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Punicalagin increases follicular activation, development and activity of superoxide dismutase 1, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase-1 in cultured bovine ovarian tissues

Vitória Bezerra, Francisco Costa, Francisco Caetano Filho, José Costa, Miguel Lima Neto, Cristiana Furtado, Vânia Ceccato, Valdevane Araújo, José Roberto Silva

Abstract

Context: The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during in vitro culture of ovar-ian tissues impairs follicular development and survival. Aims: To evaluate the effects of punicalagin on the development and survival of primordial follicles, stromal cell and collagen fibers, as well as on the levels of mRNA for nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and perirredoxin 6 (PRDX6), and activity of antioxidant enzymes in cul-tured bovine ovarian tissues. Methods: Bovine ovarian cortical tissues were cultured for six days in α-MEM+ alone or with 1.0, 10.0, or 100.0 µM punicalagin at 38.5ºC with 5% CO2. Follicle morphology and growth, stromal cell density, and collagen fibers were evaluated by classical histology, while the ex-pression of mRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR. The activity of enzymes was analyzed by the Bradford method. Key results: Punicalagin improved follicle survival and development, reduced mRNA expres-sion for SOD and CAT, but did not influence stromal cells or collagen fibers. Punicalagin (10.0 µM) increased the levels of thiol and activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX enzymes. Conclusions: Punicalagin (10.0 µM) promotes follicle survival and development and activates SOD, CAT, and GPX enzymes in bovine ovarian tissues. Implications: Punicalagin improves follicle development and survival in cultured ovarian tis-sues.

RD24029  Accepted 18 July 2024

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