Plasma membrane damage in vitrified oocytes is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. This study investigates the hypothesis that suppressing mitochondrial activity protects oocytes from vitrification stress. Metformin, a mitochondrial inhibitor, was used to pretreat porcine oocytes before vitrification. Results show metformin suppressed mitochondrial activity, reducing mitochondrial temperature and improving oocyte survival rate after vitrification. Metformin pretreatment decreased cell membrane fluidity after vitrification, potentially via upregulation of genes involved in fatty acid elongation, leading to increased long-chain saturated fatty acids. The study suggests metformin alleviates cryoinjuries by reducing membrane fluidity through mitochondrial activity regulation.

Dan Zhou, Hongyu Liu, Lv Zheng, Aiju Liu, Qingrui Zhuan, Yuwen Luo, Guizhen Zhou, Lin Meng, Yunpeng Hou, Guoquan Wu, Jun Li, Xiangwei Fu