Department of Reproductive Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518036, China.
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
Reprod Sci. 2021 Sep;28(9):2540-2549. doi: 10.1007/s43032-021-00507-4. Epub 2021 Mar 1.
This study aimed to examine the effects of adding growth hormone (GH) into the in vitro maturation (IVM) culture medium of mouse oocytes on pregnancy outcomes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in a medium with (GH group, 100 ng/mL) or without (Con group) GH. Thereafter, chromosome morphology, spindle morphology, and mitochondrial function were examined. Embryo development and blastocyst quality after in vitro fertilization were evaluated. After the embryo transfer, the implantation sites and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated. The oocyte maturation rate of the GH group (81.8 ± 9.6%) was compared to that of the Con group (81.3 ± 6.9%, P = 0.928). The proportion of morphologically abnormal spindles in GH-treated oocytes (7.1 ± 0.9%) was significantly lower than control oocytes (13.7 ± 1.3%, P = 0.032), whereas the proportion of morphologically abnormal chromosomes and mitochondrial distribution was similar between the groups. The mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.001) and ATP concentration (P < 0.001) in GH-exposed oocytes were higher than those in control oocytes. After fertilization, the blastocyst rate in the GH group (33.8 ± 13.2%) was significantly higher than the Con group (16.2 ± 2.0%, P = 0.003). In addition, inner cell mass (ICM) number (13.91 ± 3.48 vs. 7.00 ± 1.91, P < 0.001), total cell number (47.45 ± 8.39 vs. 37.71 ± 4.15, P = 0.007), and the ratio of ICM/total cell number (29.9 ± 8.2% vs. 18.6 ± 5.0%, P = 0.002) of blastocyst were all higher in GH group. The implantation rate (71.2 ± 1.9% vs. 39.4 ± 16.4%, P < 0.001) and litter size (8.50 ± 3.99 vs. 3.00 ± 1.22, P = 0.018) were significantly higher in the GH group. Although addition of GH into IVM culture medium does not improve oocyte maturation rate, it improves oocyte and embryo quality, which leads to better embryo development and pregnancy outcomes.
本研究旨在探讨在体外成熟（IVM）培养体系中添加生长激素（GH）对小鼠卵母细胞妊娠结局的影响。将卵丘-卵母细胞复合物（COCs）在含有（GH 组，100ng/mL）或不含有（Con 组）GH 的培养基中培养。此后，检测染色体形态、纺锤体形态和线粒体功能。评估体外受精后胚胎的发育和囊胚质量。胚胎移植后，评估着床部位和妊娠结局。GH 组（81.8±9.6%）的卵母细胞成熟率与 Con 组（81.3±6.9%，P=0.928）相比无显著差异。GH 处理卵母细胞中形态异常纺锤体的比例（7.1±0.9%）显著低于对照组卵母细胞（13.7±1.3%，P=0.032），而两组之间染色体形态异常和线粒体分布的比例相似。暴露于 GH 的卵母细胞中线粒体膜电位（P<0.001）和 ATP 浓度（P<0.001）均高于对照组。受精后，GH 组（33.8±13.2%）的囊胚率显著高于 Con 组（16.2±2.0%，P=0.003）。此外，内细胞团（ICM）数量（13.91±3.48 比 7.00±1.91，P<0.001）、总细胞数量（47.45±8.39 比 37.71±4.15，P=0.007）和 ICM/总细胞数的比值（29.9±8.2%比 18.6±5.0%，P=0.002）在 GH 组中均较高。GH 组的着床率（71.2±1.9%比 39.4±16.4%，P<0.001）和产仔数（8.50±3.99 比 3.00±1.22，P=0.018）均显著提高。尽管在 IVM 培养体系中添加 GH 不能提高卵母细胞成熟率，但能提高卵母细胞和胚胎质量，从而促进胚胎更好地发育和妊娠结局。
