Vitrification of Immature Porcine Oocytes: Effects of Lipid Droplets, Temperature, Cytoskeleton, and Addition and Removal of Cryoprotectant

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of single-step and stepwise exposure to and removal of cryoprotectant, of temperature, and of a cytoskeletal relaxant on the development of germinal vesicle porcine oocytes to the M-II stage. In experiment I, noncooled cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were treated using single-step/stepwise exposure to ethylene glycol (EG) and removal at 23 or 42 degrees C. Stepwise exposure to EG and dilution at 42 degrees C were found to have a positive effect on the COC developmental rate. In experiment II, also without cooling, COCs were treated with Cytochalasin B at 42 degrees C using single-step and stepwise protocols of exposure to and remov…