PRECURSORS OF TAURINE IN FEMALE GENITAL-TRACT - EFFECTS ON DEVELOPMENTAL CAPACITY OF BOVINE EMBRYO PRODUCED IN-VITRO

Two precursors of taurine have been studied: cysteamine and hypotaurin e. Cysteamine has been quantified in genital secretions and found in f ollicular fluids of all species tested. On the contrary cysteamine was not detected (or traces) in tubal fluids of the same species. Additio n of 50, 100 or 250 mu M of cysteamine to the maturation medium used i n the culturing of bovine oocytes did not improve the cleavage rate no r the embryo's developmental potential in vitro. Furthermore, at 250 m u M, cysteamine seems to be toxic to the embryo. Addition of 0.5-1 mM hypotaurine to the bovine embryo culture medium improved significantly blastocyst production and quality. The respective roles of these 2 ta urine precursors on maturation and embryo development are discussed.