The objective of this experiment was to explore the effects of Roscovitine (Rosco) prior to in vitro maturation (IVM) of immature pig oocyte. Brilliant cresyl blue test has been used to select the good quality of oocyte. Specifically, the effects of Rosco exposure on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, diameter, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and gene expression levels in SCNT embryos have been measured. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) have been exposed in 75 μM of Rosco for 22 and 44 h. The COCs that were matured in the IVM for 44 h without Rosco used as control group. Diameter of matured porcine oocytes 44 h culture with Rosco was significantly lower than 22 h culture with Rosco and control groups. GSH was higher in control group than 22 h and 44 h with Rosco but reduction of ROS in 22 h than 44 h with Rosco. In PA, exposure with Rosco 44 h oocytes group has been significantly lower than 22 h and control group in rates of maturation, cleavage and blastocyst formation. Similarly, in SCNT embryos rates of maturation, cleavage and formation of blastocyst have been also significantly lower in 44 h Rosco treated group than other two groups. SCNT embryos treated with Rosco 22 h showed greater expression levels of POU5F1, DPPA2 and NDP52Il mRNA compared with other two groups. Our results demonstrate that Rosco treatment with 22 h prior to IVM improves the development competence of porcine oocyte.

Here we report the productions of genetically modified cloned Massachusetts General Hospital miniature pig (MGH minipig) using freshly thawed donor cells equilibrated with roscovitine. Fibroblasts were isolated from the ear skin of a 10-day-old male MGH minipig. The donor cells were divided into two groups: cultured for 3 days (culture) and freshly thawed with 500 nM roscovitine. The viability of the donor cells was significantly higher at 0 h (94.6±3.5) compared with 1 h (81.7±5.7) after thawing (p=0.028). After 1 hr of equilibration time, the proportion of G0/G1 stage in roscovitine group was not different from 0 hr group, but not in culture medium group (p<0.01), respectively. Although the developmental characteristics were not different in both methods, the pregnancy and delivery rate in freshly thawed group were significantly higher than that of culture group (p<0.01), respectively. In total, 12 TG cloned MGH minipigs were delivered and the individual cloning efficiency was from 0 to 2.54%. Taken together, the use of freshly thawed donor cells equilibrated with roscovitine may be helpful method to increase the productivity of the genetically modified cloned MGH minipigs.

In the present study, effects of concentration and time of culture in presence of roscovitine on nuclear maturation and meiotic spindle configuration, chromosomal alignment were examined in porcine oocytes. In experiment 1, porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured at in a 5% atmosphere in North Carolina State University 23 (NCSU-23) supplemented with 25, 50, 75 or roscovitine for 22 h and then were cultured for additional 22 h after removal of roscovitine. Nuclear maturation and morphology of the meiotic spindle and chromosomal alignment were examined to determine the optimal concentration of roscovitine in oocyte maturation. In experiment 2, COCs were cultured in NCSU-23 supplemented with roscovitine for 17, 20, 27 or 42 h and then an additional 22 h without roscovitine was followed to determine the optimal time of culture. The optimal concentration of roscovitine to arrest and resume meiosis of porcine oocyte was by examining nuclear status (p<0.05) and normal spindle and chromosome configuration. The optimal time of culture in presence of roscovitine to arrest meiosis of porcine oocyte was 17 h (p<0.05), although MII rates and normal morphology of the meiotic spindle and chromosomal alignment were not significantly different among various times of culture. In conclusion, the optimal concentration and time of culture in presence of roscovitine to arrest porcine oocytes are and 17 h, respectively.