INFLUENCE OF VITRIFICATION METHODS, CRYOPROTECTANT AGENTS AND CULTURE MEDIUM ON THE FREEZABILITY OF OOCYTES AND IVF- DERIVED BUFFALO EMBRYOS

Abstract

This work was carried out at ILMTC, belonging to Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University. The present study was performed to determine some factors that could affect vitrification, maturation and fertilization of buffalo oocytes. The present work was designed to: 1. Compare the novel storage devices for cryopreservation [sealed closed pulled straw (SCPS) and gel loading tip (GLT)] of buffalo oocytes. 2. Compare three concentrations of cryoprotectants combinations using two carrier systems, sealed closed pulled straw(SCPS) and gel–loading tip (GLT)) on maturation and potential development of buffalo oocytes. 3. Supplementation of maturation medium with omega-3 on maturation rate, cleavage and developmental potential of buffalo embryos in vitro. Buffalo ovaries, were collected from local abattoirs in Menoufya. Oocytes were recovered from visible follicles by aspiration technique. Only morphologically high quality immature oocytes, as determined by uniform granular, homogeneously distributed cytoplasm surrounded by compact layers of cumulus cells were used in this study (Only grade A oocytes were chosen for vitrification).