Atrial natriuretic peptide inhibits ovarian functions in female mice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on ovarian regulation in mice through intraperitoneal administration.


METHODS
Forty-two ICR strain female mice were divided into seven groups, including one control. Each mouse received ovarian hyperstimulation. ANP was prepared with saline at concentrations of 0 (as control), 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, and 30 ng/g of body weight. The solution was intraperitoneally applied to each referred group (n = 6) 1 h before the hMG and hCG injections. The mice were sacrificed next morning and blood samples were collected for analysis.


RESULTS
A significant reduction in both ovarian weight and the number of oocytes was found as the ANP dosage increased. ANP treatment decreased both serum estradiol and progesterone levels. The pituitary FSH and LH contents elevated significantly by ANP at a dosage larger than 4 ng/g of body weight; however, both serum FSH and LH levels remained unchanged. Histologically, there were remarkable ovarian inhibitory features, i.e. reduction in size and number of follicles, arrest of follicular growth and diminution of ovulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraperitoneal administration of ANP inhibits the follicular growth, ovulation and steroidogenesis in female mice. These effects are attributed to the direct action of ANP on ovaries.
Tsai
Eing-Mei
EM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Rd., Kaohsiung 806, Taiwan.
Yang
Yong-Yu
YY
Lee
Tony Tong-Yin
TT
Chang
Yu
Y
Li
Shelly
S
Lee
Jau-Nan
JN
D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002452:Cell Count; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000187:drug effects; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000737:chemistry; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone