IMPROVE THE DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE OF PORCINE OOCYTES FROM EARLY ANTRAL FOLLICLES (1-1.5MM) BY ASTAXANTHIN TREATMENT

Abstract

Growing porcine oocytes from early antral follicles (1–1.5mm in diameter) are less likely to achieve complete meiotic competence after in vitro growth (IVG) followed by in vitro maturation (IVM) than larger antral follicle oocytes (4–6mm in diameter) after IVM when cultured under same conditions. Astaxanthin, one of the most potent antioxidants found in nature, is 6000 times stronger compared to Vitamin C. Astaxanthin has the ability to significantly affect the quality of IVG, IVM, and oocytes. This study aims to investigate the effect of Astaxanthin on the development of meiotic competence in early antral follicles following IVG and IVM. Oocytes cumulus granulosa complex (OCGC) were collected and cultured in IVG medium supplemented with three different concentrations of astaxanthin (0µM, 0.5µM, 0.25µM) for 2 of 4 days of IVG. The growing oocytes following IVG were then cultured for 42 hours for IVM to evaluate the capacity of the oocyte to undergo meiotic competence. The results demonstrated that oocytes cultured in medium with 0.5µM and 0.25µM Astaxanthin (81.00% and 79.33%, respectively) reached considerably the germinal vesicle stage than those cultured in 0µM Astaxanthin medium (39.33%). Astaxanthin with the concentration of 0.5µM also increased the rate of oocytes reaching MII and acquired blastocyst stage with higher rate after IVD culture (17.75%). The results suggest that adding Astaxanthin, especially at a concentration of 0.5µM, to IVG medium improves the quality of porcine oocytes by exerting antioxidant impacts on growing oocytes