Influence of Follicular Fluid and Gonadotropin Supplementation on the Expression of Germ Cell Marker Genes During In-Vitro Maturation of Caprine (capra Hircus) Oocytes

The present study aimed to investigate whether follicular fluid, gonadotropins (FSH, LH and estradiol-17 beta), and combination of both types of supplementation (follicular fluid + gonadotropins) in maturation medium influence the transcript abundance of germ cell marker genes (MATER, ZAR1, GDF9 and BMP15) in goat oocytes. Grade I and II oocytes were collected from the goat ovaries and matured further under in-vitro conditions using four different maturation regimens viz, group B containing basal media (TCM 199 + BSA+ serum), group C (basal media+ 10% follicular fluid), group D (basal media + FSH + LH + estradiol-17 beta) and group E (basal media + 10% follicular fluid + FSH + LH + estradiol-17 beta). Group A consisted of immature oocytes. Expression profile of MATER, ZAR1, GDF9, and BMP15 was analyzed in matured oocytes of different groups as well as immature oocytes using real-time PCR. The relative abundance of MATER gene in immature oocytes (group A) was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to experimental groups. The relative expression of ZAR1 was found to be significant different (P < 0.05) between group D and E. The relative expression of GDF9 and BMP15 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group E as compared to other experimental groups. These results indicated that the expression of MATER and ZAR1 transcript were down regulated after maturation; however BMP15 and GDF9 transcripts were upregulated after maturation. For better in vitro embryo production (IVEP) out comes goat oocytes may be matured in vitro in TCM-199 supplemented with follicular fluid and gonadotropins. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.