| publication name | Evidence of melatonin synthesis in the cumulus oocyte complexes and its role in enhancing oocyte maturation in vitro in cattle |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mohamed El‐Raey, Masaya Geshi, Tamás Somfai, Masahiro Kaneda, Makoto Hirako, Alaa E Abdel‐Ghaffar, Gamal A Sosa, Mahmoud EA Abou El‐Roos, Takashi Nagai |
| year | 2011 |
| keywords | |
| journal | Molecular reproduction and development |
| volume | 78 |
| issue | Not Available |
| pages | 252-262 |
| publisher | WILEY-LISS, INC. |
| Local/International | International |
| Paper Link | Not Available |
| Full paper | download |
| Supplementary materials | Not Available |
Abstract
Melatonin is a multifunctional molecule that mediates several circadian and seasonal reproductive processes. The exact role of melatonin in modulating reproduction, however, is not fully understood—especially its effects on the ovarian follicles and oocytes. This study was conducted to investigate the expressions of the ASMT and melatonin‐receptor MTNR1A and MTNR1B genes in bovine oocytes and their cumulus cells, as well as the effects of melatonin on oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation in vitro. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) from abattoir ovaries were cultured in TCM‐199 supplemented with melatonin at concentrations of 0, 10, 50, and 100 ng/ml. The expression of ASMT, MTNR1A, and MTNR1B genes was evaluated by RT‐PCR. Moreover, the effects of melatonin on cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation, mitochondrial characteristics and COCs steroidogenesis were investigated