Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been revealed to be a signal molecule with second messenger action in the somatic cells of many tissues, including the reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to address how exogenous H2S acts on the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes, including key maturation factors such as MPF and MAPK, and cumulus expansion intensity of cumulus-oocyte complexes. We observed that the H2S donor, Na2S, accelerated oocyte in vitro maturation in a dose-dependent manner, following an increase of MPF activity around germinal vesicle breakdown. Concurrently, the H2S donor affected cumulus expansion, monitored by hyaluronic acid production. Our results suggest that the H2S donor influences oocyte maturation and thus also participates in the regulation of cumulus expansion. The exogenous H2S donor apparently affects key signal pathways of oocyte maturation and cumulus expansion, resulting in faster oocyte maturation with little need of cumulus expansion.

• MeSH
• Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases metabolism   MeSH
• Maturation-Promoting Factor metabolism   MeSH
• Gasotransmitters pharmacology   MeSH
• Coculture Techniques MeSH
• Cells, Cultured MeSH
• Cumulus Cells cytology   metabolism   MeSH
• Meiosis drug effects   MeSH
• Oocytes cytology   metabolism   MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Hydrogen Sulfide pharmacology   MeSH
• Sulfides pharmacology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases MeSH
• Maturation-Promoting Factor MeSH
• Gasotransmitters MeSH
• sodium sulfide MeSH Browser
• Hydrogen Sulfide MeSH
• Sulfides MeSH