Abstract
We aimed to evaluate if protein source (PS) alterations during IVM affect embryo sex/development and gene expression profile in cumulus cells (CCs). Bovine oocytes were matured and cultured in the presence of FBS or BSA. Then, the PS effect during IVM on gene expression (GPC4, VCAN, GHR, PTGS2, and ALCAM) was determined. CC biopsy was removed before and after IVM treatments. After fertilization and cultured, CCs were grouped according to their fate into CCs from immature COCs, CCs from COCs that did or did not result in embryos (according to PS). Results showed that when the culture was performed in FBS presence, blastocyst rate was higher (p < 0.05) than BSA. However, when embryos were cultured with BSA, no effect (p > 0.05) of PS during IVM was observed. PS used during IVM did not affect embryos sex (p > 0.05) but changed VCAN, GHR, PTGS2, and ALCAM genes expression. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between immature and mature CCs groups in gene expression, regardless of their fate. Only the GHR gene was related to embryo production but just with FBS on IVM. In conclusion, PS can affect embryo development when using the serum on IVM and IVC, influences CCs gene expression, and has to be considered when studying oocyte quality markers.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank EMBRAPA, CNPq, and CAPES for their financial support, and Qualimax and Bom Corte (Luziania and Formosa-GO, Brazil) slaughterhouse for providing the necessary biological materials for this experiment.
Disclosure statement
The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.