Impact of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on spindle morphology and reactive oxygen species in vitrified/warmed in vitro matured bovine oocytes.

Low developmental potential of vitrified in vitro matured (IVM) bovine oocytes is frequently attributed to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and abnormal spindle assembly. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a cell-permeating antioxidant, added to IVM medium in reducing ROS and preserving spindle configuration of vitrified/warmed IVM bovine oocytes. Oocytes collected from abattoir ovaries were either cultured in IVM medium or in IVM medium supplemented with 1 mM NAC for the initial 8 h of IVM.