Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To define whether anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) may be a marker of acute cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced germ cell destruction in mice pretreated with the GnRH antagonist, cetrorelix. DESIGN: Controlled, experimental study. SETTING: Research laboratory in a federal research facility. ANIMAL(S): Balb/c female mice (6 weeks old). INTERVENTION(S): Mice were treated with GnRH antagonist (cetrorelix) or saline for 15 days followed by 75 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg of CTX or saline control on day 9. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of primordial follicles (PMF), DNA damage, AMH protein expression, and AMH serum levels. RESULT(S): Ovaries in mice pretreated with cetrorelix had significantly more PMFs and reduced DNA damage compared with those exposed to CTX alone. Immunohistochemical staining for AMH expression and serum AMH levels did not differ significantly between treatment groups. CONCLUSION(S): Cetrorelix protected PMFs and reduced DNA damage in follicles of mice treated with CTX, but AMH levels in tissue and serum did not correlate with germ cell destruction. Further research is needed to determine the mechanism responsible for the protective effects on PMF counts observed with cetrorelix.