Effect of alcoholic extract of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) on in vitro maturation of rabbits oocyte

Abstract

The present study included 30 ovaries collected from 15 slaughter rabbits in animal house of the college of veterinary medicine, Baghdad University. Immediately, ovaries were preserved in phosphate buffer saline at 37 ͦC and transport to the laboratory with 1-2 hrs, oocytes collected by slicing ovary with an iris knife and release the follicular contents in 1ml TCM199 media. Only oocytes surrounded by cumulus cells and homologs cytoplasm were culture in culture media, then oocytes were divided in 3 groups, the 1st group (control group) incubated by using culture media only, the 2nd group, alcoholic extract of Licorice added to culture media at concentration of 25µg/ml, the 3rd group culture media was supplemented with alcoholic extract of licorice at concentration of 50µg/ml. Results of the current study revealed that the effect of alcoholic extract 50 µg/mg on the percentage of oocytes maturation was superior compared with other groups. It was also observable that the effect of adding alcoholic extract of Licorice to culture media TCM199 at two concentrations increased the percentage of mature oocyte compared with control group. In conclusion, the uses of alcoholic extract of licorice increase the percentage of oocytes maturation.