Gonadotropin exposure, salt storage and storage duration affect penetration of domestic cat oocytes by homologous spermatozoa.

Salt-stored domestic cat oocytes are routinely used to study sperm function in domestic and nondomestic felids. Our objectives were to assess the effects of in vitro maturation (IVM), salt storage and storage duration on penetration of domestic cat oocytes by homologous spermatozoa. In Experiment 1, domestic cat spermatozoa were coincubated with fresh immature oocytes, salt-stored (2-3 weeks) immature oocytes, or salt-stored (2-3 weeks) IVM oocytes matured in Minimum Essential Medium containing 0.1IU FSH and 0.1IU LH/ml (IVM1) or 0.5IU FSH and 2.2IULH/ml (IVM2). In Experiment 2, all oocytes were matured (IVM2) and inseminated fresh or after salt storage for 2-3 weeks, 2-3 months or 9 months. In Experiment 1, penetration of the outer zona pellucida (OZP) was greater (P<0.05) in salt-stored IVM2 oocytes than in salt-stored immature oocytes, whereas penetration of salt-stored IVM1 oocytes was intermediate (P>0.05). In Experiment 2, penetration of the OZP and inner zona pellucida (IZP) was higher (P<0.05) in fresh IVM2 oocytes than in salt-stored oocytes, and a higher (P<0.05) proportion of oocytes had IZP sperm after 2-3 weeks of storage than after 2-3 months. Penetration of the perivitelline space was higher (P<0.05) in fresh IVM2 oocytes than in oocytes stored for 2-3 weeks or 2-3 months. These results suggest that oocyte penetration is improved by IVM, but is impaired by exposure to salt-storage solution and prolonged storage duration.