Interoduction: One of the most well-known endocrinopathies in females in the period of reproduction is the Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is activated by the long-acting steroid, estradiol valerate (EV) that leads it to appear quickly due to metabolic and physiological abnormalities. It has been found that oxidative stress may lead to PCOS. Among the natural antioxidant products, pomegranate molasses (PM) is widely used.
Objective: The goal of this work was to explore the possible protection of PM on EV induced PCOS in female adult albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty normally cyclic female adult albino rats were separated into four groups (ten rats for each group); Group I: control group, Group II: pomegranate molesses treated group, Group III: estradiol valerate treated group and Group IV: estradiol valerate and pomegranate molesses treated group. After 6 weeks, cytological analysis of the vaginal smear for rats in all groups was performed to evaluate the state of the estrous cycle and then all animals were sacrificed and their ovaries were excised and handled for histological and immunohistochemical studies.
Results: Estradiol valerate treated group showed irregular cycles or constant cycles in estrous phase (Persistent Vaginal Cornification, PVC) which were considered as signs of PCO. Histologically, there was a significant decline in the number of the different healthy follicles in the cortices with the presence of multiple cystic and atretic follicles and also large congested blood vessels with hemorrhage. Immunohistochemically, the number of i-NOS positive granulosa, theca, and interstitial cells increased significantly in this group with increase of image optical density (IOD) for all these positive cells. Pomegranate molesses supplementation with estradiol valerate in group IV has ameliorating effect on the vaginal smear, histological and immunohistochemical abnormalities of the ovaries.
Conclusion: There is a potential benefit in using pomegranate molesses with EV induced PCOS.