Evaluation of p34cdc2 Protein Kinase Activity During in vitro Maturation of Canine Oocytes

The efficiency of in vitro maturation (IVM) of canine oocytes is still very low compared to other mammalian species after being cultured for 48 h to 72 h in vitro. Control of the cell cycle is regulated by a cascade of coordinated events, which influences expression or repression of protein activity related to resumption of meiosis. Studies indicate that the activity of proteins involved in this process appears to be time-dependent and thus could help to establish optimal culture time. This work was aimed to evaluate the p34cdc2 protein kinase activity during IVM of canine oocytes cultured for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The study was approved by the Institution’s Animal Care and Experimentation Ethics Committee (protocol number 176/2011). [...]