Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-cfpbc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T16:08:30.517Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Oocytes and assisted reproduction technology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

H.M. Picton ,
M.A. Danfour  and
H. Coulthard
H.M. Picton
Affiliation:
Academic Unit of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9NS, UK
M.A. Danfour
Affiliation:
Academic Unit of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9NS, UK
H. Coulthard
Affiliation:
Cattle Tech Ltd, Selby, Y08 9HL, UK
Get access

Abstract

A number of methods can now be used to store the female germ plasm from farm species. New assisted reproductive techniques such as ultrasound guided oocyte pickup, followed by the in vitro maturation of oocytes together with cryopreservation enable the collection and storage of germinal vesicle or metaphase II secondary oocytes and more practically embryos after in vitro fertilisation. Following freezing using equilibration or vitrification protocols, oocytes and embryos can be stored at liquid nitrogen temperatures for as long as required. Despite much research interest, the efficiency of secondary oocyte freezing is low and the developmental potential of stored oocytes is directly affected by the local cellular and hormonal environment during maturation, fertilisation and extended culture in vitro. An alternative strategy which avoids many of the technical difficulties associated with mature oocyte freezing may be to cryopreserve primordial oocytes in situ within ovarian cortex. This approach has the added advantage that it may also provide a means of conserving the oocytes of rare species and it can be used to bank cells obtained from postmortem tissue samples or species for which IVF protocols may not have been fully optimised. Although the methodology is still in its infancy, when ovarian cryopreservation is combined with autografting, xenografting, or follicle culture, ovarian tissue freezing has the potential to restore or extend the fertility of domestic animals so maximising their genetic potential.

Type
Section 3: Reproductive techniques to support conservation
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 30: Farm Animal Genetic Resources , 2004 , pp. 207 - 221
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anderiesz, C., Ferraretti, A-P., Magli, C., Fiorentino, A., Fortini, D., Gianaroli, L., Jones, G.M. and Trounson, A.O. 2000. Effect of recombinant human chorionic gonadotrophins on human, bovine and murine oocyte meiosis, fertilisation and embryonic development in vitro . Human Reproduction 15:1140–1148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Anderson, E. and Albertini, D.F. 1976. Gap junctions between the oocyte and companion follicle cells in the mammalian ovary. Journal of Cell Biology 71: 680–686.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baird, D.T., Webb, R., Campbell, B.K., Harkness, L.M. and Gosden, R.G. 1999. Long-term ovarian function in sheep after ovariectomy and transplantation of autografts stored at -196°C. Endocrinology 140: 462-71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boyazoglu, S.E., Landin-Avarenga, F.C., Verini-Supplizi, A. and Squires, E.L. 2000. Use of fetuin to mature equine oocytes for in vitro fertilisation. Theriogenology 53: 449.Google Scholar
Chen, L., Russel, P.T. and Larsen, W.J. 1993. Functional significant cumulus expansion in the mouse. Role for the preovulatory synthesis of hyaluronic acid within the cumulus mass. Molecular Reproduction and Development 34: 87–93.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cortvrindt, R., Smitz, J. and Van Steirteghem, A.C. 1996. In vitro maturation, fertilization and embryo development of immature oocytes from early preantral follicles from prepubertal mice in a simplified culture system. Human Reproduction 11: 2656-66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cushman, R.A., Wahl, C.M. and Fortune, J.E. 2002. Bovine cortical pieces grafted to chick embryonic membranes: a model for studies on the activation of primordial follicles. Human Reproduction 17: 48–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Danfour, M.A. 2001. Influence of the environment on mammalian oocyte development. Ph.D thesis, University of Leeds.Google Scholar
Danfour, M.A., Picton, H.M. and Gosden, R.G. 1999b. Impact of culture and cellular environment on the maturation potential of bovine oocytes in vitro . Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abstract Series 24: 44.Google Scholar
Danfour, M.A., Coulthard, H., and Picton, H.M. 2002. Impact of oocyte maturation environment on bovine embryo development in vitro . Reproduction Abstract Series 28: 63.Google Scholar
Eppig, J.J. and O’Brien, M.J. 1996. Development in vitro of mouse oocytes from primordial follicles Biology of Reproduction 54: 197–207.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gandhi, A.P., Lane, M., Gardner, D.K., and Krisher, R.L. 2000. A single medium supports development of bovine embryos throughout maturation, fertilisation and culture. Human Reproduction 15: 395–401.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gutierrez, C.G., Ralph, J.H., Telfer, E., Wilmut, I. and Webb, R. 2000. Growth and antrum formation of bovine preantral follicles in long-term culture in vitro . Biology of Reproduction 62: 1332–1328.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hovatta, O., Wright, C., Krausz, T., Hardy, K. and Winston, R.M.L. 1999. Human primordial, primary and secondary ovarian follicles in long-term culture: effect of partial isolation. Human Reproduction 14:2 519–2524.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hyttel, P., Callesen, H. and Greve, T. 1997. Oocyte growth, capacitation and final maturation in cattle. Theriogenology 47: 23–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kito, S. and Bavister, B.D. 1997. Maturation of hamster oocytes under chemically defined conditions and sperm penetration through the zona pellucida. Zygote 4: 199–210.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kotsuji, F., Kubo, M. and Tominaga, A. 1994. Effect of interactions between granulosa and theca cells on meiotic arrest in bovine oocytes. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 100: 151–156.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leese, H.J., Donnay, I. and Thompson, J.G. 1998. Human assisted conception: a cautionary tale. Lessons from domestic animals. Human Reproduction Update 13: 184–202.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lonergan, P., Monaghan, D., Rizos, D., Boland, M.P. and Gordon, I. 1994. Effect of follicle size on bovine oocyte quality and developmental competence following maturation fertilisation and culture in vitro . Molecular Reproduction and Development 37: 48–53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Meyling, A., Hove, H. and Jensen, A.M. 1990. Epidemiology of bovine virus diarrhoea virus. Revue Scientifique et Technique 9: 75–93.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mhawi, A.J., Kanka, J. and Motlik, J. 1991. Follicle and oocyte growth in early postnatal calves: cytochemical, autoradiographical and electrion microscopical studies. Reproduction Nutrition and Development 31: 115–126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Newton, H., Picton, H.M. and Gosden, R.G. 1999. In vitro growth of oocyte-granulosa cell complexes isolated from cryopreserved ovine tissue. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 115: 141–150.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Newton, H., and Illingworth, P. 2001. In-vitro growth of murine preantral follicles after isolation from cryopreserved ovarian tissue. Human Reproduction 16: 423-9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nugent, D., Newton, H., Gallivan, L., Gosden, R.G. 1998. Protective effect of vitamin E on ischaemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian grafts. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 114: 341-46.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Numabe, T., Oikawa, T., Kikuchi, T. and Horiuchi, T. 2000. Production efficiency of japanese black calves by transfer of bovine embryo produced in vitro . Theriogenology 54: 1409–1420.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Obata, Y., Kono, T. and Hatada, I. 2002. maturation of mouse fetal germ cells in vitro . Nature 418: 497–498.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Oktay, K., Newton, H., Mullen, J., and Gosden, R.G. 1998. Development of human primordial follicles to antral stages in SCID/ hpg mice stimulated with follicle stimulating hormone. Human Reproduction 13: 1133-38.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Picton, H.M. 2001. Activation of follicle development: the primordial follicle. Theriogenology 55: 1193–1210.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Picton, H.M. 2002. Oocyte maturation in vitro . Current Opinions in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 14: 295–302.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Picton, H.M., Danfour, M.A., Harris, S.E., Chambers, E.L. and Huntriss, J. 2003a. Growth and maturation of oocytes in vitro . Reproduction Supplement 61. 445–462.Google ScholarPubMed
Picton, H.M., Gosden, R.G. and Leibo, S.P. 2003b. Cryopreservation of oocytes and ovarian tissue. Medical, social and ethical aspects of assisted reproduction, WHO Technical Bulletin. WHO, Geneva, pp 142–151.Google Scholar
Picton, H.M., Briggs, D. and Gosden, R.G. 1998. The molecular basis of oocyte growth and development. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 145: 27–37.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Picton, H.M., Mkandla, A., Salha, O., Wynn, P. and Gosden, R.G. 1999. Initiation of human primordial follicle growth in vitro in ultra-thin slices of ovarian cortex. Human Reproduction 13: 0-020.Google Scholar
Picton, H.M., Kim, S.S. and Gosden, R.G. 2000. Cryopreservation of Gonadal Tissue and Cells. British Medical Bulletin 56: 603–615.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schramm, R.D. and Bavister, B.D. 1994. Follicle-stimulating hormone priming of rhesus monkeys enhances meiotic and developmental competence of oocytes matured in vitro . Biology of Reproduction 51: 904-12.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Spears, N., Boland, N.I., Murray, A.A. and Gosden, R.G. 1994. Mouse oocytes derived from in vitro grown primary ovarian follicles are fertile. Human Reproduction 9: 527-32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thompson, J.G., Allen, N.W., McGowan, L.T., Bell, A.C.S., Lambert, M.G. and Tervit, H.R. 1998. Effect of delayed supplementation of fetal calf serum to culture medium on bovine embryo development in vitro and following transfer. Theriogenology 49: 1239–1249.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thompson, J.G., Gardner, D.K., Pugh, P.A., McMillan, W.H. and Tervit, H.R. 1995. Lamb birth weight is affected by culture system utilized during in vitro pre-elongation development of ovine embryos. Biology of Reproduction 53: 1385–1391.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Trounson, A.O. 2000. Effect of recombinant human chorionic gonadotrophins on human, bovine and murine oocyte meiosis, fertilisation and embryonic development in vitro . Human Reproduction 15: 140–1148.Google Scholar
Trounson, A.O., Pushett, D.A., MacClellan, L.J., Lewis, I. and Garner, D.K. 1994. Current status in IVM/IVF and embryo culture in human and farm animals. Theriogenology 41: 57–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vanderhyden, B.C. and Armstrong, D.T. 1989. Role of cumulus cells and serum on the in vitro maturation, fertilisation and subsequent development of rat oocytes. Biology of Reproduction 40: 720–728.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
van Wagtendonk-de Leeuw, A.M., Mullaart, E., de Roos, A.P., Merton, J.S., den Daas, J.H., Kemp, B. and de Ruigh, L. 2000. Effects of different reproductive techniques: AI, MOET or IVP on health and welfare of bovine offspring. Theriogenology 53: 575–597.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walker, S.K., Hartwich, K.M. and Seamark, R.F. 1996. The production of unusually large offspring following embryo manipulation: conception and challeges. Theriogenology 45: 111–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wandji, S-A., Srsen, V., Voss, AK., Eppig, J.J. and Fortune, J.E. 1996. Initiation in vitro of growth of bovine primordial follicles. Biology of Reproduction 55: 942–948.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wynn, P., Picton, H.M., Krapez, J.A., Rutherford, A.J., Balen, A.H. and Gosden, R.G. 1998. FSH pre-treatment promotes the numbers of human oocytes reaching metaphase II by in vitro maturation. Human Reproduction 13: 3132–3138.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Young, L.E. and Fairburn, H.R. 2000. Improving the safety of embryo technologies: possible role of genomic imprinting. Theriogenology 53: 627–648.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed