Interleukin-6: an autocrine regulator of the mouse cumulus cell-oocyte complex expansion process.

Ovulation has long been regarded as a process resembling an inflammatory response. Recent studies indicate that genes associated with innate immune responses were also expressed during the ovulation process. Because the innate immune genes are induced in cumulus cell oocyte complexes (COCs) later than the inflammation-associated genes, we hypothesize that COC expansion is dependent on specific sequential changes in cumulus cells.

Leukemia inhibitory factor induces cumulus expansion in immature human and mouse oocytes and improves mouse two-cell rate and delivery rates when it is present during mouse in vitro oocyte maturation.

Objective: To examine the role of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) during in vitro maturation (IVM) on human and mice cumulus expansion and mice oocyte competence by in vitro fertilization (IVF), culture, and embryo transfer (ET).

Design: Prospective animal and human study.

Setting: Serono laboratories and IVF clinic.

Effect of glutathione synthesis stimulation during in vitro maturation of ovine oocytes on embryo development and intracellular peroxide content.

Cysteamine and beta-mercaptoethanol supplementation of in vitro maturation (IVM) medium has been found to increase intracellular glutathione (GSH) content in oocytes and to improve embryo development and quality in several species. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of cysteamine and beta-mercaptoethanol added during IVM of sheep oocytes on GSH synthesis and embryo development. Furthermore, we examined if cysteamine addition (hence GSH production) had an effect on the reduction of the intracellular peroxide content.