Atorvastatin for ovarian torsion: effects on follicle counts, AMH, and VEGF expression
H Ayse Parlakgumus1, Filiz Aka Bolat2, Esra Bulgan Kilicdag1
1Baskent University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey.
Objective(S):
To determine if atorvastatin protects ovarian follicles against ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury and to determine how anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) expression is altered.
Study Design:
This experimental study was conducted at the Baskent University Animal Research Laboratory. Forty-four rats were arbitrarily assigned into four groups of 11 rats each. The control group underwent a laparotomy. The atorvastatin group received atorvastatin (10mg/kg/day), by oral gavage 7 days before and 7 days after the sham operation. The torsion group had bilateral torsion and detorsion of the ovaries. The atorvastatin+torsion group received atorvastatin (10mg/kg/day) 7 days before and 7 days after the torsion/detorsion operation. At day 7, the animals were euthanized and their ovaries were removed. Ovarian follicles were counted, and AMH and VEGF-A expression was determined. The Kruskal-Wallis, χ(2), or Fisher's exact test were used when appropriate.
Results:
Primordial follicles (p=0.001), VEGF-A expression (p=0.018) and vascularization (p=0.02) were significantly higher in the atorvastatin group compared to controls. Primordial (p=0.002), primary (p=0.001), and secondary follicles (p=0.001), AMH expression (p=0.001), and vascularization (p=0.001) were lower in the torsion group compared with the control group. Primordial follicles (p=0.001), AMH (p=0.001) and VEGFA expression (p=0.001), and vascularization (p=0.001) were significantly higher in the atorvastatin+torsion group compared to the torsion group.
Conclusion(S):
Atorvastatin increased the primordial follicle pool and vascularization and protected primordial follicles and vascular structures against I/R injury.
Insights
Atorvastatin treatment preserved ovarian follicles and vascularization, protecting against ischemia reperfusion injury. This study investigated the effects of atorvastatin on ovarian health and key hormone expressions.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Pharmacology
- Experimental surgery
Background:
- Ovarian ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury can lead to significant loss of ovarian follicles.
- Understanding protective mechanisms against I/R injury is crucial for preserving ovarian function.
- Atorvastatin, a statin drug, has shown pleiotropic effects beyond lipid-lowering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective effects of atorvastatin on ovarian follicles against I/R injury.
- To assess alterations in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) expression following I/R injury and atorvastatin treatment.
Main Methods:
- An experimental study involving 44 rats divided into control, atorvastatin, torsion, and atorvastatin+torsion groups.
- Atorvastatin was administered orally for 7 days before and after sham or torsion/detorsion procedures.
- Ovarian follicle counts, AMH, and VEGF-A expression were analyzed 7 days post-procedure.
Main Results:
- Atorvastatin treatment alone significantly increased primordial follicles and VEGF-A expression.
- Ovarian torsion led to a significant decrease in primordial, primary, and secondary follicles, AMH, and VEGF-A expression.
- Atorvastatin administration mitigated the negative effects of torsion, significantly increasing primordial follicles, AMH, and VEGF-A expression compared to the torsion group.
Conclusions:
- Atorvastatin demonstrates a protective effect against ovarian ischemia reperfusion injury.
- The drug enhances the primordial follicle pool and vascularization, preserving ovarian structures.
- Atorvastatin may be a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating ovarian damage from I/R injury.
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