The beneficial effect of fructose and glucose on in vitro maturation and the fertilization of porcine oocytes.

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing fructose in the culture medium on in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and metabolism of porcine oocytes.

METHODS

Porcine oocytes were matured in vitro in modified North Carolina State University 37 medium (NCSU-37) and then supplemented with either glucose (5.5 mM), fructose (5.5 mM), or glucose (2.75 mM) plus fructose (2.75 mM). The maturation and fertilization of oocytes, and the incorporation and oxidation of C-glucose, C-fructose, and C-methionine in oocytes at different stages of development were examined.

RESULTS

The supplementation of glucose plus fructose significantly promoted ( < 0.05) oocytes germinal vesicle break down (GVBD), maturation to metaphase II (MII), penetration by spermatozoa, and male pronuclear formation compared with glucose. The incorporation and oxidation of C-methionine into the oocyte significantly increased ( < 0.05) with glucose plus fructose supplementation than glucose. A significantly higher ( < 0.05) rate of incorporation and oxidation was achieved with C-fructose compared to C-glucose.

CONCLUSIONS

Glucose plus fructose supplementation improved maturation, penetration by spermatozoa, male pronuclear formation, and energy metabolism by porcine oocytes.