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NMN does not protect the ovarian reserve from cancer treatments

Jessica Stringer1, Ella Groenewegen1, Seng H Liew1

  • 1Ovarian Biology Laboratory, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|November 22, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) did not protect primordial follicles from DNA damage caused by cancer treatments like gamma-irradiation and cyclophosphamide in mice. Ovarian reserve depletion occurred despite NMN supplementation.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can cause DNA damage to primordial follicle oocytes.
  • This damage diminishes ovarian reserve, potentially leading to premature ovarian failure and early menopause in female cancer survivors.
  • Protecting ovarian reserve is crucial for maintaining fertility and endocrine function in these patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in preserving ovarian reserve.
  • To assess NMN's efficacy in protecting primordial follicles from DNA damage induced by gamma-irradiation and cyclophosphamide.

Main Methods:

  • Adult female mice were administered saline or NMN (500 mg/kg/day) for 8 days.
  • Mice were exposed to either gamma-irradiation (0.1 Gy) or cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg) on day 7.
  • Ovaries and serum were collected on day 12 for analysis of primordial follicle counts.

Main Results:

  • Gamma-irradiation significantly reduced the number of primordial follicles.
  • Cyclophosphamide treatment also significantly decreased primordial follicle numbers.
  • NMN supplementation did not prevent the loss of primordial follicles in either treatment group.

Conclusions:

  • Under the experimental conditions, NMN supplementation failed to protect the ovarian reserve from DNA-damaging effects of gamma-irradiation.
  • NMN also did not prevent cyclophosphamide-induced depletion of primordial follicles.
  • Further research is needed to explore alternative strategies for ovarian protection during cancer treatment.

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