Effects of alpha lipoic acid treatment during in vitro maturation on the development of porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos

Oxidative stress influences the embryo production efficiency in vitro. We investigated the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) treatment during the in vitro maturation (IVM) period on the porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryo production. After IVM, maturation rates of the 12.5- and 25-mu M ALA-treated groups were not significantly different from those of the 0-mu M ALA-treated group. Compared to those in the 0-mu M ALA-treated group, the reactive oxygen species and glutathione levels were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in the cytoplasm of matured oocytes in the 12.5-50-mu M ALA-treated groups. Apoptosis rate in cumulus cells after IVM was significantly lower in the 12.5-50-mu M ALA-treated groups than in the 0-mu M ALA-treated group. Blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher in parthenogenetic oocytes treated with 12.5-mu M ALA than in the 0-, 25-, and 50-mu M ALA-treated groups. Similarly, in SCNT embryos, the 12.5-mu M ALA-treated group showed a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate than the 0-mu M ALA-treated group. Apoptosis rate in SCNT blastocysts was significantly decreased by 12.5-mu M ALA treatment. The results showed that treatment with 12.5-mu M ALA during IVM improves porcine SCNT embryo development and partial quality.