Although in vitro production (IVP) techniques of porcine follicular oocytes have progressed and are well studied, the developmental potential of porcine oocytes matured in vitro remains low compared with those matured in vivo. It is well known that one of the reason occurred impair in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes is the oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is mainly caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation formed during cellular metabolism. β-cryptoxanthin (BCX) is one of the carotenoid pigment and possesses strong anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging activities and suppresses lipid peroxidation and nitrogen oxide production. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of BCX treatment on porcine oocyte during IVM and their in vitro developmental potential. The follicular oocytes were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with 0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μM BCX (control, 0.1 B, 1 B, 10 B and 100 B). In analysis of intracellular ROS expression level after IVM, 1 B group was the lowest among all groups (p<0.05), while other BCX treated groups are similar to control group. Also, 1 B group was significantly decreased during the classified oocyte maturation stage (GVBD, MⅠ and MⅡ) than control (p<0.05). In addition, the relative mRNA expression level of antioxidant gene (superoxide dismutase-2 and peroxiredoxin-5) was significantly higher in 1 B group than control (p<0.05). After parthenogenetic activation, there was no different in the cleavage rate between two groups, however, the blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher in 1 B group than in control (p<0.05). In embryo quality, the total cell number and DNA fragmentation of blastocysts were no different between two groups. These results demonstrate that BCX is helpful for decreasing ROS level of porcine follicular oocytes and improves their developmental potential.

• Yun-Gwi Park(Jeju National University, Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center)
• Seung-Eun Lee(Jeju National University, Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center)
• Yeo-Jin Son(Jeju National University, Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center)
• Min-Young Shin(Jeju National University, Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center)
• Sang-Gi Jeong(Jeju National University, Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center)
• Eun-Young Kim(Jeju National University, Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center, Mirae Cell Bio)
• Se-Pill Park(Jeju National University, Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center, Mirae Cell Bio)