The importance of manganese in the cytoplasmic maturation of cattle oocytes: blastocyst production improvement regardless of cumulus cells presence during in vitro maturation.

Adequate dietary intake of manganese (Mn) is required for normal reproductive performance in cattle. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Mn during in vitro maturation of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) on apoptosis of cumulus cells, cumulus expansion, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the COC. The role of cumulus cells on Mn transport and subsequent embryo development was also evaluated. Early apoptosis decreased in cumulus cells matured with Mn compared with medium alone. Cumulus expansion did not show differences in COC matured with or without Mn supplementation. SOD activity was higher in COC matured with 6 ng/ml Mn than with 0 ng/ml Mn. Cleavage rates were higher in COC and denuded oocytes co-cultured with cumulus cells, either with or without Mn added to in vitro maturation (IVM) medium. Regardless of the presence of cumulus cells during IVM, the blastocyst rates were higher when 6 ng/ml Mn was supplemented into IVM medium compared with growth in medium alone. Blastocyst quality was enhanced when COC were matured in medium with Mn supplementation. The results of the present study indicated that Mn supplementation to IVM medium enhanced the 'health' of COC, and improved subsequent embryo development and embryo quality.