Improvement of ovarian insufficiency from alginate oligosaccharide in mice

Abstract

• In this study, the premature ovarian insufficiency model of female mice was established by the treatment of busulfan. • AOS treatment resulted in the recovery of reproductive hormone levels, follicular development and oocyte maturation. • The premature ovarian insufficiency induced by busulfan was significantly improved after AOS administration in mice. In the present society, owing to environmental and psychological pressure, female reproductive health issues are becoming increasingly prominent. Statistics report that approximately 15% childbearing age couples suffer from infertility worldwide. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) have recently attracted increased attention for their roles in the reproductive system, particularly in males. However, the role of AOS on ovarian development have not been previously reported. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of AOS on ovarian function disorder. In this study, female mice were treated with busulfan to establish a premature ovarian insufficiency model. Through comparative analysis of the ovarian function and follicular development in the control, busulfan treatment and AOS treated groups, the rescuing effect and mechanisms of AOS on ovarian insufficiency were explored. Our results for the first time revealed that the phenotype of premature ovarian insufficiency induced by busulfan treatment, in mice, was significantly improved after AOS administration. AOS treatment resulted in the recovery of reproductive hormone levels, up-regulated expression of follicular development-related key proteins, and the restoration of oocyte maturation and histone methylation modification. This provides a theoretical therapeutic approach for the prevention of ovarian and oocyte quality decline.