Factors affecting in vitro maturation of minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) follicular oocytes.

Factors affecting in vitro maturation (IVM) of minke whale (Balaenopetra acutorostrata) follicular oocytes were investigated. In experiment 1, recovery rates for oocytes from follicles of different sizes (small, 1-5 mm; medium, 6-10 mm; large, > or = 11 mm) were similar in both immature (54.7%) and mature (53.5%) females, and the follicular sizes did not affect recovery rate. Approximately half the oocytes recovered from small follicles in immature (55.5%) and mature (52.1%) whales were surrounded by at least a few layers of cumulus cells. Before culture, 71.7% and 61.2% of oocytes from immature and mature whales, respectively, were at the germinal vesicle stage. For IVM, effects of serum type, hormones, and additional cumulus cells (experiment 2) and effects of culture durations (24-120 h, experiment 3) were investigated. The three factors investigated in experiment 2 did not affect maturation rates. TCM199 supplemented with fetal whale serum, hormones, and additional cumulus cells showed the highest rate (21.6%) of matured oocytes and resulted in a significant difference from the rate in medium with only fetal calf serum added (6.6%). The first oocyte with an extruded polar body was observed after 84 h of culture. The maximum rate (27.3%) of matured oocytes was obtained by 96 h of culture, but there was no significant difference in the proportions of matured oocytes between 90 and 120 h in culture. These results indicate that in vitro nuclear maturation of immature follicular oocytes in minke whales can be induced.