The antioxidative properties of S-allyl cysteine not only influence somatic cells but also improve early embryo cleavage in pigs

Abstract

In vitro cultivation systems for oocytes and embryos are characterised by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be balanced by the addition of suitable antioxidants. S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is a sulfur compound naturally occurring in garlic (Allium sativum), which is responsible for its high antioxidant properties. In this study, we demonstrated the capacity of SAC (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mM) to reduce levels of ROS in maturing oocytes significantly after 24 (reduced by 90.33, 82.87 and 91.62%, respectively) and 48 h (reduced by 86.35, 94.42 and 99.05%, respectively) cultivation, without leading to a disturbance of the standard course of meiotic maturation. Oocytes matured in the presence of SAC furthermore maintained reduced levels of ROS even 22 h after parthenogenic activation (reduced by 66.33, 61.64 and 57.80%, respectively). In these oocytes we also demonstrated a growth of early embryo cleavage rate (increased by 33.34, 35.00 and 35.00%, respectively). SAC may be a valuable supplement to cultivation media.

Utilization of Pectinase Cocktail and High Hydrostatic Pressure for the Production of Aged Black Garlic Juice with Improved Nutritional Value

“…This positive correlation between polyphenol content and antioxidant activity was also observed in a previous study using a whole bulb of garlic; both increased to day 24, and then decreased during the aging process at 72°C (Toledano-Medina et al, 2016). Although SAC has been reported as a potent antioxidant compound (Dvořáková et al, 2016; Pérez-Severiano et al, 2004), our current data, combined with previous findings, indicate that polyphenols could be the major determinant of the radical scavenging potential of ABG.…”

Anti-apoptotic properties of carbon monoxide in porcine oocyte duringin vitroaging

“…We assumed that this isoform may have similar function also in porcine oocytes. Meiotic maturation of oocytes under in vitro conditions is endangered by increased oxidative stress in comparison with in vivo conditions ( Dvořáková et al, 2016 ). Because HO-1 is present in the perichromosomal area in matured oocytes, we assumed that the transfer of HO-1 could have already taken place during the meiotic maturation, due to possible oxidative stress.…”