Abstract
The importance of ovarian cortical cryopreservation in fertility preservation is receiving increasing attention from reproductive specialists, and mitochondrial dysfunction is an important cause of reduced ovarian tissue cryopreservation. Elamipretide (SS-31) is a novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, whether it has a protective effect on mouse ovarian tissue cryopreservation remains to be studied. In this study, we examined follicular morphology and viability, mitochondrial function and oxidative stress levels, apoptosis, and culture in vitro after vitrification cryoresuscitation operation by treating ovarian tissues with SS-31 in cryoprotectant resuscitation solution. At the end of the experiment, the addition of 100 μmol/L SS-31 significantly improved follicle quality and oocyte maturation rate in vitro (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced apoptosis (p < 0.05) and oxidative stress levels (superoxide dismutase, catalase, malondialdehyde, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex enzyme activity, mtDNA copy number (p < 0.05), and adenosine triphosphate (p < 0.05) content were significantly increased in the 100 μmol/L SS-31-treated group. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of mitochondrial energy metabolism- and biosynthesis-related genes (STRT1, PGC-1a, PPAR-a, TFAM, p < 0.05) were markedly upregulated (p < 0.05) in the 100 μmol/L SS-31 group. In conclusion, SS-31 improved the cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, and 100 μmol/L SS-31 was found to be the most effective.