Relation between NADH and FAD concentrations and the quantity of calcium released from intracellular stores in fertilized and unfertilized bovine oocytes was investigated using luminescent analysis. Inhibition of Ca2+ exit from intracellular stores was detected in degenerative oocytes at metaphase II and 2-cell embryos. The intensity of both NADH and FAD fluorescence increased in 2-cell degenerated embryos, whereas the increase in only NADH fluorescence intensity occurred in degenerated oocytes at metaphase II stage. Degeneration exerted no influence on NADH fluorescence intensity or Ca2+ exit from intracellular stores, whereas a decreased FAD fluorescence intensity was noted in degenerated pronuclei. The obtained data testify that in degenerated zygotes and early embryos Ca2+ release may occur from different intracellular stores.
Animals Biological Transport