Supplementation of SDF1 during in vitro maturation reduces oxidative stress in pig oocytes and improves subsequent embryo development

Background: The quality of in vitro matured oocytes (IVTMOs) is inferior to that of in vivo matured oocytes (IVVMOs), which translates to low developmental capacity of the IVTMOs-derived embryos. The developmental potential of IVTMOs is usually impaired due to oxidative stress. Stromal cell-derived factor-l ( SDF1 ) can reduce oxidative stress and inhibit apoptosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of SDF1 supplementation during pig oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) on subsequent embryo development. Results: We found that SDF1 improved the maturation rate of pig oocytes, as well as the development of embryos generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer, in vitro fertilization and parthenogenesis. Supplementation of SDF1 during IVM decreased the ROS level, increased the mitochondrial membrane potential, and altered the expression of apoptosis-related genes in the pig oocytes. The transcriptomic data of the SDF1 -treated IVTMOs showed that SDF1 enhanced oocyte quality by modulating the purine metabolism and TNF signaling pathways, and by upregulating YY1 and TET1 , two critical factors for oocyte development. Conclusions: : In conclusion, SDF1 supplementation enhances the ability of pig IVTMOs to support subsequent embryo development by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for improving the quality and developmental potential of pig IVTMOs.