Effect of cytochalasin B and cycloheximide on the activation rate, chromosome constituent and <i>in vitro</i> development of porcine oocytes following parthenogenetic stimulation

Abstract

Activation rate, chromosome constituent and developmental pattern of porcine oocytes was examined in the presence and absence of cytochalasin B and cycloheximide following parthenogenetic stimulation. Treatment with cycloheximide after ethanol or Ca2+ ionophore treatment increased the incidence of activation. The percentage of oocytes with two or more female pronuclei was higher (P < 0.05) in oocytes treated with cytochalasin B than in control or cycloheximide-treated oocytes. Treatment with both electrical stimulation and cytochalasin B increased the incidence of diploid chromosome spreads, and accelerated development to the morula and blastocyst stage compared with the control and cycloheximide-treated groups, suggesting a role of ploidy in the development of parthenote.