Oxidative stress and antioxidant use during in vitro mammal embryo production. Review

Abstract

Of the many animal reproduction biotechnologies, in vitro embryo production has developed most over the past twenty years. Procedure success depends on many factors, including the presence of reactive oxygen species in adequate proportions. Both in vitro fertilization and gamete and embryo manipulation exposes cells to endogenous and/or exogenous factors that can affect antioxidant defense mechanisms and quality. This review discusses some sources of reactive oxygen species, the use of enzymatic, non-enzymatic and polyphenolic antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress in in vitro embryo production processes, and their effects on oocyte and embryo quality, gene expression and embryo developmental competence.