From: Hajarian, H., Aghaz, F., & Shabankareh, H. K. (2017). Replacement of serum with sericin in in vitro maturation and culture media: Effects on embryonic developmental competence of Sanjabi sheep embryo during breeding season. Theriogenology, 92, 144-148.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of sericin supplementation, as a serum replacement, in maturation and culture media on the meiotic competence of oocytes or in vitro culture of ovine embryos.

In the first experiment, COCs were matured in the presence of the basic oocytes maturation medium plus 10% FOS, 0.1% PVA and different concentrations of sericin (0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2.5%), for 24 h.
Followed by fertilization and culture, as described above. Data were collected on cleavage rate and development to the blastocyst stage on day 6-8 for each treatment.

In the second experiment, presumptive zygotes were cultured in the presence of the first 0.8% BSA (control), 0.1% PVA and different concentrations of sericin (0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2.5%), for the first 48 h,
then, 10% FOS (control), 0.1% PVA and different concentrations of sericin (0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2.5%), for 6 days of culture. The percentage of cleavage rate and cleaved zygotes developing to the blastocyst stage
on day 6-8 was investigated.