Mitochondrial organization in prepubertal goat oocytes during in vitro maturation and fertilization.

The aim of this study was to evaluate mitochondrial distribution during in vitro maturation (at 0, 15, 20, and 27 hr of IVM) and fertilization of prepubertal goat oocytes compared to mitochondrial distribution of ovulated and in vitro fertilized oocytes from adult goats. Oocytes from prepubertal goats were recovered from a slaughterhouse and were matured in M199 with hormones and serum for 27 hr. Ovulated oocytes were collected from gonadotrophin-treated Murciana goats.

Microtubule and microfilament organization in immature, in vitro matured and in vitro fertilized prepubertal goat oocytes.

The aim of our study was to analyse the cytoskeletal organization of prepubertal goat oocytes. Microtubule and microfilament organization during in vitro maturation of prepubertal and adult goat oocytes and presumptive zygotes of in vitro matured-in vitro fertilized (IVM-IVF) prepubertal goat oocytes were analysed. Oocytes were matured in M-199 with hormones and serum and inseminated with frozen-thawed sermatozoa.

Effects on in vitro embryo development and intracellular glutathione content of the presence of thiol compounds during maturation of prepubertal goat oocytes.

The low number of embryos produced from in vitro matured, fertilized, and cultured (IVM-IVF-IVC) oocytes of prepubertal goat is mainly due to a low incidence of sperm head decondensation at fertilization (Martino et al., 1995: Theriogenology 43:473-485; Mogas et al., 1997: Theriogenology 48:815-829).

Effect of Hoechst 33342 staining on developmental competence of prepubertal goat oocytes.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of Hoechst staining on nuclear maturation and fertilisation when used at different stages of in vitro maturation (IVM) in prepubertal goat oocytes. Oocytes were matured in TCM1999 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 10 microg LH/ml, 10 microg FSH/ml and 1 microM 17beta-estradiol for 27 h. Frozen-thawed sperm cells were prepared by centrifugation in a discontinuous Percoll gradient and resuspended in DMH medium with 20% steer serum.