Effect of α-tocopherol supplementation on in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes and in vitro development of preimplantation sheep embryos to the blastocyst stage

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2010 Aug;27(8):483-90. doi: 10.1007/s10815-010-9430-7. Epub 2010 May 8.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effects of α-tocopherol supplementation to oocyte maturation media and embryo culture media on the yield of ovine embryos.

Methods: α-tocopherol, at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 500 µM was supplemented to ovine oocyte or embryo culture media and cultured at 5% or 20% O(2) levels. Percentages of cleavage, morula and blastocyst, total cell count and comet assay were taken as indicators of developmental competence of embryos.

Results: 200 µM α-tocopherol in embryo culture medium at 20% O(2) level significantly increased the rates of cleavage (P < 0.05), morulae (P < 0.05) and blastocyst (P < 0.01) formation and blastocyst total cell number (P < 0.01) when compared with control. The rates of blastocyst formation were also significantly higher in 100 µM (P < 0.01) and 400 µM (P < 0.05) supplemented groups than control.

Conclusion: α-tocopherol supplementation may enhance the in vitro developmental competence of ovine embryos by protecting them from oxidative damage.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Blastocyst / cytology
  • Blastocyst / drug effects*
  • Culture Media
  • Embryo Culture Techniques
  • Embryonic Development / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Oocytes / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Sheep / embryology*
  • alpha-Tocopherol / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Culture Media
  • alpha-Tocopherol