Abstract
Oxidative stress has a negative effect on embryonic development during the in vitro production of pig embryos. The imbalance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants impact oocyte maturation. Berries from the elder plant (Sambucus sp.) have been identified as containing high levels of a broad spectrum of antioxidants. One of the predominant antioxidant classes of compounds found in elderberry extract is anthocyanin, which includes the antioxidant cyanidin. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of cyanidin supplementation to the media during oocyte maturation. Oocytes (n = 815, r=3) were supplemented with 100 or 200 μM cyanidin during 40–44 h of maturation and then evaluated at the end of maturation for the formation of reactive oxygen species, fertilization characteristics, and rates of embryonic cleavage and blastocyst development at 48 h and 144 h after IVF, respectively. There were no significant differences between no cyanidin supplementation and 200 μM cyanidin supplementation when comparing reactive oxygen species generation at the end of oocyte maturation. Supplementation of 100 μM cyanidin significantly decreased (P < 0.05) reactive oxygen species generation in oocytes compared to the other groups. There were no significant differences between no cyanidin supplementation and 200 μM cyanidin supplementation when comparing penetration and polyspermic penetration rates and male pronuclear formation. Supplementation of 100 μM cyanidin significantly decreased (P < 0.05) polyspermic penetration rates and significantly increased (P < 0.05) male pronuclear formation rates compared to the other groups. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups when comparing the percentage of cleaved embryos by 48 h after IVF. Supplementation of 100 μM cyanidin significantly increased (P < 0.05) the blastocyst formation rates by 144 h after IVF compared to all other treatment groups. These results indicate that supplementing 100 μM cyanidin to the media during oocyte maturation reduces reactive oxygen species formation and improves in vitro fertilization and early embryonic development in pigs.