Growth differentiation factor‐9 improves development, mitochondrial activity and meiotic resumption of sheep oocytes after in vitro culture of secondary follicles

• Published in: Reproduction in domestic animals Vol. 54; no. 9; pp. 1169 - 1176
• Main Authors: Monte, Alane P. O., Santos, Jamile M., Menezes, Vanúzia G., Gouveia, Bruna B., Lins, Thae L. B. G., Barberino, Ricássio S., Oliveira, Joãozito L., Donfack, Nathalie J., Matos, Maria Helena T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-09-2019
• Subjects: Animals; Culture Media; Female; growth; Growth Differentiation Factor 9 - pharmacology; In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques - methods; In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques - veterinary; maturation; Mitochondria - physiology; Oocytes - drug effects; Oocytes - growth & development; Ovarian Follicle - drug effects; ovarian follicles; ovine; Sheep, Domestic; Tissue Culture Techniques - veterinary; ovarian follicles; maturation; growth; ovine
• ISSN: 0936-6768; 1439-0531
• DOI: 10.1111/rda.13485

This study analysed the effect of growth differentiation factor‐9 (GDF‐9) on the in vitro culture of isolated ovine secondary follicles. The follicles were cultured in α‐MEM supplemented with BSA, insulin, glutamine, hypoxanthine, transferrin, selenium, ascorbic acid and FSH (α‐MEM+—control medium) or α‐MEM+ supplemented with 1, 10, 50 or 100 ng/ml GDF‐9. Next, the oocytes were destined to in vitro maturation (IVM). After 12 days of culture, there were no differences regarding the percentage of normal follicles, antrum formation and follicle diameter between the treatments (p > 0.05). The rates of fully grown oocytes (≥110 µm) were higher (p < 0.05) in 100 ng/ml GDF‐9 than other treatments, except for 10 ng/ml of GDF‐9 (p > 0.05). Treatment containing 100 ng/ml GDF‐9 showed higher (p < 0.05) mitochondrial activity than the control group. Moreover, 100 ng/ml GDF‐9 showed more oocytes in MI than α‐MEM+, 1 or 50 ng/ml GDF‐9 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 100 ng/ml GDF‐9 increased the growth, mitochondrial function and meiotic resumption of oocytes from in vitro grown sheep secondary follicles.