O interesse em criopreservar tecido ovariano, embriões e oócitos, principalmente quando se trata de pacientes oncológicas que irão ser submetidas a tratamentos potencialmente esterilizantes, vem crescendo nas últimas duas décadas. Uma das técnicas propostas para se preservar a fertilidade destas pacientes é o congelamento de oócitos, podendo estes ser obtidos já maturados in vivo após a hiperestimulação ovariana controlada ou na forma de oócitos imaturos na ausência de estimulação, nestes casos procede-se a maturação in vitro (MIV) de oócitos pré congelamento. No entanto sabe-se que a criopreservação causa danos de viabilidade e perda do potencial reprodutivo destes oócitos. Alguns autores têm demonstrado que esses danos podem ser reduzidos por meio de cultivos que modulam o perfil lipídico tanto de oócitos como embriões, fazendo com que estes sejam menos susceptíveis ao congelamento. Uma das técnicas que permite a verificação da composição lipídica de células e outras estruturas é a espectrometria de massas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar o perfil lipídico de oócitos maturados in vitro na presença ou ausência de PL e correlacionar com o perfil lipídico e desenvolvimento embrionário dos embriões produzidos in vitro. Além disso, avaliamos o perfil lipídico dos meios de maturação usando oócitos bovinos como modelo experimental. CCOs foram maturados em meio TCM ou TCM + PL, contendo 10% de soro fetal bovino, 0,5 µg/ml de FSH, 5 ng/ml de LH e 1 mg/mL de 17?-estradiol em atmosfera úmida, com 5% de CO2 durante 24 horas. Após a MIV, os oócitos foram desnudados mecanicamente, lavados em PBS e armazenados a -80 ° C, até a análise de perfil lipídico. Oócitos, meios de maturação e blastocistos foram submetidos à técnica de MALDI-MS (ionização e dessorção a laser assistida por matriz /espectrometria de massas). Diferenças no perfil lipídico foram identificadas por PCA (análise de componentes principais). O perfil lipídico dos meios de maturação determinado por MALDI-MS permitiu a diferenciação entre TCM e TCM + PL. No entanto, a análise dos oócitos maturados in vitro demonstrou que o perfil lipídico dos grupos controle ou suplementado com PL não foram diferentes. Da mesma forma, não foram observadas diferenças no perfil lipídico e na embriogênese dos embriões resultantes. No entanto, diferenças no perfil lipídico entre COC e oócitos desnudos (ODs) maturados in vitro foram detectadas. Oócitos maturados com as células do cumulus contêm íons PC com maiores graus de insaturação dos resíduos de ácidos graxos, enquanto ODs contêm espécies de PC com ácidos graxos insaturados (18:0) ou monoinsaturados (18:1). O MALDI-MS permite a obtenção de perfis lipídicos informativos para meios de cultura e oócitos maturados in vitro. A identificação de mudanças no metabolismo lipídico de oócitos durante a MIV pode contribuir para determinar a suplementação lipídica adequada dos meios de MIV e soluções de vitrificação, contribuindo para otimizar os protocolos de criopreservação de oócitos humanos. / The interest in ovarian tissue, embryos and oocytes cryopreservation has been growing in the last two decades, especially in patients who are faced with potentially sterilizing treatments. One of the techniques proposed to preserve the fertility of these patients is the oocyte cryopreservation. The oocytes can be obtained matured in vivo after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation or as immature oocytes, in the absence of stimulation. In these cases, an option is to proceed the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes before cryopreservation. However, it is known that damage induced by cryopreservation is associated with loss of viability and reproductive potential of oocytes. Some authors have demonstrated that such damage can be reduced by culture media that modulate lipid profile in both oocytes and embryos, making them less susceptible to freezing. One technique that enables the determination of the lipid composition of cells and other structures is mass spectrometry. The objectives of this study were to compare lipid profiles of oocytes matured in vitro in the presence or absence of PL and relate this information to lipid profile and preimplantational development of IVM-derived embryos. Also, we evaluated the lipid profiles of culture media using bovine oocytes as an experimental model. COCs were matured in TCM or TCM + PL, both containing 10% fetal calf serum, 0,5µg/ml FSH, 5 µg/mL LH, and 1 µg/mL 17?-estradiol, with 5% CO2 for 24 h. After IVM, oocytes were mechanically denuded, washed in PBS and stored at -80°C, until lipid analysis. Oocytes, maturation media and blastocysts were submitted to the MALDI-MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry). Differences in lipid profile were addressed by principal component analysis. Maturation media lipid fingerprint by MALDI-MS allows differentiation among TCM and TCM+PL. However, the MALDI-MS of the in vitro matured oocytes demonstrated that lipid profile of control or PL-supplemented groups were not different. Similarly, no differences were observed in the lipid profile and embryogenesis of resulting embryos. Nevertheless, differences in lipid profiles between COCs and denuded oocytes (DOs) matured in vitro were indicated to occur. The former contain PC ions with higher degrees of unsaturation in the fatty acid residues, while DOs contain PC ions with unsaturated (18:0) or monoenoic (18:1) fatty acids. The MALDI-MS has allowed obtaining informative lipid profiles for culture media and IVM-oocytes. Identification of lipid changes during IVM may contribute to determine appropriate lipid supplementation of IVM/vitrification media and to improve cryopreservation of human oocytes.

Este estudo demonstrou que oócitos bovinos são capazes de progredir normalmente a maturação nuclear até a fase de M II quando cultivados in vitro na presença ou ausência de células da granulosa, na presença ou ausência de soro de vaca nas diversas fases do ciclo estral e/ou SFB e na presença de BSA. A progesterona promoveu um retardo na retomada da meiose, mas não impediu que os oócitos atingissem M II, exceto na concentração de 2,5 µg/ml. Além de promover um retardo inicial na retomada da meiose, a testosterona também prejudicou a progressão da meiose até M II. O estradiol também promoveu este retardo inicial, mas isto foi revertido no final da cultura, onde se verificou que quanto maior a concentração de estradiol até a dose de 5,0 µg/ml, maior a porcentagem de oócitos que atingiram M II. Porém, não se observou diferença significativa da porcentagem de oócitos que atingiram M II após maturação no grupo controle (TCM199 com BSA) e nos grupos onde se adicionou estradiol ao meio, em concentrações crescentes. Verificou-se que as células da granulosa e/ou células do cumulus foram capazes de secretar progesterona e estradiol no meio de cultura, quando estimuladas pelo soro bovino, que lhes forneceu precursores (testosterona). As células do cumulus dos COCs cultivados foram capazes de secretar progesterona quando estimuladas por BSA, SFB e estradiol e foram capazes de secretar estradiol quando estimuladas por BSA, progesterona e testosterona. O trabalho demonstrou que a MIV de oócitos bovinos ocorre normalmente na ausência de soro bovino e na ausência de células foliculares e demonstrou que a adição de estradiol não afeta a maturação e é desnecessária, uma vez que as células do cumulus o produzem no meio durante as 24 horas de cultura. / This study has demonstrated that culture medium supplementation with cycling cow serum and/or FCS, granulosa cells or BSA did not affect meiosis progression from GV to M II stage of bovine oocytes matured in vitro. Progesterone impaired meiosis resumption, but it was reverted after 24 hours of culture, except in the concentration of 2,5 µg/ml. Testosterone impaired meiosis resumption and meiosis progression to M II. Estradiol impaired meiosis progression, but it was reverted at the end of the culture, when it was observed that the higher the estradiol concentration in the medium, the higher the number of oocytes reaching M II. However, when IVM of bovine oocytes matured in medium supplemented with only BSA was compared to IVM of bovine oocytes matured in medium supplemented with BSA plus estradiol, no statistical difference was found. Data showed that granulosa cells and/or cumulus cells were able to produce progesterone and estradiol in the culture medium, when stimulated by bovine serum. Cumulus cells were able to produce progesterone when stimulated by BSA, FCS and estradiol and were still able to produce estradiol when stimulated by BSA, progesterone and testosterone. This study has demonstrated that IVM of bovine oocytes can proceed normally in the absence of bovine serum and granulosa cells, and has additionally demonstrated that the medium supplementation with estradiol did not affect nuclear maturation and it is still not necessary, once cumulus cells are able to produce it during the 24 hours of culture.

A maturação in vitro de oócitos (MIV) é uma importante tecnologia reprodutiva a qual gera oócitos maduros capazes de suportar o desenvolvimento embrionário pré-implantacional e sua completa evolução à termo. Muitos fatores levam ao processo de maturação do oócito, e o AMH (hormônio anti-Mülleriano) tem demonstrado possuir um importante efeito nesta etapa. Neste trabalho nós demonstramos a influência da suplementação de AMH na maturação de complexos cumulus-oócito (COCs). Nossos resultados demonstram que não houve efeito na produção de embriões para COCS grau I. Entretanto, pudemos encontrar diferenças significativas entre os COCs graus II e III maturados na presença de 150ng/ml de AMH. Aqui também demonstramos que não houve diferença significativa na expressão relativa de mRNA para os genes AMHRII e FSHR no oócito, e na expressão relativa de mRNA para os genes AMH, AMHRII e FSHR nas células da granulosa. Nossos resultados corroboram com as importantes funções do AMH na produção de embriões, sugerem que a suplementação do meio de maturação de oócitos com AMH pode ajudar a melhorar a produção de blastocistos. / The in vitro oocyte maturation (MIV) is an important reproductive technology that generates mature oocytes able to support the preimplantation embryonic development and their fully evolution to term. Many factors lead to oocyte maturation process, and the AMH (AntiMüllerian hormone) have demonstrated important effects in the oocyte development. Here, we report the influence of AMH supplementation in the cumulus-oocyte complex (COCs) maturation. We found that AMH had no effect on embryo production of COCs grade I. On the other hand, significant differences between the COCs grade II and COCs grade III matured in AMH 150ng/ml were verified. We have also demonstrated that there were no significant difference in mRNA expression of the genes AMHRII and FSHR in the oocyte, and in mRNA of the genes AMH, AMHRII and FSHR in the granulosa cells. Taken together, the results corroborate the important roles for AMH on embryo production, and suggest that AMH supplementation could achieve successful outcome in the production of blastocysts.

O óxido nítrico (NO) é um mensageiro químico gerado pela atividade da enzima óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) a qual foi detectada em vários órgãos incluído o sistema reprodutor. O sistema NOS/NO parece desempenhar papel importante na maturação oocitária entre outras funções. No entanto, apesar das evidências, há poucos estudos sobre o papel desse sistema em oócitos da espécie bovina. Sabe-se que o NO atua pela via da guanilato ciclase (GC) estimulando a produção do nucleotídeo GMPc, que por sua vez é capaz de influenciar os níveis de outro nucleotídeo, o AMPc, que é um importante elemento da via de sinalização das gonadotrofinas nos oócitos e no controle da maturação oocitária. O objetivo do presente estudo foi de investigar o envolvimento da via do GMPc na ação do sistema NOS/NO na maturação in vitro (MIV) de oócitos bovinos e seu efeito sobre a via do AMPc. Com a maior concentração estudada do doador de NO (10-7M de SNAP), apenas 36% dos oócitos conseguiram alcançar o estágio de RVG (P< 0,05), após 9 horas de maturação. Esse atraso também foi observado com diferentes concentrações do estimulador de GC (5, 10 ou 50&mu;M de Proptoporfirina IX) e pelo análogo de GMPc (1, 2 e 4mM de 8-Br-GMPc ), que apresentaram uma taxa média de RVG de 50% para os tratamentos e 70% para os grupos controles sem as drogas (P<0,05). No início da maturação (0h), os níveis de GMPc foram de 5,29 pmol/oócito sofrendo uma queda logo na primeira hora de cultivo para 2,97 pmol nos oócitos do grupo controle e 1,54 pmol nos cultivados com associação de 10-7M de SNAP (doador de NO) e 100&mu;M de OQD (inibidor de GC (P<0,05). No grupo de oócitos cultivados apenas com SNAP, os níveis de GMPc se mantiveram em 4,51 pmol/oócito, semelhante ao grupo imaturo (0h de cultivo, P>0,05). O doador de NO manteve estável o nível de GMPc somente na primeira hora de maturação. Após 3 e 6 h de MIV, os níveis de GMPc permaneceram baixos e similares (0,07 a 2,46 pmol/oócito, P>0,05) nos grupos controle (sem drogas), tratado com doador de NO (10-7M de SNAP) associado ou não ao inibidor de guanilato ciclase (100&mu;M de OQD). Também foi observada uma queda nos níveis de AMPc em relação ao grupo imaturo (32,42 fmol de AMPc/oócito) para os demais grupos (P<0,05), que apresentaram aproximadamente, 12,0 a 16,0 fmol de AMPc/oócito durante a primeira hora, 3,3 a 8,0 fmol/oócito durante a terceira hora e 7,4 a 18,3 durante a sexta hora de maturação (P>0,05). O NO afetou os níveis de GMPc no início da maturação, mas não os níveis de AMPc. O NO e o GMPc podem atuar no controle da expressão gênica de uma série de proteínas envolvidas no controles dos níveis de AMPc e GMPc ou suas funções. Esse controle pode ser efeito direto do NO (PKG2, PDE3A, PDE4D e PDE8A), do GMPc (ADCY6) ou do NO via GMPc (PKA1) e varia com o compartimento considerado (oócito ou células do cumulus). Esses resultados demonstraram a inter-relação das vias NO/GMPc/AMPc e toda a sua complexidade dependendo do tipo celular e da fase da maturação de oócitos bovinos. / The NOS/NO system seems to play an important role in oocyte maturation besides other functions. However, despite the evidence, there are few studies on the possible role of this system in bovine oocytes. It is known that NO acts via guanylate cyclase (GC) by stimulating the production of the nucleotide cGMP, which in turn can influence the levels of another nucleotide, cAMP, which is an important element of the signaling pathway of gonadotropins in oocytes and in the control of oocyte maturation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of the cGMP pathway in the action of the NOS/NO system on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes and its effect on the cAMP pathway. The highest studied concentration of the NO donor (10-7M SNAP), only 36% of oocytes were able to undergo GVBD (P<0.05) after 9 hours of maturation. This delay was also observed with different concentrations of the GC stimulator (5, 10 or 50&mu;M Proptoporfirin IX) and the cGMP analogue (1, 2 and 4 mM 8-Br-cGMP), which had an average of 50% GVBD for treatment groups and 70% for control groups without drugs (P<0.05). At the beginning of maturation (0 h) cGMP levels were 5.29 pmol/oocyte and decreased within the first hour of culture to 2.97 pmol and 1.54 pmol in the control group and in oocytes cultured in 10-7M SNAP (NO donor) associated with 100&mu;M OQD (GC inhibitor; P<0.05). In the group of oocytes cultured only with SNAP, cGMP levels remained at 4.51 pmol/oocyte similar to the immature group (0 h culture, P> 0.05). The increase of NO maintained cGMP levels stable only during the first hours of maturation. After 3 and 6 h IVM, cGMP levels remained low and similar (0.01 to 2.5 pmol/ ocyte, P>0.05) in control (without drugs), treated with NO donor (SNAP 10-7M) with or without the guanylate cyclase inhibitor (100&mu;M OQD). A decrease in cAMP levels was also observed when compared with the immature group (32.42 fmol cAMP/oocyte) for the other groups (P <0.05), which showed 12.0 to 16.0 fmol cAMP/oocyte after the first hour, 3.3 to 8.0 fmol/oocyte after the third hour and 7.4 to 18.3 after the sixth hour of IVM (P>0.05). NO and cGMP may act to control gene expression in a series of proteins involved in control of the levels of cAMP and cGMP or their functions. The control may be a direct effect of NO (PKG2, PDE3, PDE4D and PDE8A), cGMP (ADCY6) or NO via cGMP (PKA1) and varies with the compartment considered (oocyte or cumulus cells). The results showed the interrelationship of the NO/cGMP/cAMP pathway and all its complexity depending on the cell type and the stage of maturation in bovine oocytes.

No description available.

The objective of part one of this study was to determine if the presence of porcine growth hormone (pGH) during oocycte in vitro maturation (IVM) affected subsequent embryo development. Pig cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) (n=987) were aspirated from slaughterhouse derived ovaries and cultured in BSA-free NCSU 23 medium containing porcine follicular fluid (10% v/v), cysteine (0.1 mg/ml) and hormonal supplements (eCG and hCG, 10 IU/ml each), 10 ng/ml EGF, and with or without pGH (100 ng/ml) for 22 h. The COC were then cultured in the same medium with or without 100 ng/ml pGH, but without hormonal supplements for an additional 22 h. After the completion of maturation culture, cumulus cells were removed and oocytes were co-incubated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa for 8 h. Putative embryos were transferred to NCSU 23 containing 0.4% BSA and cultured for 144 h. Embryo development was assessed on d 6 of culture. The treatment groups were as follows: treatment 1 = control group cultured in IVM medium alone; treatment 2 = 100 ng/ml pGH present of the first 22 h of maturation culture and absent for the second 22 h of maturation culture; treatment 3 = 100 ng/ml pGH absent for the first 22 h of maturation culture, but present for the second 22 h of maturation culture; and treatment 4 = 100 ng/ml pGH present throughout the entire IVM period. Embryos were visually scored for developmental stage at 144 h following fertilization. Each oocyte in the study received a developmental score, based on a scale of 1 = uncleaved, 2 = 2-cell embryo, 3 = 4- to 8-cell embryo, 4 = 9- to 16-cell embryo, 5 = morula, and 6 = blastocyst. The addition of pGH did not affect porcine embryo development as compared to the control (1.57 ± .08, 1.67 ± .08, 1.47 ± .08, and 1.60 ± .08, respectively; P > .10). Replicates within the study differed significantly from each other (P < .01) primarily because the development in replicate 6 was greater than for all others. There was a significant treatment by replicate interaction (P < .05); pGH added during the first 22 h of IVM and pGH added during the second 22 h of IVM in replicate 6 resulted in higher development scores than for controls and continuous pGH addition. However, in replicate 2, continuous pGH resulted in the greatest development. These results suggest that pGH may exert a stimulatory effect on embryo development when present in the IVM media; however, further studies using pGH in IVM culture are necessary. The objectives of the second part of the study were to examine aspects of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using membrane-disrupted spermatozoa, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and sperm-mediated gene transfer in the pig. Porcine oocytes were shipped overnight in maturation media at 39°C in a portable incubator. After 22 h of maturation culture, oocytes were washed in maturation medium without gonadotropins and cultured for an additional 22 h. Cumulus cells were removed and oocytes were divided into four treatment groups: treatment 1 = ICSI using membrane-damaged spermatozoa coincubated with linear green fluorescent protein (GFP) DNA; treatment 2 = ICSI using membrane damaged spermatozoa; treatment 3 = IVF with frozen-thawed spermatozoa coincubated with linear GFP DNA prior to IVF; treatment 4 = IVF with frozen-thawed spermatozoa with no DNA coincubation. Embryos were scored for developmental stage at 144 h following fertilization. Each oocyte in the study received a developmental score, based on a scale of 1 = uncleaved, 2 = 2-cell embryo, 3 = 4-cell embryo, 4 = 5- to 8-cell embryo, 5 = 9- to 16-cell embryo, 6 = morula, and 7 = blastocyst. Although no overall difference in development score was observed following the four different treatments, a treatment difference among cleaved oocytes was observed when comparing only the two ICSI treatments (P < .05); development scores were greater in the ICSI treatment in which sperm were not coincubated with linear GFP DNA prior to injection than when the coincubation was performed (3.76 ± .21 vs. 3.13 ± .17, respectively). No differences in development score were observed in the two IVF treatments. The percentage of embryos expressing the GFP transgene on d 6 of culture following fertilization was 7.3% in the ICSI+GFP group and 0% in all other treatment groups. Thus, sperm-mediated gene transfer using ICSI in the pig has been demonstrated, although success rates were low. / Master of Science

Many primate populations face the threat of extinction due to habitat loss, intensive agriculture, hunting for meat, the pet trade and/or use in traditional medicines. An alternative approach to in situ conservation includes gene banking and the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although many of these 'high-tech' solutions have not yet been proven viable for pragmatic wildlife conservation, basic research and development of these emerging tools can provide necessary information needed to optimize these techniques and institute ART as a routine practice in conservation efforts. A severely limiting factor in the successful application of ARTs is the availability of mature developmentally competent oocytes. Oocyte maturation involves many nuclear and cytoplasmic factors, which can be affected by maturation conditions and female age. In vitro maturation does not have the same success rate across species studied. In primates especially, IVM oocytes exhibit reduced developmental capacity upon fertilization when compared to in vivo matured (IVO) oocytes. This study aimed to investigate possible causes of reduced developmental capacity of primate IVM oocytes using the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) as a model. Research efforts included investigation of ovarian senescence, oocyte karyotype and spindle morphology, and establishment of an optimal sperm cryopreservation protocol for use in IVF. Histological examination of the rhesus ovary demonstrated an age-related pattern of follicle depletion similar to that described in the human ovary. Oocyte karyotype analysis revealed a significant effect of IVM on the frequency of hyperhaploidy. In addition, immunostaining and confocal microscopy demonstrated a significant increase of anomalous chromosome congression on the oocyte metaphase II spindle equator in relation to IVM and donor female age. These results indicate that IVM can produce serious, if not lethal consequences for embryo development. This study presents baseline data on ovarian aging in the rhesus macaque and aspects of nuclear maturation during macaque IVM that may contribute to the design of primate oocyte recovery plans. Implementation of either of two sperm cryopreservation methods originally developed for rhesus and vervet monkeys will aid future investigation of the developmental capacity of IVM oocytes.

O óxido nítrico (NO) é um mensageiro químico gerado pela atividade da enzima óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) a qual foi detectada em vários órgãos incluídos os do sistema reprodutor e parece estar envolvido na maturação oocitária. No entanto, há poucos estudos sobre o papel desse sistema em oócitos da espécie bovina. Sabe-se que o NO atua pela via da guanilato ciclase (GC) estimulando a produção do nucleotídeo GMPc, que por sua vez é capaz de influenciar nos níveis de outro nucleotídeo (AMPc) via fosfodiesterases (PDE). O AMPc é um importante elemento da via de sinalização do FSH nos complexos cumulus-oócitos e no controle da maturação oocitária. O objetivo do presente projeto foi investigar a influência do FSH na via do NOS/NO e seus componentes em oócitos bovinos maturados in vitro e o envolvimento das células do cumulus (CC) na via de sinalização. Para tanto, complexos cumulus-oócito (CCO) e oócitos desnudos (OD - maturados sem células do cumulus) foram maturados in vitro por 24h na presença ou ausência de FSH. As amostras foram avaliadas quanto a: 1) taxa da maturação nuclear; 2) níveis de produção de NO; 3) níveis de AMPc e GMPc; 4) abundância relativa de RNAm de NOS2, PDE5A, PDE6C, PKG1, PKG2, ADCY6, ADCY9, PDE3A e PKA1. O FSH, na concentração de 0,05UI/mL, estimulou positivamente a maturação nuclear em CCO e OD, com 80,6 e 89% de oócitos maturados, respectivamente. Quando comparados diretamente os grupos CCO e OD, o FSH não influenciou as taxas de maturação (71 e 71,3%, p>0,05), nem os níveis de produção de NO (12,8 e 7,4 µM/mL, p>0,05). Os níveis de GMPc em CCO aumentaram após 1 e 3 h de MIV na presença de FSH (266,3 e 187,2 pmol/pool com FSH e 240,5 e 168,5 pmol/pool sem FSH, respectivamente, p<0,05). Após 6 h os níveis de GMPc declinaram de forma mais acentuada no grupo sem FSH (46,3 e 106,9 pmol/pool, com e sem FSH, respectivamente, p<0,05). Os níveis de AMPc em CCO também foram mais elevados na presença de FSH à 1 e 3 h de MIV (7,60 e 7,81 pmol/pool, respectivamente) em comparação com CCO maturados sem FSH (0.30 e 0,76 pmol/pool, respectivamente, p<0,05). Após 6h, os níveis declinaram e foram similares para ambos os grupos (0,43 pmol/pool, p>0,05). Em relação à expressão dos genes selecionados, todos foram detectados nos oócitos (CCO e OD), porém, em células do cumulus, foram detectados apenas PDE5A, ADCY6, ADCY9 e PKA1. Quando observados os resultados do grupo CCO, apenas os genes PKG1, ADCY6 e PDE3A sofreram influência do FSH (p<0,05), apresentando um aumento destes transcritos. No grupo OD, apenas o gene PKG1 sofreu influência do FSH, também apresentando um aumento destes transcritos (p<0,05). Em células do cumulus, os genes ADCY6 e ADCY9 sofreram influência do FSH, sendo que para a ADCY6 provocou um aumentos destes transcritos, e para a ADCY9 provocou uma queda dos mesmos (p<0,05). Em conclusão, o FSH pode exercer influência positiva na maturação nuclear de oócitos bovinos, agindo sobre os níveis de GMPc e AMPc, mas não sobre o NO. O FSH pode influenciar a expressão gênica em oócitos e em células do cumulus de bovinos. / Nitric oxide (NO) is a chemical messenger generated by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme, which was detected in several organs including the reproductive system and appears too involved in oocyte maturation. However, there are few studies on the role of this system in bovine oocytes. NO is known to act via guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulating the production of the nucleotide cGMP, which in turn is capable of influencing the levels of another nucleotide, cAMP via phosphodiesterases (PDE). cAMP is an important factor in FSH signaling in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) for the control of maturation. The aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of FSH on the NOS/NO pathway and its components in bovine oocytes matured in vitro and the involvement of cumulus cells (CC) in the signaling pathway. COC and denuded oocytes (DO - matured without cumulus cells) were matured in vitro for 24 h with or without FSH. Samples were assessed for: 1) maturation rate; 2) levels of NO production; 3) levels of cGMP and cAMP; 4) relative abundance for mRNA of NOS2, PDE5A, PDE6C, PKG1, PKG2, ADCY6, ADCY9, PDE3A and PKA1. FSH positively stimulated oocyte maturation at 0.05UI/mL concentration for both COC and OD (80.6 and 89% maturation rates, respectively). When COC and OD were compared directly, FSH did not affect maturation rates (71 and 71.3%, p>0.05) nor NO production levels (12,8 and 7,4 µM/mL), p>0.05). cGMP levels increased after 1 and 3 h in vitro maturation (IVM) with FSH (266.3 and 187.2 pmol/pool with FSH and 240.5 and 168.5 pmol/pool without FSH, respectively, p<0.05). After 6 h IVM, cGMP levels in COC declined more in the group cultured with FSH (46.3 and 106.9 pmol/pool, with and without FSH, respectively, p<0.05). cAMP levels in COC were also increased in the presence of FSH at 1 and 3 h IVM (7.60 and 7.81 pmol/pool, respectively) in comparison to COC cultured without the hormone (0.30 and 0.76 pmol/pool, respectively, p<0.05). After 6 h, the levels declined and were similar for both groups (0.43 and 0.02 pmol/pool, p>0.05). Regarding mRNA expression for the selected genes, all of them were detected in oocytes, but only four of them were detected in cumulus cells: PDE5A, ADCY6, ADCY9 and PKA1. For COC only PKG1, ADCY6 and PDE3A were influenced by FSH (p<0.05), with an increase in transcript relative abundance, For DO, only PKG1 was influenced by FSH and also showed an increase in these transcripts (p<0.05). In cumulus cells, ADCY6 and ADCY9 were affected by FSH, with an increase for ADCY6 and a decrease in ADCY9 transcripts (p<0.05). In conclusion, FSH may positively influence nuclear maturation, acting on cGMP and cAMP levels, but not on NO. FSH may also influence gene expression in bovine oocytes and cumulus cells.

O óxido nítrico (NO) é um mensageiro químico detectado em vários tipos celulares como células endoteliais, neurônios e macrófagos, desempenhando também funções variadas como vasodilatação, neurotransmissão e indução de morte celular. O NO é gerado pela atividade da enzima óxido nítrico sintase (NOS), a qual foi detectada em vários órgãos incluindo o sistema reprodutor. O sistema NOS/NO parece desempenhar papel importante na maturação oocitária entre outras funções. No entanto, apesar das evidências, há poucos estudos sobre o possível papel desse sistema em oócitos da espécie bovina. O presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar a importância do sistema NOS/NO na maturação in vitro (MIV) de oócitos bovinos. Para isso, foram avaliados os efeitos da inibição da NOS durante a MIV na presença de concentrações crescentes do inibidor de NOS (L-NAME, 0-1mM) e do aumento do NO durante a MIV na presença de concentrações crescentes do doador de NO (SNAP, 0-1mM) sobre a taxa de maturação (metáfase II) e formação de blastocistos após a fecundação in vitro. Também foi avaliado o efeito da pré-maturação com butirolactona (10µM BLI), seguida de MIV, na presença ou não de doador ou inibidor de NO em cada fase de cultivo, sobre o desenvolvimento de blastocistos. Após 22h de MIV os grupos tratados com L-NAME apresentaram uma taxa de metáfase II (MII) inferior (~80%, P<0,05) ao controle (95,5%). A taxa de blastocisto foi similar entre os grupos (34 a 41,5%, P>0,05). Apenas 7,2% (P<0,05) dos oócitos maturados com a maior concentração de SNAP (10-3M), atingiram o estádio de MII. Os demais tratamentos (71,6; 72,4 e 54,8% para controle, 10-7 e 10-5M, respectivamente) não diferiram entre si (P>0,05). Altos níveis de SNAP (10-3M) bloquearam o desenvolvimento embrionário, enquanto os demais tratamentos apresentaram cerca de 38% de blastocistos (P>0,05). As taxas de blastocistos (26,3 a 34,1%) e de eclosão (14,8 a 22,0%) adicionando ou não L-NAME em baixa concentração (10-7M) durante a pré-maturação, a maturação ou ambas as fases foram similares (P>0,05). Também não houve diferença (P>0,05) na taxa de blastocistos (25,5 a 39,7%) com a adição ou não de baixa concentração de SNAP (10-7M) durante a pré-maturação, a maturação ou ambas as fases. O grupo com SNAP (10-7M) na pré-maturação e MIV superou a taxa de eclosão (27,5%, P<0,05) dos demais grupos que tiveram SNAP adicionado somente no bloqueio, na MIV ou sem adição de SNAP (14,2 a 18,6 %, P>0,05). Esses resultados exibiram o duplo efeito do NO sobre oócitos bovinos, que tiveram a maturação reduzida com a inibição da síntese de NO e a maturação nuclear e citoplasmática bloqueadas pelo excesso de NO. / Nitric oxide (NO) is a chemical messenger detected in several cell types such as endothelial cells, neurons and macrophages, performing also varied functions as vasodilatation, neurotransmission and induction of cell death. NO is generated by the activity of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which has been detected in several organs including the reproductive system. The NOS/NO system seems to play an important role in oocyte maturation besides other functions. However, despite the evidence, there are few studies on the possible role of this system in bovine oocytes. The present study aimed to investigate the importance of the NOS/NO system on in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes. The effects of NOS inhibition during IVM in the presence of increasing concentrations of NOS inhibitor (L-NAME, 0-1mM) and of the increase in NO during IVM with the NO donor SNAP (0-1mM) on maturation rates (metaphase II) and on blastocyst development after in vitro fertilization were assessed. The effect of prematuration with butyrolactone I (10µM BLI) followed by IVM, in the presence or not of NO inhibitor or donor in each culture period on blastocyst development was also investigated. After 22h IVM, L-NAME treated groups showed a lower (~80%, P<0.05) metaphase II (MII) rate when compared with controls (95.5%). Blastocyst rates were similar among all groups (34 to 41.5%, P>0.05). Only 7.2% (P<0.05) of oocytes matured with the highest SNAP concentration (10-3M) reached MII. The other treatments (71.6; 72.4 and 54.8% for control, 10-7 and 10-5M, respectively) were similar among them (P>0.05). High SNAP concentration (10-3M) blocked blastocyst development, while the other treatments presented about 38% blastocyst rates (P<0.05). Blastocyst (26.3 to 34.1%) and hatching rates (14.8 and 22.0%) were similar (P>0.05) when low L-NAME concentration (10-7M) was added or not during prematuration, maturation or both. Blastocyst rates (25.5 to 39.7%) were also similar (P>0.05) whether SNAP (10-7M) was added or not during prematuration, IVM or both. When low concentration of SNAP (10-7M) was added during both prematuration and IVM, hatching rates were increased (27.5%, P<0.05) when compared with oocytes cultured in the presence of SNAP only during prematuration or IVM or without it (14.2 to 18.6 %, P>0.05). These results shoe the dual effect of NO on bovine oocytes, which had maturation rates decreased when NO synthesis was inhibited and nuclear maturation and blastocyst development were blocked by excess NO.

The follicle and its enclosed oocyte share intimate and critical communication that regulates folliculogenesis and produces a mature oocyte. Protein and RNA accumulated in the oocyte during oogenesis control fertilization and direct embryonic development until the embryonic genome activates. Most knowledge of mammalian oocyte biology has been derived from eutherian species. Marsupials deserve more detailed studies because they have a distinct reproductive biology that offers a unique perspective from which to consider mammalian reproduction. The oocyte biology of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, is the focus of research in this thesis. Cold storage, a simple method for transporting ovarian tissue, was evaluated using histological techniques and follicle culture to assess the structure and function of tammar ovarian tissue. In vitro techniques were used to examine and compare: -folliculogenesis in prepubertal and adult animals, - fertilization of in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes, - and embryo development in follicular and tubal oocytes. / Tammar ovaries were placed in cold storage (PBS at 4?C) for 24 or 48 hours. Necrotic changes were minimal in ovarian follicles after cold storage and preantral follicles isolated from ovarian tissue after cold storage grew by similar amounts as non-stored follicles when cultured for 4 days in vitro. Although the general morphology and growth of follicles are unaffected after cold storage for up to 48 hours, the viability of the oocyte is of prime importance. The next important stages of this study were to develop in vitro techniques for follicle culture and for oocyte maturation and fertilization for future assessment of oocytes after cold storage. / A defined (serum-free) culture system was developed to grow isolated preantral follicles from prepubertal and adult tammars. FSH promoted follicle growth and antrum formation in follicles from prepubertal tammars. Although FSH promoted growth in follicles from adult tammars, other factors present in serum were required for antrum formation. Therefore, once the hypothalmo-pituitary-gonadal axis is mature, hormones and growth factors modify the mechanism of antrum formation. Only follicles that developed an antrum in the presence of serum had granulosa and theca layers that had appropriately differentiated. While FSH stimulates follicle growth in vitro, more complex conditions are required to promote granulosa and theca differentiation. / Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was successfully used to compare fertilization of in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes as well as the development of mature oocytes collected from the ovary (surrounded by zona pellucida) or from the oviduct (surrounded by zona pellucida and mucoid coat). In vitro matured oocytes proceeded though the early stages of fertilization (e.g. sperm nuclear decondensation, pronuclear formation), but not syngamy. After sperm injection, in vivo matured oocytes cleaved as far as the 8-cell stage. Oocytes do not lose their ability to fertilize after acquisition of the mucoid coat, since tubal oocytes cleaved as far as the 8-cell stage after sperm injection. Follicular oocytes develop as far as the 5-cell stage after sperm injection, but embryos had a large cleavage cavity that hindered cell-cell contact. While the mucoid coat is not required for cleavage, it is important for appropriate cell-cell interaction and normal early development of the embryo. / This, the most detailed in vitro study of marsupial oocyte biology, has shown that there are many similarities in the biology of marsupial and eutherian oocytes but that the unique biology of marsupials offers a significant perspective on mammalian reproduction. This work also lays the foundation for the effective use of assisted reproductive techniques for conservation of Australia’s unique mammalian fauna.