Follicular system: adjusting a new protocol for in vitro oocyte maturation in cattle

• Grant number: 19/14588-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2019
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: José Buratini Junior
• Grantee: José Buratini Junior
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In vitro production of bovine embryos (IVP) has been applied to increase fertility and enhance genetic improvement in beef and dairy cattle despite its recognized low efficiency. In vitro maturation (IVM) is considered to be the main technical bottleneck of IVP in cattle. Current IVM protocols do not reflect the physiological conditions causing a mismatch between nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation. Oocytes subjected to IVM are derived from follicles at different developmental stages and are heterogeneous with regard to chromatin configuration and transcripts accumulation. In previous studies funded by FAPESP, we developed the Follicular System, which includes a strategy to harvest a more homogeneous population of oocytes, as well as a sequential culture system adjusted to the oocyte developmental stage, mimicking the intrafollicular environment before (pre IVM/FS phase) and after ovulation (IVM/FS phase). The aim of this proposal is to improve the IVM phase of the Follicular System by testing the addition of intrafollicular peptides that regulate the ovulatory cascate to the culture medium [FLI combination (FGF2 + LIF + IGF1); neurotensin (NTS) and neuregulin 1 (NRG1), potentially benefiting oocyte developmental competence and consequently IVP. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BURATINI, JOSE; DELLAQUA, THAISY TINO; DE LIMA, PAULA FERNANDA; RENZINI, MARIO MIGNINI; DAL CANTO, MARIABEATRICE; PRICE, CHRISTOPHER A.. Oocyte secreted factors control genes regulating FSH signaling and the maturation cascade in cumulus cells: the oocyte is not in a hurry. JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS, v. 40, n. 8, p. 11-pg., 2023-05-19. (19/14588-6)

DELLAQUA, THAISY TINO; VIGARO, RENAN APARECIDO; ZOCCAL JANINI, LUDIMILA CARDOSO; DAL CANTO, MARIABEATRICE; RENZINI, MARIO MIGNINI; LODDE, VALENTINA; LUCIANO, ALBERTO MARIA; BURATINI, JOSE. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) modulates oocyte nuclear maturation during IVM and improves post-IVF embryo development. Theriogenology, v. 195, p. 8-pg., 2023-01-01. (19/14588-6)