Impact of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on mouse early embryo development: possible modulatory effect of ghrelin.

RAMÍREZ ND; GARAVAGLIA R; TORRES PJ; LUQUE EM; PONZIO MF; CANTARELLI V; MOTRICH RD; MARTINI AC

Mar del Plata

Congreso; Reunión Anual de Sociedades de Biociencias; 2023

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is commonly used in assisted reproduction in order to increase oocytes retrieval. However, the resulting supraphysiological levels of sex-steroids have been associated with negative reproductive outcomes. COH might also alter the levels of ghrelin (Ghrl), a hormone involved in embryo development and implantation. We aimed to analyze the effects of COH on ghrelinemia and early embryo development and to evaluated if the administration of a Ghrl antagonist (Ant=(D-Lys3)GHRP6) can ameliorate the negative effects of COH.Firstly, the COH protocol treatment was set by hyperstimulating adult female mice with different doses of pregnant mare´s serum gonadotropin (PMSG=5IU, 7.5IU, 10IU and 15IU) and human chorionic gonadotropin (10IU), and evaluating sex-steroid levels and oocytes quantity/quality. Natural cycling (NC) females were used as controls. After selecting the best protocol (PMSG=10IU), Ghrl concentrations were assessed. A second group of females [NC-females, COH-females and COH+Ant-females (treated with 6nmol/animal/day of Ant during hyperstimulation); n=13-20/group] were mated with untreated males and euthanized on day 3 of pregnancy, to evaluate embryo developmental status. Data were analyzed by Mann Whitney/Kruskall Wallis test; a p