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Abstract In vitro maturation of oocytes is an important application in assisted reproductive medicine and reproductive biology research. It can provide high quality oocytes from unstimulated ovaries. However, in vitro maturation remains a challenge in mammalian species, and has only been achieved with limited degrees of success. This study was carried out to evaluate the difference between the effects of recombinant versus urinary extracted follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone on the in vitro maturation of rabbit oocytes, as rabbit is considered an important model system for human reproduction. Unstimulated ovaries of female rabbits were encountered. Oocytes were collected via tissue slice technique. The cumulus oocyte complexes containing immature oocytes at germinal vesicle stage were counted, washed, and cultured in media with either urinary extracted or recombinant preparations of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone or a combination of both. After cultivation, oocytes were examined for maturation and our study revealed that the addition of recombinant preparations of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, instead of the urinary extracted preparations, to the culture media could significantly improve the results of the in vitro maturation and increase the percentage of oocytes reaching the second metaphase stage |