The protective role of ginsenoside compound K in porcine oocyte meiotic maturation failed caused by benzo(a)pyrene during in vitro maturation

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a pollutant and carcinogen derived from air pollution. It causes serious damage to reproductive system, especially ovary. Ginseng is always used in food and traditional medicine as a nutraceuticals or herbal medicine. Ginsenoside compound K (CK) is a major bioactive ingredient of ginseng, that shows very specific anti-apoptosis, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities and thus, it protects cells from damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CK on the BaP-induced inhibition of the in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes and their subsequent embryonic development capacity. We found that supplementation with 10 mg mL(-1) CK during in vitro maturation significantly increased maturation rate (P < 0.05) and the expression level of related genes after damage induced by 40 mu M BaP treatment. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels significantly decreased and ATP content and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) increased after CK supplementation (P < 0.05). The competence for embryonic development was improved by the induction of pluripotency gene expression and the inhibition of apoptosis after CK supplementation of BaP-treated oocytes. Supplementation with 10 mu g mL(-1) CK improved porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development of parthenogenetic activation (33.01 vs. 20.92, P < 0.05) and in vitro fertilization (24.01 vs. 16.52, P < 0.05) by increasing antioxidant activity and improving mitochondrial function after BaP-induced damage. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.