This study evaluates the effect of melatonin on follicular dynamics in neonate vitrified ovarian grafts. Vitrified ovaries from neonate F1 hybrid mice, candidates for transplantation to treated or non-treated groups, were thawed under standard conditions with or without the addition of 100 μM melatonin, respectively. Following transplantation, melatonin (20 mg/kg/day) or saline solution was injected i.p. into the treated and the non-treated groups, respectively. Vaginal cytology to monitor estrogenic activity together with follicle survival and development in the ovary grafts was examined.
The results showed that the sites of transplantation became obvious within the oestrous phase. Histological analysis showed that there was a dynamic of the ovogenesis process in the vitrified ovary grafts. However, in the ovary graft the empty cavity together with jumbled oocyte-granulosa complex in the non-treated group was higher than in the melatonin treated group.
Overall, the number of primary follicles in the ovary grafts of both groups remained constant throughout the oestrous period. However, the treated ovary grafts contained more secondary follicles throughout the oestrous period in comparison to non-treated ovary grafts. The antral follicle rates were more marked in the melatonin treated group than in the non-treated group during the oestrous period, whereas at other days of the cycle no significant difference was observed. The fresh corpora lutea rates were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the non-treatment group.
The study showed that there is a positive effect with melatonin resulting in more grafts restoring puberty. Furthermore, the associated increase in healthy follicles suggests that melatonin has a preventative ischaemia/antioxidant action and may be useful to follicles. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 1: 18-23)