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. 1999 Feb;16(2):102–107. doi: 10.1023/A:1022525108241

Low Oxygen Inhibits but Complex High-Glucose Medium Facilitates In Vitro Maturation of Squirrel Monkey Oocyte–Granulosa Cell Complexes

R R Yeoman 1,✉, L E Williams 2, C R Abee 2
PMCID: PMC3455734  PMID: 10079414

Abstract

Purpose:The objectives of these in vitro maturation studies in primate cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were to evaluate the effect of a reduced-oxygen environment and to compare medium with a high-glucose concentration to medium with pyruvate but no glucose.

Methods:COCs were retrieved from squirrel monkeys stimulated with 1 mg of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for 4–6 days. Experiment 1 examined maturation after 48 hr in 5% O2/5% CO2/90% N2compared with 5% CO2/air. The medium was CMRL-1066 containing moderate glucose (5.5 mM) supplemented with 1 mM glutamine, 0.33 mM pyruvate, 0.075 IU/ml human FSH, 5 IU/ml human chorionic gonadotropin, 75 U penicillin G/ml, and 20% fetal bovine serum. Experiment 2 in 5% CO2/air, compared P-l medium (pyruvate and lactate but no glucose) to Waymouth's medium (27.5 mM glucose), both with identical supplements.

Results:Only 3 (8%) of 37 COCs matured in 5% O2, while 39 (49%) of 80 matured in ambient O2. Fourteen (22%) of 64 complexes matured in P-1 medium, compared to 47 (49%) of 96 meiosis II oocytes in Waymouth's medium (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:These are the first primate studies showing detrimental effects of reduced-oxygen culture on in vitro maturation. Additionally, maturation was enhanced with complex high-glucose medium suggesting that the predominant metabolism is aerobic glycolysis.

Keywords: glucose, maturation, oocyte, oxygen, primate

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