Modulation of oxidative stress mediates kaempferol induced enhancement of bovine oocyte In Vitro maturation...

This study aimed to examine the protective effects of kaempferol on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes and their subsequent embryonic development, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Bovine oocytes were cultured with kaempferol at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μM. Of the tested concentrations, the 0.1 μM kaempferol group consistently yielded the highest numerical rates of first polar body extrusion, cleavage, and blastocyst formation, although no statistically significant differences were detected among groups. Based on these preliminary screening experiments, only the optimal concentration (0.1 μM) was used in subsequent mechanistic assays. Further analyses demonstrated that 0.1 μM kaempferol significantly reduced oocyte apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. Meanwhile, it increased the glutathione content, adenosine triphosphate levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential of oocytes (P < 0.05). Gene expression analysis confirmed that 0.1 μM kaempferol upregulated antioxidant-related genes (SOD3, SIRT2), mitochondrial dynamics-associated genes (DNM1, MFN2), and the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2, while downregulating the pro-apoptotic gene BAX (P < 0.05). Collectively, these results indicate that 0.1 μM kaempferol effectively alleviates oxidative stress and improves mitochondrial function in bovine oocytes, thereby showing potential to enhance oocyte quality. Although the improvements in developmental rates did not reach statistical significance under the current experimental conditions, the consistent numerical superiority of the 0.1 μM treatment, together with the robust molecular evidence, supports its further investigation as a promising supplement in oocyte IVM systems.