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Published on: July 30, 2020
Spermidine supplementation protects porcine oocytes against triclosan-induced defects during maturation in vitro
Yang Gao1, Dandan Zhang2, Kaixiang Tan3
1School of Biology and Food Engineering, Hefei Normal University, Hefei 230061, PR China.
Abstract:
Oocytes are highly susceptible to environmental pollutants, with triclosan (TCS)-a pervasive antimicrobial-known to bioaccumulate and impair reproductive function. Yet, the mechanisms of TCS-induced oocyte degeneration and effective protective strategies remain unclear. This study explored the protective role of spermidine (SPD) against TCS-induced meiotic disruption and fertilization defects in porcine oocytes, focusing on its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. We found that TCS exposure disrupted meiotic progression by inducing spindle defects, chromosome misalignment, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis, ultimately impairing maturation and fertilization. SPD supplementation significantly alleviated these effects by stabilizing the cytoskeleton, reducing oxidative stress, and suppressing apoptosis, thereby restoring oocyte quality and developmental competence. These findings highlight SPD as a promising intervention to counteract pollutant-induced oocyte damage and safeguard female fertility.
Insights
Spermidine (SPD) protects oocytes from triclosan (TCS) damage by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis. This finding offers a potential strategy to safeguard female fertility against environmental pollutants.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Environmental Toxicology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Oocytes are vulnerable to environmental pollutants like triclosan (TCS).
- TCS bioaccumulates and impairs reproductive function, but mechanisms of oocyte damage and protection are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of spermidine (SPD) against TCS-induced damage in porcine oocytes.
- To elucidate the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms underlying SPD's protective role.
Main Methods:
- Porcine oocytes were exposed to TCS with and without SPD supplementation.
- Evaluated meiotic progression, spindle/chromosome integrity, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- TCS exposure caused meiotic disruption, spindle defects, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis, impairing oocyte maturation and fertilization.
- SPD supplementation mitigated TCS-induced damage by stabilizing the cytoskeleton, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting apoptosis.
- SPD restored oocyte quality and developmental competence.
Conclusions:
- Spermidine effectively protects oocytes against triclosan-induced toxicity.
- SPD acts via antioxidant and anti-apoptotic pathways, highlighting its potential for preserving female fertility.
