Effects of Paclitaxel Before Vitrification on the Nuclear Maturation and Development of Immature Porcine Oocytes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of porcine oocytes is difficult compared with other species and immature oocytes particularly so compared to the meiotic stage. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a pretreatment with 1μ M paclitaxel (PTX, 30 min exposure) before vitrification to promote the maturation of porcine immature oocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes (COs) aspirated from porcine ovaries were divided into three groups: i) nonpretreated with PTX and non-vitrified group (control group); ii) pretreated with PTX and vitrified group (PTX-V group); and iii) non-pretreated with PTX and vitrified group (nPTX-V group). RESULTS: The nuclear maturation rate up to the preovulatory stage was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the nPTX-V group than in the control group, but was similar in the PTX-V and control groups. No significant differences were observed in viability assessed by a normal CO morphology and the embryonic development of oocytes activated by the parthenogenetic stimulation between the PTX-V and control groups, but not the non-PTX-V group. CONCLUSION: PTX may promote the maturation of vitrified porcine immature oocytes.