FOR IMPROVING embryo development in buffalo, two
experiments were conducted. The first one was carried out to
evaluate the different concentrations (0, 5, 25, 50 ng/ml) of epidermal
growth factors (EGF) on developmental competence of buffalo
oocytes. The selected oocytes were cultured in the four concentrations
of EGF. The embryo cleavage rate was significantly higher in oocytes
exposed to 5, 25, 50 ng/ml EGF than control. There were no
significant difference in four groups (0, 5, 25, 50 ng/ml EGF) in the
rate of morula. But, better cleavage and blastocyst rates were
observed at 5 ng/ml EGF. In the second experiment, the additive
effect of 5 ng/ml EGF with 50 µM cysteamine on maturation and
embryo development was studied. Oocytes were collected, matured
and cultured in three groups. In the first group, media supplemented
with 5 ng/ml EGF + 50 µM cysteamine combination. In the second
group, media supplemented with EGF. The third group was
supplemented with cysteamine. There was a significant increase in
cleavage rate in combination group than EGF (P< 0.05) and
cysteamine (P< 0.01) groups. But there was no significant difference
in cleavage rate between EGF and cysteamine. The morula percentage
was nearly similar in the three groups. But blastocyst rate was
significantly (P |
