Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: July 7, 2014
Effect of pentoxifylline in reducing oxidative stress-induced embryotoxicity
Xiaoyan Zhang1, Rakesh K Sharma, Ashok Agarwal
1Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility and Sexual Function, Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Purpose:
To 1) evaluate the embryotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide on mouse embryo development and 2) examine if pentoxifylline can reverse hydrogen peroxide induced embryotoxicity.
Methods:
Prospective in vitro study examining the effects of varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and pentoxifylline on the blastocyst development rate alone as well as in combination.
Results:
A dose-dependent decrease in % BDR was seen with increasing concentrations of H2O2. High concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (> 60 microM) were embryotoxic. Pentoxifylline (500 microM) was able to reduce the embryotoxic effect of hydrogen peroxide. Percent blastocyst development rate increased from 44% in hydrogen peroxide alone to 85% in hydrogen peroxide and pentoxifylline coincubation.
Conclusions:
Pentoxifylline may be beneficial in reducing hydrogen peroxide induced embryo damage and improve IVF outcome. Patients with endometriosis-associated infertility may benefit from the use of pentoxifylline without significantly affecting embryo development.
