Propyl gallate exposure affects the mouse 2-cell stage embryonic development through inducing oxidative stress and autophagy

Propyl gallate (PG), owing to its exceptional antioxidant properties, is extensively used in industries such as food processing. The potential harmful impacts of PG have sparked concern among people. It has been reported that exposure of PG has certain reproductive toxicity, which can affect the maturation of mouse oocytes and induce testicular dysfunction. However, its impact on early embryonic development is still unclear. In this study, we explored the toxic effects and potential mechanisms of PG on mouse 2-cell stage embryonic development. The results showed that exposure of PG can decrease the development of 2-cell stage embryos and repress the development of 4-cell stage embryos. Further study found that PG could induce intracellular oxidative stress and the accumulation of DNA damage in 2-cell stage embryos. Moreover, exposure of PG impaired the function of mitochondria and lysosomes in 2-cell stage embryos, thereby triggering the occurrence of autophagy. In addition, exposure of PG altered the epigenetic modification of 2-cell stage embryos, displaying a decreased level of DNA methylation and an increased level of H3K4me3. In summary, our results indicated that exposure of PG can damage the development of mouse 2-cell stage embryos by inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage, and autophagy, and altering epigenetic modification. •PG exposure compromised mouse 2-cell stage embryo development and repressed 4-cell stage embryo development.•PG exposure induced ROS and DNA damage in mouse 2-cell stage embryos.•PG exposure could induce autophagy in mouse 2-cell stage embryos.•PG exposure resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction in mouse 2-cell stage embryos.•PG exposure altered epigenetic modification in mouse 2-cell stage embryos.