RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In the present study, the potential of different groups of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC's) for in vitro maturation (IVM) and embryonic development was assessed in two groups of COC's of water buffalo. Further, the expression pattern of cumulus-associated GJA1, PTX3, PRSS35, and SERPINE2 genes and their effects on embryonic development was analyzed. Slaughterhouse-derived buffalo COC's were graded into groups A and B. An equal number of 410 COC's were taken in both groups. IVM was carried out using Slaughterhouse-derived buffalo epididymis. A remarkable degree of cumulus expansion was noticed in group A (92.68%) as compared to group B (81.25%) oocytes. On in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo culture, group A produced a significantly higher rate of cleavage and blastocyst (92.682 ± 0.7179% and 42.682 ± 0.9683%) as compared to group B (85.365 ± 0.7608% and 31.707 ± 0.9688%). Also, the transcriptional analysis of cumulus-associated genes revealed significantly higher expression in group A as compared to group B. RESULTS: It was revealed that oocytes having good cumulus mass had a higher developmental potential. Based on differential gene expression of cumulus-associated genes, different quality of COC's, and the resultant embryos after IVF, it was concluded that these genes could be used as a marker for predicting the developmental competence of the oocytes. CONCLUSION: We concluded that morphologically good quality of COC's had a higher developmental competence, and also the differential expressions of cumulus-associated genes in cumulus cells and embryos. So, we can conclude that these genes could be used as marker genes for predicting the developmental competence of buffalo's oocytes.