Title

Developmental Competence of Domestic Cat Follicular Oocytes after Fertilization In Vitro

Authors

K. L. Goodrowe, National Zoological Park - Washington, D.C.; Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
R. J. Wall, United States Department of Agriculture
Stephen J. O'Brien, National Cancer Institute at FrederickFollow
P. M. Schmidt, National Institutes of Health
David E. Wildt, National Zoological Park - Washington, D.C.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-1988

Publication Title

Biology of Reproduction

ISSN

0006-3363

Volume

39

Issue/No.

2

First Page

355

Last Page

372

Abstract

Empirical evaluation of variables affecting oocyte collection, in vitro fertilization, and embryo transfer resulted in establishing a successful procedure for the artificial production of offspring in the domestic cat. Female cats were treated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG, 150 IU) followed 72 or 80 h later with 100 or 200 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). After laparoscopic collection, follicular oocytes were inseminated in vitro with ejaculated, processed spermatozoa, cultured (37 degrees C, 5% CO2), and then examined for evidence of fertilization. Two- to 4-cell stage embryos were transferred to the oviducts of oocyte donors. Oocyte donor cats and naturally mated controls also were subjected to sequential laparoscopic examinations and blood sampling to assess corpora lutea (CL) function. At 24-30 h of culture, fewer (p < 0.001) degenerate oocytes were observed in cats receiving 100 IU hCG (8.2%) compared to those receiving 200 IU (20.6%), regardless of the PMSG-hCG interval. Overall fertilization (48.1%) and cleavage (45.2%, at 30 h post-insemination) rates were greatest following an 80-h PMSG-hCG interval combined with the 100 IU hCG dose. Five of the 6 cats receiving 6 to 18 embryos became pregnant and produced from 1 to 4 kittens/litter. Gonadotropin-treated females subjected to follicular aspiration produced morphologically normal CL and circulating progesterone patterns that were qualitatively similar (p > 0.05) to control cats. These data indicate that domestic cat follicular oocytes are capable of fertilization in vitro, but success is dependent on both the timing and dose of the hCG stimulus. Follicles subjected to aspiration appear capable of forming normal, functional CL and the birth of live young after embryo transfer unequivocally demonstrates, for the first time, the developmental competence of in vitro-fertilized carnivore oocytes.

Comments

©1988 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction

NSUWorks Citation

Goodrowe, K. L.; R. J. Wall; Stephen J. O'Brien; P. M. Schmidt; and David E. Wildt. 1988. "Developmental Competence of Domestic Cat Follicular Oocytes after Fertilization In Vitro." Biology of Reproduction 39, (2): 355-372. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cnso_bio_facarticles/360

ORCID ID

0000-0001-7353-8301

ResearcherID

N-1726-2015