LEPTIN INCREASES IN VITRO DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL OF PREPUBERTAL AND PUBERTAL DECCANI EWE OOCYTES

Abstract

The impact of leptin addition (0, 10, 20, 50 and 100 ng/ml) in maturation media on Deccani ewe oocytes  (prepubertal, 383; pubertal, 376) was investigated during non-breeding season. The cumulus oocyte complex  expansion and oocytes at M-II stage with extrusion of first polar body in prepubertal (63.8±1.5% and 61.1±2.5%,  respectively) and pubertal (68.2±1.3% and 66.2±2.%, respectively) ewes was higher (p<0.05) following the  addition of leptin at 20 ng/ml compared to other leptin concentrations tested. In brief, leptin addition (20 ng/ml) in  maturation media increases the developmental potential of prepubertal as well as pubertal Deccani ewe oocytes.