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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 37(10)

Maintenance of developmental competence in feline oocytes following 24 h of meiotic arrest with physiological agents

Shelley E. S. Sandmaier https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5168-3417 A B * and Jason R. Herrick A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Reproductive Sciences, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, NE, USA.

B Present address: Department of Reproductive Sciences, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA, USA.

C Present address: Colossal Foundation, Dallas, TX, USA.

* Correspondence to: ssandmaier@sdzwa.org

Handling Editor: Marc Yeste

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 37, RD25049 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD25049
Submitted: 12 March 2025  Accepted: 25 May 2025  Published online: 17 June 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

In vitro matured (IVM) feline oocytes exhibit reduced developmental competence compared to in vivo matured oocytes.

Aims

Arresting meiosis prior to IVM (pre-IVM) has been shown to improve oocyte quality in other species.

Methods

Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from domestic cats were matured in vitro immediately after collection or following 24 h of pre-IVM. Following IVF, embryonic development was evaluated.

Key results

Embryonic cleavage, development to blastocyst, and hatching were not different (P > 0.05) for oocytes subjected to meiotic arrest compared to control oocytes. Gene expression of pluripotency markers and blastocyst cell numbers were also unchanged by the various pre-IVM supplements.

Conclusions

It is possible to maintain feline oocytes in culture for up to 24 h without compromising developmental competence.

Implications

Further manipulation of the culture environment during this period of meiotic arrest could be a novel means of improving the quality of feline oocytes.

Keywords: assisted reproductive technology, domestic cat, embryo culture, feline, in vitro fertilization, in vitro maturation, meiotic arrest, pre-maturation.

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