Influence of follicular fluid and gonadotropin supplementation on the expression of germ cell marker genes during in-vitro maturation of caprine (Capra hircus) oocytes

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate whether follicular fluid, gonadotropins (FSH, LH and estradiol-17β), and combination of both types of supplementation (follicular fluid + gonadotropins) in maturation medium influence the transcript abundance of germ cell marker genes ( MATER , ZAR1 , GDF9 and BMP15 ) in goat oocytes. Grade I and II oocytes were collected from the goat ovaries and matured further under in-vitro conditions using four different maturation regimens viz , group B containing basal media (TCM 199 + BSA + serum), group C (basal media + 10% follicular fluid), group D (basal media + FSH + LH + estradiol-17β) and group E (basal media + 10% follicular fluid + FSH + LH + estradiol-17β). Group A consisted of immature oocytes. Expression profile of MATER, ZAR1, GDF9, and BMP15 was analyzed in matured oocytes of different groups as well as immature oocytes using real-time PCR. The relative abundance of MATER gene in immature oocytes (group A) was found to be significantly higher (p  ZAR1 was found to be significant different (P  GDF9 and BMP15 was significantly higher (P  MATER and ZAR1 transcript were down regulated after maturation; however BMP15 and GDF9 transcripts were upregulated after maturation. For better in vitro embryo production (IVEP) out comes goat oocytes may be matured in vitro in TCM-199 supplemented with follicular fluid and gonadotropins.