Recombinant fetuin-B protein maintains high fertilization rate in cumulus cell-free mouse oocytes

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div><div class="boxTitle">Study Question</div>Does fetuin-B inhibit premature zona pellucida (ZP) hardening in mouse oocytes <span style="font-style:italic;">in vitro</span> and thus increase IVF rate?<div class="boxTitle">Summary Answer</div>Supplementation of oocyte <span style="font-style:italic;">in vitro</span> maturation (IVM) media with recombinant mouse fetuin-B (rmFetuB) increased fertilization rate without affecting mouse embryo development into blastocysts.<div class="boxTitle">What is Known Already</div>Mice deficient in fetuin-B are infertile owing to premature ZP hardening. Premature ZP hardening also occurs during oocyte IVM leading to decreased fertilization rate.<div class="boxTitle">Study Design, Size, Duration</div>We fertilized batches of 20–30 mouse metaphase II (Mll) stage oocytes from C57BL/6 mice with fresh sperm, and studied early embryo development until blastocyst hatching.<div class="boxTitle">Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods</div>Oocytes were maintained with or without rmFetuB during IVM and IVF. Exogenous rmFetuB was added to media prior to oocyte isolation. ZP hardening was quantified by chymotrypsin digestion timing and by counting attached sperm.<div class="boxTitle">Main Results and the Role of Chance</div>In the absence of cumulus cells, rmFetuB dose-depende...
Source: Molecular Human Reproduction - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research