Effects of pentoxifylline on mouse oocytes maturation and quality in vitro.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of Pentoxifylline (PTX) on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of mouse oocytes and its effect on oocyte quality.

Materials and methods: This experimental study involved culturing mouse oocytes in an IVM medium with varying PTX concentrations (0-100 μM). Post-culture, oocytes were assessed for nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation and quality indicators, including germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), first polar body extrusion (PB1E), cortical granules (CGs) distribution, spindle structure, chromosome alignment, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

Results: Treatment with PTX at 10, 25, and 50 μM concentrations significantly enhanced the nuclear maturation rates of oocytes. The optimal concentration was found to be 10 μM, as it resulted in the most favorable cytoplasmic maturation, characterized by improved distribution of CGs, spindle structure, and chromosome alignment. Additionally, treatment with 10 μM PTX effectively reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

Conclusion: PTX supplementation at specific concentrations enhances mouse oocyte maturation and quality, potentially by facilitating CG distribution, spindle integrity, and chromosome alignment and by reducing ROS production.