This study aims (i) to ascertain whether oxidative-stress-induced disturbances in chromosomal distribution in the metaphase-II spindle of mouse oocytes can be counteracted by supplementing culture medium with antioxidants; and (ii) to determine whether supplemental intake of antioxidants neutralizes the disturbing effects of maternal ageing on segregation of chromosomes during the first meiotic division and distribution of chromosomes in the metaphase-II spindle. (i): Germinal vesicle oocytes from unstimulated 10-12 week old mice were matured in vitro in the presence or absence of diamide and/or dithiothreitol. Metaphase-II oocytes were fixed and stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) to detect abnormalities in chromosomal distribution. The percentage of oocytes arrested in metaphase I (12.9% vs 28.4%; P < or = 0.05) or with a telophase-I chromosome configuration (0.0% vs 8.2%; P < or = 0.0005) was decreased in diamide-DTT-treated oocytes when compared to diamide-treated oocytes. (ii): Mice were fed, from the first day of weaning until their death, a diet supplemented or not with an antioxidant mixture of vitamin C and vitamin E. Ovulated oocytes were fixed and stained with DAPI or C-banded for chromosome analysis. The percentage of abnormal (chromosome scattering and nulloploidy) or asynchronous (anaphase I or telophase I) oocytes was 2.7-fold higher in controls than in females fed an antioxidant diet (24.4% vs 8.9%, P < or = 0.05). Furthermore, the percentage of aneuploidy (2.2% vs 0.0%; P < or = 0.01) and diploidy (5.8% vs 1.7%; P < or = 0.05) was significantly higher in controls than in females fed an antioxidant diet. These findings support Tarin's oxidative stress hypothesis of aneuploidy and have clinical implications for preventing both laboratory-induced and maternal-age-associated aneuploidy in human beings.