Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this study was to use a nonhuman primate model to examine the effects of growth hormone (GH) on oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM). Methods: Immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of GH receptors in rhesus cumulus oocyte complexes and the cytoplasm of embryonic blastomeres. Recombinant human GH (r-hGH) was added to IVM medium and cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation, cytoplasmic maturation and embryo development were analyzed. Results: Cumulus expansion was highest in the presence of 1 and 10 ng/ml r-hGH. The addition of r-hGH during IVM increased the percentage of embryos progressing to at least the 9-16 cell stage. In a separate study, 100 ng/ml r-hGH was supplemented to IVM and embryo culture medium and no effect was observed. Conclusions: The presence of GH receptors along with increased cumulus expansion and embryos progressing to the 9-16 cell stage supports the hypothesis that r-hGH may be involved in oocyte maturation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 145-158 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2008 |
Keywords
- Cumulus cells
- Growth hormone
- Non-human primate
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Reproductive Medicine