Naringenin (NAR) and 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) reduce the developmental competence of porcine oocytes in vitro

Flavanones such as naringenin (NAR) and 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) are increasingly used as dietary supplements despite scientific concern regarding adverse effects on female reproduction upon excessive intake. In the present study, NAR and 8-PN (0.3-1 μM) significantly affected porcine oocyte maturation in vitro by decreasing cumulus expansion. In addition, NAR and 8-PN decreased percentages of meiotic spindle formation, oocyte cleavage and blastocyst formation. The effects of NAR and 8-PN were different from estradiol (3.12 μM)-induced effects. Still, the flavanone-induced effects were observed at concentrations that can be found in human plasma upon supplement intake and that resemble physiological estrogen equivalence levels in follicular fluids. Considering that abnormal oocyte maturation can cause subfertility, our study warrants that precautions are in place and excessive intake of NAR and 8-PN e.g. via dietary supplements should be avoided by women.