Alcalóides pirrolizidínicos do Senecio SPP. modulam a expressão gênica de interferon tau e de genes do estresse oxidativo em embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro

Abstract

Senecionine (SN) and seneciphylline (SP) are members of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA), family of compounds that are found in many plant species worldwide, among them, Senecio spp. They are the most important toxic plants affecting cattle in southern Brazil. The PAs contained in Senecio spp. become toxic when they are biotransformed by the action of the cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP450). We hypothesize that PAs cause effects on ovarian cells and bovine embryos, being responsible for significant decreases in cattle reproductive performance and productivity. To clarify this matter, we aimed to investigate interferon tau (IFNT), oxidative stress and cell survive related genes under SN and SP influence on in vitro embryo production. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured under PAs conditions, fertilized, and cultured without PAs conditions (IVM groups); or COCs were matured and fertilized without PAs conditions and the zygotes were cultured under PAs conditions (IVC groups). On day 7, PAs did not alter embryos that were poisoned during COCs maturation, except in IFNT expression (SP treatment; P<0.05). However, PAs (especially SN) poisoning during IVC affect not only IFNT, but also oxidative stress and cell survival genes expression (P<0.05). In conclusion, the PAs could be modulating the expression of oxidative stress and cell survival genes in embryos, impairing the expression of IFNT and compromising the early embryo development during in vitro bovine embryo culture.