Supplementation of culture media with vitamin E improves mouse antral follicle maturation and embryo development from vitrified ovarian tissue

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of preventive vitamin E (α-tocopherol) on antral follicle
development and embryogenesis of oocytes obtained after vitrification of mouse ovarian tissue.
Methods: Female Balb/c mice were killed by cervical dislocation after the injection of pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin (10 IU) and their ovaries were randomly divided into three groups: control or non-vitrified (n = 10),
vitrification 1 (5, 10% ethylene glycol + 5, 10% dimethylsulfoxide) (n = 15), and vitrification 2 (10, 15% ethylene
glycol + 10, 15% dimethylsulfoxide) (n = 15) with ascending concentration of cryoprotectants. After toxicity tests
and vitrification–warming, mechanically isolated antral follicles were cultured in α-minimum essential medium,
which was supplemented with or without α-tocopherol (100 μM). The follicular maturation rates and embryo development were collected and assessed. Also, the viability, morphology and ultrastructure of derived antral follicles from vitrified ovaries were analyzed.
Results: The morphology and ultrastructure of follicles were well preserved in the vitrified groups and
α-tocopherol supplementation of culture media significantly increased the proportion of oocytes that
reached metaphase II blastocyst rates compared to non-α-tocopherol supplemented media (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Vitamin E improves in vitro maturation rates and blastocyst rates of oocytes that are isolated from
vitrified ovarian tissue