ABSTRACT
Background: This study aimed to investigate the maturation and fertilization rates of immature mouse oocytes using Embryonic Stem Cell Conditioned Medium [ESCM]
Methods: Germinal Vesicle [GV] stage oocytes were observed in 120 NMRI mice, aged 4-6 weeks. GV oocytes with or without cumulus cells were subjected to IVM in either ESCM, Embryonic Stem Cell Growth Medium [ESGM], or alpha-minimum essential medium [alpha-MEM]. After recording the Metaphase II [MII] oocyte maturation rate, the oocytes were fertilized in vitro. The fertilization success rate was recorded after 24 hr. The embryos were maintained in potassium Simplex Optimization Medium [KSOM] for 96 hr and allowed to grow until the blastocyst stage. After recording developmental competence, they were transferred into the uteri of pseudopregnant mice and their birth rates were recorded
Results: No significant difference existed between the maturation rates in alpha-MEM [68.18%] and ESCM [64.67%; p>0.05], whereas this rate was significantly higher for both alpha-MEM and ESCM compared to ESGM [32.22%; p<0.05]. A significant difference in IVF success rate existed for oocytes grown in alpha-MEM [69.44%], ESCM [61.53%], and ESGM [0%]. A significantly higher developmental competence was observed at the blastocyst stage for oocytes grown in alpha-MEM [51.2%] compared to ESCM [35%; p<0.05]. 17 days after embryo transfer into the uteri of pseudopregnant mice, there was a nonsignficant [p>0.05], similar birth rate between alpha-MEM and ESCM [47 vs. 40%]
Conclusion: ESCM is an effective medium for preantral follicle growth, oocyte maturation, and subsequent embryo development
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the relation between the expression of liver alpha-amylase and obesity
Background: Alpha-amylase catalyses the hydrolysis of 1, 4-alpha-glucosidic linkages in polysaccharides and has three main subtypes, including: salivary, pancreatic, and hepatic. Hepatic alpha-amylase is involved in glycogen metabolism, and has a role in obesity and its management. In this study, we aimed to analyze the expression of liver alpha-amylase in overweight and obese mouse
Material and methods: In this study, NMRI male mice were randomly divided into two groups. The sample group [obese] took a high-fat and carbohydrate diet, while the control group [normal] took a laboratory pellet chow for eight weeks. During this period, their weight was measured. After eight weeks, liver hepatocytes were isolated using an enzymatic digestion method. Immunocytochemistry [ICC] and flow cytometry analysis were performed to measure alpha amylase protein expression in mouse liver hepatocyte cells
Results: A significant difference in the body weight was observed between the two groups [p<0.05]. The qualitative protein expression of liver alpha-amylase was found to be higher in the obese group in both tests [immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry]. Animals from the test group presented higher alpha-amylase expression, which suggests that this hepatic protein may constitute a potential indicator of susceptibility for fat tissue accumulation and obesity. The present data demonstrates an increased expression of liver amylase in obese mice
Conclusion: These results suggest that liver amylase secretion might be useful for predicting susceptibility to obesity induced by consumption of a high-fat and carbohydrate diet