Use of mesenchymal stem cells in Experimental Ovarian Damage

Abstract The study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in Bisphenol A (BPA) -induced ovarian damage. The study was conducted on 50 mature female rats divided into: Group 1; control group, Group IIa, IIb: BPA group received oral gavage of BPA with two doses of 25, 50 mg/Kg body weight daily for 15 days, Group IIIa, IIIb; MSCs group intravenously injected with a single dose of MSCs (106 cells) after the last dose of BPA. Blood and ovarian tissue levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and gonadal axis hormones were assessed. Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNNEL assay and by apoptosis markers (FAS, FASL, Caspase 3, SLTM). Histological examination of ovarian tissue was assessed. Histological examination of ovarian tissues revealed that at high dose of BPA, there was significant increase in the number of atretic follicles whereas the numbers of primordial, primary, secondar, graafian follicles were significantly decreased. Moreover, all genetic and protein markers of apoptosis were significantly elevated in BPA treated rat groups with decreased estrogen receptor expression in the ovarian tissue. Results also showed significant elevation in plasma levels of LH and FSH, ovarian tissue levels of MDA, significant decrease in estradiol (E2), progesterone. Increased apoptotic cells were confirmed by TUNEL assay. All histological and laboratory abnormalities were significantly ameliorated after treatment with MSCs. In conclusion, follicles atresia is caused by BPA through upregulated expression of apoptosis related genes. MSCs induced significant amelioration of BPA induced-ovarian damage as regards apoptosis markers, biochemical and gonadal axis hormones.