The antioxidant icariin protects porcine oocytes from age-related damage in vitro.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

If fertilization does not occur within a specific period, the quality of unfertilized oocytes in the oviduct (in vivo aging) or in culture (in vitro aging) will deteriorate over time. Icariin (ICA), found in all species of Epimedium herbs, has strong antioxidant activity, and is thought to exert anti-aging effects in vitro. We asked whether ICA protects oocytes against age-related changes in vitro.

Methods

We analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of antioxidant, maternal, and estrogen receptor genes, and along with spindle morphology, and the developmental competence and quality of embryos in the presence and absence of ICA.

Results

Treatment with 5 μM ICA (ICA-5) led to a significant reduction in ROS activity, but increased mRNA e

SUBMITTER: Yoon JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7961286 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature