Bovine oocyte activation with bull or human sperm by conventional ICSI and Piezo-ICSI: Its relationship with PLCɀ activity

Abstract

Background: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique has low efficiency in cattle. This has mainly been attributed to the oocyte activation failure due to oocyte and/or sperm factors. Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of conventional ICSI and Piezo-ICSI with bull or human sperm on bovine oocyte activation and embryo development and to assess its relationship with PLCɀ activity of both species. Methods: In vitro matured bovine oocytes were randomly divided into five groups and were fertilized as follows: conventional ICSI using bovine sperm with chemical activation (control), conventional ICSI using bovine sperm, Piezo-ICSI using bovine sperm, conventional ICSI using human sperm, and Piezo-ICSI using human sperm. PLCɀ activity was determined in bull and human sperm samples. Results: Within the groups using bull sperm, the oocytes fertilized by conventional ICSI had the lowest values of 2 pronuclei (PN) formation and cleavage, Piezo-ICSI increased both percentages, and ICSI + chemical activation presented the highest 2 PN, cleavage and blastocyst rates (P [Open Vet J 2024; 14(5.000): 1191-1198]

Keywords

• bovine
• icsi
• piezo-icsi
• plcɀ
• oocyte activation