The parthenogenetic development of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes after chemical stimulation.

In buffalo the overall in vitro embryo production efficiency is lower than cattle, mainly due to the lower cleavage rate (Gasparrini, 2002). In fact in our experience, comparable embryo yields are obtained in the two species only in relation to the cleaved oocytes. It is thought that a major limiting factor is the quality of the frozen semen. It has been demonstrated that freezing results in acrosomal damage, leakage of enzymes, alterations in ionic strength and pH, complete withdrawal of the hydration shell of protein in the solution and loss of motility (Meur et al., 1988). On the other hand we cannot role out that the lower cleavage rate is related to the failure in the accomplishment of oocyte competence after maturation. In fact although nuclear maturation is successfully achieved in our current system.................