Enhancing in vitro oocyte maturation competence and embryo development in farm animals: roles of vitamin-based antioxidants – A review

Abstract

Oocyte/embryo in vitro culture is one of the most important assisted reproductive technologies used as a tool for maintaining genetic resources biodiversity and the inheritance of valuable genetic resources through generations. The success of such processes affects the final goal of the in vitro culture, getting viable and healthy offspring. In common in vitro oocyte maturation and/or embryo development techniques, the development of oocytes/embryos is carried out at 5% carbon dioxide and roughly 20% atmosphere-borne oxygen ratios in cell culture incubators due to their reduced cost in comparison with low atmospheric oxygen-tension incubators. These conditions are usually accompanying by the emergence of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can extremely damage cell membrane integrity and other vital cellular organelles, as well as genetic material. The present review mainly focuses on the antioxidant roles of different vitamins on in vitro oocyte maturation competence and embryo development in farm animals. Because, the conditions of in vitro embryo production (IVEP) are usually accompanying by the emergence of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can extremely damage cell membrane integrity and other vital cellular organelles as well as genetic material. The use of antioxidant agents may prevent the extreme augmentation of ROS generation and enhance in vitro matured oocyte competence and embryo development. Therefore, this review aimed to provide an updated outline of the impact of antioxidant vitamin (Vit) supplementations during in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) on oocyte maturation and consequent embryo development, in various domestic animal species. Thus, the enrichment of the culture media with antioxidant agents may prevent and neutralize the extreme augmentation of ROS generation and enhance the in vitro embryo production (IVEP) outcomes.

Effects of supplemental vitamin A on reproduction and antioxidative status of aged laying hens, and growth, blood indices and immunity of their offspring

“… Abd El-Hack et al (2022b) found that natural ingredients enhance feed intake, immunity, digestion, and antimicrobial effects, reduce antibiotic use, act as antioxidants, and provide nutritious organic products. Including micronutrients as antioxidants in laying hen diets can enhance their reproductive efficiency during their final egg-producing season ( Abdelnour et al, 2019 ; Swelum et al, 2022 ). Since organic components prevent and control harmful bacteria in the digestive system, antimicrobial and antioxidant additives to meals have been utilized for several decades as antibiotics to boost the production of meat and eggs ( Abd El-Hack et al, 2023 ).…”

The effect of antioxidants on increased oocyte competence in IVM: a review

“…Physiological amounts of ROS are required during IVM to restart meiosis and trigger the release of intracellular Ca 2+ in the oocyte and protein kinase activated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) [31] . Excess ROS levels, however, cause impaired mitochondrial function, oocyte maturation, granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis, and reduced transport of nutrients and survival factors to oocytes, resulting in cell death and poor embryo quality by changing the functionality of biomolecules such as lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins [32] . As a result, extensive research has been conducted to enhance the quality of in vitro -matured human oocytes by balancing pro- and antioxidant factors by incorporating various vitamins, hormones, cytokines, growth factors, minerals, and polyphenol compounds [32] .…”

“…Excess ROS levels, however, cause impaired mitochondrial function, oocyte maturation, granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis, and reduced transport of nutrients and survival factors to oocytes, resulting in cell death and poor embryo quality by changing the functionality of biomolecules such as lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins [32] . As a result, extensive research has been conducted to enhance the quality of in vitro -matured human oocytes by balancing pro- and antioxidant factors by incorporating various vitamins, hormones, cytokines, growth factors, minerals, and polyphenol compounds [32] . Furthermore, until the culture systems for IVM are refined, it is expected that there will be differences between in vivo and in vitro -matured oocyte competence.…”