<div>Background: In vitro embryo production is a valuable tool for understanding early mammalian development, therapeutic applications, excellent source for research in the field of developmental biology and production of valuable animals. The purpose of this study is to improve the production of in vitro cattle embryos using fibroblast and platelet derived growth factor as media supplement.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Ovaries were collected from local abattoir in 0.9% saline (30-35&deg;C) supplemented with antibiotics. Cumulus oocyte complexes were aspirated, washed 5-6 times and placed in maturation media supplemented with growth factors and cultured in 5% CO2 incubator at 38.5&deg;C with maximum humidity. After 24 h oocytes were co-incubated with in vitro capacitated sperms for fertilization for 15-18 h and then presumptive zygotes were cultured for embryo development. Cleavage was observed after 40-42 h and embryos were co-cultured with oviductal cells for 7-9 days.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The highest cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were 55.93 &plusmn; 4.75, 57.06 &plusmn; 4.78, 51.24 &plusmn; 4.12 and 3.26 &plusmn;1.53, 2.42 &plusmn; 1.02, 2.70 &plusmn; 1.17 in FGF (1ng ml-1), PDGF (10 ng ml-1) and in combination of FGF and PDGF (1ng ml-1 each) respectively. It can be concluded that PDGF (10 ng ml-1) enhanced cleavage rate and FGF (1ng ml-1) enhanced blastocyst formation rate.</div>

<div>Enhancement of Developmental Competence of Immature Oocytes Supplemented with Growth Factors in Culture Media&nbsp;</div>

Background: The developmental competency of in vitro matured oocytes to the blastocyst stage is a big concern in laboratory conditions. This study aims in finding the best combination of growth factors for enhancement of cleavage as well as early embryonic developmental rates in cattle. 
 
Methods: Fresh cattle ovaries were obtained from the nearest slaughterhouse in 0.15 M freshly prepared saline (35-38&deg;C) supplemented with penicillin (400 IU/ml). A total of 924 COCs were aspirated from ovaries and transferred to maturation media for incubation (5% CO2) at 38.5&deg;C with maximum humidity for 24 h. After maturation, the matured oocytes were co-incubated with the capacitated sperms for in vitro fertilization in the FBO medium for 16 h. After fertilization, the cumulus cells were removed from the presumptive zygotes and incubated in the mCR2aa medium for 45-48 h. The cleavage rates of the zygotes were observed and further cultured in the blastocyst medium for 7-10 days. After every 24 h, 80% of culture media was replaced with fresh media. Three different combinations of growth factors (PDGF+IGF, EGF+FGF and T3+T4) used in this study.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Supplementation of growth factors in culture media increased cleavage rate and blastocyst rate significantly (p&lt;0.05). PDGF+IGF @ 10 ng/ml+75 ng/ml, EGF+FGF @ 20 ng/ml+10 ng/ml and T3+T4 @ 100 ng/ml+100 ng/ml showed the best results in terms of cleavage rates and blastocyst development.

Enhancement of Developmental Competence of Immature Oocytes Supplemented with Growth Factors in Culture Media

Effect of Different Growth Factors on in vitro Developmental Competence and Quality of Cattle Oocytes