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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

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

Vitória S. Bezerra A , Francisco C. Costa A , Francisco F. Caetano Filho A , José J. N. Costa A , Miguel F. de Lima Neto A , Cristiana L. M. Furtado B C , Vânia M. Ceccatto D , Valdevane R. Araújo D and José R. V. Silva https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5970-6177 A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceará, Sobral, CE, Brazil.

B Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Coronel Nunes de Melo, 1000, Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, CE 60430-275, Brazil.

C Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, University of Fortaleza, Rua Francisco Segundo da Costa, 23-57, Fortaleza, CE 60811-650, Brazil.

D Laboratory of Biochemistry and Gene Expression (LABIEX), State University of Ceará (UECE), 1700, Dr. Silas Munguba Avenue, Fortaleza, CE CEP: 60.714-903, Brazil.

* Correspondence to: jrvsilva@ufc.br

Handling Editor: Jennifer Juengel

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 36, RD24029 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD24029
Submitted: 8 March 2024  Accepted: 18 July 2024  Published online: 12 August 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during in vitro culture of ovarian 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 fibres, as well as on the levels of mRNA for nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and perirredoxin 6 (PRDX6), and activity of antioxidant enzymes in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.

Methods

Bovine ovarian cortical tissues were cultured for 6 days in α-MEM+ alone or with 1.0, 10.0, or 100.0 μM punicalagin at 38.5°C with 5% CO2. Follicle morphology and growth, stromal cell density, and collagen fibres were evaluated by classical histology, while the expression of mRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR. The activity of enzymes was analysed by the Bradford method.

Key results

Punicalagin improved follicle survival and development, reduced mRNA expression for SOD1 and CAT, but did not influence stromal cells or collagen fibres. Punicalagin (10.0 μM) increased the levels of thiol and activity of SOD1, CAT, and GPX1 enzymes.

Conclusions

Punicalagin (10.0 μM) promotes follicle survival and development and activates SOD1, CAT, and GPX1 enzymes in bovine ovarian tissues.

Implications

Punicalagin improves follicle development and survival in cultured ovarian tissues.

Keywords: antioxidant, bovine, in vitro culture, ovarian tissue, oxidative stress, pomegranate, preantral follicles, punicalagin.

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