The therapeutic potential of utilizing mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for remedying premature ovarian failure in female rats.

Document Type : Original full papers (regular papers)

Authors

1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Fayoum University, El Fayoum

2 Zoology Dept, Nasr City, Al A-Azhar University

3 Center for Genetic Engineering- Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo

Abstract

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in treating premature ovarian failure (POF) induced by chemotherapy. Twenty-one female Albino Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: a negative control group, a positive control group receiving cyclophosphamide (CPA) to induce POF, and a treatment group receiving BM-MSC therapy following POF induction. Hormonal levels of FSH, LH, E2, and progesterone were measured using ELISA, and the ovarian structure was assessed histologically. BM-MSC homing in the ovary was confirmed using PKH-26 labelled cells under a fluorescent microscope.

Results showed that CPA administration increased FSH levels and decreased E2 and progesterone levels, along with significant loss of primordial follicles, stromal blood vessel damage, and fibrosis. In contrast, BM-MSC therapy facilitated near-normal restoration of hormonal levels, enhanced ovarian folliculogenesis, and mitigated histological damage. Specifically, BM-MSCs helped restore the balance of E2, progesterone, and FSH levels and repaired the ovarian structure by reducing fibrosis and blood vessel damage. The study concludes that BM-MSCs significantly regenerate follicle maturation in CPA-induced ovarian damage, highlighting their potential as a therapeutic option for mitigating chemotherapy-induced POF.

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