Effects of high molecular weight water-soluble chitosan on in vitro fertilization and ovulation in mice fed a high-fat diet.
A high molecular weight water-soluble chitosan (WSC) with an average molecular weight of 300 kD and a deacethylation level of over 90% was produced using a simple multi-step membrane separation process. It is known that WSC prevents obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Consequently, this study investigated whether or not WSC improved the ovarian dysfunction caused by obesity in mice. The mice were fed a high density protein and lipid diet for 4 weeks, followed by the administration of WSC at 480 mg/kg body weight per day for 4 days. Thereafter, the changes in body weight, ovulation rate, in vivo and in vitro fertilization and embryonic development were measured. WSC markedly reduced the body weight of obese mice fed with a high-fat diet, but not in mice fed with a normal diet. WSC had significant effects on the ovulation rate, both the in vivo and in vitro fertilization rates and embryonic development. These results indicate an improvement in the ovarian and oviduct dysfunction caused by obesity, and suggest an adjustment in the internal secretions and metabolic functions.
Choi
Hee Gon
HG
Biological Science Major, College of Natural Sciences, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Korea.
Kim
Jin Kyung
JK
Kwak
Dong Hoon
DH
Cho
Jung Ran
JR
Kim
Ji Yeoun
JY
Kim
Byung Jin
BJ
Jung
Kyu Yong
KY
Choi
Bong Kyu
BK
Shin
Min Kyo
MK
Choo
Young Kug
YK
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002686:Chitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048271:Chitosan; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D051379:Mice; D008845:Microinjections; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy
D004041:Dietary Fats; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan