Role of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Restoring Ovarian Structure of Adult Albino Rats with Chemotherapy-Induced Ovarian Failure: A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Damage to the reproductive system is one of the most devastating effects of chemotherapeutic treatment. It is frequently associated with premature ovarian failure (POF). Therefore, this study was planned to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) in a rat model of chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure.Methods and results: This study was carried out on forty adult female albino rats. They were divided into: Group I Control Group (n=8) received a vehicle of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution. Group II in which ovarian failure (OF) was induced using combined cyclophosphamide/busulfan therapy and were sacrificed after one week (gIIa n=8) and after five weeks (gIIb n=8). Group III in which rats received ADSCs after chemotherapy and were sacrificed after one week (gIIIa n=8) and after four weeks (gIIIb n=8). Blood samples were analysed for serum estradiol, FSH & LH. Ovarian sections were subjected to H&E, Masson´s Trichrome and immunohistochemical staining for anti-PCNA antibody. The mean number of primordial follicles, mean area % of collagen fibers, mean area % of +ve immunoreactivity for PCNA were measured by histomorphometric studies and statistically compared. ADSCs proved to have a therapeutic potential in improving ovarian structure and function following chemotherapy, evidenced at both the morphological and laboratory level.Conclusions: The greatest effect of ADSCs was achieved after the longer duration of therapy which lasted for four weeks.