Ellagitannins--compounds from pomegranate as possible effector in steroidogenesis of rabbit ovaries

This study has observed possible effect of ellagitannins - compounds from pomegranate on process of steroidogenesis in ovaries. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible effect of punicalagin on secretion of steroid hormones - progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and 17beta-estradiol by ovarian fragments of rabbits in vitro. Ovarian fragments from sexually mature female New Zealand white rabbits (n=20) were incubated without (control group) or with punicalagin at various doses 1, 10 and 100 microg.ml(-1) for 24 h. Hormones were evaluated by ELISA (The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). Data showed that progesterone and 17beta-estradiol (but not androstenedione and testosterone) release by rabbit ovarian fragments was significantly affected by punicalagin addition at various doses. Punicalagin (at 100 microg.ml(-1)) significantly (P<0.05) increased progesterone secretion. On the other hand, the release of 17beta-estradiol was significantly (P<0.005) decreased by punicalagin addition (at 10 microg.ml(-1)). Our results suggest that punicalagin could have dose-dependent impact on secretion of steroid hormones progesterone and 17beta-estradiol by rabbit ovarian fragments and it may be effector in process of ovarian steroidogenesis.