P-90: The Effect of Nitric Oxide on Mouse Oocyte in Vitro Maturation in Two and Three Dimensional Conditions

Background: In vitro culture of ovarian follicles may preserve fertility in women with premature ovarian failure due to cancer .It seems that creation a condition that could maintain cellular communications and supports growth of follicles to produce mature oocytes appear to be essential. Nitric oxide (NO) has been recently shown to act with a dual action in mouse oocyte meiotic maturation depending on its concentration. The propose of this study is investigating on the effect of nitric oxide in oocyte maturation in two dimensional and three dimensional conditions. Materials and Methods: Germinal stage mouse oocytes were in vitro matured with the NOS inhibitor L-NAME (5-10 μm) and NO donor SNP (10, 100 μm) in two and three dimensional culture medium. Metaphase II stage, following in vitro fertilization and embryo development rates were assessed subsequently. Results: The results indicated that three-dimensional culture medium is better than two-dimensional environment for growth of follicles and maintaining of their meiosis capability. Low concentrations of nitric oxide stimulate meiosis maturation of oocytes and embryo development but high concentrations of nitric oxide inhibit oocyte maturation and embryo development. Conclusion: The effects of nitric oxide on in vitro maturation of oocytes and development of embryos and follicle growth are totally concentration dependent. Also the three-dimensional culture environment is more appropriate for in vitro maturation of oocytes.