Liposome-encapsulated diacyl glycerol and inositol triphosphate-induced delayed oocyte activation and poor development of parthenotes

OBJECTIVE: To explore the ability of diacyl glycerol (DAG) and inositol triphosphate (IP3), two major secondary messengers in the calcium signaling pathway, in activating oocytes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Oocyte cumulus complex obtained from superovulated Swiss albino mice were incubated in M16 medium with liposome-encapsulated 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol (LEDAG) and/or IP3 for 3 h. Strontium chloride was used as positive control. The activation potential, ploidy status, and blastocyst rate was calculated. RESULTS: Both DAG and IP3, individually, induced activation in ~98% of oocytes, which was significantly higher (p<0.01) than activation induced by strontium chloride (60%). Delayed pronucleus formation and a higher percentage of diploid parthenotes was observed in oocytes activated with LEDAG and/or IP3. However, these embryos failed to progress beyond the 6-8–cell stage. Only when the medium was supplemented with LEDAG (5 μg/mL) and IP3 (10 μg/mL) could activated oocytes progress till the blastocyst stage (5.26%), which was lower than the blastocyst rate in the positive controls (13.91%). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that DAG and IP3 can induce delayed oocyte activation and poor development of parthenotes in vitro.