Tocotrienol reverses nicotine-induced embryonic impairment in mice

This study evaluated the effects of nicotine and supplementation of tocotrienol (TCT) concurrently with nicotine on in vitro and in vivo embryonic development in mice (Mus musculus). In vitro effects of various doses and duration of nicotine treatment on pre-implantation embryos are dose- and treatment duration-dependant with increased lipid peroxidation (LP). TCT supplementation concurrently with nicotine prevents the deterioration of pre-implantation embryo quality through lowering LP activity. TCT supplementation also sustains the physiological sequence of blastocyst implantation, foetal growth, pregnancy outcome and survival of the neonates. It is postulated that TCT, an antioxidant could be used to minimize nicotine-induced oxidative stress-related deterioration of pre- and post-implantation embryo development, intrauterine foetal growth, pregnancy outcome and survival of the neonates.