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Oocyte maturation and in vitro hormone production in small antral follicles (SAFs) isolated from rhesus monkeys

  • Gamete Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The small antral follicles (SAFs) from the ovarian medulla can be a potential source of oocytes for infertility patients, but little is known about their ability to yield mature oocytes. This study evaluated the response of these SAFs to a stimulatory bolus of human corionic gonadotropin (hCG) in vitro.

Methods

Oocyte nuclear maturation and hormone production (estradiol [E2], progesterone [P4]), antimullerian hormone [AMH]) by individual intact SAFs (n = 91; >0.5 mm; n = 5 monkeys) was evaluated after 34 h of culture in the absence (control) or presence of hCG.

Results

Of the total cohort (n = 91), 49 % of SAFs contained degenerating oocytes. The percentage of healthy oocytes able to reinitiate meiosis to the metaphase I (MI) and MII was greater (p < 0.05) after hCG compared to controls. E2, P4 and AMH levels were higher (p < 0.05) in SAF cultures containing germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes compared to those with MII oocytes regardless of hCG exposure. SAF with MI oocytes produced more E2, but less (p < 0.05) P4 and AMH compared to SAFs containing GV oocytes (p < 0.05). Follicles ≥1 mm produced more (p < 0.05) E2, whereas follicle diameter did not correlate with P4 or AMH levels. Only P4 increased (p < 0.05) in response to hCG, regardless of follicle size or oocyte maturity. SAFs containing degenerating oocytes produced similar levels of E2, P4 and AMH compared to SAFs containing healthy oocytes.

Conclusions

These data indicate, for the first time, that oocytes within primate SAFs can reinitiate meiosis in vitro in the absence of hCG, but nuclear maturation is enhanced in SAFs cultured with hCG. Oocyte nuclear maturation within SAFs in is associated with decreased E2, P4 and AMH levels. Furthermore, hormone content within the culture media does not necessarily reflect oocyte quality.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful for the expert contributions of the animal care staff and surgical unit of the Division of Animal Resources, and the technical support of the ART core and the Endocrine Services and Technology Laboratory at ONPRC.

Supported by Oncofertility Consortium NIH 1 UL1 RR024926 (R01-HD058294, PL1-EB008542), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction and Infertility Research (U54 HD18185), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Contraceptive Development and Research Center (U54 HD55744), NCRR-RR000163, NIH R01 HD052909 (MC) and a Lalor Foundation Postdoctoral Basic Research Fellowship (MCP).

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Author notes

  1. Marina C. Peluffo

    Present address: Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas (CEDIE-CONICET), Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutierrez, Gallo 1330, C1425EFD, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University West Campus, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA

    Marina C. Peluffo, Jon D. Hennebold, Richard L. Stouffer & Mary B. Zelinski

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Jon D. Hennebold & Richard L. Stouffer

Authors
  1. Marina C. Peluffo
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  2. Jon D. Hennebold
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  3. Richard L. Stouffer
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  4. Mary B. Zelinski
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary B. Zelinski.

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Capsule

Oocyte nuclear maturation within primate SAFs is enhanced in the presence of hCG, although hormone content in the culture media does not necessarily reflect oocyte quality.

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Peluffo, M.C., Hennebold, J.D., Stouffer, R.L. et al. Oocyte maturation and in vitro hormone production in small antral follicles (SAFs) isolated from rhesus monkeys. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 353–359 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9937-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9937-9

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