Abstract
CONTEXT: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of progesterone on survival, in vitro growth and in vitro maturation of follicles and the maturation of oocytes derived from mouse polycystic ovary. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To induce polycystic ovary (PCO) female NMRI mice 21 days old were injected daily with testosterone enanthate 1 mg/100g body weight dissolved in sesame oil for 4 weeks (PCO group), while non-PCO group were injected only with vehicle. Follicles were derived from both groups and cultured in MEM-α medium either with progesterone or without progesterone. Sizes of follicles were measured in days 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12. After 12 days follicles were transferred to mature medium, follicles from two groups were cultured for 24 and 48 h and the in vitro maturation of oocytes was assessed. RESULTS: In PCO groups with progesterone, survival and in vitro growth of follicles, significantly increased as compared with PCO groups without progesterone (p<0.05). The in vitro maturation rate in PCO group with progesterone was significantly higher than in those not treated by progesterone (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that progesterone can improve survival, in vitro growth and in vitro maturation of follicles derived from mouse polycystic ovary.