title: The adverse effects of methoxsalen on the oogenesis of BALB/c mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Methoxsalen is a natural photoactive compound which is found in many seed plants. A number of epidermal proliferative disorders can be treated by methoxsalen along with long wave ultraviolet A (UVA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In an experimental study, we aimed to demonstrate the effect of methoxsalen, UVA and their combination on oogenesis Balb/C mice. There were two experimental groups and a control group. The experimental groups were composed of i. a short term group with treatment duration of 15 days and ii. a long term group with treatment duration of 5 weeks. Both the long term and short term experimental groups were further subdivided into a UVA group, a methoxsalen group and a methoxsalen plus UVA group. After treatment, mature females in prosterus phase of ovarian cycle were scarified with ether, while their ovaries were removed and prepared for histological studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both macro and microscopic studies showed significant anomalies (p<0.05) among experimental group ovaries as compared to control group. The obtained results showed a significant decrease in the following factors: number and diameter of corpus lutei, Graafian follicles, diameter of granulosa cell layer and oocytes, number of primordial and primary and growing follicles, while we observed an increase in number of atretic follicle. Furthermore, our findings confirmed an increase in theca diameter only through UVA treatment. Methoxsalen also reduced circulating estrogen levels in blood serum, significantly. Other cases of teratogenecity, such as follicles with three oocytes and disorganization in corpus luteum cells were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The result suggests that UVA, methoxsalen and their combination cause health problems and cell injuries.
authors.affiliation: 1.Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Saveh, Iran.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farhadi
authors.affiliation: 2.Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Ayatolah Amoli Branch, Amol, Iran.
authors.forename: Esmaeil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fattahi
authors.affiliation: 3.Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Homa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohseni Kouchesfahani
authors.affiliation: 4.Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shockravi
authors.affiliation: 3.Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Kazem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parivar
keywords: Abnormality; Estrogen; Follicles; Methoxsalen; Ovaries