Abstract—The aim of this study is to determine the effect of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) supplementation on telomere length, telomerase activity and oocytes qualities (morphology and deoxyribonucleic acid damage). Four groups of female mice were used in this study. In Experiment 1: six-weeks-old, young mice were used as negative control (Group A) and eight-months-old aging mice were used as positive control (Group B1). While in Experiment 2: six-month-old aging mice were used; i.e. Group B2 (control group) and Group B3 (supplemented with TRF at the dose of 150 mg/kg). Supplementation of TRF was given orally for two months and at the end of the duration, mice will be superovulated and euthanized. The ovaries and oocytes were collected for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as assessment of oocytes quality. The results confirmed that aging caused telomere shortening in ovaries and a reduction in oocytes qualities. Conversely, the telomerase activity increased due to the role of telomerase in protecting the mitochondrial function during oxidative stress condition. The TRF supplementation was able to restore the telomere length and telomerase activity as well as decrease the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in oocytes. However, TRF supplementation could not improve the oocytes quality in term of morphology. Tocotrienol supplementation potentially delays the consequences of age-related infertility by maintaining the telomere regulation and enhancing the quality of oocytes.

Index Terms—reproductive aging, infertility, telomere length, telomerase activity, oocytes quality, DNA damage

Cite:Norerlyda Hamdan, Nasibah Azme, Mudiana Muhamad, and Nuraliza Abdul Satar, "Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Supplementation Improves the Quality of Oocytes and Maintains Telomere Length in Ovaries from Aging Mice," International Journal of Pharma Medicine and Biological Sciences, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 83-88, July 2017. doi: 10.18178/ijpmbs.6.3.83-88