Evaluation of the protective effect of Satureja khozestanica essential oil on in vitro fertilization potential and embryo development in oxidative stress induced by Nonylphenol

Background & aim: Nonylphenol (NP) has been known as an immunosuppressant agent, and reported to induce oxidative stress, to impact gonadal cells nucleus and to reduce the fertilizing potential. Therefore, present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Satureja Khuzestanica, as a potential antioxidant, on in vitro fertilized embryos development following exposure to NP.  Methods: 40 mature female mice, aged 6-8 weeks, divided into 4 groups. The control  group received corn oil orally and the test groups were treated with NP (225mg/kg), SKEO (225 mg/kg), NP+SKEO (450mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days orally by gavages.  PMSG and HCG were administrated for stimulating the superovulation process. The sperms were obtained from 6 mature male mice. Following oocyte collection in-vitro fertilizing was performed using HTF+4mgBSA medium. The fertilized oocytes were incubated for 120 hours and embryo development were studied. 2 proportion test was used for statistical analyses. (p<0.05) Results: The NP-treated animals showed significant changes in all parameters of oocyt quality compared to the control group (p<0/05). SKEO was able to protect from NP-induced effects on oocyte maturity. In contrast, co-administration of SKEO significantly improved the oocyte quality and quantity. Therefore, SKEO interferes with NP-induced reproductive toxicity through its antioxidant potential and androgenic activity (p<0/05). Mice treated with Nonyl phenol showed decreased fertilization rate, percentage of 2 cells embryos, blastocysts and embryo quality. Administration of SKEO significantly increased the fertilization rate, percentage of 2 cells embryos, blastocysts and embryo quality compare with NP group. Conclusion: The Satureja Khuzestanica co-administration with NP resulted in significant improvement in fertilizing potential and promoted the embryo development.