Photobiomodulation of Bovine Oocytes During Maturation Increases ATP Content and Enhances Subsequent Embryonic Development

Author

Kendall RicheyFollow

Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Committee Chair/Advisor

Matthew Hersom

Committee Member

Celina M Checura

Committee Member

William Bridges

Abstract

Bovine in-vitro production(IVP) of embryos is a growing field for producing offspring with desirable genetics in the cattle industries. While IVP is effective, oocyte cytoplasmic maturation is compromised, and bovine oocytes matured in-vitro have reduced metabolic activity than those matured in-vivo. Mitochondria are the central unit of oocyte metabolism, producing ATP through OXPHOS. Photobiomodulation is a light treatment reported to improve metabolic activity. In five experiments, we measured the effects of photobiomodulation treatment with red LED at 16-(L-16) and 20 h(L-20) of bovine oocyte in-vitro maturation on subsequent embryonic development, mitochondrial activity and nuclear progression. Bovine COCs were aspirated from abattoir ovaries and matured following a standard protocol. In Experiments 1 and 3, L-16, L-20 treated, and Control oocytes were fertilized and cultured. The embryonic development rates and blastocyst cell number were assessed. In Experiments 2, 4, and 5, cytoplasmic ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured at 24 h or over time. In Experiments 1 and 3, L-16 and L-20 treated oocytes had higher embryonic development rates and cell numbers than Control. In Experiments 2, 4, and 5, L-16 increased cytoplasmic ATP levels during maturation but did not affect mitochondrial membrane potential. There was no effect of L-20 on cytoplasmic ATP levels or mitochondrial membrane potential compared to its Control. Photobiomodulation treatment of bovine oocytes at 16- and 20h of in-vitro maturation significantly improved embryonic development, blastocyst cell number and ATP production. These results unfold a new area to study incorporating photobiomodulation treatments in the IVF industry.

Recommended Citation

Richey, Kendall, "Photobiomodulation of Bovine Oocytes During Maturation Increases ATP Content and Enhances Subsequent Embryonic Development" (2024). All Theses. 4294.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4294