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Zhao B, Li H, Zhang H, Ren S, Li Y, Wang X, Lan X, Qiao H, Ma H, Zhang Y, Wang Y. The effect of L-carnitine supplementation during in vitro maturation on oocyte maturation and somatic cloned embryo development. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100853. [PMID: 38367331 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The quality of the recipient cytoplasm was reported as a crucial factor in maintaining the vitality of SCNT embryos and SCNT efficiency for dairy cows. Compared with oocytes matured in vivo, oocytes matured in vitro showed abnormal accumulation and metabolism of cytoplasmic lipids. L-carnitine treatment was found to control fatty acid transport into the mitochondrial β-oxidation pathway, which improved the process of lipid metabolism. The results of this study show that 0.5 mg/ml L-carnitine significantly reduced the cytoplasmic lipid content relative to control. No significant difference was observed in the rate of oocyte nuclear maturation, but the in vitro developmental competence of SCNT embryos was improved in terms of increased blastocyst production and lower apoptotic index in the L-carnitine treatment group. In addition, the pregnancy rate with SCNT embryos in the treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that adding L-carnitine to the maturation culture medium could improve the developmental competence of SCNT embryos both in vitro and in vivo by reducing the lipid content of the recipient cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baobao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Heqiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Subi Ren
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yuelin Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xinrui Lan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Hailian Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Huiming Ma
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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Placidi M, Vergara T, Casoli G, Flati I, Capece D, Artini PG, Virmani A, Zanatta S, D’Alessandro AM, Tatone C, Di Emidio G. Acyl-Carnitines Exert Positive Effects on Mitochondrial Activity under Oxidative Stress in Mouse Oocytes: A Potential Mechanism Underlying Carnitine Efficacy on PCOS. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2474. [PMID: 37760915 PMCID: PMC10525604 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Carnitines play a key physiological role in oocyte metabolism and redox homeostasis. In clinical and animal studies, carnitine administration alleviated metabolic and reproductive dysfunction associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Oxidative stress (OS) at systemic, intraovarian, and intrafollicular levels is one of the main factors involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. We investigated the ability of different acyl-carnitines to act at the oocyte level by counteracting the effects of OS on carnitine shuttle system and mitochondrial activity in mouse oocytes. Germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were exposed to hydrogen peroxide and propionyl-l-carnitine (PLC) alone or in association with l-carnitine (LC) and acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) under different conditions. Expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (Cpt1) was monitored by RT-PCR. In in vitro matured oocytes, metaphase II (MII) apparatus was assessed by immunofluorescence. Oocyte mitochondrial respiration was evaluated by Seahorse Cell Mito Stress Test. We found that Cpt1a and Cpt1c isoforms increased under prooxidant conditions. PLC alone significantly improved meiosis completion and oocyte quality with a synergistic effect when combined with LC + ALC. Acyl-carnitines prevented Cpt1c increased expression, modifications of oocyte respiration, and ATP production observed upon OS. Specific effects of PLC on spare respiratory capacity were observed. Therefore, carnitine supplementation modulated the intramitochondrial transfer of fatty acids with positive effects on mitochondrial activity under OS. This knowledge contributes to defining molecular mechanism underlying carnitine efficacy on PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Placidi
- Department of Life, Health and Experimental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.P.); (T.V.); (G.C.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.)
| | - Teresa Vergara
- Department of Life, Health and Experimental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.P.); (T.V.); (G.C.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.)
| | - Giovanni Casoli
- Department of Life, Health and Experimental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.P.); (T.V.); (G.C.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.)
| | - Irene Flati
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (I.F.); (D.C.)
| | - Daria Capece
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (I.F.); (D.C.)
| | - Paolo Giovanni Artini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology “P. Fioretti”, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Ashraf Virmani
- Research, Innovation and Development, Alfasigma B.V., 3528 BG Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Samuele Zanatta
- Research and Development, Labomar Spa, 31036 Istrana, Italy;
| | - Anna Maria D’Alessandro
- Department of Life, Health and Experimental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.P.); (T.V.); (G.C.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.)
| | - Carla Tatone
- Department of Life, Health and Experimental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.P.); (T.V.); (G.C.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.)
| | - Giovanna Di Emidio
- Department of Life, Health and Experimental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.P.); (T.V.); (G.C.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.)
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Gimeno I, Salvetti P, Carrocera S, Gatien J, García-Manrique P, López-Hidalgo C, Valledor L, Gómez E. Biomarker metabolite mating of viable frozen-thawed in vitro-produced bovine embryos with pregnancy-competent recipients leads to improved birth rates. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:6515-6538. [PMID: 37268566 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Selection of competent recipients before embryo transfer (ET) is indispensable for improving pregnancy and birth rates in cattle. However, pregnancy prediction can fail when the competence of the embryo is ignored. We hypothesized that the pregnancy potential of biomarkers could improve with information on embryonic competence. In vitro-produced embryos cultured singly for 24 h (from d 6 to 7) were transferred to d 7 synchronized recipients as fresh or after freezing and thawing. Recipient blood was collected on d 0 (estrus; n = 108) and d 7 (4-6 h before ET; n = 107) and plasma was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H+NMR). Spent embryo culture medium (CM) was collected and analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in a subset of n = 70 samples. Concentrations of metabolites quantified in plasma (n = 35) were statistically analyzed as a function of pregnancy diagnosed on d 40, d 62 and birth. Univariate analysis with plasma metabolites consisted of a block study with controllable fixed factors (i.e., embryo cryopreservation, recipient breed, and day of blood collection; Wilcoxon test and t-test). Metabolite concentrations in recipients and embryos were independently analyzed by iterations that reclassified embryos or recipients using the support vector machine. Iterations identified some competent embryos, but mostly competent recipients that had a pregnancy incompetent partner embryo. Misclassified recipients that could be classified as competent were reanalyzed in a new iteration to improve the predictive model. After subsequent iterations, the predictive potential of recipient biomarkers was recalculated. On d 0, creatine, acetone and l-phenylalanine were the most relevant biomarkers at d 40, d 62, and birth, and on d 7, l-glutamine, l-lysine, and ornithine. Creatine was the most representative biomarker within blocks (n = 20), with a uniform distribution over pregnancy endpoints and type of embryos. Biomarkers showed higher abundance on d 7 than d 0, were more predictive for d 40 and d 62 than at birth, and the pregnancy predictive ability was lower with frozen-thawed (F-T) embryos. Six metabolic pathways differed between d 40 pregnant recipients for fresh and F-T embryos. Within F-T embryos, more recipients were misclassified, probably due to pregnancy losses, but were accurately identified when combined with embryonic metabolite signals. After recalculation, 12 biomarkers increased receiver operator characteristic-area under the curve (>0.65) at birth, highlighting creatine (receiver operator characteristic-area under the curve = 0.851), and 5 new biomarkers were identified. Combining metabolic information of recipient and embryos improves the confidence and accuracy of single biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Gimeno
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - Pascal Salvetti
- ELIANCE, Experimental facilities, Le Perroi, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Susana Carrocera
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain
| | - Julie Gatien
- ELIANCE, Experimental facilities, Le Perroi, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Pablo García-Manrique
- Molecular Mass Spectrometry Unit, Scientific and Technical Services, University of Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Cristina López-Hidalgo
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luis Valledor
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Catedrático Rodrigo Uria s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Enrique Gómez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain.
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Catandi GD, Cheng MH, Chicco AJ, Chen T, Carnevale EM. L-carnitine enhances developmental potential of bovine oocytes matured under high lipid concentrations in vitro. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 252:107249. [PMID: 37119563 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Maternal obesity elevates non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) follicular concentrations. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) matured in vitro under high NEFA have altered metabolism and reduced quality. Systemically, obesity promotes altered mitochondrial metabolism linked to L-carnitine insufficiency. We hypothesized that L-carnitine supplementation during IVM of bovine COCs in the presence of high NEFA would lessen the negative effects of exposure to excessive lipids on embryonic development and oxidative stress. COCs were collected from abattoir ovaries and matured in four groups: CON (control), LC (3 mM L-carnitine), HN (high NEFA: 200uM oleic, 150uM palmitic and 75uM stearic acid), and HNLC (HN and LC). Mature oocytes were assayed for aerobic and anaerobic metabolism utilizing oxygen and pH microsensors or fertilized in vitro (D0). Cleavage (D3) and blastocyst (D7, D8) rates were assessed. D3 embryos with ≥ 4 cells were stained for cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS. D8 blastocysts were assayed for gene transcript abundance of metabolic enzymes. Oocyte metabolism was not affected by IVM treatment. D3 formation of embryos with ≥ 4 cells were lower in LC or HN than CON or HNLC; blastocyst rates were greater for CON and lower for HN than LC and HNLC. D3 embryo mitochondrial and cytosolic ROS were reduced in HNLC when compared to other groups. IVM in HN altered blastocyst gene transcript abundance when compared to CON, but not LC or HNLC. In conclusion, supplementation with L-carnitine protects oocytes exposed to high NEFA during IVM and improves their developmental competence, suggesting that high lipid exposure may lead to L-carnitine insufficiency in bovine oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana D Catandi
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Ming-Hao Cheng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Adam J Chicco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Tom Chen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Elaine M Carnevale
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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Ghanem N, Fakruzzaman M, Batawi AH, Kong IK. Post-thaw viability, developmental and molecular deviations in in vitro produced bovine embryos cultured with l-carnitine at different levels of fetal calf serum. Theriogenology 2022; 191:54-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Carnitines as Mitochondrial Modulators of Oocyte and Embryo Bioenergetics. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11040745. [PMID: 35453430 PMCID: PMC9024607 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11040745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the importance of bioenergetics in the reproductive process has emerged. For its energetic demand, the oocyte relies on numerous mitochondria, whose activity increases during embryo development under a fine regulation to limit ROS production. Healthy oocyte mitochondria require a balance of pyruvate and fatty acid oxidation. Transport of activated fatty acids into mitochondria requires carnitine. In this regard, the interest in the role of carnitines as mitochondrial modulators in oocyte and embryos is increasing. Carnitine pool includes the un-esterified l-carnitine (LC) and carnitine esters, such as acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) and propionyl-l-carnitine (PLC). In this review, carnitine medium supplementation for counteracting energetic and redox unbalance during in vitro culture and cryopreservation is reported. Although most studies have focused on LC, there is new evidence that the addition of ALC and/or PLC may boost LC effects. Pathways activated by carnitines include antiapoptotic, antiglycative, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory signaling. Nevertheless, the potential of carnitine to improve energetic metabolism and oocyte and embryo competence remains poorly investigated. The importance of carnitine as a mitochondrial modulator may suggest that this molecule may exert a beneficial role in ovarian disfunctions associated with metabolic and mitochondrial alterations, including PCOS and reproductive aging.
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Li J, Liu L, Weng J, Yin TL, Yang J, Feng HL. Biological roles of l-carnitine in oocyte and early embryo development. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:673-685. [PMID: 34618389 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Poor oocyte quality is responsible for female infertility. Multiple studies have been carried out to find supplements to enhance oocyte quality and mitigate infertility problems. l-carnitine and its derivatives have diverse roles in developing oocytes and early embryos. This review focuses on the in vitro and in vivo studies that using l-carnitine alone or in combination with other supplements for oocyte quality enhancement. The key roles of l-carnitine in oocyte quality and embryo growth were summarized, and the underlying mechanism was also elucidated. l-carnitine helps in the lipid metabolism process by controlling the transfer of fatty acids to mitochondria for β-oxidation. l-carnitine modulates glucose metabolism and enhances respiratory chain enzyme activity. Furthermore, it acts as an antioxidant to prevent oxidative damage and inhibit apoptosis, a signal in response to oxidative stress. Results show the potential of l-carnitine as a potential agent in assisted reproductive technology to improve oocyte quality and the subsequent embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajian Li
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyan Liu
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Weng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tai-Lang Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huai L Feng
- The New York Fertility Center, New York-Presbyterian Queens Affiliate with Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
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Carrillo-González DF, Hernández-Herrera DY, Maldonado-Estrada JG. The role of L-carnitine in bovine embryo metabolism. A review of the effect of supplementation with a metabolic modulator on in vitro embryo production. Anim Biotechnol 2021; 34:413-423. [PMID: 34154517 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2021.1938593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Early embryo development is driven first by the maternal RNAs and proteins accumulated during the oocyte's cytoplasmic maturation and then after the embryo genome activation. In mammalian cells, ATP generation occurs via oxidative pathways or by glycolysis, whereas in embryonic stem cells, the consumption of glucose, pyruvate, lipids, and amino acids results in ATP synthesis. Although the bovine embryo has energy reserves in glycogen and lipids, the glycogen concentration is deficient. Conversely, lipids represent the most abundant energy reservoir of bovine embryos, where lipid droplets-containing triacylglycerols are the main fatty acid stores. Oocytes of many mammalian species contain comparatively high amounts of lipids stored as droplets in the ooplasm. L-carnitine has been described as a cofactor that facilitates the mobilization of fatty acids present in the oocyte's cytoplasm into the mitochondria to facilitate β-oxidation processes. However, the L-carnitine effects by addition to media in the in vitro produced embryos on the quality are highly disputed and contradictory by different researchers. This review's objective was to explore the effect that the addition of L-carnitine on culture media could have on the overall bovine embryo production in vitro, from the oocyte metabolism to the modulation of gene expression in the developing embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F Carrillo-González
- OHVRI Research Group, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.,Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, School of Zootechny, University of Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
| | | | - Juan G Maldonado-Estrada
- OHVRI Research Group, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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