Resveratrol's therapeutic role in heat stress-induced mitochondria and ER dysfunction in animal reproductive health: A review.

Heat stress is a major environmental factor that causes oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which may lead to fertility impairment, decreased fetal growth, and low survival rates. Resveratrol is an antioxidant polyphenolic compound which has been found to have potential in mitigating the damage caused by heat stress. This review explores the therapeutic role of resveratrol in reducing mitochondrial and ER dysfunction in animal reproduction, focusing on its role in enhancing reproductive performance under heat stress. The systematic analysis of the recent studies demonstrates that resveratrol enhances mitochondrial biogenesis, increases mitochondrial dynamics via balanced fission and fusion, and controls the unfolded protein response (UPR), which reduces ER stress. Moreover, resveratrol triggers the SIRT1/AMPK signal transduction pathway that is involved in cellular stress defense and metabolic stability. This review identifies experimental evidence of resveratrol to protect cells related to reproduction against oxidative damage, maintain mitochondrial integrity, and abate apoptosis. Evidence shows that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol are core to its protective effect, and it may be a good potential therapeutic agent enhancing reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes in animals under heat stress. Since it has potential of restoring cellular function and enhancing reproductive efficiency, additional studies should be conducted to maximize dosages, routes of delivery, and species-specific use, especially in livestock and other animals of economic value.