In vitro maturation of bovine oocytes: the role of ROS, oxidative stress, and the impact of natural antioxidant supplementation

According to available data in the literature, Brazil has one of the largest cattle herds in the world and is one of the leading embryo producers, with a clear predominance of embryos produced in vitro. These data influence the ongoing pursuit of optimizing the results obtained in IVEP (in vitro embryo production). In this technique, in vitro maturation (IVM) is such a crucial stage that it justifies studies involving components that, when added to the media, can lead to improved cleavage rates and blastocyst development. It is well known that oocyte quality is influenced by oxidative stress, and in this context, the inclusion of antioxidants in the IVM medium may enhance these outcomes. Thus, the present study aimed to review oocyte maturation, the impact of oxidative stress, and the addition of antioxidants, such as Moringa oleifera, to the IVM media.