Culture media and their components differ their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species in the plasmid relaxation assay

Objective: To investigate the modulation of DNA-damaging effects of reactive oxygen species by media composition. Design: In vitro study. Setting: Academic medical center. Patient(s): None. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Plasmid relaxation. Result(s): Ham's F-10 medium, 1% Percoll, superoxide dismutase (1, 10, or 100 IU), and synthetic serum substitute did not affect DNA damage by reactive oxygen species and did not have any effect on plasmid DNA damage. Plasmid DNA damage was partially inhibited in the presence of P-1 and human tubal fluid media. Human serum albumin, phenol red, glucose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sucrose, and HEPES also were found to protect DNA from damage. Conclusion(s): In vitro fertilization media and their components vary widely in the way they affect DNA damage by reactive oxygen species.