title: In vitro effects of dexamethasone on mouse ovarian function and pre-implantation embryo development.
abstract: The effect of dexamethasone (5-80 microg/ml) on ovarian function and embryo development was studied in mice. The follicle bio-assay revealed no effects of DEX up to 40 microg/ml on folliculogenesis and oogenesis, whereas 80 microg/ml hampered follicle differentiation and oocyte maturation. Androgen, estrogen and progestin secretion patterns were strongly impaired at all doses levels. However, the ovulation-induced progesterone increase indicating that the steroid pathway was activated in presence of DEX. Applying the oil-free mouse embryo assay no alteration of DEX on the first cleavage stages were observed whereas blastocyst rate decreased from 20 microg/ml DEX onwards, and hatching capacity was already impaired in presence of 10 microg/ml DEX. In conclusion, steroidogenesis was affected from 5 microg/ml onwards and the minimum effective inhibitory dose was set at 10 microg/ml for early embryo development. Based on these in vitro findings, physiological or therapeutic levels of glucocorticosteroids are unlikely to affect female fertility.
authors.affiliation: EggCentris NV, Z1 Researchpark 310, B-1731 Zellik, Belgium. Valerie.Van.Merris@EggCentris.com
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Van Merris
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Wemmel
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cortvrindt
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011372:Progestins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011372:Progestins; D003907:Dexamethasone