Antioxidant effect of vitamin C on porcine oocytes maturated in vitro

Abstract

Cells are vulnerable to oxidative stress during in vitro culture systems. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of vitamin C addition in in vitro culture media on porcine oocytes maturation rate based on morphological changes. Porcine COC’s were matured according to their morphological class (class I, II and III) in two groups: control (M) and supplemented with vitamin C (0.5 mM, C) in TCM 199 HEPES (M2520) modification media with hormones (0.88UI/ml FSH, F8174) at 38.50C in 5% CO2 humidified air atmosphere for 44h. The rates of oocytes with cumulus cells expansion were higher with addition of vitamin C as compared to control group, with 7.83% (C1), 70.59% (C2) and 6.04% (C3). It could be concluded from this preliminary study that addition of vitamin C in in vitro maturation medium has a beneficial effect on porcine oocytes especially in C2 group.