Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are oocyte-specific growth factors that regulate many critical processes involved in early folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation. In this study, effects of GDF9 and BMP15 treatment during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes upon development after parthenogenetic activation were investigated. Neither GDF, BMP15 alone nor in combination affects the number and viability of cumulus cells or the rates of oocyte maturation and blastocyst development. However, the treatment of GDF9 on porcine oocytes increased the number of trophectodermal (TE) cells of blastocysts derived from activated oocytes (P<0.05). The treatment of BMP15 increased the cell numbers of both inner cell mass (ICM) and TE cells (P<0.05). The treatment with the combination of GDF9 and BMP15 further increased the numbers of ICM and TE cells, compared with GDF9 or BMP15 treatment alone (P<0.05). In conclusion, the treatment of GDF9 or BMP15 (or both) enhanced the quality of blastocysts via the increased number of ICM and/or TE cells.

INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
  1. Animal Ethics
  2. Chemicals and Reagents
  3. In Vitro Maturation of Oocytes
  4. Viability Test of Cumulus cells
  5. Parthenogenetic Activation of Oocytes
  6. Differential Staining
  7. Statistical Analysis
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES

• Min Ju Kim(Dept. of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University)
• Young June Kim(Dept. of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University)
• Hosup Shim(Dept. of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering, Dept. of Physiology, Dankook University School of Medicine) Corresponding author