Preconceptional Resveratrol Supplementation Partially Counteracts Age-Related Reproductive Complications in C57BL/6J Female Mice

• Main Authors: Marta Ziętek, Katarzyna Barłowska, Barbara Wijas, Ewa Szablisty, Atanas G. Atanasov, Jacek A. Modliński, Artur H. Świergiel, Silvestre Sampino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: aging; natural compounds; resveratrol; reproduction; mice
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/7/1934

Aging is associated with a drastic decline in fertility/fecundity and with an increased risk of pregnancy complications. Resveratrol (RES), a natural polyphenolic compound, has shown anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in both human and animal models, thus representing a potential therapeutic and prophylactic anti-aging supplement. Here, we investigated whether preconceptional resveratrol supplementation improved reproductive outcomes in mid-aged (8-month-old) and old (12-month-old) C57BL/6J female mice. Female siblings were cohoused and assigned to either RES or vehicle supplementation to drinking water for 10 consecutive weeks. Subsequently, females were mated with non-supplemented males and their pregnancy outcomes were monitored. RES improved mating success in old, but not in mid-aged females, and prevented the occurrence of delivery complications in the latter. These results indicate that preconceptional RES supplementation could partially improve age-related reproductive complications, but it was not sufficient to restore fecundity in female mice at a very advanced age.