Melatonin improves the developmental competence of goat oocytes

ABSTRACT

Background: DNA methylation is one the epigenetic mechanisms, which is critically involved in gene expression. This phenomenon is mediated by DNA methyl-transferases and is affected by environmental stress, including in vitro maturation [IVM] of oocytes. Melatonin, as an antioxidant, may theoretically be involved in epigenetic regulation via reductions of reactive oxygen species. This study was performed to investigate DNA methylation and the possibility of goat oocyte development after treatment with different concentrations of melatonin