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Veterinary research communications2023; 47(4); 2221-2228; doi: 10.1007/s11259-023-10122-0

Lipid metabolites, interleukin-6 and oxidative stress markers in follicular fluid and their association with serum concentrations in mares.

Abstract: The application of trans-vaginal ovum pick up (OPU) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is well established for commercial in vitro embryo production in horses. These assisted reproductive techniques are especially applied during the non-breeding season of the mare. However, little is known about how the health of the oocyte donor may affect the biochemical composition of the follicular fluid (FF) in small and medium-sized follicles routinely aspirated during OPU. This study aimed to investigate associations between systemic and FF concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), total cholesterol, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and oxidative stress index (OSI) during the non-breeding season in mares. At the slaughterhouse, serum and FF of small (5-10 mm in diameter), medium (> 10-20 mm in diameter), and large (> 20-30 mm in diameter) follicles were sampled from 12 healthy mares. There was a strong positive association (P < 0.01) between the concentration of IL-6 in serum and those measured in small (r = 0.846), medium (r = 0.999), and large (r = 0.996) follicles. Serum concentrations of NEFA were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with those measured in small (r = 0.726), medium (r = 0.720), and large (r = 0.974) follicles. Values of total cholesterol and OSI in serum and medium follicles were significantly associated (r = 0.736 and r = 0.696, respectively). The serum concentrations of all lipid metabolites were markedly higher than those measured in FF of small- and medium-sized follicles. Values of IL-6 and OSI did not change significantly between serum and all follicle classes (P ≥ 0.05). To conclude, changes in the blood composition associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and disturbed lipid metabolism of mares may lead to an inadequate oocyte microenvironment, which could affect oocyte quality and the success rate of OPU/ICSI programs. Further research should indicate whether these changes may ultimately affect in vitro oocyte developmental capacity and subsequent embryo quality.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
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Publication Date: 2023-04-14 PubMed ID: 37055645PubMed Central: 8625323DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10122-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the relationship between the overall health of an oocyte donor horse and the biochemical composition of the follicular fluid within the oocytes, which are extracted for in vitro fertilization using trans-vaginal ovum pick up (OPU) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The study finds that any changes in the horse’s blood — specifically regarding inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted lipid metabolism — could potentially compromise the quality of the oocytes and the overall success of in vitro fertilization.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to explore the associations between biochemical constituents within a horse’s system and the follicular fluid of the oocytes specifically targeting cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), oxidative stress index (OSI), triglycerides, reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), and biological antioxidant potential (BAP).
  • Serum and follicular fluid samples were collected from small, medium, and large follicles from 12 healthy mares that were brought to a slaughterhouse. The sample collection was carried out during the non-breeding season.

Findings

  • There was a significant association found between the concentration of IL-6 in blood serum and that in small, medium, and large follicles. A similar association was found between NEFA concentrations in blood serum and follicles.
  • The total cholesterol and OSI values in the serum were significantly associated with those in medium follicles.
  • The serum concentrations of all lipid metabolites were noticeably higher than those measured in the follicular fluid of small- and medium-sized follicles.
  • No significant differences were noticed in IL-6 and OSI concentrations between serum and all follicle classes.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that disturbances in a mare’s blood composition in relation to inflammation, oxidative stress, or lipid metabolism could potentially create an inadequate microenvironment for the oocyte, thereby affecting the quality of the oocyte and the success of in vitro fertilization programs.
  • Further investigation is necessary to fully understand how these changes could possibly influence the in vitro developmental capacity of an oocyte and the resultant quality of embryos.

Cite This Article

APA
Hedia M, Leroy JLMR, Govaere J, Van Soom A, Smits K. (2023). Lipid metabolites, interleukin-6 and oxidative stress markers in follicular fluid and their association with serum concentrations in mares. Vet Res Commun, 47(4), 2221-2228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-023-10122-0

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 47
Issue: 4
Pages: 2221-2228

Researcher Affiliations

Hedia, Mohamed
  • Gamete Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium. mohammedhedia@cu.edu.eg.
  • Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. mohammedhedia@cu.edu.eg.
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. mohammedhedia@cu.edu.eg.
Leroy, Jo L M R
  • Gamete Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
Govaere, Jan
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Van Soom, Ann
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Smits, Katrien
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Male
  • Follicular Fluid / chemistry
  • Follicular Fluid / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / analysis
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / analysis
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / metabolism
  • Semen
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Cholesterol / analysis
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Oocytes / metabolism

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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  3. Alkhadrawy JMH, Aboelmaaty AM, Abou-Ahmed MM, Ghallab AM. Effect of hCG and prostaglandin on ovarian, luteal development, and hormonal changes in embryo donor mares during the hot summer months in subtropics. Open Vet J 2024 Aug;14(8):2057-2072.
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