EFFECT OF CYSTEAMINE ON THE RATE OF IN VITRO MATURATION OF OOCYTES IN TWO MEDIA

Abstract

Rate of in vitro maturation of oocytes is one of the challenges of assisted reproductive techniques. In this study we investigated the effects of supplementation of cysteamine on the rate of in vitro maturation of oocytes in two different media. Germinal vesicle oocytes were collected from mouse ovary and cultured in two media (TCM199 and MEME) with 0, 50, 100, 200, 500 µM/ml cysteamine. Number of germinal vesicle breakdowns and metaphase II oocytes were recorded. The results showed that the rate of in vitro maturation in 100 µM/ml cysteamine was significantly higher compared to control (P < 0.05). Evaluation of two media in this study showed that TCM199 improved the rate of in vitro maturation and oocyte maturation better than MEME; however, this difference was not statistically significant. These findings indicate that TCM199 as compared to MEME was better in rate of in vitro maturation of oocytes.