Maturation and culture affect the metabolomic profile of oocytes and follicular cells in young and old mares.

Oocytes and follicular somatic cells within the ovarian follicle are altered during maturation and after exposure to culture . In the present study, we used a nontargeted metabolomics approach to assess changes in oocytes, cumulus cells, and granulosa cells from dominant, follicular-phase follicles in young and old mares. Samples were collected at three stages associated with oocyte maturation: (1) GV, germinal vesicle stage, prior to the induction of follicle/oocyte maturation ; (2) MI, metaphase I, maturing, collected 24 h after induction of maturation ; and (3) MIIC, metaphase II, mature with collection 24 h after induction of maturation plus 18 h of culture .

A simplified grading system for in vivo and in vitro derived vitrified equine embryos.

The ability to predict the viability of embryos before vitrification and thawing has important commercial applications in any breeding program. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a simplified embryo grading system for both in vivo- and in vitro-derived vitrified day 8 embryos. The in vivo derived (n=109) and in vitro - intracytoplasmic sperm injection derived (n=145) embryos were produced in a commercial embryo program.

Equine maternal aging affects the metabolomic profile of oocytes and follicular cells during different maturation time points.

Oocyte quality and fertility decline with advanced maternal age. During maturation within the ovarian follicle, the oocyte relies on the associated somatic cells, specifically cumulus and granulosa cells, to acquire essential components for developmental capacity. A nontargeted metabolomics approach was used to investigate the effects of mare age on different cell types within the dominant, follicular-phase follicle at three time points during maturation.

Use of confocal microscopy and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to assess viability of equine oocytes from young and old mares after vitrification.

Background: The impact of vitrification on oocyte developmental competence as a function of donor age remains an important issue in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs).

Methods: Equine germinal vesicle (GV) or metaphase II (M(II) oocytes were vitrified using the Cryotop® method. Spindle organization and chromosome alignment were evaluated from confocal imaging data sets of in vivo (IVO) or in vitro (IVM) matured oocytes subjected to vitrification or not.

Evaluating as a computer access system for augmentative and alternative communication in cerebral palsy: A case study.

is a freely available software program that visually tracks the movement of facial features to allow individuals with motor impairments to control a computer mouse. The goal of this case study was to provide an evaluation of as a computer access method as part of a multiple modality communication system for an individual with cerebral palsy. The participant was asked to reproduce sentences and respond to ethical dilemmas for language sampling.