Supplementation of Cattle Follicular Fluid Improves Developmental Competence of Buffalo Oocytes

During in vitro embryo production (IVEP), follicular fluid acts as a natural supplement to the maturation medium; however, species differences in its effectiveness remain unclear. The study aimed to compare progesterone and estradiol concentrations in cattle and buffalo follicular fluid from the dominant follicle and to assess the effect of cattle follicular fluid on the developmental competence of buffalo oocytes. Buffaloes and cows were synchronized using CIDR-based protocols, and follicular fluid was aspirated from the dominant follicle (≥ 12 mm) of slaughtered ovaries. Estradiol and progesterone concentrations were quantified in the follicular fluid, which was then incorporated into the IVM medium, divided into three groups: Cattle follicular fluid (cFF), Buffalo follicular fluid (buFF), and control containing oocytes (n = 1073) retrieved from 668 ovaries of slaughtered buffaloes. The results indicated that cFF exhibited higher estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), and estradiol/progesterone ratio compared to buFF aspirated from dominant follicles. Buffalo oocytes supplemented with cFF exhibited higher maturation rates based on cumulus expansion, compared to other treatments. Supplementation of cFF into the maturation media improved the cleavage, morula, blastocyst rates, as well as the cell count of hatched blastocysts, compared to the other treatments. In conclusion, incorporating cFF into the maturation medium enhanced cumulus expansion and improved the developmental competence of buffalo oocytes, leading to higher blastocyst yield.