Abstract
In vitro cultivation systems for oocytes and embryos are characterised by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be balanced by the addition of suitable antioxidants. S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is a sulfur compound naturally occurring in garlic (Allium sativum), which is responsible for its high antioxidant properties. In this study, we demonstrated the capacity of SAC (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mM) to reduce levels of ROS in maturing oocytes significantly after 24 (reduced by 90.33, 82.87 and 91.62%, respectively) and 48 h (reduced by 86.35, 94.42 and 99.05%, respectively) cultivation, without leading to a disturbance of the standard course of meiotic maturation. Oocytes matured in the presence of SAC furthermore maintained reduced levels of ROS even 22 h after parthenogenic activation (reduced by 66.33, 61.64 and 57.80%, respectively). In these oocytes we also demonstrated a growth of early embryo cleavage rate (increased by 33.34, 35.00 and 35.00%, respectively). SAC may be a valuable supplement to cultivation media.
Highlights
During meiotic maturation in in vitro conditions, oocytes acquire developmental competence, which is decisive with regard to the capacity of the fertilised oocyte to develop into a viable embryo (Wassarman, 1988)
Effect of S-allyl cysteine on meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes Nuclear maturation, cytoplasmic maturation and hyaluronic acid production were used as markers of successful meiotic maturation
Effect of S-allyl cysteine on oocyte parthenogenic activation In the following experiments we focused on the effect of SAC on activating potential and early embryonic cleavage as indicators of embryo quality
Summary
During meiotic maturation in in vitro conditions, oocytes acquire developmental competence, which is decisive with regard to the capacity of the fertilised oocyte to develop into a viable embryo (Wassarman, 1988). Oxidative stress negatively influences meiotic maturation by influencing the properties of its cytoskeleton. It damages the microfilaments of the maturing oocyte (Jiao et al, 2013), disturbs the dynamics of the microtubular network and the attachment of chromosomes to microtubules (Choi et al, 2007). Oxidative stress negatively influences homeostasis of calcium ions (Ambruosi et al, 2011). It impairs the redistribution of cortical granules during the course of meiotic maturation, which increases the incidence of polyspermy after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) (Jiao et al, 2013).
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