Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) improves in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes

Authors

  • Andreza Mayara Carneiro Lima Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. Corresponding author: andreza98carneiro@outlook.com https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6192-5937
  • Luana Keally Pimentel de Oliveira Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6440-5515
  • Érika Karoline De Oliveira Aureliano Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3875-2494
  • Damaris Raquel Pires dos Santos Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5269-7983
  • Bruna Moura da Silva Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2832-6689
  • Luanna Mendes Souza Rodrigues Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8994-6339
  • Gabriela Cristina Da Silva Santos Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0876-6054
  • Rafael Soares Dos Anjos Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5979-5229
  • Beatriz Cavalcanti de Freitas Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1073-1555
  • Neilton De Lima Oliveira Junior Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0974-3642
  • Brena Ferreira de Menezes Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3270-9490
  • Jennifer Da Silva Veloso Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8863-1343
  • Pedro Humberto Félix de Souza Department of Technology and Social Sciences, State University of Bahia, 48900-000, Juazeiro-BA, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0218-0743
  • Mabel Freitas Cordeiro Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1963-7311
  • Maria Helena Tavares De Matos Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6215-5292
  • Edilson Soares Lopes Júnior Laboratory of Physiology and Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction (LAFIBRA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, 56300-000, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4790-8134

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29155/VET.62.226.6

Keywords:

Antioxidante, Catechin, Sheep, IVP

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in ovine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) medium. Oocytes were assigned to IVM in four experimental groups: CON, composed of TCM-199 supplemented with 500 IU penicillin, 0.5 mg streptomycin, 1.25 µg amphotericin B, 0.2 mM sodium pyruvate, 10 % (v/v) FBS, and 15 IU/mL eCG; and the EGCG25, EGCG50, and EGCG100 groups, where they were matured in the same medium as the CON group, supplemented with 25 µM, 50 µM, and 100 µM EGCG, respectively. At the end of the maturation period, 1.053 oocytes were used for evaluation of cumulus cell expansion, chromatin configuration, and quantification of active mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutathione (GSH) levels. 391 oocytes was used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro embryo culture (IVC). The results showed that the EGCG50 group had higher rates of MII, active mitochondria, and GSH than the other groups, as well as a higher cleavage rate than the CON group. In conclusion, a concentration of 50 µM EGCG improves oocyte maturation rate and in vitro ovine embryo production.

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Published

2026-10-15

How to Cite

Carneiro Lima, A. M., Pimentel de Oliveira, L. K., De Oliveira Aureliano, Érika K., Pires dos Santos, D. R., Moura da Silva, B., Mendes Souza Rodrigues, L., … Soares Lopes Júnior, E. (2026). Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) improves in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes. Veterinaria (Montevideo), 62(226), e20266222606. https://doi.org/10.29155/VET.62.226.6

Issue

Vol. 62 No. 226 (2026): Julio-Diciembre

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Sociedad de Medicina Veterinaria del Uruguay-Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República

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