Serhat Pabuccuoglu

Comparison of cryoprotective effects of iodixanol, trehalose and cysteamine on ram semen

This study was conducted to improve cryosurvival of electroejaculated (EE) ram semen in the presence of iodixanol (OptiPrep™), trehalose or cysteamine. A tris-based extender was used to prepare 12 extenders containing OptiPrep™ (Op), trehalose (Tr) or cysteamine (Cy) alone, or different combinations of these compounds. Extenders were designated as follows: Tris (control), Op1.25 (1.25% Op, v/v), Op2.5 (2.5% Op, v/v), Op5 (5% Op, v/v), Tr50 (50mM Tr), Tr100 (100mM Tr), Cy (5mM Cy), OpTr (2.5% Op and 100mM Tr), OpCy (2.5% Op and 5mM Cy), TrCy (100mM Tr and 5mM Cy), OpTrCy1 (2.5% Op, 100mM Tr and 5mM Cy) and OpTrCy2 (1.25% Op, 50mM Tr and 2.5mM Cy). A two-step dilution was used and glycerol was added at 5°C in the second step. Diluted samples were equilibrated for 1h, loaded in 0.25mL straws and frozen in a programmable freezing machine. Supplementation of 5% OptiPrep™ significantly protected post-thaw progressive motility, membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity and morphological damages. Trehalose supplementation protected membrane integrity of ram sperm; however, it did not help post-thaw motility and morphology. Supplementation of 5mM cysteamine had detrimental effect on cryosurvival of EE ram semen. These results demonstrate that the supplementation of iodixanol increases the cryosurvival of EE ram semen in a dose-dependent manner.

Effects of estrous cycle stage and transport temperature of ovaries on in vitro maturation of canine oocytes

Unlike other domestic animals, in vitro maturation (IVM) of canine oocytes still has limited success. The present study investigated the effects of estrous cycle stage and transport temperature of ovaries on in vitro maturation of canine oocytes. The donor bitches were categorized into three groups based on stage of estrus cycle: follicular (proestrus or estrous), luteal (diestrus) and anestrus. One ovary of each pair collected from 39 mature bitches was transported in Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) at 4 degrees C while the other was transported at 37 degrees C. A total of 1138 Grade I COCs obtained from all ovaries were grouped and matured in modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF) supplemented with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), essential and non-essential amino acids at 38.5 degrees C in a humidified 5% CO(2), 5% O(2), and 90% N(2) atmosphere for 72 h. The nuclear maturation rates were evaluated by aceto-orcein staining. Oocytes harvested from follicular and luteal ovaries have a significantly higher maturation rates (MI+MII) than the oocytes from anestrual ovaries in the 37 degrees C group (p<0.05). However, oocytes harvested from anestrual ovaries transported at 4 degrees C had the highest maturation (MI+MII) rate, and the difference between anestrual and luteal ovary groups was significant (p<0.05). The oocytes from anestrual ovaries transported at 4 degrees C have significantly higher maturation rates than those transported at 37 degrees C (p<0.0001). However, the transport temperature (37 or 4 degrees C) did not significantly affect the maturation (MI+MII) rates of oocytes harvested from the luteal (p=0.61) and follicular (p=0.48) stage ovaries. It can be concluded from this study that (1) both transport temperature and transport temperaturexestrus cycle stage interaction effected the maturation rates, while estrus cycle stage alone did not, and (2) transporting canine ovaries at 4 degrees C can improve in vitro maturation rates in oocytes harvested from anestrous ovaries.

Development of starch based mucoadhesive vaginal drug delivery systems for application in veterinary medicine.

The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate the mucoadhesive, biocompatible and biodegradable progesterone containing vaginal tablets based on modified starch copolymers for the estrus synchronization of ewes. Starch-graft-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers (S-g-PAA) were synthesized and characterized. The vaginal tablets were fabricated with S-g-PAA and their equilibrium swelling degree (Qe) and matrix erosion (ME%) were determined in lactate buffer solution. In vitro, mucoadhesive properties of the tablets were investigated by using ewe vaginal mucosa and in vivo residence time were also investigated. In vitro and in vivo progesterone release profiles from the tablets were compared with two commercial products. Tablet formulation containing wheat starch based grafted copolymer (WS-g-PAA)gc indicated promising results and might be convenient as an alternative product to the commercial products in veterinary medicine.

Adding hormones sequentially could be an effective approach for IVM of dog oocytes

There have not been successful and repeatable methods for in vitro embryo production in the dog. Up to date, only one blactocyst has been achieved on in vitro culture. Since reproductive physiology of the dog is different from that of other mammalian species, it seems that a suitable method for in vitro production of canine embryos is still far from being designed and routinely applied, and an effective protocol is needed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of adding hormones sequentially, for mimicking the dogs in vivo endocrine milieu, on maturation of immature dog oocytes in vitro. At the end of the 96 h IVM period, nuclear maturation rates were evaluated by the aceto-orcein staining method. In comparison relating IVM rates, the sequential hormone addition was more beneficial on IVM rates (MI + MII) than the traditional hormone addition and control groups (48.1%, 38.9% and 23.0% respectively; P < 0.0001). As a result, hormone addition sequentially may be an effective approach for the IVM of the immature dog oocytes. We suggest that attempts to define the adequate conditions for IVM in the dog should extend towards this new perspective.

Using cell banks as a tool in conservation programmes of native domestic breeds: the production of the first cloned Anatolian Grey cattle

The aim of this study was to clone native Anatolian Grey cattle by using different donor cell types, such as fibroblast, cartilage and granulosa cells cryopreserved in a gene bank and oocytes aspirated from ovaries of Holstein cows as the recipient cytoplasm source. One male calf from fibroblast, three female calves from granulosa cells and one female calf from cartilage cells were born healthy and at normal birthweights. No calves were lost after birth. The results demonstrated that the cloned calves had the same microsatellite alleles at 11 loci as their nuclear donors. However, the mtDNAs of the five Anatolian Grey cloned calves had different haplotypes from their donor cells and mtDNA heteroplasmy could not be detected in any of the clones. The birth of healthy clones suggests that the haplotype difference between the cell and oocyte donor did not affect the pre- or post-implantation development of the bovine nuclear transfer derived embryos in our study. The results showed that well established nuclear transfer protocols could be useful in conserving endangered species. In conclusion, somatic cell banking can be suggested as a tool in conservation programmes of animal genetic resources.

The effects of the thiolation with thioglycolic acid and l-cysteine on the mucoadhesion properties of the starch-graft-poly(acrylic acid)

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the thiolation on the mucoadhesion characteristics of the gelatinized and crosslinked wheat starch-graft-poly(acrylic acid) [(WS-g-PAA)gc] for potential use in drug delivery via vaginal route. Thiolation of (WS-g-PAA)gc was first time realized using l-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate (CyS) and thioglycolic acid (TGA). These conjugates [(WS-g-PAA)gcth] were characterized using FTIR. The free SH group, mucoadhesion, cytotoxicity characteristics and the mechanism of the thiolation were also evaluated. To obtain fundamental data for possible application such as drug carrier, in vitro and in vivo progesterone release profiles from the mucoadhesive tablet formulations were also determined. The results showed that, vaginal tablet containing (WS-g-PAA)gc-TGA, which has not contain free SH groups in its structure, displays higher mucoadhesion than (WS-g-PAA)gc and (WS-g-PAA)gc-CyS. This tablet formulation can also be used as a drug carrier in vaginal applications.

pH sensitive functionalized hyperbranched polyester based nanoparticulate system for the receptor-mediated targeted cancer therapy

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to develop a novel folic acid conjugated, DL-lysine modified, PEGylated, the 3rd generation hyperbranched polymer (HBP-PEG-Lys-FA) for use in receptor-mediated therapy. 5-fluorouracil, model anti-cancer drug, loaded nanoparticles were found an average size of 177 nm with loading efficiency of 23.18%. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated that nanoparticles showed pH-dependent release. HBP-PEG-Lys-FA were efficiently taken up by HeLa cells and specificity of targeted nanoparticles to folate receptors of cells was proved. It was concluded that the HBP-PEG-Lys-FA nanoparticles can provide an advantage on delivering of the drug efficiently into the cytosol for cancer therapy. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT