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Neonatal androgenization in rats affects oocyte maturation

  • Reproductive Biology: Original Article
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Abstract

Androgens are relevant in order to achieve a normal growth and maturation of the follicle and oocyte, since both excess and absence of androgens may affect the correct ovarian function. The current study analyzes the impact of neonatal androgenization in the first ovulation and oocyte maturation in response to exogenous gonadotrophin stimulation. Neonatal rats were daily treated with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or vehicle during follicle assembly period (days 1 to 5). At juvenile period, rats were stimulated sequentially with PMSG and hCG. Ovulation, ovarian histology, hormonal milieu, morphological characteristics of meiotic spindle, and in vitro fertilization rate in oocytes were analyzed. Our data shows that oocytes from androgenized rats displayed a major proportion of aberrant spindles and altered meiotic advance that control animals. These alterations were accompanied with an increase in both fertilization rate and aberrant embryos after 48 h of culture. Our findings showed a direct impact of neonatal androgens on oocyte development; their effects may be recognized at adulthood, supporting the idea of a programming effect exerted by neonatal androgens. These results could be relevant to explain the low fertility rate seen in polycystic ovary syndrome patients after in vitro fertilization procedures.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge Karina Hernández for histotechnical assistance, Mariela Santos for animal care support, and Dana Kimelman for the revision of the English manuscript.

Funding

This research was partially supported by the PEDECIBA, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Gabriel Anesetti & Rebeca Chávez-Genaro

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  1. Gabriel Anesetti
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  2. Rebeca Chávez-Genaro
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Correspondence to Gabriel Anesetti.

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Animal care and protocols were in accordance with international guides for use of laboratory animals and approved by the local Experimental Animal Committee (Comisión Honoraria de Experimentación Animal, CHEA, Universidad de la República, Protocol number: 070153-000358-18), Montevideo, Uruguay.

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Anesetti, G., Chávez-Genaro, R. Neonatal androgenization in rats affects oocyte maturation. Reprod. Sci. 28, 2799–2806 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00559-6

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