Imperatorin Ameliorates the Aging-Associated Porcine Oocyte Meiotic Spindle Defects by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Protecting Mitochondrial Function

Abstract

Imperatorin (IMP) exhibits a variety of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-hypertension activities. However, its effects on animal reproduction systems, especially oocyte development, maturation, and aging are not yet clear. In this study, the effects of IMP on oocyte development and aging as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms were explored. Oocytes were cultured for an additional 24 h for aging. Results revealed that the blastocyst formation and hatching rates of embryos, which were parthenogenetically activated aged oocytes, were significantly increased with IMP treatment (40 μM). Simultaneously, well-distributed cortical granules but no significant difference in zona pellucida hardness were observed after IMP treatment. During this stage, intracellular reactive oxygen species, apoptosis, and autophagy levels were decreased, while mitochondrial membrane potential, glutathione level, and activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were increased. IMP-treated aged oocytes also showed significantly higher expression of MOS, CCNB1, BMP15, and GDF9 than non-IMP-treated aged oocytes although their levels were still lower than those in the fresh oocytes. These results suggest that IMP can effectively ameliorate the quality of aged porcine oocytes by reducing oxidative stress and protecting mitochondrial function.

In vivo and in vitro postovulatory aging: when time works against oocyte quality?

“…On the contrary, melatonin treatments are not enough for increasing intracellular glutathione levels nor the transcription of anti-oxidative and mt related genes, as SOD1, CAT , CYCS, SIRT1, and AKT2 [75]. Similar results are obtained when oocytes are cultured in the presence of resveratrol (mouse [93], pig [76]), extracts of Artemisia asiatica [81], astaxanthin [95], bezafibrate (Bez) [98], CoQ10 [94], imperatorin [101], and icariin [82].…”

“…Abbreviations: GV, germinal vesicle; MI, metaphase I; MII, metaphase II; POA, postovulatory aging destabilizing the MMP and facilitating POA mechanisms [46]. In addition, the imperatorin-supplemented culture of porcine oocytes enhance the MMP, oxidation resistance through enzymatic activation of SOD and CAT, and GSH levels in porcine POA-oocytes [101].…”

Restraint stress of female mice during oocyte development facilitates oocyte postovulatory aging

“…The Ccnb1 gene has been identified as in vitro embryo production (IVP) parameter of donor cow quality [ 35 ], and increased expression of Ccnb1 is associated with improved oocyte maturation in vitro and post-maturation development [ 36 , 37 ]. In contrast, a decrease in Ccnb1 expression has been observed in aged porcine oocytes [ 38 , 39 ]. Furthermore, chronic restraint stress reduced expression of Ccnb1 , decreased percentage of GVBD and prolonged time of GVBD in maturing mouse oocytes [ 40 ].…”

Quercetin protects porcine oocytes from in vitro aging by reducing oxidative stress and maintaining the mitochondrial functions

“…The IVM rate of porcine oocytes (approximately 77%) ( Nie et al, 2020 ) is lower than that of other species, such as humans (approximately 94%) ( Srivastava et al, 2006 ; Sudha et al, 2006 ) and cattle (approximately 86%) ( Hoshi 2003 ). The IVM of porcine oocytes involves complex metabolic activity; hence, strategies for disrupting certain metabolic pathways may improve the IVM rate ( Luo et al, 2020 ; Nie et al, 2020 ). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are common metabolites produced during IVM of oocytes.…”