Effects of metformin and insulin- transferrin- selenium on porcine oocyte in vitro maturation

LUCHETTI, CG.; LORENZO, MS.; ELIA, E.; TEPLITZ, G.; CRUZANS, PR.; LOMBARDO, DM.

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Jornada; VI Jornadas Internacionales Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología en Reproducción Animal INITRA; 2021

Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias UBA

In vitro maturation (IVM) generates oxidative stress in oocytes and embryos that triggers apoptosis, necrosis and/ or permanent arrest of the cell cycle in early embryo stages. This is reflected in a decrease in blastocyst rates and has also long- term consequences on implantation and foetal development. The supplementation of the IVM media with antioxidants has beneficial effects on embryo development. In pigs, the supplementation of the media with insulin- transferrin- selenium (ITS) improves oocyte IVM and embryonic development. The insulin-sensitizing drug metformin (M) has antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties in a variety of models. This drug is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and is a non- hormonal treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome. During porcine oocyte IVM, the supplementation with M plus insulin significantly increases the blastocyst rate. The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of ITS and/ or M during porcine IVM on the oocyte quality and cumulus cells viability.Porcine cumulus- oocyte complexes (COC) were obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries by follicular aspiration and subjected to IVM during 44-46 h in supplemented Tissue Culture Medium 199. The COC were incubated in four well plates at 38.5° C and 5% CO2 in a humidified chamber. Experimental groups were M (10-4 M), ITS (0.1% v/v), ITS+M and control (without supplement). After IVM, oocytes were denuded with hyaluronidase and nuclear maturation rate was determined by Hoechst. It was increased with ITS+M (Chi square and Fisher: p < 0.01). Glucose consumption by COC was increased by ITS and ITS+M (Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn: p