This study investigated the effects of the NOS inhibitor drug L-NAME on reproduction in female mice. The study found that treatment with high doses of L-NAME significantly increased body and ovary weights, decreased plasma NO and estradiol levels, and decreased ovarian follicle counts while increasing atretic follicle counts. Histological examination showed decreased follicle counts and increased atretic follicles in the ovaries of L-NAME treated mice, as well as increased uterine diameter and endometrial thickness. The results suggest that inhibition of NOS by L-NAME negatively impacts female reproduction in mice.
This study investigated the effects of the NOS inhibitor drug L-NAME on reproduction in female mice. The study found that treatment with high doses of L-NAME significantly increased body and ovary weights, decreased plasma NO and estradiol levels, and decreased ovarian follicle counts while increasing atretic follicle counts. Histological examination showed decreased follicle counts and increased atretic follicles in the ovaries of L-NAME treated mice, as well as increased uterine diameter and endometrial thickness. The results suggest that inhibition of NOS by L-NAME negatively impacts female reproduction in mice.
This study investigated the effects of the NOS inhibitor drug L-NAME on reproduction in female mice. The study found that treatment with high doses of L-NAME significantly increased body and ovary weights, decreased plasma NO and estradiol levels, and decreased ovarian follicle counts while increasing atretic follicle counts. Histological examination showed decreased follicle counts and increased atretic follicles in the ovaries of L-NAME treated mice, as well as increased uterine diameter and endometrial thickness. The results suggest that inhibition of NOS by L-NAME negatively impacts female reproduction in mice.
PROJECT REPORT: Submitted for partial fulfillment of the requirement of M.Sc. degree in Zoology, 2014
UNDER SUPERVISION OF : SUBMITTED BY: Prof. C.M. Chaturvedi Komal Jaiswal Enrol .No. : 345083
Department of Zoology Centre of advanced study Banaras Hindu University Varanasi-221005
BODY WEIGHT:- Significant difference was found between the initial and final body weights of high dose of L- NAME-treated animals in comparison to controls. All the animals maintained a healthy appearance throughout the period of investigations and no significant difference was observe between the initial and final body weight of mice in control and low dose (LD) of L-NAME treated mice. Although high dose of L-NAME induced an increase in body weight but it was not statistically significant (Fig.1).
Fig.1- Body weight response of mice following the administration of low dose-LD (1mg/100g body weight) and high dose HD (2mg/100g body weight) of L-NAME. Data are presented as Mean S.E.
TISSUE WEIGHT:-
Ovary: - In both lower and higher dose of L-NAME treated group, significant increase was noted in the weight of ovary compared to the control. Increased fat deposition was also note around the ovarian follicles. Uterus: -The weight of uterus increased significantly L-NAME treated animals compared to control (Fig.2)
Fig.2 Tissue weight responses of mice following the administration of low dose-LD (1mg/100g body weight) and high dose-HD(2mg/100g body weight) ofL-NAME. Data are presented as Mean S.E . .*P < 0.05 significance of difference from control.
MORPHOLOGY OF REPRODUCTIVE TISSUE:- Ovary- The higher dose of L-NAME treated mice showed remarkable enlargement of ovary compared to control and lower dose. The lower dose of L-NAME treated animals showed a moderate enlargement of ovary. Uterus- The higher dose of L-NAME treated animals showed hyperplasia/swelling of uterus than control and lower dose. The lower dose of L-NAME treated animals showed moderate swelling of uterus. Obviously uterine ballooning was occurred in both low and high dose of L- NAME treated mice (Fig.3).
Fig.3 Photograph of ovary and uterus L-NAME treated mice.
ASCORBIC ACID IN OVARY:- Ovarian ascorbic acid level of L-NAME treated mice showed significant increase in both in LD and HD groups compare to control (Fig.4).
Fig.4 Ovarian ascorbic acid concentration of mice following the administration of low dose-LD (1mg/100g body weight) and high dose-HD (2mg/100g body weight) of L-NAME. Data are presented as Mean S.E . .*P < 0.05 significance of difference from control. NITRATE-NITRITE ESTIMATION:- NO level was found decreased in both lower and higher dose of L-NAME treated mice compare to control (Fig.5).
Fig.5 Plasma nitric oxide concentration of mice following the administration of low dose- LD (1mg/100g body weight) and high dose- HD (2mg/100g body weight) of L-NAME. Data are presented as Mean S.E . .*P < 0.05 significance of difference from control.
PLASMA ESTRADIOL CONCENTRATION:- Significant decrease of estradiol concentration was noted in the plasma of L-NAME-treated mice compared to control (Fig.6).
Fig.6 Plasma Estradiol concentration of mice following the administration of low dose-LD (1mg/100g body weight) and high dose-HD (2mg/100g body weight) of LNAME. Data are presented as Mean S.E..*P < 0.05 significance of difference from control.
FOLLICLES AND CORPUS LUTEUM COUNT:- Ovarian follicle number decreased significantly in both the group of L-NAME treated animals in comparison to control groups while number of atretic follicle increased. On the other hand number of corpus luteum was not affected (Fig.7).
Fig.7 Effect of L-NAME on the ovarian follicle, atretic follicle and corpus lutea number of mice following the administration of low dose-LD (1 mg/100g body weight) and high dose-HD (2 mg/100g body weight) of L- NAME. Data are presented as Mean S.E..*P < 0.05 significance of difference from control.
HISTOLOGICAL STUDIES:- Ovarian Histology: The ovaries of control mice exhibited normal histological features. But in the low dose (LD) and high dose (HD) treated animal there was decrease in follicle number. In HD mice more number of atretic follicle were evident compare to control and LD group (Fig.8).
Fig.8 T.S. of ovary showing follicles in different animal groups. Uterine Histology: The diameter of uterus and lumen as well increased in HD treated group compare to control and LD mice. Endometrial thickness although reduced in both the treated group mice but uterine gland appeared more active in HD group compare to control. Epithelium is also found more developed in LD and HD group compare to control (Fig.9).