Influence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine against bisphenol a on the maturation of mouse oocytes and embryo development: in vitro study

Qian Li,Zhenjun Zhao

doi:10.1186/s40360-019-0323-9

Abstract

BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, is a widely used chemical that has adverse effects on animal development and reproduction. The current research aimed to evaluate the effect of BPA on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent embryo development of mouse oocytes following in vitro fertilization (IVF).MethodsIVM was performed in the presence of different concentrations (0, 20, 50, or 100 μg/mL) of BPA. Nuclear maturation, IVF efficiency and embryonic development were determined. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) in the BPA (50 μg/mL) group were evaluated. We explored the ability of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in the IVM medium to rescue the BPA-induced damage by examining changes in nuclear maturation, IVF rate, blastocyst formation, ROS levels and GSH content.ResultsCompared with the control, BPA (50 μg/mL) supplementation during oocyte IVM significantly inhibited nuclear maturation and decreased fertilization and blastocyst formation rates. In addition, BPA exposure increased ROS levels and decreased GSH content in oocytes. The addition of NAC weakened the BPA-induced suppression of nuclear maturation, relieved the BPA-induced downregulation of the fertilization and blastocyst formation rates, and mitigated the increased ROS levels and decreased GSH content.ConclusionBPA affects mouse oocyte maturation and subsequent early embryonic developmental competence following IVF by increasing intracytoplasmic oxidative stress in mature oocytes. NAC can reduce these harmful effects to a certain extent.

Highlights

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, is a widely used chemical that has adverse effects on animal development and reproduction
NAC reversed the BPA-induced defect in embryo development after in vitro fertilization (IVF) To investigate the effect of BPA exposure during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the fertilization and developmental competence of the oocytes, we evaluated embryo development following IVF after oocytes matured in medium containing 50 μg/mL BPA alone or in combination with 100 μM NAC
The present results showed that BPA inhibited polar body emission, disturbed subsequent fertilization ability and embryo development, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and decreased intracellular GSH content

Summary

Introduction

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, is a widely used chemical that has adverse effects on animal development and reproduction. The current research aimed to evaluate the effect of BPA on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent embryo development of mouse oocytes following in vitro fertilization (IVF). Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor [1, 2], is widely used in the production of polycarbonate beverages or food packaging materials and the metal coating on cans. BPA exposure causes detrimental effects on development and reproduction by disturbing the oestrous cycle and hormone levels, causing miscarriage, altering oocyte maturation, and compromising oocyte. The HT-2 toxin induces oxidative stress and inhibits mouse oocyte maturation [21]. Another report showed that BPA exposure could induce oxidative stress, thereby causing DNA

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