Evaluation of protective effect of fennel on mouse ovary against the destructive effects of cyclophosphamide (CP) was the aim of this study. Adult female NMARI mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8): (A) negative control, (B) CP200 mg/kg, (C) fennel 400 mg/kg/day, (E, F, and D) that received fennel 200, 400 and 100 mg/kg/day respectively + CP200 mg/kg. Their ovary weight, volume, and diameter (WVD) were measured. Five micron sections were stained using the H&E method. The serum levels of oestrogen and progesterone were measured using ELISA kit. The results showed that WVD significantly reduced in the CP-treated groups in comparison with the A and C, but WVD increased after treatment of the mice with fennel extract, in comparison with B group. A significant decrease of serum in terms of oestrogen and progesterone levels among CP-treated groups in comparison with the A group was observed. In the CP-treated groups a reduction in the number of different ovarian follicles in comparison with the A and C groups was observed. However, in the treated animals with fennel extract, these parameters significantly increased in comparison with the B group. Finally, it is concluded that fennel can protect ovary from cyclophosphamide side effects.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents a significant challenge in women’s reproductive health, characterized by disrupted folliculogenesis and ovulatory dysfunction. Central to PCOS pathogenesis are granulosa cells, whose dysfunction contributes to aberrant steroid hormone production and oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction emerges as a key player, influencing cellular energetics, oxidative stress, and steroidogenesis. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) and their exosomes in mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in PCOS granulosa cells. Methods: Using a rat model of PCOS induced by letrozole, granulosa cells were harvested and cultured. MenSCs and their exosomes were employed to assess their effects on mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress, and estrogen production in PCOS granulosa cells. Results: Results showed diminished mitochondrial biogenesis and increased oxidative stress in PCOS granulosa cells, alongside reduced estrogen production. Treatment with MenSCs and their exosomes demonstrated significant improvements in mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress levels, and estrogen production in PCOS granulosa cells. Further analysis showed MenSCs' superior efficacy over exosomes, attributed to their sustained secretion of bioactive factors. Mechanistically, MenSCs and exosomes activated pathways related to mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidative defense, highlighting their therapeutic potential for PCOS. Conclusions: This study offers insights into granulosa cells mitochondria’s role in PCOS pathogenesis and proposes MenSCs and exosomes as a potential strategy for mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in PCOS. Further research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and validate clinical efficacy, presenting promising avenues for addressing PCOS complexity.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E on mancozeb-induced testis damage of the first-generation pups during intrauterine and lactating periods. Two groups of pregnant NMRI mice received 500 mg/kg mancozeb (MNZ) as MNZ group and 200 mg/kg vitamin E as MNZ+vit.E group before receiving MNZ. In addition, a vehicle and a control group were designed every other day in gestation and lactation periods. The male pups from each group were maintained until adulthood (8-10 W). The left testes and epididymides were removed following the sacrifice of the pups. Then, they were weighed, and sperm parameters including number, viability, motility, and morphology and testis structure were evaluated. A significant decrease occurred in sperm parameters of the mancozeb-treated pups compared to the control and vehicle groups. Treatment with vitamin E reversed the deleterious effects of MNZ to a nearly normal condition. Testis parameters including the weight, gonadosomatic index, seminiferous tubule diameters, and Johnsen’s score, as well as the number of germ cells such as spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid, and Sertoli, decreased significantly in the MNZ group, compared to the amount in the control and vehicle groups. Interestingly, the treatment with vitamin E was reversed in most of these parameters. Based on the results, the exposure of pups to mancozeb during pregnancy and lactating periods negatively affects the reproductive system of male pups. However, the coadministration of vitamin E could prevent the deleterious effects of mancozeb on sperm and testis parameters.

The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of fennel and flaxseed during pre- and post-natal period until puberty and menopause on ovarian follicular reserve (OFR). Pregnant NMRI mice received fennel (FV, 500 mg/kg/day), flaxseed (LU, 500 mg/kg/day), LU + FV (500 mg/kg/day) and no treatment was given to the controls. Female pups were studied on post-natal-days 1, 56 and 240 (PND1, 56, 240). Ovary weight and diameters, the number of primordial (PF), atretic (AF) and apoptotic (APF) follicles were determined. The expression of Bcl2 and STAT3 (apoptosis-related-genes), micoRNA-125a-5p, and also serum levels of sex hormones were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test. FV and FV + LU groups showed a marked rise in body and ovary weights and diameters as compared to the control group. The number of PF at PND1, PND56, and PND240 increased significantly in the FV and FV + LU groups but decreased in the LU group compared to the control mice. There was a significant reduction in the mean of AF in the FV and FV + LU group and a marked increase in the LU group compared to the controls. Also, more APF were observed in the LU group, whereas less apoptotic follicles were present in the FV group. FSH and estradiol serum levels increased significantly while LH decreased in the FV group. The anti-apoptotic-genes expression and pro-apoptotic microRNA, respectively, increased and decreased in the FV group versus control group. It can be concluded that fennel alone and in combination with flaxseed could improve OFR during pregnancy, lactation, and afterwards until puberty and menopause.

Background: Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) is traditionally suggested for the fertility improvement in Iranian lore due to its antioxidant and phytoestrogen compounds. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of fennel seed and its hydroalcoholic extract on the serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and folliculogenesis in offspring exposed to either of the treatments in utero and 56 days after birth (PND 56). Methods: Pregnant NMRI mice were randomly divided into 5 groups of 7: extract-treated groups received 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day fennel extract (FE), seed-treated groups received 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day fennel seed (FS), and the control group (CTL) received no treatment. The treatments started from pregnancy day 1 and continued until PND 56. Body and right ovary weights and ovary dimensions were recorded. Hematoxylin and eosin stained ovary sections were prepared to calculate the proportion of different follicles. The level of TAC in the serums was also measured by fluorescence recovery after photo bleaching. Results: A marked rise in the body and ovary weights of treated mice was observed compared to the CTL group. The mean number of primordial, primary, pre-antral, and pre-ovulatory follicles as well as corpus luteum size in the treated offspring was significantly higher compared to those of CTL offspring. The atretic follicle number was nonsignificantly lower in either of the treatment groups compared with that in the CTL. However, treatment of animals with 500 mg/kg FE showed a more pronounced effect. Animals in FS500, FE500 and FE1000 groups had a significantly higher level of serum TAC compared to the CTL group. Conclusions: Fennel extract and seed administration in pregnancy and lactation period improve offspring’s folliculogenesis. Higher level of TAC in the serum of offspring might have positively altered the folliculogenesis milieu.