ABSTRACT
The present study was planned to determine the effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), Alpha tocopherol and their combination as an antioxidant in TCM-199 media for in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in bovine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from the ovaries derived from slaughter house and in vitro cultured in three groups using TCM-199 supplemented with EGCG @10 μM, Alpha tocopherol @100 μM, and Combination (EGCG @10 μM plus Alpha tocopherol @100 μM). Oocytes of a control group were matured in TCM-199 medium without any treatment. After IVM, cumulus-free oocytes were co-incubated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa for 15–18 h. Compared to no addition, the presence of EGCG @10 μM in medium during IVM significantly (p<0.05) increased the proportion of maturation and fertilization rate. Combination produced significantly higher percentage of in vitro matured bovine oocytes compared to the alpha tocopherol @100 μM alone. The results suggest that EGCG @10 μM in IVM medium had better effect than Alpha tocopherol alone and Combination on in vitro maturation and subsequent fertilization of bovine oocytes.