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GNRH agonists and antagonists in rescue for cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian damage: friend or foe?

  • Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To find out if GnRH agonist (GnRHa) and GnRH antagonist (GnRHant) offer ovarian protection from cyclophosphamide (Cyc) and if AMH expression is affected.

Methods

This experimental study was conducted in Baskent University Animal research laboratory and 66 virgin Wistar albino rats were assigned to six groups. The control group received intraperitoneal saline injection. The GnRHa group had a single dose of leuprolide acetate (1 mg/kg) 28 days prior to saline injection. The GnRHant group had a single dose of cetrorelix acetate (0.1 mg/kg) 1 h prior to saline injection. The Cyc group had a single intraperitoneal dose of Cyc (75 mg/kg). The GnRHa+Cyc group had a single dose of leuprolide acetate (1 mg/kg) 28 days prior to Cyc (75 mg/kg). The GnRHant+Cyc group had single dose of cetrorelix acetate (0.1 mg/kg) 1 h prior to Cyc (75 mg/kg). At day 35, the animals were euthanized, and their ovaries were removed. Primordial follicles were counted and AMH expression was determined. The Kruskal–Wallis, χ 2, or Fisher’s exact test was used where appropriate. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

PMF count was reduced in GnRHant (p < 0.01) and Cyc (p < 0.01) groups. Cyc, GnRHa+Cyc and GnRHant+Cyc groups had similar numbers of PMF. AMH expression was reduced in Cyc, GnRHa+Cyc and GnRHant+Cyc groups (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Neither GnRHa nor GnRHant can offer protection against Cyc-induced damage. GnRHant itself reduces the number of primordial follicles.

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Acknowledgments

We thank veterinary surgeon Didem Bacanlı and her team for support during the experiments and Cağla Sarıturk for statistical analysis.

Conflict of interest

We have no financial relationship with the drug companies. We have full control of all primary data and that we agree to allow the journal to review their data if requested. We declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical standard

The study was approved by the Baskent University Animal Care and Use Committee (DA 11/02). The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

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Correspondence to Huriye A. Parlakgumus.

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Parlakgumus, H.A., Kilicdag, E.B., Bolat, F.A. et al. GNRH agonists and antagonists in rescue for cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian damage: friend or foe?. Arch Gynecol Obstet 291, 1403–1410 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3564-2

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