Zinc oxide nanoparticles functionalized with curcumin supplementation during in vitro embryo culture impaired in a concentration-dependent-manner blastocyst production in cattle.

This work investigated the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles functionalized with curcumin (ZnO(np) + CUR) supplementation during the in vitro embryo culture (IVC) on the bovine in vitro embryo production, and the cellular antioxidant response. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured, fertilized and then the presumptive zygotes were cultured in the medium in the absence (0 µM-control) or presence of different concentrations of ZnO(np) + CUR (3, 6 or 12 µM). After IVC, the embryos were destined either to assay intracellular ROS levels and mitochondrial membrane potential. The results demonstrated that only the addition of 12 µM ZnO(np) + CUR during IVC decreased intracellular ROS production and the rate of blastocyst production when compared to the control (p < .05). In conclusion, ZnO(np) + CUR addition during the IVC impaired in concentration-dependent-manner bovine in vitro embryo production.

Selected sperm traits are simultaneously altered after scrotal heat stress and play specific roles in in vitro fertilization and embryonic development.

Improvements in the estimation of male fertility indicators require advances in laboratory tests for sperm assessment. The aims of the present work were (1) to apply a multivariate analysis to examine sperm set of alterations and interactions and (2) to evaluate the importance of sperm parameters on the outcome of standard IVF and embryonic development. Bulls (n = 3) were subjected to scrotal insulation, and ejaculates were collected before (preinsulation = Day 0) and through 56 days (Days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56) of the experimental period. Sperm head morphometry and chromatin variables were assessed by a computational image analysis, and IVF was performed. Scrotal heat stress induced alterations in all evaluated sperm head features, as well as cleavage and blastocyst rates. A principal component analysis revealed three main components (factors) that represented almost 89% of the cumulative variance. In addition, an association of factor scores with cleavage (factor 1) and blastocyst (factor 3) rates was observed. In conclusion, several sperm traits were simultaneously altered as a result of a thermal insult. These sperm traits likely play specific roles in IVF and embryonic development.