Protective effects of quercetin on uterine receptivity markers and blastocyst implantation rate in diabetic pregnant mice

Abstract

ObjectiveDiabetic women have different reproductive problems. In pregnant diabetic women, high rates of perinatal mortality, spontaneous abortion and congenital anomalies are observed. We hypothesized that quercetin, as an antidiabetic and phytoestrogen, might have protective effects on the embryo implantation in pregnant diabetic mice. We investigated the ameliorative effects of quercetin on the levels of serum estrogen and progesterone, rate of blastocyst implantation, and uterine receptivity markers in diabetic mice. Materials and methodsDiabetic and healthy female mice were treated with quercetin (30 mg/kg/day) four weeks before pregnancy. Plasma sex-steroid levels were determined on day 4 of pregnancy. Also, uteri were harvested for investigation of protein and mRNA expression changes. In another set of our study, implantation rate was determined on day 5 of pregnancy. ResultsOur results indicated that quercetin was significantly reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. The number of implantation sites as well as serum estradiol level was reduced in diabetic mice, and then treatment with quercetin significantly increased both. On the other hand, insulin like growth factor1, integrin αvβ3, and cyclooxygenase2 mRNA expression in the uterus of diabetic mice were significantly reduced, and quercetin treatment augmented the expression level of these genes. Besides, the level of inactive β-catenin protein level in the uterus of diabetic mice was higher than normal group; treatment with quercetin reduced the level of inactive β-catenin protein as compared to diabetic mice. ConclusionWe conclude that administration of quercetin before pregnancy can probably alleviate reproductive problems in diabetic women likely via its estrogenic and antihyperglycemic effects.