Characterisation of the methylation pattern in the intragenic CpG island of the IGF2 gene in Bos taurus indicus cumulus cells during in vitro maturation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to characterise the methylation pattern in a CpG island of the IGF2 gene in cumulus cells from 1-3 mm and  ≥ 8.0 mm follicles and to evaluate the effects of in vitro maturation on this pattern.

Methods: Genomic DNA was treatment with sodium bisulphite.

Morphology, sex ratio and gene expression of day 14 in vivo and in vitro bovine embryos.

The present study was designed to compare Day 14 bovine embryos that were produced entirely in vitro using the post-hatching development (PHD) system with in vivo-derived embryos without or with transient PHD culture from Day 7 to Day 14. Embryos on Day 14 were used for sex determination and gene expression analysis of PLAC8, KRT8, CD9, SLC2A1, SLC2A3, PGK1, HSF1, MNSOD, HSP70 and IFNT using real-time quantitative (q) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). First, Day 7 in vivo- and in vitro-produced embryos were subjected to the PHD system.