P-29: Crocin Down-Regulated The Cyclophosphamid-Increased Follicular Atresia in Mice

Background: Although the chemotherapeutic agents have been known for their cytotoxic effects on normal mammalian cells, these compounds are used widely for controlling the carcinogenic cells proliferation. Cyclophosphamide (CP), a well-known nitrogen mustard alkylating agent is used for autoimmune disorders and tumors treatment. Considering the inhibitory effect of CP on cell division, the ovary, a tissue with high rate of mitosis, can be considered as a probable target tissue for CP. Thus, present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Crocin on CP-induced follicular atresia. Materials and Methods: Fifteen mature female albino mice were divided into three groups (N=5 in each group) as control and test groups. The test groups subdivided into two groups including; CP alone (15 mg/kg, once in week, ip.) and CP+crocin (200 mg/kg, daily, ip.). The control group received normal saline (0.1ml, daily, ip.). Following 21 days, the ovaries were dissected out and the follicular atresia in different stages was evaluated using serial sections. Moreover, oocyte denaturation, the granulosa cells (GC) dissociation and theca cells luteinization were evaluated as critical characteristics for atresia. Results: Histological observations demonstrated that CP significantly (p<0.05) increased follicular atresia versus the crocin-administrated animals. Comparing the different types of atretic follicles showed that the CP severely (p<0.05) impacted the secondary and tertiary follicles. Meanwhile, the crocin-received animals manifested with remarkably (p<0.05) reduced atresia in different types of follicles. Conclusion: Our data showed that the CP exerts its pathological impact partly by promoting atresia. Moreover, the crocin as a potent antioxidant agent could downregulate the CP-increased atresia.