Delaying Effects of Prolactin and Growth Hormone on Aging Processes in Bovine Oocytes Matured In Vitro.

Aging processes accelerate dramatically in oocytes that have reached the metaphase-II (M-II) stage. The present work aimed to study the patterns and intracellular pathways of actions of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) on age-associated changes in bovine M-II oocytes aging in vitro. To this end, we analyzed spontaneous parthenogenetic activation (cytogenetic assay), apoptosis (TUNEL assay), and the developmental capacity (IVF/IVC) of in vitro-matured oocytes after prolonged culturing.