title: Effects of spirulina on cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian toxicity in rats: biochemical and histomorphometric evaluation of the ovary.
abstract: Cyclophosphamide (Cyc) is known to cause ovotoxicity and infertility in women. Our aim is to investigate the possible ovotoxic effects of Cyc and possible antioxidant and protective effects of blue-green algae, Spirulina (Sp), in rat ovaries. Eighteen rats were given: group I (n = 6, control); group II (n = 6, CP), a single dose Cyc; group III (n = 6, Sp+Cyc), 7 days Sp+single dose Cyc. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities are assessed biochemically. Normal and atretic primordial and primary follicle counts for all sections obtained for each ovary are calculated. Mean number of follicle counts for each group are compared. In Sp+Cyc group, tissue MDA levels were significantly lower than those in the CP and higher than those in the C group (CP > Sp+Cyc > C). Tissue SOD activity was significantly higher in Sp+Cyc group than that in the CP group and lower than that in the C group (C > Sp+Cyc > C). No statistically significant difference was found between the ovarian CAT activities in any group. Histomorphometrically, there was also no significant difference between the mean numbers of normal and atretic small follicle counts. Our results suggest that single dose Cyc has adverse effects on oxidant status of the ovaries and Sp has protective effects in Cyc-induced ovotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Maltepe University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Maltepe, 34843 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nese Arzu
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Yener
authors.forename: Orhun
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sinanoglu
authors.forename: Erdin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ilter
authors.forename: Aygen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Gulbuz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sezgin
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Midi
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Deveci
authors.forename: Fehime
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aksungar