Quercetin improves in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes after a post-mortem delay
Moath Abdul Munem1, Hassan Muhdi2, Sara Abou Baker3, Ahmad Ayoubi4, Dima Joujeh11Department of Biotechnology Engineering, University of Aleppo Faculty of Technical Engineering, Aleppo, Syria2National Commission for Biotechnology (NCBT), Damascus, Syria
3Yashfeen Center for Assisted Fertilization and IVF at the New Arab Hospital, Damascus, Syria
4Department of Pharmacognosy, Ebla Private University Faculty of Pharmacy, Aleppo, Syria
INTRODUCTION: Oocyte quality and maturation are critical factors determining successful fertilization and embryo development in vitro. However, delays in processing ovarian tissues after animal slaughter or collection can negatively impact oocyte viability and developmental potential. This study investigated the effect of Quercetin on the maturation of bovine oocytes subjected to a field-relevant post-mortem delay.
METHODS: Oocytes were isolated from ovaries approximately six-hour delay post-collection, mimicking practical conditions encountered in tissue handling. Then, they were treated with hyaluronidase, mechanically denuded, and cultured with quercetin at concentration of 15 µg/mL, against a control group.
RESULTS: The results demonstrated that quercetin improved the extrusion of polar bodies compared to the control group. Additionally, pH variations were noted among control and quercetin treated group, potentially influencing maturation outcomes.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that quercetin at 15 µg/mL significantly enhances the maturation of bovine oocytes, suggesting its potential to modulate oocyte quality in vitro.
Keywords: Bovine oocytes, in vitro maturation (IVM), polar body extrusion, post-mortem delay, quercetin
Manuscript Language: English