Effect of Fennel essence on nuclear maturation of bovine oocyte

Aim and Successful in vitro embryo production extremely depends on the components of culture media during in vitro maturation. With ingredients like Anitol, Fennel has properties similar to estrogen. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Fennel essence on nuclear maturation of bovine oocyte.
In order to in vitro maturation off oocytes, Cumulus-oocyte complexes (No. 772) from follicles 2–8 mm in diameter were aspirated and cultured in M199 maturation media containing 10% FBS, 10% bovine follicular fluid, 5 µg/ml FSH, 1 µg/ml oestradiol- 17β, 0.81mM sodium pyruvate and 50 µg/ml gentamicin sulfate. Maturation culture media supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 mg/ml of Fennel essence and were cultured in a CO2 incubator containing 5% CO2 and 95% humidity in air at 38.5ºC for 24 h.
Results showed that the amount of maturation of oocytes under 5, 10, 20 and 30 mg/ml of Fennel essence were not significantly different based on expansion of cumulus cells and polar body extrusion in compared with control (P>0.05). However, 50 mg/ml of Fennel essence significantly decreased expansion of cumulus cells and polar body extrusion in compared to other groups (P From the results of current study we can conclude that, Fennel essence, based on cumulus expansion and polar body extrusion, unable to improve nuclear maturation of bovine oocytes. In order to investigate the effect of Fennel essence on nucleus and cytoplasmic maturation of bovine oocytes, it is suggested to use in vitro fertilization.