| Title |
The effect of osmotic stress on the cell volume, metaphase II spindle and developmental potential of in vitro matured porcine oocytes |
| Authors |
S.F. Mullen, M. Rosenbaum, J.K. Critser |
| Publication Info |
Science Direct Cryobiology/54/281-289 |
| Date Published |
Jan 1, 2007 |
| Abstract |
Porcine animal models are used to advance our understanding of human physiology. Current research is also directed at methods to
produce transgenic pigs. Cryobanking gametes and embryos can facilitate the preservation of valuable genotypes, yet cryopreserving
oocytes from pigs has proven very challenging. The current study was designed to understand the effects of anisotonic solutions on
in vitro matured porcine oocytes as a first step toward designing improved cryopreservation procedures. We hypothesized that the proportion
of oocytes demonstrating a normal spindle apparatus and in vitro developmental potential would be proportional to the solution
osmolality. Oocytes were incubated for 10 min at 38 C in various hypo- or hypertonic solutions, and an isotonic control solution and
then assessed for these two parameters. Our results support the hypothesis, with an increasing proportion of spindles showing a disrupted
structure as the levels of anisotonic exposure diverge from isotonic. Only about half of the oocytes maintained developmental potential
after exposure to anisotonic solutions compared to untreated controls. Oocyte volume displayed a linear response to anisotonic solutions
as expected, with an estimated relative osmotically inactive cell volume of 0.178. The results from this study provide initial biophysical
data to characterize porcine oocytes. The results from future experiments designed to determine the membrane permeability to various
cryoprotectants will allow predictive modeling of optimal cryopreservation parameters and provide a basis for designing improved cryopreservation
procedures. |
| Article |
pdfs/osmotic_stress.pdf |
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