Effect of medium composition on the in vitro culture of bovine pre-antral follicles: morphology and viability do not guarantee functionality

This study investigated the effect of three different culture media (alpha minimum essential medium (alpha-MEM), McCoy or TCM199 during the in vitro culture (IVC) of bovine isolated pre-antral follicles. Pre-antral follicles greater than 150 mu m in size were isolated and cultured for 0 (control), 8 or 16 days in one of the abovementioned culture media. Follicles were evaluated for survival, growth and antrum formation at days 8 and 16. The results showed that TCM199 was the most suitable medium to preserve follicular viability and ultrastructure, resulting in the highest rates of antrum formation. In conclusion, TCM199 promotes the in vitro development of isolated pre-antral follicles without hampering follicular functionality by sustaining in vitro growth and antrum formation.