The effects of L-ergothioneine and L-ascorbic acid on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and embryonic development (IVC) of sheep oocytes [Koyun oositlerinin İn vitro maturasyonu (IVM) ve embriyonal gelişimi (IVC) üzerine L-ergotiyonin ve L-askorbik asit'in etkileri]

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of l-ergothioneine (le) and l-ascorbic acid (laa) on the ivm of immature oocytes and embryonic development of in vitro matured oocytes in sheep. the ovaries were collected from slaughterhouse,then they were transferred (within 1-2 hs) to the laboratory at warm (30-35°c) 0.9% saline solution. cumulus oocyte complexes (cocs) were obtained by incision of follicles. oocytes covered with at least three compact layers of cumulus oophorus cell were in vitro matured in tcm 199 with 10% foetal calf serum (fcs) (v/v),follicle stimulating hormone (fsh),luteinizing hormone (lh) and na pyruvate with supplemented of 10 mm of le (group 1),10 mm laa (group 2) or without any antioxidant (group 3: control) at 24 h. cocs with expanded cumulus layers following ivm were transferred to ivf talp micro-drops with or without antioxidants (le or laa). fresh semen from ram were separated by percoll-gradient and capacitated with hepes talp with heparine (30 iu/ml). then,separated and capacitated spermatozoa were transferred to ivf talp micro-drops containing matured oocytes and incubated for 20 hs. presumptive zygotes were in vitro cultured in tcm 199 with or without antioxidants (le or laa) in 7-8 days. the results showed that,in le group,the percentages of maturation,8 -cell and morula stages were significantly higher than those of laa and control groups (p<0.01-0.05) except for cleavage rate which had a numerically higher (p≥0.05). in conclusion,addition of l-ergothionine into ivm,ivf and ivc medium had a beneficial effect on in vitro maturation of oocytes and embryonic development,especially from cleavage to morula stages compared to laa and control groups.