Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a biological membranes compound. As the antioxidant, it decreases the oxidized forms of other antioxidant substances such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione (GSH). To examine the effect of ALA on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes, we investigated intracellular GSH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA). Intracellular GSH levels in oocytes treated with 50uM ALA increased significantly (P < 0.05) and exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in intracellular ROS levels compared with the control group. Oocytes matured with 50 uM of ALA during IVM displayed significantly higher cleavage rates (67.8% vs. 83.4%, respectively), and higher blastocyst formation rates and total cell number of blastocysts after PA (31.6%, 58.49 vs. 46.8%, 68.58, respectively) than the control group. In conclusion, these results suggest that treatment with ALA during IVM improves the cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes by increasing the intracellular GSH levels, thereby decreasing the intracellular ROS levels and subsequent embryonic developmental potential of PA.

INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS and METHODS
  1. Chemicals
  2. Oocyte collection and in vitro maturation
  3. Measurement of intracellular GSH and ROS levels
  4. Parthenogenetic activation of oocytes
  5. In vitro embryo culture
  6. Embryo evaluation and total cell count of blastocysts
  7. Gene expression analysis via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction
  8. Experimental design
  9. Statistical analysis
 RESULTS
  1. Effect of Alpha lipoic acid on oocyte maturation during IVM
  2. Effect of ALA supplemented to IVM media on subsequent embryonic development after PA
  3. Effect of ALA treatment during IVM on gene expression in oocytes and cumulus cells
 DISCUSSION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 REFERENCES

• Young-Hun Kang(Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University)
• Sang-Hwan Hyun(Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University) Correspondence