The Effect of Omega-3 on In Vitro Maturation of Mouse Oocytes at the Stage of Germinal Vesicle

Studies have shown that fatty acids affect maturation of oocytes, however, studies carried out on the effect of omega-3 on in vitro maturation of oocytes, are limited. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of omega-3 on in vitro maturation of oocytes of mouse at the stage of germinal vesicle.

In this in vitro experimental study, NMRI mice aged 6 to 8 weeks, were super ovulated and killed 44 hours later, then their ovaries were removed, and immature oocytes were used for in vitro maturation. Immature oocytes were treated with omega-3 at doses of 10 and 100 µM, after 24 hours, the maturation of the oocytes was examined by invert microscope. The data were analyzed using chi square test.

Exposure of immature oocytes to 10 and 100 µM of omega-3 resulted in increased rate of mature oocytes compared to the control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Maturation rate was also higher in the group exposed to lower dose of omega-3 (10 µM) compared to the group exposed to higher dose (100 µM) of omega-3 (p < 0.01).

Addition of low doses of omega-3 to oocyte maturation medium, significantly increase the maturation rate of immature oocytes.