Abstract
Simple SummaryResearchers have hitherto established hundreds of animal stress models. However, these models have some limitations due to the complexity in operation and large differences between individual animals. In particular, there are few stress models that are specifically applied in mammalian ovaries. In this study, using intraperitoneal injection of cortisol/corticosterone (CORT), we successfully established a stress model that acts on the ovarian function. Our data showed that CORT inhibits ovarian and follicular development and blocks ovulation. The establishment of this model might provide a living platform for studying ovarian stress in future research.The aim of this study is to establish an ovarian stress model, and to investigate the effects of stress on follicular development. Our data showed that continuous intraperitoneal injection of CORT successfully created a stressful environment in the ovary. To assess the effects of CORT on ovarian functions, 80 three-week-old ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) female mice were randomly divided into control group and treatment group. All mice were injected intraperitoneally with pregnant horse serum gonadotropin (PMSG). At the same time, the treatment group were injected with CORT (1 mg/mouse) at intervals of 8 h; while the control group was injected with same volume of methyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Blood, ovaries, or ovarian granulosa cell samples were collected at 24 h, 48 h, and 55 h after PMSG injection. The results showed that, compared with the control group, CORT-injected mice revealed a significant decrease in ovulation rates, ovarian weight, ovarian index, the number of secondary follicles and mature follicles, levels of estrogen and progesterone, and mRNA expression of steroid synthase-related genes. Collectively, our findings clearly demonstrated that CORT injection could represent an effective practice to simulate stresses that inhibit ovarian functions by reducing follicular development and ovulation.
Highlights
Stress is an atypical adaptive response that occurs when the body is stimulated by various internal or external environmental factors, as well as social and psychological factors [1]
No were observedwere in the appearance activity of theactivity mice, and themice, bodyand weight was weight moderately abnormalities observed in theand appearance and of the the body was increased
Our results demonstrate that mRNA levels of 3β-Hsd, Cyp11a1, Cyp19a1, and Star are significantly down-regulated after 48 h of CORT injection, consistent with the findings in Result 4, which showed a decrease in levels of hormone production after CORT injection
Summary
Stress is an atypical adaptive response that occurs when the body is stimulated by various internal or external environmental factors, as well as social and psychological factors [1]. “acute stress” generally shows a stress response within a few hours. If a stimulus is repeated several times a day, it can be called “subacute stress”. If stress lasts for weeks to months, it can be called “chronic stress” [2]. In conditions of modern intensive production, stressors such as restraint, weaning, transportation, acute stress, and chronic stress will cause damage to livestock and poultry [3,4]. After the initiation of stress response, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is activated, and the corticotropin
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
