Decreased ovarian reserve and ovarian morphological alterations in female rat offspring exposed to a ketogenic maternal diet.

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of a ketogenic diet on morphology and follicle reserve. Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into two groups: standard diet group (n=8) and ketogenic diet group (n=8). Rats were time mated. Dams were permitted to deliver spontaneously. The animals were monitored for the onset of puberty. All the rats were weighed and anesthetized, serum anti-Müllerian hormone level was measured, and the oviducts were removed. The morphological characteristics of follicles were determined and total ovarian volumes were calculated. The mean ovarian volume was statistically significantly lower in the ketogenic diet group compared to the standard diet group (14.41±0.99 mm3 versus 18.89±1.28 mm3) (p=0.000). The mean number of antral follicles was 13.63±1.80 in the standard diet group and 4.462±0.760 in the ketogenic diet group. The mean ovarian weight of the ketogenic diet group was significantly lower than that of the standard diet group (0.42±0.06 g versus 0.815±107 g). The mean anti-Müllerian hormone levels were significantly higher in the standard diet group compared to the ketogenic diet group (1.023±4.75 ng/mL versus 0.69±0.07 ng/mL) (p=0.000). The mean percentage of staining of Ki-67 was 35.28±4.75 in the standard diet group and 16.98±3.33 in the ketogenic diet group (p=0.000). Maternal ketogenic diet reduces ovarian follicular reserve in female offspring and has important implications for maintaining reproductive potential at a population level.