Growth, antrum formation, and estradiol production of bovine preantral follicles cultured in a serum-free medium

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify factors that would allow the establishment of a serum-free culture system that could support follicular and oocyte growth, antrum formation, and estradiol-17β (E2) production in preantral follicles of bovine ovaries. Large preantral follicles (145-170 μm in diameter) were microsurgically dissected from ovaries, embedded in 0.15% type I collagen gels, and maintained in a serum-free medium for up to 13 days at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in air. This culture environment allowed most preantral follicles to maintain a three-dimensional structure with the presence of a thecal layer and basement membrane surrounding the granulosa cells throughout the entire culture period. The effects of insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, FSH, and LH on preantral follicle growth were investigated in serum-free medium. Follicular diameters were significantly larger in the presence of insulin, IGF-I, IGF-II, or FSH after 13 days in culture. Oocyte diameters were also significantly larger in the presence of all hormones tested. The single addition of insulin, IGF-I, or FSH induced antrum formation between Days 7 and 13 of culture. Insulin progressively induced E2 secretion by follicles after antrum formation, but IGF-I and FSH had no apparent effect. FSH and LH caused an increase in oocyte diameter in the presence of insulin. The addition of three hormones (insulin, FSH, and LH) initiated antrum formation and E2 production earlier than insulin-containing medium alone. Furthermore, maximal E2 secretion was maintained steadily between 7 and 13 days in this culture condition. From these results, we have demonstrated that insulin, FSH, and LH play substantial roles in the growth and development of bovine large preantral follicles in a serum-free medium.