1. Effect of gonadotropins on oocyte maturation in vitro: an animal model
Wei Sha, Ph.D., Bao-Zeng Xu, Ph.D., Mo Li, Ph.D., Di Liu, Ph.D., Huai L. Feng, Ph.D., Qing-Yuan Sun, Ph.D. 
Fertility and Sterility 
Volume 93, Issue 5, Pages (March 2010)
DOI: /j.fertnstert
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

2. Figure 1
Effects of different gonadotropin drugs on spindle configuration and chromosomal alignment in porcine MII oocytes. (A) i represents the normal spindle and chromosomal configurations in the porcine oocyte. ii, iii, and iv represent abnormal spindle and chromosomal configurations. In ii and iii, arrows indicate the spindle multipoles and displaced chromosomes. In iv, arrows indicate chaotic spindle organization and abnormally aligned chromosomes. (B to D) Normal ratios of spindle configuration and chromosomal alignment in porcine oocyte following IVM culture with different concentrations of gonadotropin drugs. (B) Consequences of Repronex-exposure to the ovary. (C) Consequences of Novarel-exposure. (D) Consequences of exposure to the combination of Repronex and Novarel. Green = α-tubulin staining; red = DNA staining; a, b, c, d = values that differ significantly (P < 0.05); scale bar = 5 μm.
Fertility and Sterility  , DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

3. Figure 2
Effects of different gonadotropin drugs on cortical granule distribution in porcine oocyte after IVM culture. (A) i, CG cortical area distribution within the porcine oocyte; most CGs disperse within the cortical area of the cytoplasm, with a few migrating to the sub-membrane area to form a discontinuous ring (white circle); ii, intermediate pattern i and iii, with most CGs having migrated into the submembranous area to form a ring; however, there is still some sporadic distribution of CGs in the cortical area (white circles); iii, complete CG migration; all CGs have migrated into the submembranous area to form a brilliant, continuous ring; note that no CGs are found in the central part or cortical area in the porcine oocyte no CG signals can be detected in the central part of oocyte in i to iii. (B to D) The ratios of complete CG migration within the porcine oocyte after IVM culture with different concentrations of the gonadotropin drugs. (B) Consequences of Repronex exposure. (C) Consequences of Novarel exposure. (D) Consequences of exposure to the combination of Repronex and Novarel. For Fig 2B, 2C & 2D, the superscripts a,b,c represent values that differ significantly (P<0.05). Green = CG staining; a, b, c, d = values that differ significantly (P < 0.05); scale bar = 10 μm.
Fertility and Sterility  , DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

4. Figure 3
Effects of different gonadotropin drugs on mitochondrial distribution and aggregation in porcine MII oocyte following IVM culture. (A) i, mitochondrial aggregation into crystal dots, with dispersion to the cortical area and no distribution in the center of the oocyte; ii, granular mitochondrial distribution in the cortical area; iii, cluster mitochondrial distribution within the cortical area. In all three distribution and aggregation patterns, no mitochondria could be detected in the central part of oocyte. (B) A series of slices from the same MII porcine oocyte. In slices 1 through 12, mitochondrial distribution remains in the cortical area of oocyte cytoplasm around lipid drops (white circles), with no detectable signals in the central part of the oocyte. (C to E) The ratios of different mitochondrial aggregation patterns in porcine oocyte, following IVM culture in different concentrations of gonadotropin drugs. Red = Mito Tracker Red staining; a, b, c = values that differ significantly (P < 0.05); scale bar = 10 μm.
Fertility and Sterility  , DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

5. Figure 4
Effects of different gonadotropin drug treatments on ERK1/2 activation in porcine cumulus cells. (A to C) ERK1/2 activation in porcine cumulus cells after Repronex, Novarel, and Repronex-Novarel treatments, respectively. In DOs treated with high concentrations of gonadotropins, ERK1/2 activation cannot be detected. In all three groups, ERK1/2 activation is significantly lower in the control than in the treatment groups. There are no significant differences in ERK1/2 activation among the different gonadotropin-exposed groups.
Fertility and Sterility  , DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions