d.davachi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Navid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dadashpour Davachi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Animal Science, Faculty College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kohram
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zare Shahneh
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhandi
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goudarzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Breeding and Production of Laboratory Animals, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Roozbeh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fallahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Masoudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Breeding and Production of Laboratory Animals, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran; Department of Animal Science, Faculty College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Yousefi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: pmbart@uoiguelph.ca.
authors.forename: Pawel M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bartlewski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000662:veterinary; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development*; D010057:Oviducts / Q000166:cytology*; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D012756:Sheep / Q000196:embryology*
keywords: In vitro maturation; Maturation-promoting factor; Oviductal epithelial cells; Sheep