| In vitro follicular culture systems provide optimal culture models for research about the
physiology of the ovary and support the clinical practices to achieve competent mature
oocytes for in vitro fertilization. In vitro maturation of preantral follicles makes it possible to
study the effects of therapeutic agents on various conditions or disorders of the ovary.
Nowadays, preventive bioflavonoids against cancer, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver, or a
variety of toxic agents are in focus. The aim of this study was to design and investigate the
impacts of different concentrations of hesperidin, a glycoside flavonoid, on the in vitro
preantral follicle growth and maturation in the three-dimensional (3D) culture system
which was made with sodium alginate. Preantral follicles (n¼1363) were mechanically isolated
from immature mice ovaries, then, after capsulating, they were randomly divided into
four groups: the control group received no concentration of hesperidin, and three experimental
groups were supplemented with 10, 22.5, and 50 mmol/L of hesperidin. All groups
were cultured for 12 days. At the end of the culture period, the percentage of survival rate,
antrum formation, obtained metaphase II oocytes, and the secretion of 17b-estradiol and
progesterone were significantly higher in the group Hesp 50 (50 mmol/L hesperidin). Moreover, the mean average of follicular
diameter cultured in the group Hesp 50 was also increased and the mRNA expression levels of PCNA, FSH-R, and Bcl-2 genes
were higher, while Bax mRNA expression was significantly reduced compared with the other groups. Follicles cultured in the
presence of 50 mmol/L of hesperidin had a higher fertilization rate and embryo development. Adding hesperidin at the concentration of 50 mmol/L to the culture medium resulted in higher follicular growth and maturation and increased the rate of in vitro fertilization and embryo development. |