Punicalagin increases follicular activation, development and activity of superoxide dismutase 1, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase 1 in cultured bovine ovarian tissues

Context The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during in vitro culture of ovarian tissues impairs follicular development and survival. Aims To evaluate the effects of punicalagin on the development and survival of primordial follicles, stromal cell and collagen fibres, as well as on the levels of mRNA for nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2 ), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1 ), catalase (CAT ), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1 ) and perirredoxin 6 (PRDX6 ), and activity of antioxidant enzymes in cultured bovine ovarian tissues. Methods Bovine ovarian cortical tissues were cultured for 6days in α-MEM+ alone or with 1.0, 10.0, or 100.0μM punicalagin at 38.5°C with 5% CO2 . Follicle morphology and growth, stromal cell density, and collagen fibres were evaluated by classical histology, while the expression of mRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR. The activity of enzymes was analysed by the Bradford method. Key results Punicalagin improved follicle survival and development, reduced mRNA expression for SOD1 and CAT , but did not influence stromal cells or collagen fibres. Punicalagin (10.0μM) increased the levels of thiol and activity of SOD1, CAT , and GPX1 enzymes. Conclusions Punicalagin (10.0μM) promotes follicle survival and development and activates SOD1, CAT , and GPX1 enzymes in bovine ovarian tissues. Implications Punicalagin improves follicle development and survival in cultured ovarian tissues.