Introduction
The efficiency of the in
vitro production of oocytes is significantly lower than that of in vivo culture. Allicin (AL) regulates
the cellular redox, proliferation, viability, and cell cycle of different cells
against extracellular-derived stress. This study investigated the effects of allicin treatment on porcine
oocyte maturation and developmental competence.
Materials and Methods
Cumulus oocyte complexes were cultured in IVM
medium, containing 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100
μM AL for 44 h.
Results and Discussion
The rate of polar body
emission was tended to be higher in the 0.1 AL-treated group than in the
control group (p
< 0.1). The rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation significantly increased in the 0.1 AL-treated group (p < 0.05). The rate of
phosphorylated p44/42 MAPK to p44/42 MAPK was ~4-fold higher in the 0.1
AL-treated group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The expression of maternal
marker (BMP15 and CCNB1) and anti-apoptotic genes significantly increased in the 0.1 AL-treated
group at MII stage, respectively (p
< 0.05). Consequently,
allicin treatment improves porcine oocytes maturation and subsequent
development. In conclusion, these results indicate that
supplementation of oocyte maturation medium with allicin during IVM improves
the maturation of oocytes and the subsequent developmental competence of
porcine oocytes.