The antioxidant and metabolic effect of L-carnitine (LC) was evaluated during the in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes on parameters associated with quality: relative amount of lipids, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione levels (GSH), mitochondrial activity and competence for embryonic development after fertilization. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured for 24 h with and without L-C (3.8 mM), and incubated with the specific fluorophore for each parameter, Nile Red (lipids), Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (EROs), Monoclorobimane (GSH), Mitotracker Green (mitochondria). The intensity of the fluorescence was analyzed with the ImageJ software and normalized to the control group of matured oocytes without L-Carnitine. To determine the competence of the oocyte for embryonic development, the matured oocytes were fertilized and cultured for 8 days. In oocytes m...

The antioxidant and metabolic effect of L-carnitine (LC) was evaluated during the in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes on parameters associated with quality: relative amount of lipids, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione levels (GSH), mitochondrial activity and competence for embryonic development after fertilization. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured for 24 h with and without L-C (3.8 mM), and incubated with the specific fluorophore for each parameter, Nile Red (lipids), Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (EROs), Monoclorobimane (GSH), Mitotracker Green (mitochondria). The intensity of the fluorescence was analyzed with the ImageJ software and normalized to the control group of matured oocytes without L-Carnitine. To determine the competence of the oocyte for embryonic development, the matured oocytes were fertilized and cultured for 8 days. In oocytes m...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium (ITS) supplementation in embryo culture on the blastocyst rate and embryo quality. The bovine zygotes obtained by in vitro maturation (MIV) and fertilization (IVF) were transferred to Evolve medium in 4 groups (T1: Without ITS supplement; T2: ITS the first 48 h of culture (CIV1): T3: ITS after day 2 of culture (CIV2), T4: ITS during all culture time (CIV1 + CIV2). All procedures were performed at 38.5 °C, 5% CO2 and 90% relative humidity. The cleavage and blastocyst rates were determined at 48 h and day 8 of culture. The total cell number and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the expanded blastocysts were determined by staining the nucleus with Hoechst and the oxidation of the fluorescent probe dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA). The T4 cultured embryos presented the highest ra...