Effect of cysteamine on in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes

In vitro embryo production is a newer and more flexible approach for large-scale embryo production. The abattoir ovaries are the cheapest and the most abundant source of immature oocytes. However, these oocytes are in different stages of development during isolation and even if they are capable of growing in vitro, only a small percentage of the original pool of immature oocytes are competent to reach the blastocyst stage, because the embryo development is strongly influenced by events occurring during oocyte maturation (Krisher and Bavister, 1998). It is necessary to improve in vitro maturation systems for better oocyte developmental competence, to improve the overall efficiency of embryo production. Low molecular weight thiol compounds like cysteamine is considered to influence the developmental competence of oocytes (de Matos et al. 1995). Hence, the present study are conducted to evaluate the effect of cysteamine on in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes.