Abstract: 【Objective】 This study was aimed to investigate the effects of the natural non-caloric sweetener rebaudioside A (Reb A) on the reproductive system and reproductive performance in female mice,so as to provide a reference for its further application in production. 【Method】 Twenty-four healthy female ICR mice (29.11 g±1.21 g) were divided into control and Reb A groups,with 3 replicates per group and 4 mice per replicate.Mice in control group received 200 mg/(kg·d) saline via oral gavage daily for 14 days,while mice in Reb A group received 200 mg/(kg·d) Reb A.Daily body weight,feed intake,water consumption,litter size,and offspring weight were recorded.Another 24 healthy female ICR mice (28.88 g±0.93 g) were grouped and treated similarly.The estrous cycle was monitored via vaginal smear combined with vulvar observation.The levels of estradiol,follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),luteinizing hormone (LH),and progesterone in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Ovarian histomorphology,follicular types and counts were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.Superovulation and in vitro fertilization were performed to evaluate ovulation count,cleavage rate,and blastocyst rate.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels in oocytes were measured by fluorescence staining.Uterine and ovarian weights were recorded,and organ coefficients were calculated. 【Result】 Compared with control group,14-day Reb A administration did not alter body weight,feed intake,or water consumption in female mice,but significantly increased litter size and offspring weight (P＜0.05).Reb A also significantly reduced the proportion of abnormal estrus (P＜0.05),however,there was no significant effect on the levels of estradiol,follicle-stimulating hormone,luteinizing hormone and progesterone in serum(P＞0.05).Additionally,Reb A could significantly increase the uterine weight and preantral follicle count in ovaries (P＜0.05),significantly elevate cleavage and blastocyst rates during in vitro fertilization (P＜0.05),significantly reduce ROS level in oocytes (P＜0.05),and extremely significantly enhance GSH level (P＜0.01). 【Conclusion】 Under the experimental conditions,oral administration of 200 mg/(kg·d) Reb A did not negatively affect growth performance in mice,but improve oocyte quality,embryonic developmental potential,and reproductive capacity.

Key words: rebaudioside A (Reb A); mice; reproductive performance; embryonic development