外源性褪黑素促进哺乳动物卵母细胞成熟的研究进展

Research Progress on the Role of Exogenous Melatonin in Mammalian Oocyte Maturation

卵母细胞的成熟质量对受精和胚胎发育起着决定性作用,然而卵母细胞的成熟过程易受各种不利因素影响,产生过量活性氧,致卵母细胞发育受阻或凋亡。褪黑素是由脑松果体分泌的激素之一,具有强大的抗氧化作用,可保护卵母细胞免受氧化应激,促进成熟及受精后胚胎发育。本文从外源性褪黑素对卵母细胞成熟的影响及机制等方面进行综述,为提高畜牧业中雌性动物繁殖力提供理论参考。

Oocyte maturation and oocyte quality are fundamental to fertility and early embryo development in all mammalian species.During the process of maturation,the oocytes are susceptible to various intrinsic and extrinsic factors that might cause the excessive production of reactive oxygen species,potentially resulting in their lower development.Melatonin(N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine),a derivative of tryptophan mainly produced in the pineal gland of vertebrates,is a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant.It could promote the maturation of the mammalian oocytes and the development of their resultant embryos after fertilization.In recent years,some progress has been made in unveiling the molecular mechanism of melatonin implicated in oocyte maturation,which is still one of the research hotspots at present.This review briefly describes the role of melatonin in oocytes maturation and discusses its potential mechanism,which no doubt provides reasonable theoretical references for further improving reproductive capacity in female animals.