Antioxidative effect of melatonin on cryopreserved ovarian tissue in mice

Xiao Chao Liu1, Tie Cheng Sun2, Hui Ying Li3

  • 1Faculty of Graduate Studies, Chengde Medical University, Hebei, 067000, China; Department of Immunology, Basic Medical College, Chengde Medical University, Hebei, 067000, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Chengde Medical University, Hebei, 067000, China.

Cryobiology
|August 2, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin (MTL) significantly improves ovarian tissue (OT) survival after cryopreservation. The optimal MTL concentration of 0.1 mM reduces oxidative stress, preserving ovarian tissue quality for fertility preservation.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cryobiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Ovarian tissue (OT) cryopreservation is crucial for female cancer patient fertility preservation.
  • Current OT cryopreservation techniques remain experimental.
  • Oxidative stress negatively impacts cryopreserved ovarian tissue viability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of melatonin (MTL) on cryopreserved-thawed ovarian tissues.
  • To determine the optimal concentration of MTL for improving ovarian tissue quality post-cryopreservation.

Main Methods:

  • Ovarian tissue fragments were cryopreserved with varying concentrations of melatonin (0–1 mM).
  • Evaluated key oxidative stress markers: malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • Assessed endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities: glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC).

Main Results:

  • 0.1 mM melatonin significantly enhanced follicle survival and diameter (P < 0.001).
  • Melatonin treatment increased antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased MDA levels (P < 0.001).
  • A significant reduction in ROS levels was observed with 0.1 mM melatonin compared to controls (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin protects cryopreserved ovarian tissues by mitigating oxidative stress.
  • The optimal concentration of melatonin for preserving ovarian tissue quality is 0.1 mM.
  • Melatonin shows promise as a supplement for improving fertility preservation outcomes in cancer patients.

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