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Updated: Jun 11, 2025
Accurate Follicle Enumeration in Adult Mouse Ovaries
Published on: October 16, 2020
Ameliorative Effect of Lycopene on Follicular Reserve Depletion, Oxidative Damage, Apoptosis Rate, and Hormonal
Shimaa I Rakha1, Ahmed I Ateya2, Fatmah A Safhi3
1Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
Abstract:
Superovulation is a crucial step in assisted reproductive technology that involves the administration of gonadotrophins. Repeated superovulations result in severe ovarian damage. The present study investigated the effect of in vivo administration of lycopene on ovarian damage induced by four successive cycles of superovulation. Superovulated mice were simultaneously administered intraperitoneally with saline (R4) or 5 mg/kg lycopene (R4-Lyc). The evaluated parameters were the count of different types of follicles, expression of ovarian antioxidant- and apoptosis-related genes, and serum concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, and inhibin-B. Increased numbers of healthy follicles and a decreased count of atretic follicles were observed in mice of the R4-Lyc group compared to those of the R4 group. Moreover, significantly higher mRNA levels of Sod3, Cat, and Nrf2 and lower mRNA levels of Keap1, Tnf, Nfkb, and Casp3, together with decreased H2O2 concentrations and increased total antioxidant capacity, were detected in the ovaries of lycopene-treated mice. Regarding serum reproductive hormones, elevated concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, and inhibin-B were evident in lycopene-administered mice. The present study reports a significant role of lycopene in alleviating the ovarian damage induced by multiple hormonal superstimulations, which could help to improve the outcomes of in vitro embryo production.
Insights
Lycopene supplementation protects against ovarian damage caused by repeated superovulation treatments in mice. This antioxidant may improve outcomes for assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro embryo production.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- Superovulation, a key step in assisted reproductive technology (ART), utilizes gonadotrophins but can lead to ovarian damage with repeated cycles.
- Ovarian damage from superovulation impacts fertility and the success rates of ART procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of in vivo lycopene administration against ovarian damage induced by four successive superovulation cycles.
- To evaluate lycopene's impact on ovarian follicle health, antioxidant and apoptosis gene expression, and reproductive hormone levels.
Main Methods:
- Mice underwent four cycles of superovulation, receiving either saline (R4) or 5 mg/kg lycopene (R4-Lyc) intraperitoneally.
- Follicle counts, ovarian gene expression (antioxidant and apoptosis markers), serum hormone levels (estradiol, progesterone, inhibin-B), and ovarian hydrogen peroxide concentrations were assessed.
Main Results:
- Lycopene treatment (R4-Lyc) increased healthy follicle counts and decreased atretic follicles compared to saline (R4).
- Lycopene upregulated ovarian antioxidant genes (Sod3, Cat, Nrf2) and downregulated apoptosis-related genes (Keap1, Tnf, Nfkb, Casp3).
- Lycopene administration led to reduced ovarian H2O2, increased total antioxidant capacity, and elevated serum estradiol, progesterone, and inhibin-B.
Conclusions:
- Lycopene significantly alleviates ovarian damage induced by multiple hormonal superstimulations.
- Lycopene's antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties may enhance ovarian function and improve ART outcomes, particularly in vitro embryo production.
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