P34^cdc2Kinase and MAP Kinase Activities and Parthenogenetic Activation in Porcine Oocytes after Injection of Miniature Pig Sperm Extracts

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the rate of activation and time-dependent changes in p34 cdc2 kinase and MAP kinase activities in porcine oocytes after injection of sperm extracts (SE) or treatment with Ca 2+ ionophore to clarify whether SE injection is useful for porcine oocyte activation. SE was prepared from miniature pig sperm by non-ionic surfactant. Oocytes that were treated with Ca 2 + ionophore and injected with SE were activated at rates of 41% and 46%, respectively. The activities of p34 cdc2 kinase and MAP kinase in each culture period (4, 8 and 12 h) in the Ca 2+ ionophore group and SE injection group were significantly lower than those in the control group. These results suggest that SE injection induces decrease of p34 cdc2 kinase and MAP kinase activity, and induces oocyte activation, as well as Ca 2+ ionophore treatment, but the induction was comparatively limited.

Embryo development of porcine oocytes after injection with miniature pig sperm and their extracts

“…We have noted that SE injection induces oocyte activation, but the rate remains low compared to IVF, and that the ratio of decrease in both of p34 cdc2 and MAP kinase activities in oocytes injected with SE is also low compared to IVF (Matsuura & Maeda 2008). Therefore, further study is required to improve the method of porcine oocyte artificial activation by SE injection.…”

“…2006). Furthermore, SE injection decreased p34 cdc2 kinase and MAP kinase activities, and oocyte activation as well as Ca 2+ ionophore treatment (Matsuura & Maeda 2008). Therefore, the present study examined whether injection of SE extracted from miniature pig sperm is effective for embryonic development after ICSI in pigs.…”