Antioxidants improve IVF outcome and subsequent embryo development in the mouse

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONWhat is the effect of a combination of three antioxidants (Acetyl-L-Carnitine,N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine and α-Lipoic Acid), present in IVF medium during mouse oocyte and sperm collection, on fertilization and subsequent IVF embryo development?SUMMARY ANSWERA combination of antioxidants resulted in faster developmental times from the 2-cell stage through to expanded blastocyst stage, accompanied by a significant increase in blastocyst cell number and a reduction of intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYThe antioxidant combination Acetyl-L-Carnitine,N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine and α-Lipoic Acid, when present in embryo culture media, has a significant beneficial effect on in vitro fertilized mouse pronucleate oocyte development, especially under oxidative stress.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONIVF was conducted with combined antioxidants supplemented in IVF medium that was used for mouse oocyte collection and fertilization (oocyte IVF medium, 4 h exposure) and sperm collection and preparation (sperm IVF medium, 1 h exposure).PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODSIVF was conducted under 20% oxygen, in the presence or absence of a combination of antioxidants (10 μM Acetyl-L-Carnitine, 10 μMN-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, 5 μM α-Lipoic Acid) and resultant embryos cultured with and without antioxidants under 20% oxygen. Subsequently, the effects of antioxidants on either oocytes or sperm was evaluated. Embryo development was analysed through time-lapse...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research