Uso da L-arginina nos processos de capacitação espermática e fecundação in vitro de oócitos bovinos

The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of the L-arginine in sperm capacitation and in vitro fertilization (IVF), analyzing its influence on the embryonic development, using semen from two bulls (Bos taurus and Bos indicus). In experiment 1, the spermatozoa had been incubated without oocytes, during 0, 1, 2 and 3 hour in IVF medium added of 0, 1, 10 and 50 mM L-arginine. In experiment 2, spermatozoa and oocytes had been incubated in IVF medium added with the L-arginine concentrations previously cited, during approximately 30 hour. The bovine oocytes had been matured in vitro (IVM) and embryonic culture (IVC) was supported by a monolayer of granulosa cells in SOF medium. It was evaluated fertilization (18 hpi), clivage and blastocyst rates (2º and 7º culture day, respectively). The Griess colorimetric method was applied to mensurement of the NO3 -/NO2 - produced during the IVF. For statistics analysis, values were considered significantly different if P