Heat shock is known to increase the mortality of early stage embryos, but the exact mechanism is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the possibility that the increased mortality is caused by heat shock-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). The level of ROS was controlled by using beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME), a scavenger of ROS. In vitro-produced 8-cell stage embryos were cultur...

Objective A unique feature of embryo metabolism is production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is well established that during in vitro culture, ROS levels increase over normal ranges observed for embryos developed in vivo. This study evaluates and compares the stepwise pattern of ROS production during in vitro development of reconstructed goat embryos produced by zona-free method of somati...

Background Ovarian tissue cryopreservation represents a promising strategy to preserve the ovarian function in cancer patients. It is usually performed by slow freezing/rapid thawing (SF/RT). Recent studies emphasize an ultrarapid cryopreservation procedure, vitrification/warming (V/W), since it might prevent damages due to ice crystal formation. Comparative studies between the cryopreservation...

Background Ovarian tissue cryopreservation represents a promising strategy to preserve the ovarian function in cancer patients. It is usually performed by slow freezing/rapid thawing (SF/RT). Recent studies emphasize an ultrarapid cryopreservation procedure, vitrification/warming (V/W), since it might prevent damages due to ice crystal formation. Comparative studies between the cryopreservation...

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate the pattern of reactive oxygen species (ROS) variations during in vitro oocyte maturation and embryo development in sheep, and to investigate whether embryo culture condition and the presence of cell-permeable superoxide dismutase mimetic [Manganese (III) meso-tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP)] can influence ROS pattern. Materials an...