-Carnitine improves follicular survival and function in ovarian grafts in the mouse

Abstract

Context Ovarian tissue transplantation is performed to preserve fertility in patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, the ischemia-reperfusion injury which occurs after the ovarian tissue transplantation causes follicular depletion and apoptosis. l-Carnitine has antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties. Aims Therefore, we aimed to investigate the beneficial effect of l-carnitine on mouse ovaries following heterotopic autotransplantation. Methods Mice were randomly divided into three groups (six mice per group): control, autografted and autografted + l-carnitine (200 mg/kg daily intraperitoneal injections). Seven days after ovary autografting, the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 were measured. Ovary histology, serum concentrations of progesterone and estradiol were also measured 28 days after autotransplantation. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test, and the means were considered significantly different at P < 0.05. Key results In the autografted + l-carnitine group, the total volume of the ovary, the volume of the cortex, the number of follicles, the serum concentrations of IL-10, estradiol and progesterone significantly increased compared to the autografted group. In the autografted + l-carnitine group, serum concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α and MDA were significantly decreased compared to the autografted group. Conclusions Our results indicated that l-carnitine can ameliorate the consequences of ischemia-reperfusion on the mice ovarian tissue following autotransplantation. Implications l-carnitine improves the structure and function of transplanted ovaries.