Quercetin improves in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes after a post-mortem delay

Objectives: Oocyte quality and maturation are critical factors determining successful fertilization and embryo development in vitro.However, delays in processing ovarian tissues after animal slaughter or collection can negatively impact oocyte viability and developmental potential.This study investigated the effect of Quercetin on the maturation of bovine oocytes subjected to a field-relevant post-mortem delay.Methods: Oocytes were isolated from ovaries approximately six-hour delay post-collection, mimicking practical conditions encountered in tissue handling.Then, they were treated with hyaluronidase, mechanically denuded, and cultured with quercetin at concentration of 15 µg/mL, against a control group.Results: The results demonstrated that quercetin improved the extrusion of polar bodies compared to the control group.Additionally, pH variations were noted among control and quercetin treated group, potentially influencing maturation outcomes.Conclusion: These findings highlight that quercetin at 15 µg/mL significantly enhances the maturation of bovine oocytes, suggesting its potential to modulate oocyte quality in vitro.