Epitalon protects against post-ovulatory aging-related damage of mouse oocytes in vitro
Yue X, Liu SL, Guo JN, et al. (2022). Aging.
Summary
Mouse egg cells deteriorate in the hours after ovulation; this study added epitalon to the culture medium and measured the damage at 6, 12 and 24 hours. Treated oocytes showed lower reactive oxygen species, fewer spindle defects and fewer abnormalities in cortical granule distribution, higher mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial DNA copy number, and less cell death by 24 hours. The authors attribute the effect to mitochondrial activity and antioxidant action. Cells in culture; nothing here concerns fertility in a living animal or person.