Many of Kaempferol’s (KAE) biological functions have been widely investigated. However, its role in animal reproduction still needs great attention and exploration, especially in assisted reproductive techniques, due to its promising mechanisms in modulating oxidative stress. The current study aimed to explore its roles in maintaining the redox homeostasis of buffalo oocytes that matured in vitro in the presence of different KAE concentrations (0,5,10 and 15 μg/ml). The current study revealed for the first time that KAE at ten μg/ml has great capability to scavenge the generated free radicals such as H2O2 (26.4±2.27 ng/ml) and nitric oxide (25.9±2.63 nmol/L). Moreover, it significantly attenuates the rate of lipid peroxidation (1.77±0.17 nmol/L) in buffalo oocytes matured in vitro. Firstly, by enhancing the scavenging mechanisms. Secondly, by increasing the intrinsic antioxidants, enzymes synthesis such as super oxide dismutase (SOD) (33.70±2.96 U/ml) and glutathione (GSH) (5.51±0.37 nmol/l). Additionally, the current results revealed that KAE can protect the oocyte mitochondria from apoptosis by increasing the intra-mitochondrial antioxidants such as SOD (4.46±0.21 nmol/mg) which prevents mitochondrial dysfunction. In conclusion, KAE addition to the in vitro maturation media of buffalo oocytes significantly ameliorates its developmental competence by increasing its quality and developmental potentials as a whole, controlling the redox homeostasis by scavenging actions as well as by enhancing the production of intrinsic antioxidant enzymes, and finally by protecting the mitochondrial functions. |
