Repeated Superovulation Accelerates Primordial Follicle Activation and Atresia
Qian Wang,
Shu-Xian Zhao,
Jian-Ning He,
Hua Zhao,
Bao-Xia Gu,
Juan-Ke Xie,
Yi-Jun Zhao,
Cui-Lian Zhang,
Zhao-Jia Ge
Affiliations
Qian Wang
Reproductive Medicine Center, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Shu-Xian Zhao
College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
Jian-Ning He
College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
Hua Zhao
Reproductive Medicine Center, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Bao-Xia Gu
Reproductive Medicine Center, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Juan-Ke Xie
Reproductive Medicine Center, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Yi-Jun Zhao
Reproductive Medicine Center, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Cui-Lian Zhang
Reproductive Medicine Center, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Zhao-Jia Ge
College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
For humans, ARTs (assisted reproductive technologies) have become the most effective method to treat subfertility/infertility in clinic. To obtain enough oocytes during ART, ovarian stimulation is performed by exogenous hormones, and some patients undergo several ovarian stimulation cycles. Although some adverse effects of ARTs on women and offspring are reported, few studies are focused on the effects of multiple superovulation on ovarian reserve. In the present study, we found that repeated superovulation significantly reduced primordial follicle number and the serum AMH. Compared to the decreased antral follicle number, the expression of genes related to primordial follicle activation, such as Foxo3, Akt, and Rptor, and the atretic follicle number in ovaries were increased by superovulation times. We further found that repeated superovulation reduced the plasma level of FSH, LH, and estradiol, and increased the expression of genes related to apoptosis (Bax, Casp3 (caspase-3), Casp8, and Casp9) in granulosa cells, providing evidence that repeated superovulation disrupted the balance between survival and death in granulosa cells. In summary, our results suggest that repeated superovulation has adverse effects on folliculogenesis.
