title: Repeated use of mifepristone and levonorgestrel and their effect on the ovarian function in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of repeated mifepristone and levonorgestrel use on estrous cycle and expression of ovarian follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ovarian FSHR and LHR mRNA expression was measured using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, while the protein levels were measured using immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeated use of mifepristone and levonorgestrel significantly lengthened the estrous cycle and decreased FSHR and LHR mRNA and protein expression in the ovaries of mice at 4, 24, and 48 days after discontinuing drug use. Repeated use of mifepristone and levonorgestrel had significant main effects on estrous cycle length and the mRNA expression and protein level of ovarian FSHR and LHR. Repeated mifepristone and levonorgestrel use and withdrawal time had a significant interaction with mouse estrous cycle (F = 16.65, P < 0.05), ovarian LHR and FSHR mRNA expression (F = 563.072, P < 0.05), and protein level (F = 6.536, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repeated use of mifepristone and levonorgestrel can lead to sustained damage to ovarian function through inhibition of ovarian FSHR and LHR expression in mice.
authors: Reproductive Medical Center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.
authors: Yuanyuan
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. sxaiobo@yahoo.com.
authors: Xiaobo
authors: X
authors: Shi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000378:metabolism; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011974:Receptors, LH; D015735:Mifepristone; D016912:Levonorgestrel
keywords: follicle-stimulating hormone receptor; levonorgestrel; luteinizing hormone receptor; mifepristone