EFFECTS OF ASTAXANTHIN ON THE IN VITRO GROWTH OF EARLY ANTRAL FOLLICLES AND DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCE OF PORCINE EMBRYOS

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technology is used to treat infertility in women and prepubertal girls with ovarian tissue cryopreservation. However, the establishment of culturing immature oocytes is challenging in infertility treatment. In-vitro maturation is a crucial process in ART;. However, it has been developed for many decades; it remains a problem due to lower quality embryos than in-vivo maturation. Some reasons affect low successful embryo production from small porcine antral follicles. The main reason is oxidative stress caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which leads to abnormal growth of oocytes and low rates of blastocyst. An imbalance of antioxidants and ROS causes oxidative stress, limiting embryos' maturation rate and developmental competence. We recommend supplementing cell cultures with antioxidants such as Astaxanthin and Melatonin. Astaxanthin is derived from the carotenoid xanthophyll; Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland. Both are considered a potential natural antioxidant. This study was divided into two experiments. The first used Astaxanthin and Melatonin in in-vitro growth (IVG) to improve porcine oocyte quality. The second experiment attempts to induce high blastocyst quality using the parthenogenetic activation method. The treatment of antioxidants showed a significantly higher quality of oocytes; however, the supplement of Astaxanthin did not considerably affect the maturation rate of oocytes derived from EAFs. Meanwhile, supplemented Melatonin significantly differs in maturation percentage between the treated and negative control groups. The results of embryo developmental competence showed no difference in the percentage of blastocysts. However, adding Astaxanthin increased the cleavage rate from 2-cells to 8-cells at Asta (0.5µM/mL). Melatonin has a proven significant effect on the embryo's development, especially at 10 µM in concentrations.