Spermidine supplementation protects porcine oocytes against triclosan-induced defects during maturation in vitro

Oocytes are highly susceptible to environmental pollutants, with triclosan (TCS)-a pervasive antimicrobial-known to bioaccumulate and impair reproductive function. Yet, the mechanisms of TCS-induced oocyte degeneration and effective protective strategies remain unclear. This study explored the protective role of spermidine (SPD) against TCS-induced meiotic disruption and fertilization defects in porcine oocytes, focusing on its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. We found that TCS exposure disrupted meiotic progression by inducing spindle defects, chromosome misalignment, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis, ultimately impairing maturation and fertilization. SPD supplementation significantly alleviated these effects by stabilizing the cytoskeleton, reducing oxidative stress, and suppressing apoptosis, thereby restoring oocyte quality and developmental competence. These findings highlight SPD as a promising intervention to counteract pollutant-induced oocyte damage and safeguard female fertility.