Resveratrol protects against hazardous effects of 2-bromopropane on maturation of mouse oocytes, fertilization and fetal development

Abstract

2-Bromopropane (2-BP) is regularly used as an alternative to ozone-depleting cleaning solvents. Previously, we reported the cytotoxic effects of 2-BP on oocyte maturation and subsequent pre- and post-implantation development, both in vitro and in vivo. In the current study, we further demonstrate that these hazardous effects are suppressed by resveratrol, a grape-derived phytoalexin with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Specifically, 2-BP treatment induced a significant reduction in the rates of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and in vitro embryonic development. Treatment of oocytes with 2-BP during in vitro maturation (IVM) resulted in increased resorption of post-implantation embryos and decreased fetal weights. Experiments with a mouse model disclosed that consumption of drinking water containing 20 μM 2-BP led to decreased oocyte maturation in vivo and fertilization in vitro, as well as impairment of early embryonic development. Notably, pretreatment with resveratrol prevented 2-BP-induced disruption of oocyte maturation and sequent embryonic development, both in vitro and in vivo. Our results collectively indicate that resveratrol has the potential to prevent the hazardous effects of 2-BP on embryos derived from pretreated oocytes.

Keywords: 2-Bromopropane, resveratrol, apoptosis, oocyte maturation, embryonic development