Nicotinamide riboside supplementation protects against maternal diabetes-associated decline in oocyte quality

NAD+ levels were reduced in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, but nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation improved these levels in diabetic ovaries and oocytes, enhancing oocyte quality and early embryo development by improving mitochondrial function and lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

Diabetes mellitus is strongly correlated with a decline in oocyte quality; however, noninvasive and effective methods to improve this issue have yet to be fully development. Here, we demonstrate that in vivo supplementation with NR 400 mg/kg/day for 14 days effectively enhances the quality of oocytes from diabetic mice induced by streptozocin 190 mg/kg by restoring nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels. NR supplementation not only improved superovulation function of diabetic mice but also improved their oocyte quality and embryonic development potential after fertilization by maintaining normal spindle structure and alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, NR supplementation reduced ROS levels in oocytes from diabetic mice. Overall, our findings suggest that dietary NR supplementation is a viable strategy to protect oocytes from diabetes-related deterioration, thereby enhancing reproductive outcomes in maternal diabetes and improving the efficacy of assisted reproductive technology.