In vitro maturation of baboon oocytes retrieved at the time of cesarean section

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of oocyte retrieval at the time o f cesarean delivery and the potential of such oocytes to undergo nuclear ma turation in vitro using a baboon model and an established culture system. Design: Randomized, controlled animal study. Setting: Research foundation and university research laboratory. Animal(s): Mature pregnant baboons. Intervention(s): In vitro culture of aspirated oocytes with or without epid ermal growth factor (EGF). Main Outcome Measure(s): Oocyte yield, germinal vesicle breakdown, polar bo dy extrusion. Result(s): A total of 246 oocytes were retrieved (mean, 35; range, 14-67). Eighty-seven oocytes (35%) underwent germinal vesicle breakdown and 72 oocy tes (29%) extruded a polar body. A chi(2) analysis revealed no significant effect of EGF on outcome parameters. No effect of gestational age or matern al age on oocyte yield or development was observed. Conclusion(s): A sizeable proportion of oocytes obtained from puerperal pri mates exhibited the capacity to undergo nuclear maturation in vitro. (Ferti l Steril(R) 1999;71:1153-6. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive M edicine.).