Human TIMP1 Is a Growth Factor That Improves Oocyte Developmental Competence

Abstract

Oocyte developmental competence is the ability of a mature oocyte to be fertilized and subsequently support embryonic development. Such competence is gained during folliculogenesis and is facilitated by the bidirectional communication into a compacted cumulus–oocyte complex (COC). Human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP1) participates in biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of TIMP1 as a growth factor on the in vitro maturation (IVM) culture of bovine COCs to improve oocyte developmental competence. All TIMP1 treatments (50, 100, and 150 ng/mL) favored the COCs’ compaction structure (p p p p < 0.05). The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that 50 ng/mL of TIMP1 was the best condition to develop oocyte competence because it was associated with the COC compact and cortical granule pattern I. TIMP1 influences the development of oocyte competence when added to the IVM culture medium of COCs.

Keywords

• TIMP1
• oocyte competence
• oocyte quality
• oocyte maturation
• in vitro maturation