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Review
. 2017 Jun 14;18(6):1119.
doi: 10.3390/ijms18061119.

Melatonin Scavenger Properties against Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress: Impact on Gamete Handling and In Vitro Embryo Production in Humans and Other Mammals

Pía Loren  1 , Raúl Sánchez  2   3 , María-Elena Arias  4   5   6 , Ricardo Felmer  7   8 , Jennie Risopatrón  9   10 , Carolina Cheuquemán  11
Affiliations
Review

Melatonin Scavenger Properties against Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress: Impact on Gamete Handling and In Vitro Embryo Production in Humans and Other Mammals

Pía Loren et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Oxidative and nitrosative stress are common problems when handling gametes in vitro. In vitro development in mammalian embryos is highly affected by culture conditions, especially by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), because their absence or overproduction causes embryo arrest and changes in gene expression. Melatonin in gamete co-incubation during in vitro fertilization (IVF) has deleterious or positive effects, depending on the concentration used in the culture medium, demonstrating the delicate balance between antioxidant and pro-oxidant activity. Further research is needed to better understand the possible impact of melatonin on the different IVP steps in humans and other mammals, especially in seasonal breeds where this neuro-hormone system highly regulates its reproduction physiology.

Keywords: DNA integrity; DNA oxidation; RNS; ROS; antioxidants; embryo development; gene expression; melatonin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effects of melatonin application in different steps on gametes and in vitro embryo production.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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