title: Quercetin improves the in vitro development of porcine oocytes by decreasing reactive oxygen species levels.
abstract: Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid found in fruits or vegetables that has antioxidant properties and acts as a free radical scavenger. We investigated the effects of quercetin on porcine oocyte nuclear maturation and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation. We then evaluated the antioxidant activities of quercetin by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in matured oocytes. Immature oocytes were untreated or treated with 1, 10, and 50 µg/mL quercetin during in vitro maturation (IVM). Quercetin treatment did not improve oocyte nuclear maturation, but significantly higher blastocyst rates (p < 0.05) of parthenogenetically activated oocytes were achieved when the IVM medium was supplemented with an adequate concentration of quercetin (1 µg/mL). However, cleavage rates and blastocyst cell numbers were not affected. Oocytes treated with 1 or 10 µg/mL quercetin had significantly lower (p < 0.05) levels of ROS than the control and group treated with the highest concentration of quercetin (50 µg/mL). Moreover, this highest concentration was detrimental to oocyte nuclear maturation and blastocyst formation. Based on our findings, we concluded that exogenous quercetin reduces ROS levels during oocyte maturation and is beneficial for subsequent embryo development.
authors: Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
authors: Jung-Taek
authors: JT
authors: Kang
authors: Dae-Kee
authors: DK
authors: Kwon
authors: Sol-Ji
authors: SJ
authors: Park
authors: Su-Jin
authors: SJ
authors: Kim
authors: Joon-Ho
authors: JH
authors: Moon
authors: Ok-Jae
authors: OJ
authors: Koo
authors: Goo
authors: G
authors: Jang
authors: Byeong-Chun
authors: BC
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011794:Quercetin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011794:Quercetin
keywords: antioxidant; porcine oocyte; quercetin
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