Anthocyanins are the polyphenolic phytochemicals which have been shown to scavenge free radicals. In this study, we investigated the effects of anthocyanins extracted from red-fleshed apples (Malus sieversii) on reducing oxidative damage by Rosup in porcine granulosa cells (GCs) by measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), content of glutathione (GSH), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD1), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) and the gene expression of SOD1, CAT, GPX1. Apoptosis was determined with TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and apoptosis-related proteins were quantified with Western blotting. The results indicate that Rosup increases oxidative stress by inducing reactive oxygen species production in porcine GCs and the oxidative stress could be reduced by anthocyanins. The gene expression of SOD1, CAT, GPX1 and the activities of these enzymes were increased when GCs were treated with anthocyanins and Rosup for 6 hours. Anthocyanins inhibit Rosup-induced apoptosis by increasing expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and suppressing the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Collectively, anthocyanins from red-fleshed apples reduce oxidative stress and inhibit apoptosis in porcine GCs in vitro. This approach indicates that antioxidants might be developed from red-fleshed apples.

The developmental potential of post-ovulatory oocytes decreases with aging in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of a potent antioxidant caffeine on cortical granules (CGs) distribution in mouse oocytes aging in vivo and in vitro. We found that in vivo administration of 150 mg/kg caffeine caused ovulation of some morphologically abnormal oocytes showing premature exocytosis or congregation of CGs, but significantly decreased abnormal distribution of CGs in oocytes aging for 6 h, 12 h and 18 h in vivo compared to those without caffeine treatment. Unexpectedly, supplementation of oocyte culture medium with 10 mmol/L caffeine accelerated CGs release of oocytes and the normal CG distribution rate dramatically decreased from 6 h in oocytes aging in vitro. It appeared that oocytes showed a high degree of abnormal CG distribution by aging for 18 h, and caffeine might delay oocyte CG exocytosis in vivo, but accelerates CG exocytosis in vitro. Our findings may have implications for improving assisted reproduction technologies.

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In this study, the polymorphism of ANGPTL4 and POMCgene in 92 individuals of Guanling cattle was detected using DNA sequencing technology, and the correlation between polymorphic loci and growth traits of Guanling cattle was analyzed. Three mutation sites including 387 C > T, 418 C > T and 449 A > T were detected in ANGPTL4 gene. Five mutation sites including 138 C > T, 430 C > T, 644 C > T, 668C > T, and 693A >G were detected in POMC gene. The results showed that three polymorphic mutation sites of ANGPTL4 gene in the Hardy -Weinberg disequilibrium (HWE) (P < 0.05), POMC gene in 430 C > T mutation the mutation in HWE equilibrium (P > 0.05), multi peptide information content of ANGPTL4, POMC gene polymorphisms (PIC) showed moderate polymorphism. The correlation analysis results showed that the ANGPTL4 gene 418 C > T mutation genotypes and Guanling yellow body height, body length, chest circumference, abdominal circumference showed significant differences (P < 0.01), 449 A>T mutation genotypes and Guanling yellow body height showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) and chest circumference, abdominal circumference showed significant differences (P < 0.01). POMC gene 644 C > T and 668C > T mutation loci and body length of Guanling yellow cattle showed significant difference (P < 0.05).