Effects of n-acetylcysteine on ovarian tissue autografted into granulation tissue compared to back muscle in rats

Abstract

Background/aim: Ovarian transplantation can preserve fertility in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to compare ovarian transplantation into granulation tissue (GT) versus back muscle (BM) sites and also to investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as an antioxidant on ovarian survival in a rat autograft model. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight adult female rats were divided into four equal groups (n = 7 each) as follows: Group 1, ovarian tissue grafted into GT + saline (GT + saline); Group 2, ovarian tissue grafted into GT + NAC (GT + NAC); Group 3, ovarian tissue grafted into BM + saline (BM + saline); and Group 4, ovarian tissue grafted into BM + NAC (BM + NAC). After 28 days, serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), progesterone, and estradiol (E2) were measured. Ovarian follicle counts were performed from hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides. Furthermore, apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Results: There were no significant differences found in levels of MDA, progesterone, and E2 among the groups. The percentage of apoptotic granulosa cells was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the ovarian tissue autografted in the GT + NAC group compared to the GT + saline and BM + NAC groups. In addition, the number of blood vessels formed in the ovarian tissue in the GT + NAC group was significantly higher than in the GT + saline and BM + NAC groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: The granulation tissue site is a suitable candidate for ovarian graft in rats. Furthermore, NAC could not restore autografted ovarian functions.