Background: Increased levels of kisspeptin are associated with hypothalamus-pituitary- ovary axis dysfunction. It may lead to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of prenatal kisspeptin antagonist exposure on the development of PCOS in prenatally androgenized rats in adulthood. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, pregnant rats were injected with free testosterone (T, 5 mg/day) or T+P271 (kisspeptin antagonist) on the 20th day of the pregnancy period (n = 5 in each group), while rats in the control group received solvent. Female offspring were examined in terms of anogenital distance (AGD), anovaginal distance (AVD), vaginal opening, serum total testosterone (TT) levels, ovarian follicles, and the regularity of estrous cycles in adulthood. AGD and AVD were measured using a vernier caliper. TT levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Ovaries were fixed in 10% formalin, tissue processing was done by a standard protocol, and then ovaries embedded in paraffin. 5 μmthickness ovarian sections mounted on a glass slide, deparaffinized, and stained using Harris’s Hematoxylin and Eosin Y. Results: AGD, AVD (p < 0.001), TT levels (p = 0.02), and the numbers of preantral and antral follicles (p < 0.001) in the ovaries were significantly decreased in prenatally TP271- exposed rats compared to prenatally T-exposed rats. The age of vaginal opening was early in T-P271-exposed rats compared to prenatally T-exposed rats (p < 0.001). The number of corpora lutea was significantly increased in T-P271-exposed rats (p < 0.001). No cystic follicles were observed in the ovaries of prenatally T-P271-exposed rats. Prenatally T-P271-exposed rats had regular estrous cycles compared to prenatally T-exposed rats. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure to kisspeptin antagonist can prevent PCOS development in prenatally androgenized rats in adulthood. Key words: Androgen, Kisspeptin antagonist, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Rat.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.