(P-001) The effect of resveratrol on the developmental competence of feline oocytes after vitrification 

Abstract Authors: Agnieszka Nowak
Joanna Kochan
Julia Gabryś
Wojciech Witarski
Wojciech Niżański

Abstract Text:
Recent studies have shown that an increase in the level of ROS in thawed oocytes causes a temporary, dynamic loss of mitochondrial potential, which leads to a decrease in ATP production, which may ultimately impair embryo development. Resveratrol is an antioxidant with quite a wide range of uses, and among its most prominent effects are its anti-aging capabilities.
The objective of this research was to assess the viability and developmental potential of feline oocytes following in vitro maturation (IVM), vitrification, and post-warming incubation with resveratrol.
The oocytes after vitrification and thawing procedure, were incubated with 0.2 µM, 2 µM, or 20 µM resveratrol for 2 hours. Then viability test was performed. Oocytes treated with 0.2 µM resveratrol had the highest viability (68.89%), as assessed by fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide staining, while higher concentrations were associated with diminished oocyte viability.
In the second stages of experiment, the warmed oocytes were inseminated (IVF) following the 2-hour incubation with the three concentrations of resveratrol. The presumptive zygotes were then maintained in culture and their development evaluated. The highest cleavage rate was observed when the oocytes had been incubated with 0.2 µM resveratrol (88.34%), which was higher than for the control group (without resveratrol (75%)). Moreover, this concentration of resveratrol also augmented the blastocyst formation rate. While the vitrification of oocytes often results in diminished developmental potential in the ensuing embryos, attributed to cryopreservation-induced injury, the utilization of low concentrations of resveratrol enhances the procedure's efficacy.

Funding: This research was funded by the National Science Centre, grant nr 2022/06/X/NZ9/01562