Lipopolysaccharide impairs the in vitro growth, steroidogenesis, and maturation of oocyte-cumulus-granulosa cell complexes derived from bovine early antral follicles.

In postpartum dairy cows, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from gram-negative bacteria causes uterine or mammary inflammation, resulting in low fertility. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of LPS on the in vitro growth (IVG), steroidogenesis, and maturation of oocyte-cumulus-granulosa cell complexes (OCGCs) derived from bovine early antral follicles. OCGCs were isolated from bovine early antral follicles (0.5-1 mm in diameter) and cultured in vitro for 12 days using media containing 0 (control), 0.01, or 1 μg/mL of LPS. The viability, cavity formation, and oocyte diameter of the OCGCs, as well as the concentrations of estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) in the IVG culture media, were determined. After IVG culture, oocytes collected from viable OCGCs were matured in vitro (IVM) in a medium without LPS. The nuclear maturation rate and the mitochondrial membrane potential of oocytes were determined. Bovine oocytes and cumulus-granulosa complexes derived from early antral follicles expressed genes encoding LPS receptor complex, such as toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Immunohistochemistry analysis further localized TLR4 expression predominantly in follicular granulosa and theca cells of early antral follicles. The viability of OCGCs and cavity formation in OCGCs were lower in the 0.01 and 1 μg/mL LPS groups than in the control group. No significant difference in oocyte diameter was observed between the treatment groups throughout the culture period. Moreover, E production was suppressed in the 0.01 and 1 μg/mL LPS groups from Days 4-8, whereas P production increased in the 1 μg/mL LPS group from Days 0-8. The nuclear maturation rate after IVM was lower in the 0.01 and 1 μg/mL LPS groups than in the control group. The mitochondrial membrane potential of post-IVM oocytes was lower in the 0.01 and 1 μg/mL LPS groups than in the control group. Taken together, these results indicate that LPS inhibited the growth and steroidogenesis of OCGCs and the meiosis and mitochondrial function of oocytes derived from early antral follicles. This study suggests that the detrimental effects of LPS on developing oocytes may contribute to long-term decreased fertility in postpartum dairy cows.