Allopreganolona promotes angiogenesis and inhibits apoptosis in the corpora lutea in rat ovarian cycle

LACONI, MYRIAM R; CABRERA, RICARDO J; PARBORELL, FERNANDA

Edimburgo, Escocia

Congreso; World Congress of Reproductive Biology 2014; 2014

Society for Reproduction and Fertility; Society for the Study of Reproduction

Allopregnanolone inhibits apoptosis in the corpora lutea and promotes angiogenesis in rat ovarian cycle. We report the effect of allopregnanolone (ALLO, 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one),  one of the best characterized neurosteroids, on the morphological changes and in angiogenesis in ovary of  cycling rats. ALLO has several effects on the reproductive biology of the female. Previously we demonstrated that ALLO inhibited ovulation and secretion of LH and Pg and increased the PRL levels and inhibited the female receptivity. ALLO also inhibited apoptosis in corpus luteum. Now, we report the ALLO effects on Angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting vessels, develops cyclically in the ovary and is vital for the formation of reproductive structures in ovulation and corpus luteum formation). This process has been studied in conditions such as cancer, but under physiological conditions angiogenesis occurs in tissues where cyclic changes as ovarian and uterine endometrium occurs. Angiogenesis is regulated by various protein factors. These angiogenic factors are heavily regulated and proper vascularization of a tissue is dependent on a close relationship between them. The objective of this work was to analyze the effect of icv 6um ALLO in morphologic changes in ovarian structures and in angiogenesis inovarian vascular stroma during the estrus cycle.  Material and Methods: Allopregnanolone (ALLO) was injected intracerebroventriculary (i.c.v.) during proestrus.  The luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), progesterone (Pg) and oestrogen (ES) serum levels were measured 24 hs after ALLO administration in the estrum. Results and discussion: The ALLO injection significantly decreases LH and Pg serum level (p<0,001) and increase the PRL serum levels (p<0,001). Simultaneously, as a result of histological examination of the ovaries, we found a significant increase in LUFs in ALLO treated animals compared to controls. Allo act as angiogenic factor at corpus luteum and follicles level but also as a survival factor for ovarian demonstrated by the inhibition of apoptosis in the previous paper (Laconi et al, 2012). In conclusion, the results reported here are the first evidence of the effect of ICV administration   of ALLO in the development and stability of blood vessels in the ovary. We would propose to ALLO in a new experimental model proposed, as a molecule for controlling inappropriate development of ovarian structures and highlighting their role in ovarian physiology.