RESUMO
Background: Melatonin is one of the free radical inhibitors, antioxidants, and anti-apoptosis, which contributes to improving the growth of egg. Accordingly, in the present study explores the possible effects of melatonin on the autophagy pathway of mature oocytes in vitro in adult rats. Methods: In this study, we collected GV oocytes of six months and six to eight weeks old mice and cultured to MII stage for 12 h and 24h in IVM culture media with and without melatonin (10 μM). Then we assessed the expression of SIRT1 and LC3 by RT-PCR and immunostaining test. Results: The expression of SIRT1 and LC3in Old +Melatonin compared to an Old group was significantly increased [(43.2% vs 11.6%, P<0.01) (24.3% vs 10.1%, P<0.01)] respectively. Conclusion: Given the role of Sirt1 and LC3 in increasing cell resistance to stress, melatonin could increase Sirt1 and LC3 expression in oocytes a time-dependent manner and prevent cellular autophagy.
