
%0 Journal Article
%A Cleary, M. 
%A West, M. 
%A Shaw, J. 
%A Jenkin, G. 
%A Trounson, A. 
%T <emph type="2">In vitro</emph> maturation of oocytes from non-stimulated common wombats
%J Reproduction, Fertility and Development
%D 2003/10/16
%V 15
%N 5
%P 303-310
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/RD03042
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/RD03042 
%X Assisted reproductive techniques, such as in vitro oocyte maturation in conjunction with in vitro fertilisation, may be used as a tool to manipulate reproduction. Using the common wombat as a model for the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat, the present study examined whether oocyte maturation could be achieved under field conditions. At the time of collection, no oocytes were at the metaphase II (MII) stage (0/42). After 60 h culture using the submarine incubation system, 34% of oocytes (24/70) matured to telophase/MII, as indicated by the presence of a polar body. The proportion of oocytes that reached MII was higher for oocytes collected from follicles &#62;2 mm in diameter compared with follicles &#60;2 mm (40% v. 22%, respectively). The presence of cumulus cells alone did not influence the maturation potential. Oocytes without cumulus cells collected from follicles &#62;2 mm in diameter had the highest maturation rate (58%). Maturation was not affected by the reproductive status of the common wombat or a delay of up to 5 h before oocyte collection. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that oocytes collected from non-stimulated common wombats can mature to MII in culture. 
