Interaction between melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone promotes in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the in vitro culture of goat preantral follicles. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 7 d in α-minimum essential medium (α-MEM(+)) containing melatonin (100, 250, 500, or 1,000 pM), FSH (50 ng/mL), or a combination of the 2 hormones and further analyzed by histology and transmission electron and fluorescent microscopy. The results showed that after 7 d of culture, tissues cultured in α-MEM(+) alone or supplemented with FSH alone, melatonin (500 and 1,000 pM), or the combination of FSH and melatonin (1,000 pM) maintained percentages of normal preantral follicles similar to the fresh control. In contrast to the noncultured tissues, the percentage of developing follicles was increased under all culture conditions after 7 d (P < 0.05). The addition of 1,000 pM melatonin associated with FSH to the culture medium increased follicular and oocyte diameters compared with α-MEM(+) alone after 7 d of culture (P < 0.05). Ultrastructural and fluorescent analyses confirmed the integrity of follicles cultured with 1,000 pM of melatonin plus FSH for 7 d. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the interaction between melatonin and FSH maintains ultrastructural integrity and stimulates further growth of cultured caprine preantral follicles.

Protective effects of melatonin against metabolic and reproductive disturbances in polycystic ovary syndrome in rats

“…The decrease in the thickness of theca interna supports the hypothesis of reduced androgen biosynthesis by the ovary. Melatonin has been shown to stimulate folliculogenesis in primordial follicles when co‐incubated with FSH [43]. As a result, there was an increase in percentage of ovulated follicles in melatonin groups when compared with positive control.…”

Peripheral Reproductive Organ Health and Melatonin: Ready for Prime Time

“…When cultured caprine ovarian fragments containing primordial follicles were incubated in medium containing both melatonin (concentrations ranging from 100 pM to 1 nM) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH; 50 ng/mL), folliculogenesis proceeded at a more rapid rate when compared to tissues treated with either agent alone [102]. After the addition of both melatonin (1 nM) and FSH, follicle size and ovum diameters were increased above those of other treatment groups after 7 days of incubation.…”

Essential actions of melatonin in protecting the ovary from oxidative damage

“…Although the information about the involvement of melatonin on preantral follicle development is limited, in a recent study, it was reported that melatonin in association with FSH promotes follicular growth of caprine preantral follicles [65]. Several studies also have described the effects of melatonin in antral follicles, such as regulation of sex steroid production, LH mRNA expression, Bcl2 and Casp3 production, and insulin-like growth factor and transforming growth factor beta activity [3,21,66].…”