Abstract
In vitro embryo production (IVP) induces excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which affects blastocyst quality. Therefore, the supplementation of culture media with antioxidants is an alternative to overcome oxidative stress damage. However, there is a growing demand for the use of antioxidant compounds that are more natural and less toxic in cell cultures. The present study is aimed at evaluating the effect of ethanolic extracts from cerrado leaves on IVP. First, the antioxidant capacity and the amount of phenolic compounds of the leaves were evaluated. Then, the best ethanolic extract concentration composed of cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica) and murici (Byrsonima crassifolia) to be used during the in vitro culture of in vitro-produced embryos was determined. Afterward, we evaluated the influence of the extract of both plants on ROS and glutathione (GSH) production, while also evaluating the apoptosis and ROS metabolism gene expression. In a subsequent step, the effect of the ethanolic extracts of dried cagaita and murici leaves during embryonic cultivation on the cryotolerance of expanded blastocysts was studied. The results showed a significant reduction in the proportion of apoptotic cells from embryos cultivated with 0.01 mg/mL of the cagaita ethanolic extract, besides inducing an increase in the GPX4 and PRDX3 transcription levels. The murici ethanolic extract induced an increase in the transcription abundance of these genes but did not reduce the proportion of apoptotic cells. In addition, expanded blastocysts cultivated with extracts at a concentration of 0.01 mg/mL and cryopreserved had higher hatching rates and lower degeneration rates when compared to the frozen group previously supplemented with the extracts. Moreover, the apoptosis rate of embryos cultured for 12 h after cryopreservation was lower in groups previously exposed to extracts during in vitro cultivation. Such extracts may be used as alternatives to increase the cryotolerance of in vitro-produced embryos.
Highlights
In vitro embryo production (IVP) in cattle is a means for the rapid multiplication of individuals of high genetic merit in commercial systems
Considering the great antioxidant potential of plants from the cerrado biome and the need to test new compounds for oxidative stress control in the IVP routine, the present study evaluated the effect of supplementing culture media with ethanolic extracts from dried leaves of cerrado plants on the quality and cryotolerance of bovine embryos
Antioxidant activity data obtained by the ABTS method and the amount of total phenols obtained by the Folin-Ciocalteu method were analyzed by linear regression
Summary
In vitro embryo production (IVP) in cattle is a means for the rapid multiplication of individuals of high genetic merit in commercial systems. The in vitro culture system does not have optimal development conditions, and embryos are usually of lower quality than those produced in vivo. It is well established that embryos require energy for their rapid growth and that the generation of this energy includes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To ensure that the initial embryonic development takes place a balance between the generation and the elimination of ROS, which is essential for intracellular signal transduction, should be maintained [1, 2]. Certain ROS levels are necessary for the development of gametes and fertilization [3, 4], high ROS concentrations have been associated with a reduction in embryo viability. The main reason for this is that ROS damages biomolecules
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
