Amniotic fluid L-ergothioneine concentrations in pregnant sheep after
natural mating and transfer of vitrified/thawed in-vitro
produced embryos
L-ergothioneine levels were measured in amniotic fluid of pregnant sheep after natural mating and transfer of
vitrified/thawed in-vitro produced embryos. Amniotic fluids were collected between 60 and 65 and
80–85 days of gestation and analysed by an ultra-performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) method with fluorescence
detection.
L-Ergothioneine concentrations ranged between 0.23 and 9.36 μmol/L and were significantly
higher in pregnancy obtained by the transfer of vitrified/thawed in-vitro produced embryos. Conversely, no
significant changes in amniotic fluid
L-ergothioneine concentrations were observed according to the stages of
pregnancy considered in this study. These findings suggest that
L-ergothioneine concentrations, are not affected
as much by the gestational age, but rather by the method used to induce the pregnancy. On the whole, the
measurement of
L-ergothioneine in amniotic fluid could serve as a useful biomarker of oxidative stress and/or
inflammatory state in pregnancy.
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