Assessing the Quality of Bovine Embryos Derived from Metabolically Stressed Oocyte during Maturation using TUNEL
Assessing the Quality of Bovine Embryos Derived from Metabolically Stressed Oocyte during Maturation using TUNEL
M.A.M.M. Shehab-El-Deen1,2*, S.A. Al-Dobaib1 and K.A. Al-Sobayil1
ABSTRACT
The current research aimed to assess apoptotic cell ratio (ACR) via TUNEL staining in bovine embryos produced in vitro from oocytes matured in stressful conditions of elevated concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs). The maturation conditions in the current study were resemble the situation in the oocyte microenvironment of metabolically stressed lactating dairy cows during the post-partum period where the negative energy balance occurred. Oocytes were in vitro matured under elevated levels of NEFAs for 24 h in serum-free maturation media. Obtained zygotes were cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid with 5% FCS for eight days. Blastocyst stages from each treatment group were assessed and evaluated for their quality by determining the ACR by means of TUNEL staining. The presence of palmitic or stearic acid at high concentrations during oocyte maturation increased ACR, whereas oleic acid had no significant effects. The results of the present study concluded that compromised oocyte microenvironment by metabolic stressor such as high NEFAs concentrations which is the situation during the negative energy balance that are happened post-partum in dairy cows could decrease the quality of preimplantation embryos as indicated by the incidence of apoptosis.
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