The effects of cumulus cells on in vitro maturation of mouse germinal vesicle stage oocytes

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is a promising technique to reduce the costs and avert the side-effects of gonadotropin stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The pregnancy rates from oocytes matured in vitroare much lower than those of in vivo stimulation cycles, indicating that optimization of IVM remains a challenge.
Objective: In this study, we investigated the effect of cumulus cells on maturation and fertilization rate of immature oocytes (Germinal vesicle).
Materials and Methods: Germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were recovered from 6-8 weeks old Balb C female mice 48hr after injection of 10 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). Collected oocytes were divided into two groups. Group A: GV oocytes without cumulus (denuded oocyte). Group B: GV oocytes with cumulus cells (cumulus-oocyte complex). The oocytes in both groups were cultured inTCM-199 medium in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO₂ in air at 37ºC. The maturation, fertilization and developmental rates were recorded after 24hr.
Results: Maturation, fertilization and developmental rates in denuded oocytes (DO) were 65.1%, 68.02%, 78.63% respectively, and in cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) were 78.20%, 85.57% and 85.05%, respectively. The maturation, fertilization and developmental rates of COC were significantly higher than those of DO (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results show that cumulus cells have beneficial effects on maturation, fertilization and cleavage rates of mice oocytes.