In Vitro Maturation of Bovine Oocytes and Recent Innovations by Harnessing the Power of Diverse Antioxidants

In-vitro maturation (IVM) refers to the process of maturing oocytes outside the body and is a crucial step in in-vitro embryo production (IVEP). Unfortunately, the pregnancy rates achieved with IVM oocytes are lower than those with oocytes matured in vivo. This discrepancy has hindered the adoption of IVM technology in assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories. Several factors contribute to the generally poor quality of in-vitro-matured oocytes, with oxidative stress (OS) being a significant concern. Antioxidants can play a crucial role in treating and preventing oxidative stress. This review aims to explore the various factors that influence IVM of oocytes and to discuss both the elements that enhance oocyte viability and those that may have harmful effects on the oocytes. Additionally, it will present the findings from scientific research conducted over the past few years, focusing on the effects of different antioxidants on bovine oocyte maturation