Role of Allopregnanolone in the morphophysiology of the rat ovary.

SANHUEZA, MARÍA ANGELES; PELEGRINA LT; LACONI MR; CÁCERES ARR; ASENCIO JA

Mar del Plata

Congreso; Reunión Anual Conjunta SAIC-SAI-SAFE; 2016

SAIC-SAI-SAFE

Allopregnanolone (ALLO), a progesterone metabolite, is a neurosteroid synthesized de novo in the nervous system. ALLO icv reduces LH secretion, increases progesterone and prolactin serum levels, inhibits corpora lutea apoptosis, alters follicular steroidogenesis and impairs ovulation. It also modifies ovarian angiogenesis, which takes place cyclically in the ovary and is essential for follicular and luteal development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a pharmacological dose of ALLO, using a new administration model (intrabursa), on ovarian morphophysiology, vascular development and stability. A dose/response curve of 5 points was performed. The results presented correspond to the pharmacological dose of 6 µl. Adult Sprague Dawley rats were used. In the morning of proestrus, vehicle and ALLO were administered at 5 µl intrabursa. The animals were sacrificed during the morning of estrus, 24 h after treatment. To assess vascular density and stability, immunohistochemistry for the von Willebrand factor (present in endothelial cells) and α-actin (present in smooth muscle cells of blood vessels) was performed. For the ovarian structures morphometric analysis, histological sections were made. Oocyte count was performed by puncturing the ovarian ampulla. ALLO caused a significant increase of angiogenesis, measured as an elevation in the detection of the W factor (p