Vol. 8, Issue 6, Part C (2023)

Author(s): MM Revathy, MP Unnikrishnan, C Jayakumar, RS Abhilash, V Ramnath and AR Sreeranjini

Abstract: Poor results of in vitro embryo production (IVEP) are typically related to deficiencies in the maturation process and culture media used for embryo development. Addition of bovine follicular fluid (FF) exosomes to in vitro maturation (IVM) medium is reported to improve the efficiency of IVEP system. In the present study, IVM medium was supplemented with, either the exosomes isolated from follicles 2-8 mm size or > 8 mm size and compared the first polar body extrusion and cumulus cell expansion rates of cultured oocytes in both the groups (group I and II). Exosome non-supplemented group was maintained as control (group III). Exosomes were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation of follicular fluid. Cumulus cell expansion rate was calculated by counting the number of oocytes exhibiting degree I and II cumulus expansion. The nuclear maturation was assessed by counting the number of oocytes exhibiting first polar body extrusion. Both the parameters were significantly higher in group I and II than III. Study signifies the positive effect of exosome addition to IVM medium, irrespective of the follicle size of origin.