Embryo development after successful somatic cell nuclear transfer to in vitro matured human germinal vesicle oocytes.

BACKGROUND Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) involves the transfer of somatic cell nuclei into enucleated oocytes. Because human in vivo matured oocytes are scarcely available, we investigated whether in vitro matured (IVM) germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes could also support preimplantation development of human cloned embryos. METHODS Three groups were used for SCNT: in vitro matured GV oocytes (IVM oocytes), 'in vivo' matured oocytes (in vivo oocytes) and 'failed fertilized' oocytes after routine-ICSI (FF oocytes). After removal of the chromosome-spindle complex, cumulus cell nuclei were injected, and oocytes were artificially activated and cultured. RESULTS In total 61, 54 and 45 metaphase II oocytes were used for SCNT in the three groups, respectively. Survival and pronuclear rates were 59, 78 and 58% and 61, 64 and 50%, respectively. Of the 22 activated IVM oocytes, 13 cleaved to the 2-cell stage, whereby 2 morulae were formed. For the in vivo oocytes, 17 of 27 activated oocytes cleaved to the 2-cell stage and 1 morula was observed. Cleavage to the 2-cell stage in the group of FF oocytes was compromised. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report describing development of cloned human embryos using IVM oocytes and non-autologous transfer using a conventional method of SCNT.