Effect of oral administration of low-dose follicle stimulating hormone on hyperandrogenized mice as a model of polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread reproductive disorder characterized by a disruption of follicular growth and anovulatory infertility. In women with PCOS, follicular growth and ovulation can be induced by subcutaneous injections of low doses of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral administration of recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) on follicle development in a PCOS murine model. Moreover, since it is unlikely that intact rhFSH is present into the circulation after oral administration, the biological activity of a peptide fragment, derived from the predicted enzymatic cleavage sites with the FSH molecule, was investigated in vitro on cumulus-enclosed oocytes (COCs).MethodsFemale peripubertal mice were injected with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) diluted in sesame oil for 20 consecutive days and orally treated with a saline solution of rhFSH. A control group received only sesame oil and saline solution. At the end of treatments, blood was analyzed for hormone concentrations and ovaries were processed for morphological analysis. The presumptive bioactive peptide was added during in vitro maturation of bovine COCs and the effects on cumulus expansion and on maturation rate were evaluated.ResultsDHEA treatment increased serum levels of testosterone, estradiol and progesterone as well as the percentage of cystic follicles. Orally administered rhFSH restored estradiol level and reduced the percentage of cystic follicles. Despite these results indicating a reduction of the severity of PCOS in the mouse model, the presumptive bioactive peptide did not mimic the effect of rhFSH and failed to induce bovine cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation in vitro.ConclusionsAlthough further studies are needed, the present data supports the concept that orally administrated FSH could attenuate some of the characteristic of PCOS in the mouse model.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13048-015-0192-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Downregulating lncRNA NEAT1 induces proliferation and represses apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in polycystic ovary syndrome via microRNA-381/IGF1 axis

“…PCOS was induced according to some previous articles [17][18][19]. Wistar female rats were subcutaneously injected with DHEA (6 mg/100 g, Wuhan Huamei Technology Group Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China) into the back and neck (once a day for 20 d).…”

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Improves Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats via Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1 (SREBP-1)/Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Pathway

“…Thus, the regulation of level of LH has become a target in the treatment of PCOS. A recent study reported that treatment with myo-inositol can significantly improve the hormonal parameters by decreasing the level of LH, which in turn improved the conditions of PCOS [ 19 ]. In another study, orally administrated FSH was found to significantly reduce the severity of PCOS in a mouse model by reducing the number of cystic follicles and restoring estradiol level [ 20 ].…”

Beneficial effects of Heqi san on rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome through the PI3K/AKT pathway

“…All rats used in this study had normal estrous cycles prior to treatment, as confirmed by examination of vaginal smears under a light microscope for two sequential cycles (about 8–10 days). The PCOS rat model was established according to a previous study [ 24 ]. Briefly, the animals were subcutaneously injected with 6 mg/100 g dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the neck once a day for 20 consecutive days.…”