Lactoferrin is associated with a decrease in oocyte depletion in mice receiving cyclophosphamide

Objective: To investigate new important molecules involved in the regulation of chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage and, based on those results, to examine the effect of lactoferrin on cyclophosphamide (CPM)-induced ovarian failure. Design: Complementary DNA microarray and the administration of lactoferrin. Setting: Experimental animal study. Animal(s): Female imprinting control region mice. Intervention(s): Administration of CPM to mice, isolation of ovaries, isolation of RNA, microarray hybridization, and statistical analysis. According to the results of the microarray assay, administration of lactoferrin to CPM-treated mice, isolation of ovaries, isolation of RNA, and evaluation using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and histomorphometric analyses. Main Outcome Measure(s): A list of nine down-regulated and two up-regulated genes with reliable hybridization signals was obtained. Several target molecules were then investigated. Result(s): Among the listed genes, we focused on the mouse lactoferrin gene, because of its CPM-induced expression pattern and its multiple novel functions. Oral administration of bovine lactoferrin prevented down-regulation of the ovulation-related,Adamts1 and partial recovery of follicle depletion induced by CPM treatment. Conclusion(s): The present report suggests that lactoferrin helps to rescue the ability to ovulate and partially to prevent oocyte depletion in mouse ovaries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]