275 EFFECT OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES DURING IN VITRO MATURATION ON PORCINE OOCYTE NUCLEAR MATURATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE

Abstract

The generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the decreased competence of in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes. However, ROS are also generated in normal cellular metabolism and can be important regulators of cellular functions. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ROS during IVM on porcine oocyte nuclear maturation and subsequent embryonic development. Oocytes were matured in different redox environments for 40 h in 7% CO₂ in air at 38.7°C. The basic maturation medium was defined PPM supplemented with 1 mM hypoxanthine. Reactive oxygen species were generated by the hypoxanthine–xanthine oxidase (XOD) system at 3 different concentrations: XOD0 (0 mU), XOD1 (1 mU), and XOD10 (10 mU). In each XOD treatment, 2 different concentrations of cysteine (Cys) were added as an antioxidant: Cys1 (0.57 mM) and Cys2 (1.14 mM). This resulted in 6 experimental treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial design; XOD0-Cys1 was considered the control. For fertilization, gametes were co-incubated in modified Tween medium B with milk powder for 5 h and then cultured in NCSU-23 medium in 5% CO₂, 10% O₂ for 6 days, at which point cleavage, blastocyst development, and blastocyst cell number were determined (30–50 per treatment per replicate; 4 replicates). Data were analysed by two-way ANOVA, and differences were determined by Fisher’s least significant difference multiple-comparison test; percentage data were arcsin transformed (significance, P < 0.05). Results are shown in Table 1. Percentage of mature oocytes was not different between any XOD0 and XOD1 treatments, but maturation was decreased in both XOD10 treatments. Embryonic cleavage was also decreased in both XOD10 treatments compared with the control. Blastocyst development was decreased in XOD0-Cys2 and XOD10-Cys1 when compared with the control. Blastocyst total cell number was not different between any treatments (P > 0.05). In conclusion, 10-mU XOD during IVM resulted in decreased nuclear maturation, embryonic cleavage, and blastocyst development, possibly due to excessive ROS generated by XOD. The negative effect of high levels of XOD on blastocyst formation could be reversed by adding additional antioxidant capacity to the environment (Cys2). This result suggests that adequate ROS balance is important for oocyte quality. Interestingly, adding extra antioxidant capacity alone (XOD0-Cys2) was detrimental to blastocyst formation, possibly due to the creation of an environment that was too reduced. These results demonstrate the importance of keeping the redox environment balanced during oocyte maturation. Excessive oxidative or reducing environments both appear to be detrimental to oocyte developmental competence.

Table 1.  Nuclear maturation and developmental competence of oocytes matured in different redox environments