Effect of Low-Temperature Plasma on Porcine Oocytes In Vitro Primary Culture

The effective growth and maturation of porcine oocytes in vitro are critical for advancing reproductive biotechnologies. In this study, we explored low-temperature plasma (LTP) treatment as a redox modulation strategy to enhance the survival and maturation of denuded porcine oocytes during in vitro primary culture in order to improve animal cellular health through innovative interventions. Freshly isolated oocytes were exposed to plasma treatment for different lengths of time and subsequently cultured under established in vitro conditions. Morphological and redox-related analyses showed that LTP treatment was associated with increased oocyte diameter, a higher first polar body extrusion rate, mitochondrial membrane potential changes, and altered intracellular and extracellular redox-related parameters. These beneficial effects exhibited a distinct time-dependent dose-response pattern. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed altered expression of the EGFR/ERK signaling cascade and proteins such as Nrf2, suggesting that LTP treatment might participate in the regulation of maturation-related responses in porcine oocytes cultured in vitro by inducing redox-associated changes, along with alterations in EGFR/ERK-related signaling, Nrf2 expression, and molecules involved in maturation and apoptosis. Collectively, these findings highlight the positive role of LTP in supporting porcine oocyte maturation during in vitro primary culture and provide a promising approach for optimizing the in vitro primary culture of porcine oocytes.