Lycium barbarum polysaccharide improves the development of mouse oocytes vitrified at the germinal vesicle stage

The cryopreservation of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) is an important process in reproductive medicine. However, this process slows both embryo and offspring development. In this study, the effects of maturation medium supplementation with lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on the developmental competence of vitrified-warmed mouse COCs and the possible mechanisms facilitating this process were investigated. The addition of LBP to the maturation medium improved the maturation rate and enhanced the developmental competence of vitrified-warmed mouse COCs. This may reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), preventing cell death and activating both PI3K/AKT and MAPK3/1. In conclusion, cryopreservation lowers the maturation rate and developmental competence of COCs, which can be ameliorated by the application of LBP after warming during maturation.