A comparative study of saffron aqueous extract and its active ingredient, crocin on the in?vitro maturation, in?vitro fertilization, and in?vitro culture of mouse oocytes

摘要

ObjectiveReactive oxygen species have effects on gamete quality and gamete interaction; they influence spermatozoa, oocytes, embryos, and their environment. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effect of different concentrations of saffron (Crocus sativusL.) aqueous extract (SAE) and its ingredient, crocin, on the improvement ofin?vitromaturation (IVM) and subsequentin?vitrofertilization (IVF) and embryo development of mouse oocytes.Materials and methodsCumulus oocyte complexes were collected from ovaries, and germinal vesicle oocytes were cultured in the presence of SAE and crocin. SAE was added at dosages of 5?μg/mL, 10?μg/mL, and 40?μg/mL; dosages of crocin were 50?μg/mL, 100?μg/mL, and 400?μg/mL. All dosages were added to maturation medium and a group without SAE or crocin was considered as the control group. Following IVM, metaphase II oocytes were fertilized and culturedin?vitroin order to observe embryo development.ResultsBoth SAE and crocin improved the rate of IVM, IVF, andin?vitroculture. Addition of 40?μg/mL SAE to maturation medium significantly increased the rate of IVM, IVF, andin?vitroculture (p?