The Impact of Melatonin on Cellular Dynamics and Gene Expression of Bovine Embryos Cultured Under Low and High Oxygen Tension
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of melatonin supplementation in the culture medium on the development, cellular dynamics and gene expression of bovine embryos produced in vitro under low (5%) or high (20%) oxygen tension. Zygotes were cultured without melatonin or with (10 −9 M), and cleavage, blastocyst rates, blastomere number, apoptosis, mitochondrial activity, lipid accumulation, and expression of genes related to metabolism, oxidative stress and embryo quality were evaluated. Under high O₂ tension, melatonin increased blastocyst rate (39.8% vs. 34.0%), raised blastomere number, reduced apoptosis, and decreased lipid accumulation. It also upregulated SOD2, KRT8, IFN‐τ, and PLAC8. Under low O₂ tension, melatonin increased cleavage rate and mitochondrial activity but did not affect blastocyst rate; only SOD2 was upregulated. Embryos cultured without melatonin under low O₂ showed higher IFN‐τ and PLAC8 expression. In conclusion, melatonin improves embryo quality and viability mainly under high oxygen tension, acting as an antioxidant, gene modulator and apoptosis inhibitor. Its effects are more limited under low O 2 , likely because this environment is closer to physiological conditions and requires fewer responses to oxidative stress.
DOI: 10.1002/mrd.70102
Authors: Isabella Rodrigues dos Santos Oliveira, Carlos Frederico Martins, Fabiana Lima Rodrigues, Victor Carlos Mello, Maria Tereza de Oliveira Rodrigues, Lucas Costa de Faria, Hallya Beatriz Sousa Amaral, Rosângela Vieira de Andrade, Marcio José Poças Fonseca, Margot Alves Nunes Dode, Sônia Nair Báo
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,260
OpenAlex ID: W7151003544