Objective: To investigate the feasibility of oocyte retrieval at the time of cesarean delivery and the potential of such oocytes to undergo nuclear maturation in vitro using a baboon model and an established culture system.
Design: Randomized, controlled animal study.
Setting: Research foundation and university research laboratory.
Animal(s): Mature pregnant baboons.
Intervention(s): In vitro culture of aspirated oocytes with or without epidermal growth factor (EGF).
Main outcome measure(s): Oocyte yield, germinal vesicle breakdown, polar body extrusion.
Result(s): A total of 246 oocytes were retrieved (mean, 35; range, 14-67). Eighty-seven oocytes (35%) underwent germinal vesicle breakdown and 72 oocytes (29%) extruded a polar body. A chi2 analysis revealed no significant effect of EGF on outcome parameters. No effect of gestational age or maternal age on oocyte yield or development was observed.
Conclusion(s): A sizeable proportion of oocytes obtained from puerperal primates exhibited the capacity to undergo nuclear maturation in vitro.