One of the trends of oxidative protection in in vitro fertilization programs

Here we review published data from experimental and clinical international studies examining pathogenetic effects of melatonin upon using programs of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF); highlighting various viewpoints on its biological action as a regulator of circadian rhythms: on the one hand, the inhibitory effect of melatonin on pulsating secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone was considered, thereby achieving a contraceptive effect; on the other hand, its ability to induce the secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin ensuring ovulation process, was discussed. We also review the data on melatonin acting as a highly active antioxidant. While using melatonin as a metabolic supplement in IVF programs, its positive effect on oocyte morphology and quality of fertilization, embryo division was observed. Moreover, we also highlight the results of studies examining melatonin-related effects on quality of fertilization and embryo division after adding it to culture medium. Such effects demonstrated dose-depended pattern. Taking into account the data of the analyzed publications, adding exogenous melatonin to culture medium may represent a new strategy for personalized approach to improve outcome of IVF programs. Its effectiveness should be further investigated and considered for introduction within the framework of pregravid preparation.

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Ova recovery, and in vivo and in vitro fertilization of ova from RU486-treated PMSG/hCG-primed mice

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd9951243 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 1243

Author(s):

SC Juneja ◽

MG Dodson

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Culture Medium ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Study Quality ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Early Embryos ◽

Varied Degree

In this study, the effect of preovulatory treatment with RU486, for different lengths of time and combinations of days, was shown in terms of the ova recovery, in vitro fertilization of recovered ova, in vivo fertilization and quality of fertilized ova in PMSG/hCG-primed mice. Female mice were injected with PMSG followed 48 h later by hCG to induce superovulation. Mice received RU486 (20 mg kg-1 body wt) for 1, 2, 3 and 4 preovulatory days (in different combinations). Ovulation, as judged by the number of ova recovered at 14 to 14.5 h post-hCG, was depressed (P < 0.001), and the total number of embryos recovered at 40 h post-hCG was low (P < 0.001), in mice receiving a minimum of two consecutive days' treatment (day before PMSG + day of PMSG; or day before hCG + day of hCG) of RU486 under study. Quality of ova recovered from RU486-treated animals was not affected as determined by their ability to become fertilized in vitro. In vivo fertilization, as determined by the recovery of 2-cell embryos, was suppressed significantly in mice treated with RU486 for four consecutive preovulatory days (P < 0.001). A varied degree of premature compaction was observed in 2-cell embryos immediately upon retrieval from the oviduct of RU486-treated animals, the effect being most marked in mice receiving RU486 for a minimum of two consecutive preovulatory days under study. It is suggested that premature compaction of early embryos was under the continuous influence of the luminal environment of treated animals and might be the reason for their degeneration at later stages in the reproductive tract and for a low pregnancy rate as shown by other studies. Compacted embryos decompacted within 15-30 min in vitro and led to normal blastocyst formation in vitro in RU486-free culture medium.

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