Taurine-driven restoration of metabolic and redox balance in postovulatory aging porcine oocytes: A metabolomic perspective

Oocyte quality is closely linked to metabolic integrity, and age-related metabolic dysregulation is a key factor contributing to oocyte aging. In this study, we utilized non-targeted metabolomics to explore the impact of taurine supplementation on the metabolic profile of postovulatory aging (POA) porcine oocytes. Our analysis revealed that taurine supplementation significantly altered the metabolic landscape, restoring key metabolic pathways associated with energy production, amino acid metabolism, and oxidative stress regulation. Notably, taurine supplementation enhanced mitochondrial function, increased ATP synthesis, and improved the redox balance by upregulating reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and reducing oxidative damage. Metabolomics data also indicated a restoration of critical metabolic intermediates, including those involved in the glutathione synthesis pathway and amino acid metabolism. These findings suggest that taurine can modulate oocyte metabolism, improve cellular energy status, and mitigate oxidative stress, thereby enhancing oocyte quality at the metabolic level.