Received: 5 Feb, 2010 Accepted: 2 June, 2010

Abstract

Background & Aims: Superovulation�and in vitro fertilization are widely used in laboratory mice. Different strains of mice have inherent genetic differences that cause them to respond differently to these technologies. In this study, we investigated the effects of superovulation on two different mouse strains.

Materials & Methods:�In this basic study, two strains of female mice, Balb/C and NMRI, were superovulated using PMSG and hCG. The resulting oocytes were counted and characterized morphologically and then fertilized in vitro. The following day, two-cell embryos were counted and the results were analyzed statistically.

Results: The response to the superovulation treatment varied among strains and ranged from 0 - 20 (Balb/c) to 0 - 60 (NMARI) normal oocytes per female. The number of oocyte (p<0.00) and dead oocyte (p<0.05) showed significant differences between two strains. The other items including fragmented and granular oocytes, and two-cell embryo didn't show significant differences.

Conclusion: This study showed the effect of mouse strain response to superovulation.  NMARI strain showed a better response to superovulation and in vitro fertilization than Bab/c. 

Address: Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran  Tel: (+98) 9181110700

Email: alizadeh@umsha.ac.ir

Source: Urmia Med J 2010: 21(3): 255 ISSN: 1027-3727