Accumulation and distribution of neutral lipid droplets is non-uniform in ovine blastocysts produced in vitro in either the presence or absence of serum
A. Reis A B , G. J. McCallum A and T. G. McEvoy A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Scottish Agricultural College, Sustainable Livestock Systems Group, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK.
B Present address: University of Newcastle, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK.
C Corresponding author. Email: tom.mcevoy@sac.ac.uk
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 17(8) 815-823 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD05017
Submitted: 14 February 2005 Accepted: 12 October 2005 Published: 16 December 2005
Abstract
Sheep zygotes were cultured in serum-free or serum-supplemented media to determine effects on blastocyst yields and within-blastocyst abundance and distribution of neutral lipid droplets. Embryos cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid supplemented with bovine serum albumin (0.4% w/v) (SBSA) generated similar blastocyst yields (mean ± s.e.m. = 20% ± 5) to those in synthetic oviduct fluid supplemented with serum (10% v/v) from ewes fed a diet containing 0% (SZFO; 26% ± 2) or 3% fish oil (S3FO; 23% ± 3). SBSA zygotes generated more good-quality blastocysts than their SZFO or S3FO counterparts (P < 0.05). Within-blastocyst abundance of neutral lipid droplets was non-uniform; data were collected from discrete embryo sectors (each = 2700 µm2) representing highest (H), intermediate (I) and lowest (L) densities of accumulation. For all sectors, area (µm2) occupied by lipid droplets in SBSA blastocysts (mean H = 470; I = 370; L = 245) was smaller (P < 0.01) than occupied in others (SBSA : SZFO = 1 : 1.41, 1 : 1.48 and 1 : 1.42; SBSA : S3FO = 1 : 1.36, 1 : 1.30 and 1 : 1.31; data for H, I and L, respectively). Among S3FO blastocysts only, inferior quality was associated with greater lipid abundance. Overall, embryo culture in the presence of serum increased neutral lipid droplet abundance but accumulation was non-uniform.
Acknowledgments
The Scottish Agricultural College receives financial support from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. A. Reis was supported by the Portuguese Ministry of Science and Technology (Praxis XXI).
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