Improved cryotolerance and developmental potential ofin vitroandin vivomatured mouse oocytes by supplementing with a glutathione donor prior to vitrification

Abstract

The study has been supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG FOR 1041; EI 199/3-2). There are no conflict of interests.

Cumulus cell mitochondrial activity in relation to body mass index in women undergoing assisted reproductive therapy

“…The activity of antioxidant enzymes is very high in follicular fluid including GSH-dependent enzymes. In addition, GSH is synthesized by cumulus cells and can be transferred to the oocyte if needed to ensure the effective scavenging of ROS and to protect the oocyte during its resumed metabolic and meiotic activity [46], [45]. Based on published data, we assume that the positive correlations between MPI and the levels of GSH and adiponectin observed in this study may reflect a positive impact of these regulators due to close regulatory interactions in the cumulus-oocyte complex during follicle maturation.…”

“…Also, GSH has been shown to be important in successful recovery and developmental potential in mouse oocytes after cryopreservation and vitrification. Supplementation with GSH donor significantly improves oocyte culture conditions and decreases the risk of chromosome segregation errors, alterations in mRNA expression patterns, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases redox capacity of oocyte mitochondria [45]. The activity of antioxidant enzymes is very high in follicular fluid including GSH-dependent enzymes.…”

Exogenous ascorbic acid enhances vitrification survival of porcine in vitro-developed blastocysts but fails to improve the in vitro embryo production outcomes

“…Consistent with this hypothesis, Tao et al [12] demonstrated improved nuclear maturation of porcine denuded oocytes when AsA was added to the IVM medium. In this case, AsA during IVM was also beneficial under an increased oxidative stress condition due to the absence of cumulus cells surrounding the oocytes during IVM [41]. Together with our present results, these previous observations suggest that AsA has a beneficial effect during maturation when the generation of ROS is extremely high or protective mechanisms against oxidative stress are lacking.…”

RNA-Seq transcriptome profiling of mouse oocytes after in vitro maturation and/or vitrification

“…All of these genes were up-regulated and related to NADH dehydrogenase activity, and are in accordance with previous results showing that the ratio of FAD/NAD(P)H is significantly higher in vitrified human oocytes 10 . An increased ratio of FAD/NAD(P)H suggests a decreased ATP level in vitrified human oocytes 9,11 , which can significantly affect spindle integrity and chromosome alignment 10, 12 . In vitro matured porcine oocytes obtained from the GV vitrification group exhibited higher abnormal configurations of spindles and chromosomes than oocytes from the MII vitrification group 31 .…”