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The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of bovine oocytes and their further developmental competence to blastocysts in vitro. We analyzed the mitochondrial activity and concentration of intracellular stored calcium ([Ca2+] is) in matured oocytes and the morphology and chromatin status of produced embryos after IVF. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were incubated in TCM 199 containing 10% FCS (control medium 1-CM 1) or 10% estrus cow serum (control medium 2-CM 2). The culture medium of the treatment groups was modified by supplementation of the control medium with 10 ng/ml rbST (CM 1A, CM 2A), 106/ml granulosa cells (CM 1B, CM 2B), or 10 ng/ml rbST plus 106/ml granulosa cells (CM 1C, CM 2C). No differences were observed in the percentages of oocytes reaching metaphase II between the groups. However, the proportion of blastocysts was highest in treatment groups CM 1C and CM 2C (P<0.05). The type of serum did not alter the positive effect of rbST on the developmental competence of embryos. The fluorescence intensity of metabolically active mitochondria measured by intensity per oocyte (Em 570) after MitoTracker CMTM Ros Orange labeling was significantly increased in oocytes matured in the presence of 10 ng/ml rbST and granulosa cells (309.21 μA vs. 119.97 μA; P<0.01). In parallel, the concentration of [Ca2+]is in oocytes, determined using fluorophore chlortetracycline, was significantly decreased (0.85 ± 0.02 AU vs. 0.97 ± 0.03 AU, P<0.05). Based on these results, we concluded that rbST, in interaction with granulosa cells stimulates the oxidative activity of ooplasmic mitochondria and decreases the content of [Ca2+] is in oocytes. These facts support the hypothesis that somatotropin influences the developmental competence of bovine oocytes during maturation in vitro, and this effect can be modulated by granulosa cells.
