Effects of Melatonin on H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage of the Granulosa Cells in Hen Ovarian Follicles

Background: The egg-laying performance of hens is primarily regulated by ovarian follicle growth and development; these follicles are susceptible to oxidative damage caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative damage can lead to follicular atresia and impaired reproductive performance. Melatonin (MT), a known endogenous antioxidant, plays a role in regulating oxidative damage, but its precise mechanisms in mitigating H2O2-induced oxidative damage via mitophagy regulation in granulosa cells remain unclear. Methods: An in vitro oxidative damage model was established by determining the optimal H2O2 concentration using CCK-8 fluorescence quantification. The optimal MT concentration was identified through fluorescence quantification and catalase (CAT) activity assays. The protective effects of MT against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in follicular granulosa cells were investigated using flow cytometry, Western blotting, ELISA, and quantitative fluorescence analysis. Results: An in vitro oxidative damage model was established using H2O2-induced granulosa cells, characterized by P53 and LC3-II upregulation and LC3-I and BCL-2 downregulation. The optimal MT concentration for reducing cellular injury was determined. MT co-treatment enhanced CAT, GSH, and SOD activities, decreased LC3-II/LC3-I conversion, and increased P62 expression. Furthermore, MT reduced autophagic vesicle formation and restored mitochondrial membrane potential, demonstrating its protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative damage. Conclusions: Melatonin alleviates H2O2-induced oxidative damage in chicken follicular granulosa cells by modulating antioxidant defense, autophagy, and mitochondrial function. These findings provide newer insights to our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the alleviation of the H2O2-induced oxidative damage in granulosa cells during ovarian follicle development in chickens.