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Ameliorating effect of vitamin E on in vitro development of preimplantation buffalo embryos

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Abstract

Purpose

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of defective embryo development. Vitamin E is an effective lipid-soluble antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from peroxidative damage. In this context, this study was undertaken to find if supplementation of vitamin E in culture medium could ameliorate the developmental competence of preimplantation buffalo embryos.

Methods

Vitamin E was supplemented in maturation/embryo culture medium at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 μM. The developmental competence of buffalo embryos was assessed by observing the cleavage, morulae, blastocyst rate, total cell count and comet assay.

Results

Vitamin E had no significant effect in maturation medium. Vitamin E in embryo culture medium under 5% O2 significantly reduced blastocyst formation in the 400 μM supplemented group. Culture under 20% O2 enhanced the frequency of blastocyst formation, total cell count and significantly reduced comet tail in the 100 μM supplemented group (P < 0.001) when compared with the control. Vitamin E in ECM for the first 72 h of culture period enhanced blastocyst rate and total cell number in the 100 μM group (P < 0.001) when compared with the control.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that the addition of Vitamin E may enhance the developmental competence of buffalo embryos in vitro by protecting them from oxidative stress.

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Acknowledgement

The technical expertise provided by S. Yuvaraj, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr. ALM PGIBMS, University of Madras, Chennai and N. Rajesh, Huclin Research ltd, Ticel Biopark, Chennai are greatly acknowledged.

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Author notes

  1. K. Valivittan

    Present address: Department of Biotechnology, St. Peter’s University, Chennai, 600 054, Tamilnadu, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Presidency College, Chennai, 600 005, Tamilnadu, India

    B. Thiyagarajan & K. Valivittan

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  1. B. Thiyagarajan
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Correspondence to K. Valivittan.

Additional information

Capsule Buffalo embryos are prone to oxidative stress due to high lipid content; supplementation of vitaminE enhanced their developmental competence by protecting them from oxidative stress.

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Thiyagarajan, B., Valivittan, K. Ameliorating effect of vitamin E on in vitro development of preimplantation buffalo embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 26, 217–225 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-009-9302-1

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