Reactive Oxygen Species Levels In Oocytes Research Articles

Mechanisms of He Shi Yu Lin formula in treating premature ovarian insufficiency: insights from network pharmacology and animal experiments

ObjectiveHe Shi Yu Lin Formula (HSYLF) is a clinically proven prescription for treating premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and has shown a good curative effect. However, its molecular mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of HSYLF and clarify how network pharmacology analysis guides the design of animal experiments, including the selection of effective treatment doses and key targets, to ensure the relevance of the experimental results.MethodsNetwork pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments were utilized to investigate the effects of HSYLF. Key targets were identified by intersecting herb and disease targets to construct protein–protein interaction and “active components-intersection targets-disease” networks. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed using the clusterProfiler package in R. A total of 50 specific pathogen-free female mice of reproductive age were included in the animal experiments. They were divided into five groups: the positive control group, the high-dose HSYLF group, the low-dose HSYLF group, the model blank group, and the normal control group, to evaluate the serum anti-müllerian hormone levels, mitochondrial morphology in oocytes, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential.ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 204 active components connecting 219 key therapeutic targets for POI. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated that the anti-POI targets of HSYLF mainly regulated response to xenobiotic stimulus, cellular response to chemical stress, and response to oxidative stress; and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis suggested the primary pathways, including lipid and atherosclerosis, advanced glycation end product-receptor for advanced glycation end product signaling pathway in diabetic complications, bladder cancer, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and interleukin-17 signaling pathway. The low-dose (33 g/kg/d) HSYLF and high-dose (66 g/kg/d) HSYLF groups exhibited a marked elevation in serum anti-müllerian hormone levels (low-dose group: 2657.63 ± 354.82 PG/ml; high-dose group: 2823.73 ± 316.04 PG/ml) and mitochondrial membrane potential compared to the model blank group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), along with a significant decline in fluorescence intensity of 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein for the levels of ROS in oocytes (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Additionally, both groups showed varying degrees of improvement in the morphology, quantity, and distribution of mitochondria.ConclusionThis study provides definite evidence for the molecular mechanism by which HSYLF treats POI by decreasing mitochondrial ROS, increasing membrane potential, and improving mitochondrial function. The results from active components of HSYLF and their related key targets also confirmed the characteristics of its multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway, and overall regulatory effects on POI. Further research regarding the mechanisms is required to generalize these results, and the deeper clinical value of HSYLF also needs to be investigated in the future.

PAPP-A enhances the antioxidative effects of IGF-1 during bovine in vitro embryo production

We investigated whether exogenous pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) enhances the antioxidant role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in bovine in vitro embryo production (IVP). We performed standard in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro culture (IVC) or added menadione to promote an oxidative stressed microenvironment and evaluated the antioxidant effect of IGF-1 alone or in combination with PAPP-A (IGF-1/PAPP-A). In IVM, the treatments did not affect oocyte nuclear development, total GSH content, cumulus cell gene expression, and blastocyst yield. Nevertheless, IGF-1/PAPP-A treatment prevented an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels. In IVC, the treatments did not affect the total GSH content on blastocysts and IVC media, but IGF-1 and IGF-1/PAPP-A treatments increased blastocyst yield compared to the menadione group. In addition, IGF-1/PAPP-A treatment had lower ROS levels and regulated genes related to embryonic quality compared to the control and menadione groups. Overall, we showed that PAPP-A could enhance the antioxidant role of IGF-1 during IVP in cattle by avoiding higher ROS levels in oocytes and blastocysts and modulating the transcriptional abundance of genes involved in oxidative protection and embryonic quality.

Increased ROS levels in mitochondrial outer membrane protein Mul1-deficient oocytes result in abnormal preimplantation embryogenesis.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with oocyte maturation inhibition, and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) partially reduces their harmful effects. Mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin ligase 1 (Mul1) localizes to the mitochondrial outer membrane. We found that female Mul1-deficient mice are infertile, andtheir oocytes contain high ROS concentrations. After fertilization, Mul1-deficient embryos showed a DNA damage response (DDR) and abnormal preimplantation embryogenesis, which was rescued by NAC addition and ROS depletion. These observations clearly demonstrate that loss of Mul1 in oocytes increases ROS concentrations and triggers DDR, resulting in abnormal preimplantation embryogenesis. We conclude that manipulating the mitochondrial ROS levels in oocytes may be a potential therapeutic approach to target infertility.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on growth, viability and reactive oxygen species levels in small antral follicles cultured in vitro

Objective: To investigate the effects of different concentrations of N-acetylcysteine on follicular growth and morphology, as well as on viability, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and meiotic progression of oocytes from in vitro cultured bovine early antral follicles. Methods: Isolated early antral follicles (about 500 μm) were cultured in TCM-199+ alone or supplemented with 1.0, 5.0 or 25.0 mM N-acetylcysteine at 38.5 °C with 5% CO2 for 8 days. Follicle diameters were evaluated at day 0, 4 and 8 of culture. At the end of culture, the levels of ROS, chromatin configuration and viability (calcein-AM and ethidium homodimer-1 staining) were investigated in the cumulus-oocyte complexes. Comparisons of follicle diameters between treatments were performed. Data on percentages of morphologically normal follicles, growth rates and chromatin configuration in different treatments were compared. Results: An increase in follicular diameters after culture in all treatments was observed, except for follicles cultured with 25.0 mM N-acetylcysteine. Fluorescence microscopy showed that oocytes cultured in all treatments were stained positively with calcein-AM, and that 5.0 mM N-acetylcysteine reduced fluorescence for ethidium homodimer-1. Intracellular levels of ROS in oocytes from follicles cultured with 1.0 mM N-acetylcysteine showed a significant reduction compared to other treatments. The presence of N-acetylcysteine in culture medium did not influence the rates of oocyte at the germinal vesicle stage. Conclusions: N-acetylcysteine at concentrations of 1.0 and 5.0 mM reduces ROS levels and staining for ethidium homodimer-1 in in vitro cultured follicles, respectively, while 25.0 mM N-acetylcysteine decreases follicular growth and the percentages of continuously growing follicles.

Antioxidants supplementation improves the quality of in vitro produced ovine embryos with amendments in key development gene expressions

The present study assessed the effects of supplementation of different antioxidants on oocyte maturation, embryo production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and expression of key developmental genes. In this study, using ovine as an animal model, we tested the hypothesis that antioxidant supplementation enhanced the developmental competence of oocytes. Ovine oocytes aspirated from local abattoir-derived ovaries were subjected to IVM with different concentrations of antioxidants [(Melatonin, Ascorbic acid (Vit C), alpha-tocopherol (Vit E), Sodium selenite (SS)]. Oocytes matured without any antioxidant supplementation were used as controls. The oocytes were assessed for maturation rates and ROS levels. Further, embryo production rates in terms of cleavage, blastocysts and total cell numbers were evaluated after performing in vitro fertilization. Real-Time PCR analysis was used to evaluate the expression of stress related gene (SOD-1), growth related (GDF-9, BMP-15), and apoptosis-related genes (BCL-2 and BAX). We observed that maturation rates were significantly higher in alpha-tocopherol (100 μM; 92.4%) groups followed by melatonin (30 μM; 89.1%) group. However, blastocyst rates in ascorbic acid (100 μM; 19.5%), melatonin (30 μM; 18.4%), alpha-tocopherol (100 μM; 18.2%), and sodium selenite (20 μM; 16.9%) groups were significantly higher (P 0.05) than that observed in the control groups. Total cell numbers in blastocysts in the melatonin, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol groups were significantly higher than those observed in sodium selenite and control groups. ROS production was reduced in groups treated with melatonin (30 μM), vitamin C (100 μM), sodium selenite (20 μM) and α-tocopherol (200 μM) compared with that observed in the control group. Supplementation of antioxidants caused the alterations in mRNA expression of growth, stress, and apoptosis related gene expression in matured oocytes. The results recommend that antioxidants alpha-tocopherol (200 μM), sodium selenite (40 μM), melatonin (30 μM) and ascorbic acid (100 μM) during IVM reduced the oxidative stress by decreasing ROS levels in oocytes, thus improving embryo quantity and quality.

186 Protective effect of resveratrol on invitro fertilization of ovine oocytes matured under cadmium exposure

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic environmental and industrial heavy metals, with adverse effect on female reproduction. Earlier invitro studies have demonstrated that exposure to Cd during IVM impairs oocyte fertilization through the induction of oxidative stress (Martino et al. 2017 Reprod. Toxicol. 69, 132-145). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing IVM medium with resveratrol (Res), a phytoalexin with antioxidant activity, on IVF of ovine oocytes matured under Cd exposure and to evaluate whether this effect could be mediated by alterations of cortical granules (CGs) distribution and/or intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cumulus-oocyte complexes collected from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries of prepubertal ewes were invitro matured with 0μM CdCl2 (control), 2μM CdCl2 (Cd group), or 2μM CdCl2 + 1μM Res (Cd-Res). Groups of MII oocytes were invitro fertilized with ram semen (Bogliolo et al. 2011 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 23, 809-817). After 16h, oocytes were fixed with absolute ethanol, stained with Hoechst 33342, and classified as follows: normally fertilized (two pronuclei), polyspermic (more than two pronuclei), and abnormally fertilized (asynchronous pronucleus formation). Levels of ROS and distribution of CG in MII oocytes (n=25 each group) were evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy after staining with 2’,7’dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated lectin peanut agglutinin, respectively (Jiao et al. 2013 PLoS One 8, 58018). Data of fertilization and CGs distribution were analysed by Chi-squared test and ROS levels (mean±standard error) by Kruskal-Wallis test with STATA\IC 11.0 (Stata Corp.). Oocytes matured in presence of Res had higher normal fertilization and lower polyspermy rates than those matured without Res (Table 1). Levels of ROS in oocytes were lower in the Cd-Res group than in the Cd group (74.4±1.3 vs. 122.4±1.5 pixel/oocyte; P&amp;lt;0.05), and similar to those of the control (71.1±2.3 pixel/oocyte). The ratio of oocytes of Cd-Res group with CGs normally distributed in the peripheral region was higher than that of Cd group (91.3% vs. 65.2%; P&amp;lt;0.05) and comparable to that of control oocytes (95.8%). Collectively, our results showed that resveratrol protects oocytes from Cd-induced alteration of normal fertilization by preventing oxidative stress and improving the major mechanism responsible for blockage of polyspermic fertilization. Table 1.Effect of resveratrol on IVF rate of oocytes matured under cadmium exposure Group No. of total oocytes No. of MII oocytes No. of fertilized oocytes (%) Normal Polyspermy Abnormal Control 136 105 (77.2) 59 (56.2)a 23 (21.9)a 6 (5.7) Cd 146 106 (72.6) 39 (36.8)b 38 (35.8)b 7 (6.6) Cd-Res 114 88 (77.2) 47 (53.4)a 16 (18.2)a 7 (7.9) a,bValues in the same column with different superscripts differ significantly (P&amp;lt;0.05). This project was supported by FDS 2016 (CUP J86C18000780005).

Effects of Hyaluronidase during In Vitro Maturation on Maturation and Developmental Competence in Porcine Oocytes

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of hyaluronidase during IVM on oocyte maturation, oxidative stress status, expression of cumulus expansion-related (PTX, pentraxin; GJA1, gap junction protein alpha 1; PTGS2, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2) and fatty acid metabolism-related (FADS1, delta-6 desaturase; FADS2, delta-5 desaturase; PPARα, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha) mRNA, and embryonic development of porcine oocytes. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated with 0.1 mg/mL hyaluronidase for 44 h. Cumulus expansion was measured at 22 h after maturation. At 44 h after maturation, nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured. Gene expression in cumulus cells was analyzed using real time PCR. The cleavage rate and blastocyst formation were evaluated at Day 2 and 7 after insemination. In results, expansion of cumulus cells was suppressed by treatment of hyaluronidase at 22 h after maturation. Intracellular GSH level was reduced by hyaluronidase treatment (p < 0.05). On the other hand, hyaluronidase increased ROS levels in oocytes (p < 0.05). Only PTGS2 mRNA was enhanced in COCs by hyaluronidase (p < 0.05). Population of oocytes reached at metaphase II stage was higher in control group than hyaluronidase treated group (p < 0.05). Both of cleavage rate and blastocyst formation were higher in control group than hyaluronidase group (p < 0.05). Our present results showed that developmental competence of porcine oocytes could be reduce by hyaluronidase via inducing oxidative stress during maturation process and it might be associated with prostaglandin synthesis. Therefore, we suggest that suppression of cumulus expansion of COCs could induce oxidative stress and decrease nuclear maturation via reduction of GSH synthesis and it caused to decrease developmental competence of mammalian oocytes.

Effect of resveratrol on the &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; maturation of ovine (&lt;em&gt;Ovis aries&lt;/em&gt;) oocytes and the subsequent development of handmade cloned embryos

The effect of resveratrol on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of ovine (Ovis aries) oocytes and the development of handmade cloned embryos was evaluated. The nuclear maturation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the oocytes, as well as the early development and morphological cloned embryo quality, were evaluated under different resveratrol concentrations (0, 0.5, 2 and 5 μM). After IVM, no significant difference was observed in the maturation rate of oocytes treated with 0.5 μM (81.3 %) and 2 μM (72 %) resveratrol compared to that of the control group (0 μM) (74.2 %), but the rate significantly decreased at 5 μM (56 %) (p &lt; 0.05). When the oocyte ROS levels were determined, no significant differences among the groups were observed (p &gt; 0.05). For cloned embryo development, the embryos obtained from the oocytes treated with 0.5 μM resveratrol showed higher (p &lt; 0.05) compacted morula rates (10.7 %) compared to the embryos obtained from the oocytes treated with 0, 2 and 5 μM (6.2, 0 and 0 %, respectively). Regarding embryo morphological quality, the embryos from the oocytes treated with 0.5 μM resveratrol showed a lower rate of poor quality morulae (4.7 %) in comparison to those treated with 0, 2 and 5 μM (23.8, 23.3 and 33.3 %, respectively) (p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, resveratrol showed no significant improvement on the IVM or ROS levels in domestic ovine oocytes. However, treatment with 0.5 μM resveratrol during IVM improved embryo quality and promoted morulae compaction of Ovis aries handmade cloned embryos.Figure 3. Different developmental stages of the HMC sheep embryos cultured in the WOW system. Cleaved embryos (a-d), 8‒16 blastomere embryos (e-h), morulae (i-l) and compact morulae (m-p) (200X).

Antioxidant Effect of Alpha-Linolenic Acid during In Vitro Maturation in Porcine Oocytes

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is one of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and found mainly in the chloroplasts. Many studies have been reported that intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mammalian oocytes were reduced by supplementation of ALA in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium. Based on these reports, we expected that ALA acts as an antioxidant during IVM of porcine oocytes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effect of ALA supplementation during IVM in porcine oocytes. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated in IVM medium containing 200 μM H2O2 or H2O2 with 50 μM ALA for 44 h. Nuclear maturation stage of oocytes was evaluated using aceto-orcein method. For measurement of oxidative stress state, intracellular ROS and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured using carboxy-DCFDA and cell tracker red, respectively. In results, oocytes in metaphase-II (MII) stage development was significantly reduced in H2O2 group compared to non- treated control group (61.84±1.42% and 80.00%, respectively; p<0.05) and it was slightly recovered by treatment of ALA (69.76±1.67%; p<0.05). The intracellular GSH levels was decreased in H2O2 groups compared with control groups, but it was enhanced by ALA treatment (p<0.05). On the contrary, H2O2 treatment increased intracellular ROS level in oocytes and H2O2-induced ROS was decreased by treatment of ALA (p<0.05). Our findings suggested that ALA treatment under oxidative stress condition improve oocyte maturation via elevated GSH and reduced ROS levels in oocytes. Therefore, these results suggest that ALA have an antioxidative ability and it could be used as antioxidant in in vitro production system of porcine embryo.

Maternal aging affects oocyte resilience to carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone -induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cows

Mitochondrial quality control is important for maintaining cellular and oocyte viability. In addition, aging affects mitochondrial quality in many cell types. In the present study, we examined how aging affects oocyte mitochondrial biogenesis and degeneration in response to induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Cumulus oocyte complexes were harvested from the ovaries of young (21‒45 months) and aged (≥120 months) cows and treated for 2 hours with 10 μM carbonyl cyanide-m- chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), or a vehicle control, after which cumulus oocyte complexes were subjected to in vitro fertilization and culture. CCCP treatment reduced ATP content and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the oocytes of both young and aged cows. When CCCP-treated cumulus oocyte complexes were subsequently cultured for 19 hours and/or subjected to fertilization, high ROS levels in oocytes and a low rate of blastocyst development was observed in oocytes derived from aged cows. In addition, we observed differential responses in mitochondrial biogenesis to CCCP treatment between young and aged cows. CCCP treatment enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis concomitant with upregulation of SIRT1 expression in oocytes of young, but not aged, cows. In conclusion, aging affects mitochondrial quality control and recuperation of oocytes following CCCP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Effect of C-type natriuretic peptide pretreatment on in vitro bovine oocyte maturation.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been considered as a physiological meiotic inhibitor that stimulates the cGMP production by cumulus cell natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2), which inhibits oocyte phosphodiesterase type 3 activity and increases cAMP. In this study, we explored the effect of CNP pretreatment on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes by examining changes in cleavage rate, blastocyst formation, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, glutathione (GSH) content, and redox state. Our results showed that 200nM CNP could effectively maintain meiotic arrest of bovine oocytes in vitro within 6h. The two-step IVM system in which oocytes were pretreated with 200nM CNP for 6h and then cultured IVM for 28h yielded a significantly (P<0.05) increased blastocyst rate and cell number after in vitro fertilization (IVF) while compared to the conventional one-step IVM method. In addition, in comparison with the conventional 24-h matured oocyte, oocytes pretreated with 200nM CNP for 6h followed by 28h IVM resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher mtDNA copy number and ROS levels in oocytes, while GSH level significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Remarkably, regardless of treatment, no changes were observed in FAD++, NAD(P)H autofluorescence intensity, and redox ratio (FAD++/NAD(P)H) within the oocytes, maintaining a healthy metabolic equilibrium of redox throughout the two-step IVM. In conclusion, these results indicate that CNP pretreatment could dramatically improve the quality of bovine oocytes during in vitro maturation.

The effects of canthaxanthin on porcine oocyte maturation and embryo development in vitro after parthenogenetic activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of canthaxanthin (Cx) treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes on embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), on intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in mature oocytes, and on gene expression in both PA- and SCNT-derived blastocysts. To determine the optimal effective concentration of Cx, porcine oocytes were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with various concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 80μM) of Cx for 22 hr. Compared to other groups, supplementation with 40μM Cx significantly improved blastocyst formation rates after PA (p<.05), but no significant differences were observed among groups in total blastocyst cell numbers. Subsequently, oocytes were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with or without 40μM Cx. Oocytes treated with 40μM Cx showed significantly increased cleavage and blastocyst formation rates after SCNT compared to the control group (p<.05). Moreover, significantly increased intracellular GSH and reduced ROS levels were observed in the Cx-treated group (p<.05). In addition, both PA- and SCNT-derived blastocysts from the 40μM Cx-treated group showed significantly increased mRNA expression of Bcl2 and Oct4 and decreased Caspase3 expression level (p<.05), when compared with the control group. PA-derived blastocysts from the 40μM Cx-treated group also exhibited significantly decreased expression of Bax (p<.05). Our results demonstrated that treatment with 40μM Cx during IVM improves the developmental competence of PA and SCNT embryos. Improvement of embryo development by Cx is most likely due to increased intracellular GSH synthesis, which reduces ROS levels in oocytes, and it may also positively regulate apoptosis- and development-related genes.

Obesity-induced oocyte mitochondrial defects are partially prevented and rescued by supplementation with co-enzyme Q10 in a mouse model.

Does supplementation with co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) improve the oocyte mitochondrial abnormalities associated with obesity in mice? In an obese mouse model, CoQ10 improves the mitochondrial function of oocytes. Obesity impairs oocyte quality. Oocytes from mice fed a high-fat/high-sugar (HF/HS) diet have abnormalities in mitochondrial distribution and function and in meiotic progression. Mice were randomly assigned to a normal, chow diet or an isocaloric HF/HS diet for 12 weeks. After 6 weeks on the diet, half of the mice receiving a normal diet and half of the mice receiving a HF/HS diet were randomly assigned to receive CoQ10 supplementation injections for the remaining 6 weeks. Dietary intervention was initiated on C57Bl6 female mice at 4 weeks of age, CoQ10 versus vehicle injections were assigned at 10 weeks, and assays were conducted at 16 weeks of age. Mice were super-ovulated, and oocytes were collected and stained to assess mitochondrial distribution, quantify reactive oxygen species (ROS), assess meiotic spindle formation, and measure metabolites. In vitro fertilization was performed, and blastocyst embryos were transferred into control mice. Oocyte number, fertilization rate, blastulation rate and implantation rate were compared between the four cohorts. Bivariate statistics were performed appropriately. HF/HS mice weighed significantly more than normal diet mice (29 versus 22 g, P< 0.001). CoQ10 supplementation did not influence weight. Levels of ATP, citrate, and phosphocreatine were lower and ROS levels were higher in HF/HS mice than in controls (P< 0.001). CoQ10 supplementation significantly increased the levels of metabolites and decreased ROS levels in oocytes from normal diet mice but not in oocytes from HF/HS mice. However, CoQ10 completely prevented the mitochondrial distribution abnormalities observed in the HF/HS mice. Overall, CoQ10 supplementation significantly increased the percentage of normal spindle and chromosome alignment (92.3 versus 80.2%, P= 0.039). In the sub-analysis by diet, the difference did not reach statistical significance. When undergoing IVF, there were no statistically significant differences in the number of mature oocytes, the fertilization rate, blastocyst formation rates, implantation rates, resorption rates or litter size between HF/HS mice receiving CoQ10 or vehicle injections. Experiments were limited to one species and strain of mice. The majority of experiments were performed after ovulation induction, which may not represent natural cycle fertility. Improvement in oocyte mitochondrial distribution and function of normal, chow-fed mice and HF/HS-fed mice demonstrates the importance of CoQ10 and the efficiency of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in oocyte competence. Clinical studies are now needed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CoQ10 in women's reproductive health. C.E.B. received support from the National Research Training Program in Reproductive Medicine sponsored by the National Institute of Health (T32 HD040135-13) and the Scientific Advisory Board of Vivere Health. K.H.M received support from the American Diabetes Association and the National Institute of Health (R01 HD083895). There are no conflicts of interest to declare. This study is not a clinical trial.

Supplementation with spermine during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes improves early embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Spermine plays an important role in protection from reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells, but there are few studies on the effects of spermine on porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of spermine on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes and their developmental competence after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). We evaluated nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH), and ROS levels in oocytes, and their subsequent embryonic development, as well as gene expression in mature oocytes, cumulus cells, and PA blastocysts. After treatment with various concentrations of spermine in IVM culture medium, there was no significant difference in nuclear maturation rate. However, spermine treatment groups (10- 500 µM) showed significantly increased intracellular GSH levels and decreased ROS levels compared to the control ( < 0.05). Furthermore, 10 µM spermine supported significantly higher blastocyst formation rates after PA than the control group ( < 0.05). According to the optimal condition from the PA results, we investigated the effects of 10 µM spermine on SCNT, and it also significantly improved blastocyst formation rates compared with the control group ( < 0.05). In evaluating the effects of 10 µM spermine on gene expression, there was significantly lower expression of a proapoptotic gene () and higher expression of an antiapoptotic gene () in cumulus cells ( < 0.05). was increased in spermine-treated oocytes. Levels of transcription for and were significantly increased in PA blastocysts. In conclusion, 10 µM spermine supplementation during IVM improved the development of porcine PA and SCNT embryos by increasing intracellular GSH, scavenging ROS levels, and regulating gene expression.

Effect of Antioxidant Flavonoids (Quercetin and Taxifolin) on &lt;i&gt;In vitro&lt;/i&gt; Maturation of Porcine Oocytes

Quercetin (QT) and taxifolin (TF) are structurally similar plant-derived flavonoids that have antioxidant properties and act as free radical scavengers. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of QT and TF on nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes. Effects of TF at 0, 1, 10, and 50 μg/mL on oocyte nuclear maturation (polar body extrusion) were investigated. After incubation for 44 h, there were no significant differences between the treatment and control groups except in the 50 μg/mL group which was significantly lower (59.2%, p<0.05) than the other groups (control: >80%). After parthenogenetic activation, further in vitro development of QT- or TF-treated vs control oocytes was investigated. A significantly higher proportion of QT-treated (1 μg/mL) oocytes developed into blastocysts compared to controls (24.3% vs 16.8%, respectively); however, cleavage rate and blastocyst cell number were not affected. The TF-treated group was not significantly different from controls. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular glutathione (GSH) in oocytes and embryos in a culture medium supplemented with QT or TF were measured. Both treatment groups had significantly lower (p<0.05) levels of ROS than controls, however GSH levels were different only in QT-treated oocytes. We conclude that exogenous flavonoids such as QT and TF reduce ROS levels in oocytes. Although at high concentration (50 μg/mL) both QT and TF appear to be toxic to oocytes.

The control of reactive oxygen species influences porcine oocyte in vitro maturation.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of varying intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels during oocyte in vitro maturation with enzymatic ROS production systems (xanthine + xanthine oxidase or xanthine + xanthine oxidase + catalase), scavenger systems (catalase or superoxide dismutase + catalase) or cysteine on porcine oocyte maturation. Oocyte ROS levels showed an increase when H2O2 or O2∙(-) production systems were added to the culture medium (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the presence of ROS scavengers in the maturation medium did not modify oocyte ROS levels compared with the control after 48 h of maturation, but the addition of cysteine induced a decrease in oocyte ROS levels (p < 0.05). The ROS production systems used in this work did not modified the percentage of oocyte nuclear maturation, but increased the decondensation of sperm head (p < 0.05) and decreased the pronuclear formation (p < 0.05). In turn, the addition of O2∙(-) and H2O2 scavenging systems during in vitro maturation did not modify the percentage of oocytes reaching metaphase II nor the oocytes with decondensed sperm head or pronuclei after fertilization. However, both parameters increased in the presence of cysteine (p < 0.05). The exogenous generation of O2∙(-) and H2O2 during oocyte in vitro maturation would not affect nuclear maturation or later sperm penetration, but most of the spermatozoa cannot progress to form the pronuclei after fusion with the oocyte. The decrease in endogenous ROS levels by the addition of cysteine would improve pronuclear formation after sperm penetration.

Effect of Bovine Follicular Fluid on Reactive Oxygen Species and Glutathione in Oocytes, Apoptosis and Apoptosis‐related Gene Expression ofIn vitro‐Produced Blastocysts

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during the in vitro maturation of oocytes affect oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development. Bovine follicular fluid (bFF) has an effective antioxidant capacity. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing oocyte maturation media with bFF from different size classes (3-8 and 9-13mm) on the glutathione (GSH) and ROS levels of oocytes. Embryonic development and apoptosis, as well as the relative abundance of INFτ, BAX, BCL2 and HSP70 transcripts in blastocysts, were also monitored. Oocytes collected from ovaries were matured in TCM-199 with FBS (control) and 10% 3-8mm (M), 9-13mm (L) or a mixture of 3-8mm and 9-13mm (M+L) bFF. Glutathione and ROS levels in oocytes after 24h were assessed by Cell Tracker Blue CMF2HC and DCHFDA staining, respectively. Apoptosis in day-8 blastocysts was assessed by TUNEL staining. The relative abundance of BAX, BCL2, HSP70 and INFτ transcripts was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GSH level was significantly higher in the L group compared to the other groups (p<0.05), while the ROS levels in the M group were significantly higher than in the other groups (p<0.05). The apoptosis levels of blastocysts in the FBS group were significantly higher than those in the M+L group (p<0.05), although the embryonic development did not differ between the groups. The HSP70 and INFτ expression levels in group M were significantly greater than in the controls (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in BAX expression between the groups. Supplementation with bFF from various sizes of follicles into the maturation medium was capable of supporting oocyte cytoplasmic maturation by decreasing the ROS. Moreover, bFF subsequently affected antioxidative gene expression, increasing HSP70 and INFτ expressions.

254 EFFECTS OF OXYGEN TENSION AND OOCYTE DENSITY DURING IN VITRO MATURATION ON THE LEVELS OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN BOVINE OOCYTES AND MATURATION MEDIUM

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by animal cells and at physiological levels are responsible for several cellular functions. However, when there is an imbalance between ROS production and the antioxidant system in the cell, oxidative stress occurs and causes severe cell damage. In oocytes, ROS can affect the dynamics of maturation and early embryo development processes. Oxygen tension and the density of oocytes by medium volume during in vitro maturation (IVM) can influence ROS production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the association between oxygen tension (5 or 20%) and different oocyte densities during IVM (1 : 10 or 1 : 20 oocytes µL–1 of medium) on the ROS levels in oocytes and medium. Bovine oocytes (n = 420) were obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries by aspiration of 2- to 8-mm follicles. Quality I and II oocytes (De Loss et al. 1989 Gamete Res. 24, 197–204) were homogeneously distributed into groups of 15 oocytes per treatment: Treatment (T) 1 = 1 : 10 in 5% of O2; T2 = 1 : 10 in 20% of O2; T3 = 1 : 20 in 5% of O2; and T4 = 1 : 20 in 20% of O2. The oocytes were matured in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% oestrous mare serum, 100 µg mL–1 of epidermal growth factor, 50 µg mL–1 of LH, 5 µg mL–1 of FSH, and 22 µg mL–1 of pyruvate for 22 to 24 h at 39°C, in 5% CO2 and saturated humidity. To assay ROS production, denuded oocytes and 60-µL samples of IVM medium were evaluated by the spectrofluorometric method with 2′7′-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate, in which the fluorescence intensity emission was considered an indicator of ROS production and measured by a spectrofluorophotometer. The ROS production in oocytes and in IVM medium was expressed as units of fluorescence (UF); data were analysed by ANOVA and Duncan’s test with a 5% level of significance. Seven replications were performed. In treatment groups T1 and T3, the ROS production in oocytes was higher (P &lt; 0.05) than in oocytes of treatment groups T2 and T4 (13.53 and 18.78 UF v. 7.92 and 6.15 UF, respectively). The ROS production in IVM medium was higher in the T1 (23.86 UF) and T2 (24.12 UF) treatment groups than in the T3 (18.78 UF) and T4 (18.57 UF) treatment groups. These results suggest an increase in ROS production in IVM oocytes under a 5% O2 atmosphere in relation to a 20% O2 atmosphere, irrespective of the oocyte density by volume of IVM medium. On the other hand, the accumulation of ROS in IVM medium seemed higher when the oocyte density was 1 oocyte to 10 µL of IVM medium, independent of the oxygen tension used. A higher level of ROS in 5% O2 tension may be caused by competition for O2 between oocyte and cumulus cells, causing a reduction in O2 levels and changing the availability of O2 to energy generation in oocytes and consequently increasing ROS generation. In this respect, 5% O2 during IVM may contribute to the onset of oxidative stress in oocytes, which may compromise fertilization and early embryo development. Further research is necessary to clarify esterase activity in oocytes and the addition of exogenous peroxidase to validate the assay. Financial support: FAPERGS (1011575) and CNPq (501763/2009).

The effects of resveratrol on porcine oocyte in vitro maturation and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation and in vitro fertilization

We investigated the effects of resveratrol, a phytoalexin with various pharmacologic activities, on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. We investigated intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as well as gene expression in mature oocytes, cumulus cells, and in vitro fertilization (IVF)-derived blastocysts, and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and IVF. After 44 h of IVM, no significant difference was observed in maturation of the 0.1, 0.5, and 2.0 μM resveratrol groups (83.0%, 84.1%, and 88.3%, respectively) compared with the control (84.1%), but the 10.0 μM resveratrol group showed significantly decreased nuclear maturation (75.0%) (P < 0.05). The 0.5- and 2.0-μm groups showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in intracellular GSH levels compared with the control and 10.0 μM group. Intracellular ROS levels in oocytes matured with 2.0 μM resveratrol decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with those in the other groups. Oocytes treated with 2.0 μM resveratrol during IVM had significantly higher blastocyst formation rates and total cell numbers after PA (62.1% and 49.1 vs. 48.8%, and 41.4, respectively) and IVF (20.5% and 54.0 vs. 11.0% and 43.4, respectively) than the control group. Cumulus-oocytes complex treated with 2.0 μM resveratrol showed lower expression of apoptosis-related genes compared with mature oocytes and cumulus cells. Cumulus cells treated with 2.0 μM resveratrol showed higher (P < 0.05) expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen than the control group. IVF-derived blastocysts derived from 2.0 μM resveratrol-treated oocytes also had less (P < 0.05) Bak expression than control IVF-derived blastocysts. In conclusion, 2.0 μM resveratrol supplementation during IVM improved the developmental potential of PA and IVF porcine embryos by increasing the intracellular GSH level, decreasing ROS level, and regulating gene expression during oocyte maturation.

Antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative stress in bovine oocyte in vitro maturation.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is a normal process of cell metabolism. In vitro environments usually increase cell production of ROS, which has been implicated as a main cause of cell damage. Nevertheless, the role of ROS in oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is controversial. In most cells, enzymatic antioxidant systems can attenuate the effect of oxidative stress by scavenging ROS. The aim of this work was to determine whether: (1) standard conditions of bovine oocyte IVM are responsible for oxidative stress; (2) cumulus cells participate in protection against oxidative stress of the oocyte; and (3) enzymatic antioxidant activity is present in oocytes and cumulus cells. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in TCM-199 + 10% steer serum for 24 h at 39 degrees C in 5% CO2:95% humidified air. Oxidative stress was determined by the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Under standard conditions of in vitro maturation, there was no increase in ROS production per COC (P > 0.05), but ROS level per cumulus cell diminished. There was no modification in ROS levels in oocytes matured in the presence versus the absence of their surrounding cumulus cells ( P > 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, the presence of SOD, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were detected in oocytes and cumulus cells for the first time. Enzymatic units were lower in denuded oocytes with respect to cumulus (P < 0.05), accounting for 37% for SOD, 25% for glutathione peroxidase, and 11% for catalase of the total COC units. Specific enzyme activity diminished in cumulus cells (P > 0.05) and increased in oocytes due to maturation (P > 0.05). The presence of activity of an enzymatic antioxidant system in the bovine oocyte would regulate in part ROS levels during IVM. Oocytes could be capable of controlling the increase in ROS because of the presence of their own enzymatic antioxidant system, SOD having the highest specific activity with respect to cumulus cells.