Antioxidant sericin averts the disruption of oocyte–follicular cell communication triggered by oxidative stress

Abstract Antioxidants are free radical scavengers that increase oocyte quality and improve female fertility by suppressing oxidative stress. However, the related mechanisms remain unclear. The present study was designed to examine whether a reduction of oxidative stress from using the antioxidant sericin led to expanded cumulus cell (CC)–oocyte communication and oocyte developmental acquisition in a bovine model. We found that cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) matured in the presence of sericin showed a significantly increased oocyte meiotic maturation rate (P < 0.01) and accelerated subsequent blastocyst formation, as more blastocysts were found at the hatched stage (P < 0.05) compared to that in the control group. In contrast to the control group, sericin suppressed H2O2 levels in COCs, resulting in a markedly enhanced CC–oocyte gap junction communication index and number of transzonal projections, which were preserved until 18 h of oocyte maturation. These findings indicate that sericin reduces disruption of oocyte–follicular cell communication induced by oxidative stress. Sericin consistently increased intra-oocyte glutathione (GSH) levels and reduced oocyte H2O2 levels (P < 0.05), both of which were ablated when GSH synthesis was inhibited by buthionine sulfoximide (an inhibitor of GSH synthesis). Furthermore, the inhibition of GSH synthesis counteracted the positive effects of sericin on subsequent embryo developmental competence (P < 0.01). Intra-oocyte GSH levels were positively associated with blastocyst development and quality. These outcomes demonstrate new perspectives for the improvement of oocyte quality in assisted reproductive technology and may contribute to developing treatment strategies for infertility and cancer.