Evaluation of melatonin antioxidant properties upon fresh and cryopreserved in vitro produced bovine embryos

Abstract

Meat production is an economically important industry in Brazil. In vitro embryo production (IVP) is a tool for breeding schemes. Vitrification is the main technique for long period high quality embryo storage. However, the current development status of both technologies is far from ideal. Oxidative stress in pathological levels impairs mammal embryo development in vitro. After cryopreservation embryos are more susceptible to oxidative damage. Melatonin and its metabolites are potent antioxidant agents. When applied to in vitro embryo production systems protects oocytes and embryos. This project aims to evaluate melatonin's effect over embryo development cryotolerance and its postthaw in vitro development. (AU)