Ameliorative effects of quercetin on folliculogenesis in diabetic mice: a stereological study

Abstract

A high risk of reproductive disorders can be seen in diabetic pregnancy. Reproductive disorders associated with diabetes may result from alterations in the function of the ovary. In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effects of quercetin as a phytoestrogen and antidiabetic agent on the folliculogenesis in diabetic mice. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were treated with 30 mg/kg/day quercetin for four weeks. The volume of ovary, follicles, and corpus luteum were significantly decreased in the diabetic mice. The number of growing follicles (secondary, antral, and Graafian follicles) and corpus luteum was significantly decreased in the diabetic mice. Also, the volume of oocytes was significantly decreased in antral and Graafian follicles. Our results indicated that the administration of quercetin in diabetic mice increased the volume of the ovary and growing follicles, the number of growing follicles and corpus luteum. It also significantly decreased the number of atretic follicles. As a result, it may be concluded that the impaired follicular growth and development caused by hyperglycemia in diabetic mice can be alleviated by quercetin treatment.

Chinese abstract

糖尿病妊娠是生殖障碍的高危人群。与糖尿病相关的生殖障碍可能是由于卵巢功能的改变引起的。本研究旨在探讨槲皮素作为一种植物雌激素和抗糖尿病药物对糖尿病小鼠卵泡形成的改善作用。链脲佐菌素诱导的糖尿病小鼠给予30 mg / kg /天的槲皮素治疗4周。糖尿病小鼠的卵巢、卵泡和黄体体积明显减小。糖尿病小鼠的生长卵泡(次级卵泡、窦卵泡和格拉夫卵泡)和黄体数量显著减少。此外, 窦卵泡和格拉夫卵泡的卵母细胞体积也显著减少。结果表明, 槲皮素能增加糖尿病小鼠卵巢和生长卵泡的体积, 增加生长卵泡和黄体的数量。明显减少闭锁卵泡的数量。因此, 槲皮素可减轻糖尿病小鼠高血糖所致的卵泡生长发育障碍。

Keywords:

• Diabetes
• folliculogenesis
• quercetin treatment
• growing follicles
• atretic follicles

Disclosure statement

The authors do not have conflict of interest in any aspects of specific financial interests and affiliations.

Additional information

Funding

This paper has been extracted from the PhD thesis of Ayeh Bolouki and was supported by Grant Number 95-11335 from Vice-chancellor for Research Affairs of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.