The role of antioxidants in improving the quality of bovine embryos produced in vitro

Abstract

Antioxidants are molecular compounds that can give their electron structure to free radical molecules without disturbing them and can break the chain of free radical compounds. Antioxidants that can be used include enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Supplementation of antioxidants into maturation mediums or cultures with the right concentration can efficiently improves oocyte maturation, cell division, and embryo quality in bovine. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant supplementation of the maturation medium increase the number of oocytes that reach metaphase II (MII). Furthermore, the supplementation of both antioxidants in maturation and culture mediums are also able to increase cell division and embryo that reaches blastocyst. Non-enzymatic antioxidant supplementation is more effective than enzymatic antioxidants in improving the maturation and division of cells in the production of bovine embryos in vitro. In conclusion, non-enzymatic antioxidant supplementation is more effective in supporting embryonic development in vitro.