Effect of nano-selenium and nano-zinc particles during in vitro maturation on the developmental competence of bovine oocytes

Abstract

The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effects of supplemental nano-selenium (NSe) and nano-zinc oxide (NZn-O) particles during in vitro maturation (IVM) on DNA damage of cumulus cells, glutathione (GSH) concentration in bovine oocytes, subsequent embryo development and re-expansion rate of vitrified warmed blastocysts. The current study was conducted on bovine ovaries obtained from a local abattoir and transported to the laboratory in sterile phosphate buffer saline with antibiotics at 37°C, within 1 h after slaughter. Ovaries were pooled, regardless of stage of the oestrous cycle of the donor. Only cumulus-intact complexes with evenly granulated cytoplasm were selected for IVM. Experimental design included the following: Experiment 1 studied the effect of addition of 1.0 µg/mL NSe or NZn-O to IVM medium on DNA damage of cumulus cells; Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of NSe or NZn-O on intracellular glutathione in oocytes and cumulus cells; in Experiment 3, the development of oocytes matured in IVM medium supplemented with 1.0 µg/mL NSe or NZn-O was investigated; and in Experiment 4, the effects of adding 1.0 µg/mL NSe and NZn-O to in vitro fertilisation media on vitrified oocytes and embryos were investigated. The DNA damage in cumulus cells decreased with supplemental NSe and NZn-O at concentration of 1 µg/mL in the IVM medium (180.2 ± 21.4, 55.8 ± 4.3 and 56.6 ± 3.9 for the control and NSe and NZn-O groups respectively). Total GSH concentrations increased following supplementation with 1 µg/mL NSe and 1 µg/mL NZn-O, compared with the control group. Re-expansion rate of vitrified warmed blastocysts in experimental media containing NSe and NZn-O with ethylene glycol was higher than that of the control. In conclusion, providing NSe and NZn-O during oocyte maturation significantly increased both intracellular GSH concentration and DNA integrity of cumulus cells. Optimal embryo development was partially dependent on the presence of NSe and NZn-O during IVM. NSe and NZn-O during oocyte maturation act as a good cryoprotective agents of vitrified, warmed blastocysts.

Chitosan nanoparticles enhance developmental competence of in vitro‐matured porcine oocytes

“…In parthenogenetic embryo production, the oocyte maturation rate was significantly higher in the CNPs25‐treated group compared to that of the control and other treated groups. These findings are in agreement with the previous study investigating nanoparticle treatment in bovine oocytes, although in addition, we have now determined that there lies a cut‐off whereby higher concentrations of CNPs no longer improve competence, and instead adversely affect the benefits of such treatment (Abdel‐Halim & Helmy, 2018). Furthermore, cleavage and blastocyst development rates were significantly higher in the CNPs25‐treated group, not only compared to the control but also the CNPs50‐treated group.…”

“…The increased GSH level in the CNPs25‐treated group may be due to the preservation of the structural integrity of cytoplasmic organelles which prevent ROS damage and that facilitate the enzyme systems involved in GSH synthesis. Reflecting similar findings, an increase in GSH was observed following the treatment of nano‐selenium and nano‐zinc oxide in bovine oocytes during IVM (Abdel‐Halim & Helmy, 2018).…”

Benefits and challenges of nanomaterials in assisted reproductive technologies

“…Bovine COCs matured in vitro in the presence of copper and ZnO nanoparticles had increased intracellular glutathione content of cumulus cells and consequently in vitro improved embryo development (Abdel‐Halim, Moselhy, et al, 2018). The presence of nano‐selenium and nano‐ZnO nanoparticles during in vitro maturation of bovine COCs also increased both intracellular glutathione concentration and DNA integrity of cumulus cells (Abdel‐Halim & Helmy, 2018). Increased levels of glutathione in cultured cells are very important to control oxidative stress (Adeoye et al, 2018).…”

“…Various studies reported that nanoparticles have been used to improve the selection of sperm, semen sexing, and cryopreservation (Bisla et al, 2020; Domínguez et al, 2018; Isaac et al, 2017), as well as to improve survival of preantral follicles (Karime et al, 2020) and COC maturation (Abdel‐Halim & Helmy, 2018). These observations indicate the potential of using nanomaterials to improve ART and emphasize the importance of knowing the recent advances about these smart nanocarriers.…”

Effects of Oxidative Stress on Spermatozoa and Male Infertility

“…It has been indicated that dietary Se supplementation enhanced reproductive function in mice, sheep and cattle [94,95] and also brought about the improvement in post-thaw spermatozoa quality [66]. Lack of Se has been related to reproductive problems and diminished spermatozoa quality in mice, pigs, sheep and cattle [96], but excessive Se intake also has been connected to an impaired spermatozoa quality [97].…”