Oocyte maturation and in vitro hormone production in small antral follicles (SAFs) isolated from rhesus monkeys

Purpose

The small antral follicles (SAFs) from the ovarian medulla can be a potential source of oocytes for infertility patients, but little is known about their ability to yield mature oocytes. This study evaluated the response of these SAFs to a stimulatory bolus of human corionic gonadotropin (hCG) in vitro.

Methods

Oocyte nuclear maturation and hormone production (estradiol E2], progesterone P4]), antimullerian hormone AMH]) by individual intact SAFs (n?=?91; >0.5 mm; n?=?5 monkeys) was evaluated after 34 h of culture in the absence (control) or presence of hCG.

Results

Of the total cohort (n?=?91), 49 % of SAFs contained degenerating oocytes. The percentage of healthy oocytes able to reinitiate meiosis to the metaphase I (MI) and MII was greater (p?p?p?p?p?p?ConclusionsThese data indicate, for the first time, that oocytes within primate SAFs can reinitiate meiosis in vitro in the absence of hCG, but nuclear maturation is enhanced in SAFs cultured with hCG. Oocyte nuclear maturation within SAFs in is associated with decreased E2, P4 and AMH levels. Furthermore, hormone content within the culture media does not necessarily reflect oocyte quality.