Abstract
BackgroundBrain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) was originally described in the nervous system but has been shown to be expressed in ovary tissues recently, acting as a paracrine/autocrine regulator required for developments of follicles and oocytes. Although it is generally accepted that chronic stress impairs female reproduction and decreases the expression of BDNF in limbic structures of central nervous system, which contributes to mood disorder. However, it is not known whether chronic stress affects oocytes developments, nor whether it affects expression of BDNF in ovary.MethodsMice were randomly assigned into control group, stressed group, BDNF-treated group and BDNF-treated stressed group. The chronic unpredictable mild stress model was used to produce psychosocial stress in mice, and the model was verified by open field test and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. The methods of immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to detect BDNF protein level and distribution. The number of retrieved oocytes, oocyte maturation, embryo cleavage and the rates of blastocyst formation after parthenogenetic activation were evaluated.ResultsChronic unpredictable stress decreased the BDNF expression in antral follicles, but didn’t affect the BDNF expression in primordial, primary and secondary follicles. Chronic unpredictable stress also decreased the number of retrieved oocytes and the rate of blastocyst formation, which was rescued by exogenous BDNF treatment.ConclusionBDNF in mouse ovaries may be related to the decreased number of retrieved oocytes and impaired oocytes developmental potential induced by chronic unpredictable stress.
Highlights
Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is a member of the nerve growth factor family that is important for neuronal survival and plasticity
A growing body of evidence demonstrated that chronic stress decreases the expression of BDNF in limbic structures in the central nervous system, which may contribute to mood disorder[11,12,13]
We proposed that ovarian BDNF expression and oocytes development may be affected by chronic stress, and the modulated BDNF is responsible for decreased oocytes development induced by chronic stress
Summary
Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is a member of the nerve growth factor family that is important for neuronal survival and plasticity. A growing body of evidence demonstrated that chronic stress decreases the expression of BDNF in limbic structures in the central nervous system, which may contribute to mood disorder[11,12,13] It is not known whether chronic stress affects oocytes development, nor whether it affects the expression of BDNF in ovary. It is generally accepted that chronic stress impairs female reproduction and decreases the expression of BDNF in limbic structures of central nervous system, which contributes to mood disorder. It is not known whether chronic stress affects oocytes developments, nor whether it affects expression of BDNF in ovary
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