IGFs regulate gonadotrophin-stimulated proliferation and differentiation of granulosa and theca cells in vitro. However, the detailed pattern of mRNA expression of IGFs in bovine follicles remains controversial. The objectives of this study were therefore to describe the temporal and spatial pattern of expression of mRNA encoding IGF-I, IGF-II and the type 1 IGF receptor in bovine follicles in ...

Evidence shows that luteinising hormone (LH) participates in enhancing the transition from early to antral stage of folliculogenesis. Functional LH receptor was demonstrated be expressed, albeit at a very low level, even smaller follicles during phase traditionally considered gonadotropin-independent suggesting role for accelerating rate progression non-growing and primary preantral/antral stag...

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes reduces the costs and averts the side-effects of gonadotropin stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Reliable IVM is an intellectual, scientific and clinical challenge with a number of potential applications. Objective: The effect of hCG was evaluated on the timing and regulation of in vitro ovulation for the Syrian mice oocytes in the pre...

BACKGROUND We have previously shown that suspension culture prevents follicle flattening and maintains three-dimensional follicle architecture better than culture on flat plates. However, many of the follicles cultured in suspension do eventually rupture, as basement membrane integrity is lost and the three-dimensional structure of the follicle is altered. Therefore, the objective of this study...

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on survival, activation, and growth of caprine preantral follicles using histological and ultrastructural criteria. Pieces of caprine ovarian cortex were cultured for 1 or 5 days in Minimum Essential Medium (MEM control medium) supplemented with different concentrations of IAA (10, 20, 40, or 100 ng/ml). Smal...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the maturation and fertilization rates of immature mouse oocytes using Embryonic Stem Cell Conditioned Medium (ESCM). METHODS Germinal Vesicle (GV) stage oocytes were observed in 120 NMRI mice, aged 4-6 weeks. GV oocytes with or without cumulus cells were subjected to IVM in either ESCM, Embryonic Stem Cell Growth Medium (ESGM), or α-minimum essentia...