272 A NEW APPROACH TO IN VITRO MATURATION (IVM) AND EMBRYO IN VITRO PRODUCTION: INDUCED IVM SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVES EMBRYO YIELD AND PREGNANCY OUTCOMES

Abstract

Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is the rate-limiting step in the in vitro production (IVP) of embryos. Oocyte maturation in vivo is a highly orchestrated, induced process, whereby cAMP-mediated meiotic arrest is overridden by the gonadotrophin surge prior to ovulation. However, aspirated oocytes resume maturation spontaneously compromising developmental competence. Hence, we hypothesized that establishing an induced system in vitro would synchronize oocyte-somatic cell communication leading to improved oocyte quality. Abattoir-collected bovine or 129/Sv mouse oocytes were treated for the first 1 to 2 h in vitro (pre-IVM) with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (100 μM, 50 μM, respectively) and a nonspecific phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, IBMX (500 μM, 50 μM), which substantially increased cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) cAMP (bovine, 180 v. 2 fmol/COC, treated v. control; P < 0.001). To maintain oocyte cAMP levels and prevent precocious oocyte maturation, IVM media (VitroMat + BSA) contained an oocyte-specific (type 3) PDE inhibitor, cilostamide (20 μM, 0.1 μM), plus FSH to induce maturation. The net effect of this system (induced-IVM) was to increase oocyte-cumulus cell gap-junctional communication (bovine: 1000 ± 148 v. 340 ± 73 unit, treated v. control; P < 0.05) and to slow meiotic progression through prophase I to metaphase II, extending the normal IVM interval (bovine: 30 v. 24 h, mouse: 22 v. 18 h; treated v. control). FSH was required to complete maturation and FSH-induced maturation was prevented by an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, AG1478 (2.5 μM), demonstrating induced oocyte maturation functions via secondary autocrine signaling within the cumulus cell compartment. These effects on COC functions had profound consequences for oocyte developmental potential. In completely serum-free bovine IVP, induced-IVM more than doubled blastocyst yield (69 v. 27%, treated v. control; P < 0.05) and improved blastocyst quality (186 v. 132 blastomeres). To achieve these rates, the pre-IVM phase, the modified IVM conditions, and delayed IVF were all required. Adapting the system to the mouse, induced-IVM increased blastocyst rate (86 v. 55%, treated v. control; P < 0.05), implantation rate (51 v. 25%; P < 0.01), fetal survival rate (29 v. 5%; P < 0.01) and fetal weight (0.9 v. 0.5 g; P < 0.01). All these embryonic and fetal outcomes in mice were equivalent (P > 0.05) using induced-IVM to levels obtained from in vivo-matured control oocytes (conventional IVF). Data were analyzed by ANOVA. In conclusion, induced-IVM mimics some of the characteristics of oocyte maturation in vivo and substantially improves oocyte developmental outcomes in 2 disparate mammalian species. Adaption of this new approach to clinical/field conditions should lead to new opportunities for a wide range of reproductive biotechnologies. Such a notable increase in IVM efficiency could see IVP as the preferred embryo production technology in future livestock artificial breeding programs.

Funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant and Cook Australia. Thanks to M. Sasseville, M. Lane, and D. T. Armstrong.