Supplementation of lycopene in maturation media improves bovine embryo quality in vitro

Improved developmental competence in embryos treated with lycopene during in vitro culture system

“…The number of apoptotic cells per blastocyst for treated versus control group was significantly ( p < 0.05) lower, whereas the total cell number was higher in the lycopene‐treated compared to the control group (Figure ). These numbers are consistent with our previous determination of higher transcript abundance of the anti ‐ apoptotic gene BCL2 , versus the lower abundance of the pro‐apoptotic BAX (BCL‐2 associated X), the early apoptotic NFKB1 (Nuclear factor kappa B, subunit 1), and the late apoptotic CASP3 (Caspase 3) in lycopene‐treated versus control oocytes that were subsequently fertilized and developed (Chowdhury et al, ).…”

“…For full activation, NFκB must be released from IκB, which can occur via the degradation IκB when IκBKB is inhibited (Kapahi et al, ). We previously observed that 0.2 μM lycopene supplementation during oocyte maturation significantly down‐regulated NFκB at the protein and transcriptional level compared to the control (Chowdhury et al, ), and the present study demonstrated the parallel down‐regulation of IκBKB at the protein and transcript levels in the lycopene‐treated group compared to the control group. This overall suppression of NFκB signaling is in agreement with the effects of lycopene on lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation, which occurs by suppressing a key pathway related to MAPK (Mitogen‐activated protein kinase), NFκB, and nitric oxide formation (Mesalam, Kong, et al, ).…”

“…The antioxidant activity of lycopene has been extensively evaluated based on its ability to scavenge free radicals or to protect cell components against oxidative damage in embryos. In this study, intracellular ROS concentrations were significantly reduced in oocytes or blastocysts after co‐culturing with lycopene (Figure ), and we previously showed that 8‐oxoguanosine, another oxidized variant, was significantly ( p < 0.05) lower in resultant embryos when lycopene was added to oocyte maturation medium compared to the control condition (Chowdhury et al, ). Together, these results are in agreement with levels of oxidative DNA damage determined from cultured cells treated with lycopene (Matos, Capelozzi, Gomes, Mascio, & Medeiros, ; Matos, Di Mascio, & Medeiros, ).…”

“…In our previous study, 0.2 μM lycopene treatment during oocyte in vitro maturation significantly ( p < 0.05) attenuated NFκB, COX2 (Cyclooxygenase 2), and ROS (8‐oxoguanosine) abundance in subsequent embryos (Chowdhury et al, ). Here, was extended this analysis to determine the abundance of IκBKB (Inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase, subunit beta), Caspase 9, and Caspase 3 in blastocysts.…”

“…Lycopene has a high free‐radical‐scavenging capacity, and can protect presumptive zygotes against oxidative damage when supplemented in culture media, allowing embryos to overcome the two‐cell stage block (Chowdhury et al, ). In the present study, we observed significantly higher cleavage rates and blastocyst development in the presence of 0.2 μM lycopene added to IVC1 medium (Table ).…”