Supplementation of media with gamma‐oryzanol as a novel antioxidant to overcome redox imbalance during bovine oocyte maturation in vitro.

This study evaluated the effect of supplementing IVM media with γ‐oryzanol (ORY), a nutraceutical derived from rice bran oil, on the development of bovine oocytes and hindering the compromising effect of redox imbalance. An in vitro model of the bovine cumulus‐oocyte complex was used for the evaluation of nuclear maturation and development. Antioxidant activity was investigated by assessing the level of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) and GSH (glutathione) in oocytes and quantitative changes in gene expression in matured oocytes and their respective cumulus cells. ORY supplementation increased the proportion of MII oocytes, cleaved embryos, and total blastocysts (p <.05) and was linked to higher and lower levels of intracellular GSH and ROS, respectively (p <.05). The treated oocytes and their respective cumulus‐granulosa cells showed a modulation in the expression of genes related to apoptosis (downregulation of BAX and CHOP) and oxidative stress (upregulation of NRF2, CAT, and SOD). Also, relative upregulation of OCT‐4 and IGF2R in treated oocytes was concomitant with higher subsequent development in terms of cleavage and total blastocyst rates (p <.05). Based on our findings, it appears that ORY supplementation can improve the nuclear maturation and development of bovine oocytes into blastocysts and augment their enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidant systems, maintaining the Redox balance and high enzymatic activity against ROS generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]