| Autor: |
El-Sheikh M; Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Cairo 12622, Egypt., Mesalam A; Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt., Joo MD; Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea., Sidrat T; Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea., Mesalam AA; Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Cairo 12622, Egypt., Kong IK; Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.; Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.; The King Kong Corp. Ltd., Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea. |
| Abstrakt: |
Vanillic acid (VA) has shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in different cell types, but its biological effects in the context of early embryo development have not yet been clarified. In the current study, the impact of VA supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) and/or post-fertilization (in vitro culture; IVC) on redox homeostasis, mitochondrial function, AKT signaling, developmental competence, and the quality of bovine pre-implantation embryos was investigated. The results showed that dual exposure to VA during IVM and late embryo culture (IVC3) significantly improved the blastocyst development rate, reduced oxidative stress, and promoted fatty acid oxidation as well as mitochondrial activity. Additionally, the total numbers of cells and trophectoderm cells per blastocyst were higher in the VA-treated group compared to control ( p < 0.05). The RT-qPCR results showed down-regulation of the mRNA of the apoptosis-specific markers and up-regulation of AKT 2 and the redox homeostasis-related gene TXN in the treated group. Additionally, the immunofluorescence analysis showed high levels of pAKT-Ser473 and the fatty acid metabolism marker CPT1A in embryos developed following VA treatment. In conclusion, the study reports, for the first time, the embryotrophic effects of VA, and the potential linkage to AKT signaling pathway that could be used as an efficacious protocol in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to improve human fertility. |
