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Acetyl-L-carnitine increases follicle survival and stromal cell density in cultured bovine ovarian tissues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2025

Allana M.F. Leitão Open the ORCID record for Allana M.F. Leitão [Opens in a new window] ,
Antonia V.N. Azevedo ,
Bianca R. Silva ,
Efigênia C. Barbalho ,
Ernando I. Teixeira de Assis ,
Francisco C. Costa Open the ORCID record for Francisco C. Costa [Opens in a new window] ,
Fabricio S. Martins  and
José R.V. Silva Open the ORCID record for José R.V. Silva [Opens in a new window]
Allana M.F. Leitão
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Sobral, CE, Brazil
Antonia V.N. Azevedo
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Sobral, CE, Brazil
Bianca R. Silva
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Sobral, CE, Brazil
Efigênia C. Barbalho
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Sobral, CE, Brazil
Ernando I. Teixeira de Assis
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Sobral, CE, Brazil
Francisco C. Costa
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Sobral, CE, Brazil
Fabricio S. Martins
Affiliation:
Center of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, State University of Valley Acaraú (UVA), Sobral, CE, Brazil
José R.V. Silva*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Reproduction (LABIREP), Federal University of Ceara, Sobral, CE, Brazil
*
Corresponding author: José R. V. Silva; Email: jrvsilva@ufc.br
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Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine on follicle survival and growth, stromal cell density and extracellular matrix, as well as on the expression of mRNA for nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) in cultured bovine ovarian cortical tissues. Ovarian fragments (3 × 3 × 1 mm) were cultured for 6 days in α-MEM+ alone or supplemented with 10, 50 or 100 μM acetyl-L-carnitine at 38.5°C with 5% CO2 in humidified air. Before (non-cultured tissues) and after culture, the ovarian fragments were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 12 h for histological analysis or stored at –80ºC for mRNA expression analysis of NRF2, SOD, CAT, PRDX6 and GPX1. The results showed that 100 μM acetyl-L-carnitine increased the percentages of morphologically normal follicles and stromal cell density in cultured ovarian tissues. On the other hand, acetyl-L-carnitine did not influence the percentage of collagen in ovarian tissue nor the expression of mRNAs for NRF2, SOD, CAT, PRDX6 and GPX1. In conclusion, 100 μM acetyl-L-carnitine increased follicle survival and stromal cell density in cultured bovine ovarian tissues but does not influence collagen fibre distribution or the expression of mRNAs for NRF2, SOD, CAT, PRDX6 and GPX1.

Keywords

acetyl-L-carnitineantioxidantin vitro cultureovarian folliclesoxidative stress
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , First View , pp. 1 - 7
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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