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Updated: Nov 17, 2025
An Orthotopic Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice for in vivo Tumor Imaging and Monitoring of Tumor Immune Responses
Published on: November 28, 2010
Sarcoma-180 tumor affects the quality of oocytes in mice
Zihang Chen1, Simin Wang1, Xuexia Luo1
1The First Affiliated Hospital (School of Clinical Medicine), Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Numerous factors can affect the quality of oocytes; however, the effects of cancer on the quality of oocytes and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of the sarcoma-180 (S-180) cell line on the quality of oocytes were investigated using S-180 tumor-bearing mice. In total, 42 female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the tumor-bearing group and the control group, with 21 mice per group. The weight of the mice and ovaries were recorded, and blood glucose, serum insulin, lipopolysaccharide, triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were analyzed using the corresponding detection kits. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of the ovarian tissue, and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to analyze the expression levels of meiosis arrest female 1 (MARF1), SUMO-specific protease 7 (SENP7), aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), cell division cycle 25B and glycine-rich protein 3. The results of the present study revealed that the number of oocytes in the two groups of mice was similar; however, the number of abnormal oocytes was increased in the tumor-bearing group. The serum levels of TG and TC were significantly elevated in the tumor-bearing group compared with in the control group (P<0.01). Additionally, RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that the expression levels of SENP7 were downregulated, while the expression levels of MARF1 and AANAT were upregulated in the ovaries of the tumor-bearing group compared with in the control group (P<0.01). In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggested that cancer may affect the reproductive system of mice and decrease the quality of oocytes by regulating the expression levels of reproduction-associated genes. These results provided novel insights into the reproductive ability of patients with cancer.
Insights
Cancer negatively impacts oocyte quality by altering reproduction-associated gene expression. This study in tumor-bearing mice reveals increased abnormal oocytes and metabolic changes, offering insights into cancer
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology and oncology
- Molecular mechanisms of oocyte quality regulation
Background:
- Oocyte quality is crucial for reproductive success, yet cancer's impact remains poorly understood.
- Cancer treatments and the disease itself can affect fertility, necessitating research into underlying mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of sarcoma-180 (S-180) cancer on oocyte quality in mice.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms, including gene expression changes, underlying cancer-induced oocyte quality decline.
Main Methods:
- Utilized S-180 tumor-bearing mice and control groups for comparative analysis.
- Assessed oocyte quantity and abnormality, ovarian weight, and serum markers (glucose, insulin, LPS, TG, TC).
- Employed Hematoxylin and eosin staining for ovarian histology and RT-qPCR for key gene expression analysis (MARF1, SENP7, AANAT).
Main Results:
- Tumor-bearing mice exhibited a higher number of abnormal oocytes compared to controls.
- Significantly elevated serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were observed in the tumor-bearing group.
- Ovarian gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of SENP7 and upregulation of MARF1 and AANAT in tumor-bearing mice.
Conclusions:
- Cancer, exemplified by the S-180 cell line, adversely affects oocyte quality in mice.
- Alterations in reproduction-associated gene expression (MARF1, SENP7, AANAT) are implicated in cancer-induced oocyte quality reduction.
- Findings provide insights into the impact of cancer on reproductive health and fertility.
