N-hexane alters the maturation of oocytes and induces apoptosis in mice / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was aimed to determine the effects of n-hexane on the maturation of mouse oocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cell culture was used to observe the maturation of mouse oocytes and CLSM was employed to determine their apoptosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and extrusion of the first polar body in mouse oocytes were significantly inhibited by n-hexane. After fertilization, the number of eggs in the mouse was significantly reduced by n-hexane. Mitochondrial membrane potentials (&Delta;Ψm) were altered in mouse oocytes that were leading to apoptosis of the oocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>N-hexane might have affected the maturation of oocytes, causing alteration of &Delta;Ψm and leading to apoptosis which maybe one of the most important mechanisms.</p>