ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Polycystic ovary is a common cause of infertility due to anovulation. Objective. The aim of this study was to improve maturation of oocyte in cultures of follicles derived from mouse polycystic ovary by hydrostatic pressure. Subjects and Methods. Female NMRI mice 12-14 days old were injected daily with testosterone enanthate 1 mg/100g body weight dissolved in sesame oil (PCO group), for inducing polycystic ovary (PCO) while non-PCO group were injected only with vehicle for 2 and 4 weeks. The ovaries were fixed and then were used for histological studies. The isolated preantral follicles were cultured for 12 days. Follicles with good quality have been induced using human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for in vitro maturation. Then follicles from each group either were transferred to pressure chamber and subjected to 20 mmHg pressure for 30 min or no treated by hydrostatic pressure. Follicles from two groups were cultured for 24 and 48 h and the in vitro maturation of oocytes was assessed. Results. Testosterone enanthate treatment causes the histological changes in mouse ovary and significantly increased the percentage of cystic follicles and decreased the percentage of preantral and antral follicles in PCO group, in comparison to non-PCO group after four-week treatment) (P<0.05). (The in vitro maturation rate in hydrostatic pressure treated follicles was higher than in those not treated by hydrostatic pressure (P < 0.05). Conclusions. This study demonstrated that hydrostatic pressure can improve maturation of oocyte in cultures of follicles derived from mouse polycystic ovary.