earticle

영어

Mitochondrial functions are required for early embryonic development in pigs. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can produce from the maintenance of mitochondrial functions during in vitro culture (IVC) of embryos. However, the role of mitochondria specific ROS (mito-ROS) in porcine early embryonic development remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of present study was to confirm the changes in functions, aggregation and dynamics of mitochondria by the regulation of mito-ROS in porcine embryo development. Here, we performed the IVC from classified two groups (G1; high lipid and G2; low lipid contents) at the zygote stage. Blastocyst developmental rate and total nuclei numbers in G2 embryos were lower (p<0.05) than that of G1 embryos. To investigate the superoxide as mitochondrial-target ROS on preimplantation development of G1 and G2 embryos, we performed the MitoSOX staining. Superoxide levels significantly increased (p<0.05) in G2 embryos. And, changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP levels and expression of mitochondria fission protein were investigated by using JC-1 kit, ATP determination kit and Western blot analysis. MMP and ATP levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in G2 embryos compared with G1 embryos. Protein level of mitochondrial fission protein Drp1 was increased (p<0.05) in the cleavage stage of G2 embryos. To confirm the effects of reducing mito-ROS on the porcine embryo development, we treated with the Mito-TEMPO, mitochondria specific ROS scavenger, for G2 embryos. Mito-TEMPO improved preimplantation development to the blastocyst stage and reduced mito-ROS level in the G2 embryos (p<0.05). These results demonstrated that regulation of mito-ROS improves the blastocysts development and their qualities through the control of mitochondrial functions and dynamics of porcine embryos.