Dietary Lipid and Cholesterol Induce Ovarian Dysfunction and Abnormal LH Response to Stimulation in Rabbits

Abstract

Background/AimExcess of fat intake is dramatically increasing in women of childbearing age and results in numerous health complications, including reproductive disorders. Using rabbit does as a biomedical model, the aim of this study was to evaluate onset of puberty, endocrine responses to stimulation and ovarian follicular maturation in females fed a high fat high cholesterol diet (HH diet) from 10 weeks of age (i.e., 2 weeks before normal onset of puberty) or a control diet (C diet).Methodology/Principal FindingsThree experiments were performed, each including 8 treated (HH group) and 8 control (C group) does. In experiment 1, the endocrine response to Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) was evaluated at 13, 18 and 22 weeks of age. In experiment 2, the follicular population was counted in ovaries of adult females (18 weeks of age). In experiment 3, the LH response to mating and steroid profiles throughout gestation were evaluated at 18 weeks of age. Fetal growth was monitored by ultrasound and offspring birth weight was recorded. Data showed a significantly higher Luteinizing hormone (LH) response after induction of ovulation at 13 weeks of age in the HH group. There was no difference at 18 weeks, but at 22 weeks, the LH response to GnRH was significantly reduced in the HH group. The number of atretic follicles was significantly increased and the number of antral follicles significantly reduced in HH does vs. controls. During gestation, the HH diet induced intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR).ConclusionThe HH diet administered from before puberty onwards affected onset of puberty, follicular growth, hormonal responses to breeding and GnRH stimulation in relation to age and lead to fetal IUGR.

Hypothyroidism Reduces the Size of Ovarian Follicles and Promotes Hypertrophy of Periovarian Fat with Infiltration of Macrophages in Adult Rabbits

“…Furthermore, hypertrophy and dysfunction of the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) have been associated with ovarian failure [3–5], suggesting an influence of periovarian environment in the follicles maturation. Other studies conducted in domestic and laboratory animals have confirmed that alterations in metabolism affect the ovarian function [6–9]. …”

Effects of Female Dietary Restriction in a Rabbit Growth Line During Rearing on Reproductive Performance and Embryo Quality

“…; Cordier et al. ). As in our results, it was previously shown in rabbit does that hypercholesterolaemic and hyperlipidic diet led to foetal growth differences between groups, with the main differences found at the term of gestation (days 27 and 28) (Picone et al.…”

Cell Signalling During Blastocyst Morphogenesis

“…On the other hand, maternal hyperlipidaemia alone may be sufficient to induce impairment to fetal growth. Using a rabbit model (Picone et al 2011;Cordier et al 2013) a high fat diet did not induce weight gain due to appetite compensation but altered lipid metabolism, hormonal reproductive function and follicular growth in the mother and triggered abnormal placental vascularisation and IUGR in the fetus. Postnatally, offspring displayed increased adiposity, weight gain and hypertension similar to other rodent models mentioned above.…”

“…Deficiency of perilipin-2 can protect against dietaryinduced obesity and its consequences. Thus, its overexpression in early embryos as a consequence of a hyperlipidic environment may indicate a first sign of later weight gain and appetite dysregulation (Picone et al 2011;Cordier et al 2013;McManaman et al 2013). …”