Anti-macrophage inhibitory factor antibody inhibits PMSG-hCG-induced follicular growth and ovulation in mice

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of an anti-MIF antibody on PMSG-hCG-induced murine follicular growth and ovulation and to determine whether MIF plays an essential role in this process. Methods: Mice were primed with an intraperitoneal injection of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and were treated with an anti-rat MIF antibody and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce ovulation. After that, the ovulated ova were counted. The ovaries were studied using standard histological procedures. Results: Ovaries treated with the anti-MIF antibody showed reduced numbers of growing follicles surrounded by granulosa cells and theca cells with a little proliferation compared with the control. The average numbers of ova collected from mice treated with the anti-MIF antibody were reduced compared with those collected from control mice. Conclusions: Anti-MIF antibody inhibits the follicular growth and ovulation in mice, and MIF may play an important role in the inflammatory reactions during follicle growth and ovulation.