In vitro maturation of ovine oocytes of Santa Inês breed submitted to successive follicle aspiration sessions

• Grant number: 10/18952-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2011
• End date: May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Wilter Ricardo Russiano Vicente
• Grantee: Wilter Ricardo Russiano Vicente
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Small ruminants are presented as good experimental models for studies and development of reproduction biotechnologies in domestic animals. The in vitro production (IVP) has the potential to create a greater number of offsprings proceeding from excellent mothers when compared to multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET). The success of IVP requires an effective collection technique as well as an efficient oocyte recovery. In addition, best results have been applied to the use of laparoscopic aspiration techniques. Six Santa Ines ewes (n=6) will be selected and submitted to a total of nine sessions (one session per week) of follicle aspiration performed by videolaparoscopy. The oocytes from each session will be classified as viable if grade I to III (HEWITT e ENGLAND, 1997) and also will be classified in according to in vitro maturation. Oocyte will be recovered in collection medium, washed and cultured in 100 mL drops of maturation medium during 24 hours. Following on, the oocytes will be denuded, fixed, stained and observed at the confocal and epifluorescence microscope to classify citoplasmatic and nuclear maturation. Comparative evaluations of oocyte maturation will be carried out among the weeks of follicle aspirations. The aim of the present study is to evaluate if successive follicle aspiration sessions interfere on quantity, quality and in vitro maturation of oocytes recovery from ewes submitted to hormonal stimulation. (AU)