Inflammation Disrupts Ganglioside Expression during Early Embryonic Development in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)...

Inflammation adversely affects reproductive function and early embryonic development; however, whether inflammatory conditions are associated with alterations in ganglioside expression during early embryogenesis remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chronic inflammation is associated with alterations in ovarian function and early embryonic developmental competence in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice, and whether subsequent melatonin intervention is accompanied by a partial recovery trend. Embryonic developmental competence was evaluated by superovulation and in vitro fertilization (IVF), and GM3 levels along with ST3GAL5 expression in ovarian tissues and blastocyst-stage embryos were assessed using biochemical analysis and immunofluorescence staining. LPS-induced inflammation was associated with reduced oocyte recovery, decreased blastocyst formation rates, and lower GM3 band intensities and ST3GAL5 fluorescence signals in ovarian tissues and embryos. Melatonin treatment partially improved reproductive outcomes and was accompanied by a partial recovery trend in GM3 levels and ST3GAL5 expression. These findings suggest that melatonin may partially alleviate LPS-induced reproductive impairment, and that recovery of ST3GAL5/GM3-related expression may be associated with this partial mitigating trend. However, the present study does not establish a direct causal relationship between these molecular changes and improved embryonic development.