Monocyte perturbation modulates the ovarian response to an immune challenge

Our recent findings indicate that an acute depletion of monocytes has no sustained effects on ovarian follicle health. Here, we utilised a Cx3cr1-Dtr transgenic Wistar rat model to transiently deplete monocytes and investigated the impact of an acute immune challenge by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on ovarian follicle health and ovulatory capacity relative to wt once the monocytes had repopulated. Monocyte depletion and repopulation exacerbated the effects of LPS in several domains. As such, monocyte perturbation decreased the numbers of secondary follicles in those challenged with LPS. Monocyte perturbation was also associated with reduced antral follicle numbers and circulating luteinising hormone (LH) levels, as well as potential changes in ovarian sensitivity to LH, exacerbated by LPS. These data suggest that monocyte depletion and repopulation induce a transient suppression of ovulatory capacity in response to a subsequent immune challenge, but this is likely to be restored once the pro-inflammatory environment is resolved.