Metabolomic Insights Into Taurine‐Mediated Protection Against PFOS ‐Induced Impairment of Porcine Oocyte Maturation and Embryonic Development

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a persistent organic pollutant widely present in daily life, accumulates in the human body through contaminated drinking water and poses significant risks to the reproductive system. However, the specific mechanisms underlying its toxicity to mammalian oocytes remain poorly understood. To address this research gap, this study employed an in vitro maturation (IVM) model to systematically investigate the effects of PFOS on porcine oocyte maturation and embryonic development by supplementing with varying concentrations of PFOS and taurine, combined with morphological observations, gene expression analysis, and metabolomic profiling. The results demonstrated that PFOS exposure significantly impaired oocyte quality, as evidenced by inhibited polar body extrusion, reduced blastocyst formation rates, abnormal spindle assembly, and disrupted actin cytoskeleton and cortical granule distribution. Metabolomic analysis further revealed that taurine effectively ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating PFOS-induced disturbances in lipid, amino acid, and energy metabolism. Immunofluorescence staining and RT-qPCR confirmed that PFOS exposure led to mitochondrial damage, triggering ROS generation and apoptosis, whereas taurine supplementation markedly mitigated these adverse effects. In conclusion, this study elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which PFOS impairs porcine oocyte quality and provides novel insights into intervention strategies for persistent organic pollutants, holding significant implications for improving female reproductive health.