Ultra-structure study of microvilli, mitochondria and lipid droplets of egyptian buffaloes’ oocytes with reference to quality

The objective of this study was to describe and relate the ultra-structure of the micro-villi and mitochondria of buffalo’ oocytes as well as morphological aspects of lipid droplets with particular reference to oocytes’ quality. Ovaries were collected from local slaughterhouse and transported to the laboratory within three to four h post-slaughter. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from antral follicles of two to eight mm diameter using an 18-guage needle. A total number of 10 good and 10 denuded oocytes were selected and prepared to study the target structure using transmission electron microscopy. Results indicated that good oocytes had large number (P<0.05) of micro-villi, compared to that of denuded ones. In a few cases, micro-villi looked erected in good oocytes, while such cases were not clear in the denuded ones. The mitochondria were located at the periphery of the oocyte and a small number were found close to the center with round, hooded or oval shaped. The lipid droplets were found near to the mitochondria, they were small in size and number. The distribution of organelles in the cytoplasm of oocytes markedly differed between good and denuded oocytes.