NRF2 attenuation aggravates detrimental consequences of metabolic stress on cultured porcine parthenote embryos

Werner Giehl Glanzner ¹, Leticia Rabello da Silva Sousa ², Karina Gutierrez ³

⁰Department of Animal Science, McGill University, 21111, Lakeshore Road, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada. werner.glanzner@mcgill.ca.

Scientific Reports +

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February 5, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is vital for early embryo development. Attenuating NRF2 impairs blastocyst formation, especially under high glucose conditions, but melatonin may offer some protection.

Area Of Science

Reproductive Biology
Molecular Biology
Developmental Biology

Background

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) regulates oxidative stress responses.
NRF2's role in early embryonic development is not well understood.
NRF2 binds antioxidant response elements to control gene expression.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the expression and function of NRF2 during porcine early embryo development.
To determine the impact of NRF2 attenuation on embryo development under varying glucose concentrations.
To assess the potential protective effect of melatonin on NRF2-deficient embryos.

Main Methods

NRF2 mRNA expression analysis in porcine embryos (day 2-7).
Assessment of parthenogenetic embryo development after NRF2 mRNA attenuation.
Culture of NRF2-attenuated embryos under different glucose and melatonin conditions.

Main Results

NRF2 mRNA is present throughout porcine early development, with dynamic changes in abundance.
NRF2 attenuation significantly reduced blastocyst development rates.
High glucose concentrations exacerbated the negative effects of NRF2 attenuation on embryo development.
Melatonin partially rescued development in NRF2-attenuated embryos under moderate glucose stress.

Conclusions

NRF2 plays a critical role in early porcine embryo development.
NRF2 is essential for mitigating metabolic stress during embryonic development.
Targeting NRF2 pathways or using antioxidants like melatonin may improve embryo viability under stress.