The effect of hepatocyte growth factor on mouse oocyte in vitro maturation and subsequent fertilization and embryo development

Background: Oocyte invitro maturation is an enormously promising technology for the treatment of infertility, yet its clinical application remains limited owing to poor success rates. Therefore, this study was devised to evaluate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on in vitro maturation of immature mouse oocytes and resulting embryos development.   
Materials and Method: Cumulus – oocyte complex and germinal vesicle were obtained from eighteen 6-8 weeks-old female NMRI mice 46-48 hours after administration of an injection of 5 IU PMSG (Pregnant Mares’ Serum Gonadotrophin). Oocytes were culture in TCM199 (Tissue culture medium-199) supplemented with dosages of 0, 10, 20, 50 and 100 ng/ml of HGF. After 24 hours, metaphase ІІ oocytes were co-incubated with sperms for 4-6 hours in T6 medium. Following isolation of two pronucleus embryos, cleavage of embryos was assessed in the same medium till blastocyst stage. The number of oocytes and embryos was recorded under an invert microscope and the rate of oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryos cleavage until blastocyst stage compared using of student χ2 test.
Results: In all compared groups, oocytes growth and embryos development rate in the 20 ng/ml of HGF treatment group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: 20 ng/ml of HGF improved the nuclear maturation and embryo development up to blastocyst stage during culture condition.