title: Effects of high molecular weight water-soluble chitosan on in vitro fertilization and ovulation in mice fed a high-fat diet.
abstract: 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.
authors: Biological Science Major, College of Natural Sciences, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Korea.
authors: Hee Gon
authors: HG
authors: Choi
authors: Jin Kyung
authors: JK
authors: Kim
authors: Dong Hoon
authors: DH
authors: Kwak
authors: Jung Ran
authors: JR
authors: Cho
authors: Ji Yeoun
authors: JY
authors: Kim
authors: Byung Jin
authors: BJ
authors: Kim
authors: Kyu Yong
authors: KY
authors: Jung
authors: Bong Kyu
authors: BK
authors: Choi
authors: Min Kyo
authors: MK
authors: Shin
authors: Young Kug
authors: YK
authors: Choo
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan