101 EXTERNAL PARAMETRIC INDICATORS OF IN VITRO DEVELOPMENTALLY COMPETENT WATER BUFFALO OOCYTES

External parametric indicators for in vitro developmentally competent water buffalo oocytes were determined. Oocytes were retrieved from ovarian follicles and classified based on the 1) density of surrounding cumulus cells (Rank A, n = 94: with >5 layers, Rank B, n = 73: with 3 to 5 layers, Rank C, n = 73: with  5 layers) of cumulus cells had highest developmental competence. Oocytes with a diameter of 3 layers of compact or loose cumulus with evenly granulated and with ~110 μm diameter ooplasm and derived from ≥4 mm follicles are developmentally competent. Oocytes with a compact cumulus required 24 to 26 h of IVM while those with loose cumulus required 20 to 22 h of IVM for optimum blastocyst development. These results suggest that the density and compactness of the surrounding cumulus, and the diameter of ooplasm and donor follicles are positive indicators for oocytes with developmental competence.