Fertilization and development of Caprine oocytes matured over granulosa cell monolayers

The aim of the present study was to compare the two oocyte maturation systems, i.e. a granulosa cell (GC) monolayer from small (4 mm) follicles and a granulosa co-culture for their effects on in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization and developmental competence of caprine oocytes. A total of 1945 oocytes were used for studies on maturation, fertilization and embryo development. Monolayers were primed with maturation medium, 18–24 h before the onset of maturation. Nuclear studies of 263 fertilized oocytes, 18 h post-fertilization, revealed that the rate of sperm penetration was not affected by any of the maturation culture systems. Penetration rate was 66.30% versus 69.59% for the control and GC monolayers. On the other hand, progression of fertilization, i.e. sperm head decondensation (32.70% versus 9.78%) and pronucleus formation (8.76% versus 2.17%) were significantly ( P