Ovarian dysfunction after ischemia-reperfusion of the ovarian blood vessel in experimental rats

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) lead to oxidative stress in tissue or organ dysfunction. To confirm ovarian dysfunction by ROS, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) treatment of the ovarian blood vessels was performed using experimental rats in this study. Preventive effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as a radical scavenger against ovarian I/R injury was also examined. Hormonal sensitivities to equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the ovary decreased after the I/R. Ovarian tissue and ovum destruction were also observed. These changes could be prevented by SOD administration. Our data suggest that I/R injury related to ROS production causes ovarian dysfunction. The dysfunction is prevented by administration of a radical scavenger.