Effects of edible bird’s nest and EDTA on cadmium toxicity exposed rats’ embryo production, quality, and pre- and post-embryo transfer pregnancy rates

TL;DR

This study shows that edible bird's nest (EBN) can protect against cadmium toxicity in rats, improving embryo quality and pregnancy rates more effectively than EDTA.

Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence that EBN at 120 mg/kg is more effective than EDTA in mitigating cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in rats.

Findings

EBN at 120 mg/kg BW improved blastocyst production and quality compared to cadmium-exposed groups.

Higher pregnancy rates in recipients correlated with better blastocyst scores from EBN-treated donors.

EBN outperformed both lower-dose EBN and EDTA in protecting against cadmium toxicity effects on reproduction.

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the prophylactic potential of EBN compared to EDTA in mitigating Cd's toxic effects on pregnancy rates and embryonic development in rats.

Ninety-eight female rats (Sprague Dawley) were divided into donor and recipient groups, with donors further divided into seven subgroups, including negative control, Cd-exposed, EBN-treated, and EDTA-treated groups. Embryos from donors were transferred to recipient rats, with EBN and Cd administered for 4 weeks and EDTA given only in the last 5 days for the donor group.

Results showed significant differences in pregnancy rates and blastocyst quality. EBN at 120 mg/kg BW led to higher blastocyst production and better quality compared to Cd-exposed groups. The highest pregnancy rates in recipient groups correlated with the highest blastocyst scores from donors.

EBN at 120 mg/kg demonstrated significant protection against Cd toxicity and its effect on pregnancy rates, embryo production, quality, and pre- and post-embryo transfer, surpassing the effects of both 90 mg/kg EBN and EDTA. This study provides empirical evidence in support of the conventional belief in the positive impact of EBN on female reproduction.

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