Age-associated potency decline in bovine oocytes is delayed by blocking extracellular Ca2+ influx

Oocyte aging due to delayed fertilization is associated with declining quality and developmental potential. Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration ([Ca2+]i) regulates oocyte growth, maturation, and fertilization and has also been implicated in aging. Using bovine oocytes, we tested the hypothesis that oocyte aging could be delayed by reducing [Ca2+]ivia blocking the influx of extracellular Ca2+ or chelating ooplasmic free Ca2+. After IVM, cumulus–oocyte complexes or denuded oocytes were cultured in medium supplemented with 1-octanol, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, or 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetrakis-acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) to manipulate [Ca2+]i. Addition of 1-mM 1-octanol increased blastocyst development rates in the cumulus–oocyte complexes aged for 6 hours by IVF and for 6, 12, and 24 hours by parthenoactivation, and this effect was independent of the presence of cumulus cells. The intracellular levels of ATP, Glutathione, and Glutathione disulfide were not affected by 1-octanol, but [Ca2+]i was significantly decreased. When oocytes were cultured in Ca2+-free medium for 12 hours, the blastocyst development rate was greater and the beneficial effects of 1-octanol on oocyte aging were abolished. However, when the medium was supplemented with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, [Ca2+]i increased and the blastocyst development rate decreased. Moreover, BAPTA-AM reduced [Ca2+]i and increased blastocyst development rates after IVF or parthenoactivation. We conclude that the age-associated developmental potency decline was delayed by blocking the influx of extracellular Ca2+ or reducing ooplasmic free Ca2+. 1-Octanol, BAPTA-AM, or Ca2+-free medium could be used to lengthen the fertilization windows of aged bovine oocytes.