Mitha Yusmala, Iman Supriatna, Mohamad Agus Setiadi

IMPROVEMENT OF SHEEP OOCYTE COMPETENCE IN VITRO THROUGH GLUTATHIONE ADDITION

Introduction

Improvement of sheep oocyte competence in vitro through glutathione addition. Discover how glutathione (GSH) supplementation in maturation media significantly enhances sheep oocyte competence and in vitro fertilization rates, crucial for embryo production success.

Abstract

Oocyte competence is a primary factor for the success of embryo production in vitro. This research aims to determine the effect of supplementation glutathione in sheep oocytes’ maturation and fertilization rates in vitro. In the first research, maturation oocytes were conducted in a medium supplemented with GSH at graded doses for 24 hours. In the second research, 1.0 mM GSH (the best dose from research I) was supplemented in the maturation medium, fertilization medium, and their combination for 14 hours. The higher oocyte maturation rates were significant (P < 0.05) in the GSH supplementation of 1.0 mM (87.00%). Furthermore, supplementation of GSH on the maturation medium resulted in a higher normal fertilization rate (56.43%) than in other groups. It is concluded that GSH supplementation on the maturation medium is more effective in increasing the competence of sheep oocytes to be mature and results in improved fertilization rates.

Review

This study addresses a critical aspect of *in vitro* embryo production (IVEP), namely the improvement of oocyte competence, which remains a significant hurdle to increasing efficiency. By focusing on sheep oocytes, the research provides valuable insights applicable to livestock reproduction. The authors' objective to investigate the impact of glutathione (GSH) supplementation on both maturation and subsequent fertilization rates is well-defined and highly relevant to optimizing IVEP protocols. The findings presented in the abstract suggest a clear positive effect, offering a promising avenue for enhancing oocyte quality and thus overall success in assisted reproductive technologies. The research employed a logical two-stage experimental design. Initially, varying doses of GSH were tested during the maturation phase to identify an optimal concentration, which was determined to be 1.0 mM, significantly improving maturation rates to 87.00% (P < 0.05). Building on this, the second experiment ingeniously compared the efficacy of 1.0 mM GSH supplementation during maturation, fertilization, or a combination of both. Crucially, the results indicate that adding GSH specifically to the maturation medium yielded the highest normal fertilization rate (56.43%), demonstrating that the benefits are predominantly conferred during the oocyte's developmental preparation rather than solely at the point of fertilization. In conclusion, this research strongly supports the beneficial role of glutathione supplementation in enhancing the competence of sheep oocytes *in vitro*. The findings provide a clear and actionable recommendation: incorporating 1.0 mM GSH into the oocyte maturation medium is effective in increasing both maturation and subsequent fertilization rates. This work offers a practical and immediate improvement for sheep IVEP protocols, potentially leading to increased embryo yields and ultimately, more successful pregnancies. Future studies could delve deeper into the molecular mechanisms underlying GSH's action and assess the impact on subsequent embryo development and live birth rates.

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