L-Carnitine-Mediated Antioxidant Defence in Buffalo Oocytes: A Novel Approach for Improving In Vitro Maturation and Embryo Developmental Competence

Abu El-Naga, Eman Mahmoud; Soliman, Doaa Abdulrahman; Hussein, Mohammed Karmy; Mohamed, Ragab hassan; Monir, Ahmed; Hassan, Mayada Abd-Allah; Badr, Magdy Ramadan; Hussein, Hassan Abdelsabour

doi:10.21608/ejvs.2025.372940.2761

	L-Carnitine-Mediated Antioxidant Defence in Buffalo Oocytes: A Novel Approach for Improving In Vitro Maturation and Embryo Developmental Competence
Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences
Articles in Press, Corrected Proof, Available Online from 30 June 2025 PDF (620.94 K)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/ejvs.2025.372940.2761
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Authors
Eman Mahmoud Abu El-Naga¹; Doaa Abdulrahman Soliman ²; Mohammed Karmy Hussein³; Ragab hassan Mohamed²; Ahmed Monir⁴; Mayada Abd-Allah Hassan⁵; Magdy Ramadan Badr⁴; Hassan Abdelsabour Hussein⁶
¹1Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt 2Animal House Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
²Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
³Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
⁴Department of Artificial Insemination and embryo transfer research, Animal reproduction research institute (ARRI), Agricultural research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt
⁵Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Research Department, Animal Reproduction Research Institute (ARRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt
⁶1Department of Theriogenology, Faculty Vet. Med., Assiut University, 71526 Assiut, Egypt 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sphinx University, New Assiut, Egypt
Abstract
The developmental competence of buffalo oocytes often declines during in vitro conditions, primarily due to oxidative stress. The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of L-Carnitine supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) of buffalo oocytes. Oocytes collected from ovaries of slaughtered buffaloes were matured in IVM media supplemented with L-Carnitine at 0 (control), 0.3, 0.6, or 1 mg.mL^-1, nuclear maturation, penetration, fertilization (IVF), embryo production and development were assessed. Additionally, antioxidant parameters including glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and lipid peroxidation (MDA) level in oocytes after IVM were measured. The outcomes indicated that significant improvements in oocyte maturation to metaphase II were observed in the 0.3 and 0.6 mg.mL^-1 L-carnitine groups. Fertilization rates were enhanced within 0.3 and 0.6 mg.mL^-1 L-carnitine groups in contrast to the control. The 0.6 mg.mL^-1 L-carnitine group demonstrated significant enhancements in cleavage (2-8 cells) and morula formation. Level of GSH exhibited an elevation, and MDA level declined in L-carnitine groups, although not significantly. SOD and CAT activities were significantly elevated in the 0.6 mg.mL^-1 l-carnitine treatment against the control. In conclusion, L-carnitine incorporation within IVM improves oocyte nuclear maturation, fertilization, embryo growth, and antioxidant activity in Egyptian buffalo oocytes. 0.6 mg.mL^-1 emerging as the optimal concentration for overall improvements in oocyte quality and in vitro embryonic developmental competence.
Keywords
Buffalo; In vitro maturation; L-Carnitine; Antioxidant; ROS


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