Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species regulate porcine embryo development during pre-implantation period: A mini-review

Abstract

Significant porcine embryonic loss occurs during conceptus morphological elongation and attachment from d 10 to 20 of pregnancy, which directly decreases the reproductive efficiency of sows. A successful establishment of pregnancy mainly depends on the endometrium receptivity, embryo quality, and utero-placental microenvironment, which requires complex cross-talk between the conceptus and uterus. The understanding of the molecular mechanism regulating the uterine-conceptus communication during porcine conceptus elongation and attachment has developed in the past decades. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which are intracellular reactive metabolites that regulate cell fate decisions and alter their biological functions, have recently reportedly been involved in porcine conceptus elongation and attachment. This mini-review will mainly focus on the recent researches about the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in regulating porcine embryo development during the pre-implantation period.

Effects of Melatonin Supplementation during Pregnancy on Reproductive Performance, Maternal–Placental–Fetal Redox Status, and Placental Mitochondrial Function in a Sow Model

“…Rapid fetal growth during pregnancy leads to increased metabolic burdens on pregnant women or dams, causing elevated systemic oxidative stress [ 1 , 2 ]. Accumulating evidence suggests that maternal oxidative stress is associated with the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, low birth weight, and fetal death [ 3 , 4 ]. The placenta is the only site for the transfer of nutrients to the fetus during gestation; thus, the placenta’s health and function are closely associated with the development of a healthy fetus [ 5 ].…”

The Silent Threat to Women’s Fertility: Uncovering the Devastating Effects of Oxidative Stress

“…The endometrial cells which line the uterus play a crucial role in fertilization and implantation, while during menstruation and pregnancy they produce ROS. It has been demonstrated that endometrial cell production of H 2 O 2 and O 2 during the menstrual cycle contributes to the control of endometrial receptivity and implantation [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Dietary Supplementation with Different Types of Potassium and Magnesium during Late Gestation and Lactation Modulates the Reproductive Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Immune Function of Sows

“…During pregnancy, especially during late gestation, sows are experiencing progressive oxidative stress because of the significant increase in the fetal and mammary gland growth rates [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant enzymes in the sows’ blood [ 4 ]. Accumulating evidence indicates that maternal oxidative stress is associated with the occurrence of poor pregnancy outcomes, such as fetal death, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) [ 5 , 6 ]. Thus, relieving maternal oxidative stress during late pregnancy can be an effective strategy to improve sow reproductive performance.…”