The effects of EGF and IGF-1 on FSH-mediated in vitro maturation of domestic cat oocytes derived from follicular and luteal stages

Embryo production is a routine procedure in several species. However, in felids, the effectiveness of this approach is far behind that in the majority of laboratory species. The development of a suitable environment starts with the proper composition of culture media. Therefore, for the improvement of assisted reproduction techniques and their outcome in cats, this is an urgent task. As the addition of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was beneficial in other mammalian species, this study aims to check whether these components, combined with other factors (such as type of fertilisation or type of culture) can provide a benefit in the felid culture system in current use. Thus, these supplements, in different concentrations and combinations, were merged with the use of two fertilisation techniques and randomly assigned to single or group culturing. The results showed that the addition of IGF-I and/or GM-CSF produced an increase in morula and blastocyst rate in a single culture system. In particular, the supplementation with 20 ng/mL of IGF-I incremented the maturation rate by 10% and significantly increased the morula and blastocyst rates in single culturing. This result is especially remarkable for wild felids, where only a few oocytes and/or embryos are available.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

IGF-I Medium Supplementation Improves Singly Cultured Cat Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Development In Vitro

Fernandez-Gonzalez

Kozhevnikova

Brusentsev

et al. 2021

“…In addition, the in vitro use of EGF or insulin-transferrin-selenite (ITS) prevented the loss of cell viability of preantral follicles in female cats [142]. Similarly, an in vitro supplementation with EGF and/or IGF-1 increased the meiotic maturation of oocytes obtained from the ovaries of cats in the follicular phase [143], while high concentrations of EGF impaired the in vitro maturation of follicles [144]. Interestingly, the effects of IGF-1 on in vitro follicular maturation do not occur in follicles in advanced stages of development as they occur in small follicles [145], thus reinforcing the role of these factors mainly in preantral follicles.…”

Section: Ovarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Factors Involved in the Reproductive Morphophysiology of Female Domestic Cat (Felis catus)

Santos,

Silva

2023

The domestic cat (Felis catus) is considered an important model for the study of feline reproductive morphophysiology. However, although the morphological changes and clinical signs that occur during the estrous cycle and pregnancy are well known, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in the reproductive physiology of this animal species. Thus, this paper reviews the current knowledge about the modulation and expression profile of hormonal, immunological, redox, and growth mediators involved in the uterine, ovarian, and placental morphophysiology of domestic cats.

“…The study of different protein supplementations led to the consensus that bovine serum albumin (BSA) is suitable, whereas fetal bovine serum (FBS) or fetal calf serum (FCS) could inhibit oocyte maturation [31][32][33][34]. Supplementation of growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) contributes to maturation [23] and embryo development [21,22]. Different antioxidants, including cysteine, have also been tested to mitigate the oxidative stress derived from the in vitro conditions and to regulate glutathione (GSH) balance [29,35,36].…”

Section: Culture Mediamentioning

confidence: 99%

Fighting Like Cats and Dogs: Challenges in Domestic Carnivore Oocyte Development and Promises of Innovative Culture Systems

Colombo

Alkali

Prochowska

et al. 2021

In vitro embryo production in cats and dogs still presents some challenges, and it needs to be optimized to transfer efficient protocols to related wild, endangered species. While the chemical composition of culture media has been the focus of several studies, the importance of culture substrates for oocyte and embryo culture has often been neglected. Traditional in vitro systems, i.e., two-dimensional cultures, do not resemble the physiological environments where cells develop, and they may cause morphological and functional alterations to oocytes and embryos. More modern three-dimensional and microfluidic culture system better mimic the structure and the stimuli found in in vivo conditions, and they could better support the development of oocytes and embryos in vitro, as well as the maintenance of more physiological behaviors. This review describes the different culture systems tested for domestic carnivore reproductive cells along the years, and it summarizes their effects on cultured cells with the purpose of analyzing innovative options to improve in vitro embryo production outcomes.