Research Article

Effects of Opti-MEM®-based maturation and stage-specific glucose supplementation on ovine embryo development in vitro

Volume: 19 Number: 3 September 15, 2026
TR EN

Effects of Opti-MEM®-based maturation and stage-specific glucose supplementation on ovine embryo development in vitro

Abstract

In vitro embryo production (IVEP) in sheep remains constrained by suboptimal in vitro maturation (IVM) and culture conditions. This study evaluated Opti-MEM® as an alternative IVM medium for ovine oocytes and investigated the effects of stage-specific glucose supplementation on embryonic development and blastocyst quality. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) recovered from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries were matured for 24 h in either TCM-199 or Opti-MEM®, both supplemented with hormones and serum. Following in vitro fertilization, embryos were cultured in a two-step synthetic oviduct fluid medium supplemented with amino acids (SOFaa) under two glucose strategies: glucose-free medium transitioning to 1.5 mM (G0→G1.5), or 1.5 mM transitioning to 3.0 mM glucose (G1.5→G3.0). Development was monitored through Day 8, and blastocyst quality was assessed by differential staining of inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) cells. Nuclear maturation rates were comparable between groups, with metaphase II rates of 74.62% and 66.66% in TCM-199 and Opti-MEM®, respectively (p>0.05). Embryo development was significantly influenced by both IVM medium and glucose supplementation strategy. The G1.5→G3.0 protocol yielded superior blastocyst formation and quality, with the highest blastocyst rate and ICM cell count recorded in the TCM-199 group (p<0.05). Conversely, early glucose deprivation reduced blastocyst yield, particularly in Opti-MEM®-derived embryos. These findings demonstrate that while Opti-MEM® supports ovine oocyte nuclear maturation comparably to TCM-199, optimal blastocyst development requires stage-specific glucose supplementation tailored to the maturation medium employed.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Istanbul University

Project Number

Project Number: TSG-2017-20659

Ethical Statement

All experimental procedures involving animal-derived materials were conducted in accordance with institutional and national guidelines and were approved by the Experimental Animals Local Ethics Committee of Istanbul University (Approval No. 2017-295820).

Thanks

The authors declare that there are no acknowledgements.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Reproduction and Artificial Insemination

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 15, 2026

Submission Date

June 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 19 Number: 3

APA
Yağcioğlu, S., Arıcı, R., Bakirer Ozturk, G., Faris, I., Eser, A., Demir, K., Evecen, M., Birler, S., & Pabuccuoğlu, S. (2026). Effects of Opti-MEM®-based maturation and stage-specific glucose supplementation on ovine embryo development in vitro. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, 19(3), 289-304. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1967570
AMA
1.Yağcioğlu S, Arıcı R, Bakirer Ozturk G, et al. Effects of Opti-MEM®-based maturation and stage-specific glucose supplementation on ovine embryo development in vitro. kvj. 2026;19(3):289-304. doi:10.30607/kvj.1967570
Chicago
Yağcioğlu, Selin, Ramazan Arıcı, Gül Bakirer Ozturk, et al. 2026. “Effects of Opti-MEM®-Based Maturation and Stage-Specific Glucose Supplementation on Ovine Embryo Development in Vitro”. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal 19 (3): 289-304. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1967570.
EndNote
Yağcioğlu S, Arıcı R, Bakirer Ozturk G, Faris I, Eser A, Demir K, Evecen M, Birler S, Pabuccuoğlu S (September 1, 2026) Effects of Opti-MEM®-based maturation and stage-specific glucose supplementation on ovine embryo development in vitro. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal 19 3 289–304.
IEEE
[1]S. Yağcioğlu et al., “Effects of Opti-MEM®-based maturation and stage-specific glucose supplementation on ovine embryo development in vitro”, kvj, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 289–304, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.30607/kvj.1967570.
ISNAD
Yağcioğlu, Selin - Arıcı, Ramazan - Bakirer Ozturk, Gül - Faris, Israa - Eser, Ahmet - Demir, Kamber - Evecen, Mithat - Birler, Sema - Pabuccuoğlu, Serhat. “Effects of Opti-MEM®-Based Maturation and Stage-Specific Glucose Supplementation on Ovine Embryo Development in Vitro”. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal 19/3 (September 1, 2026): 289-304. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1967570.
JAMA
1.Yağcioğlu S, Arıcı R, Bakirer Ozturk G, Faris I, Eser A, Demir K, Evecen M, Birler S, Pabuccuoğlu S. Effects of Opti-MEM®-based maturation and stage-specific glucose supplementation on ovine embryo development in vitro. kvj. 2026;19:289–304.
MLA
Yağcioğlu, Selin, et al. “Effects of Opti-MEM®-Based Maturation and Stage-Specific Glucose Supplementation on Ovine Embryo Development in Vitro”. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, vol. 19, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 289-04, doi:10.30607/kvj.1967570.
Vancouver
1.Selin Yağcioğlu, Ramazan Arıcı, Gül Bakirer Ozturk, Israa Faris, Ahmet Eser, Kamber Demir, Mithat Evecen, Sema Birler, Serhat Pabuccuoğlu. Effects of Opti-MEM®-based maturation and stage-specific glucose supplementation on ovine embryo development in vitro. kvj. 2026 Sep. 1;19(3):289-304. doi:10.30607/kvj.1967570