ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of Neiyi recipe on the reproductive ability of mice with endometriosis (EM) and its mechanisms. Methods The EM mouse model was established and divided into Neiyi recipe group (n＝26), gestrinone group (n＝25), EM model group (n＝26), and sham operation group (n＝24). After 15 days of continuous drug intervention, 6 proestrous mice were randomly selected from each group for histomorphological observation. The remaining mice were mated at the ratio of male to female of 41 for 15 days. The pregnancy, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions and follicular development were observed and recorded in the 4 groups. The histomorphology of the liver, kidney and spleen of the mice were observed in each group. The concentrations of IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 in peritoneal fluid of the mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The pregnancy rate, volume of lesions and pelvic adhesion of the mice were significantly improved in the Neiyi recipe group compared with the gestrinone group and the EM model group (P0.05, P0.01). The ovarian histomorphological observation showed that the follicular development of the mice was better in the Neiyi recipe group than that in the gestrinone group and the EM model group. The mice in the Neiyi recipe group had significantly better outcome in improving follicular development compared with the gestrinone group (P0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of IL-2 and IL-6 in the peritoneal fluid of the mice were significantly increased in the EM model group (all P0.01), and the level of IL-10 was significantly decreased (P0.05). Compared with the EM model group, the levels of IL-2 in the peritoneal fluid of the mice were significantly decreased in the Neiyi recipe group and the gestrinone group (P0.01), the level of IL-6 in the peritoneal fluid of the mice was significantly decreased in the gestrinone group (P0.05) and the level of IL-10 was significantly increased (P0.01). The pregnancy rate of the mice was not improved in the gestrinone group, and the body mass and the wet mass of liver and kidney were significantly decreased after drug treatment (all P0.05), while the mice in the Neiyi recipe group showed no obvious damages of the liver, spleen or kidney. Conclusion Neiyi recipe can improve the pelvic microenvironment, promote follicular development and improve the reproductive ability of EM mice by inhibiting the growth of EM lesions and reducing pelvic adhesion, with no serious adverse effects and with good safety.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the mechanism by which follicular fluid from endometriosis (EM) patients blocks mouse oocyte maturation and the effect of Neiyi Recipe-medicated serum on the effect of the follicular fluid. Methods A total of 20 follicular fluid samples from infertility patients due to EM (n=10) or fallopian tube factors (control group, n=10) were clinically obtained. Neiyi Recipe-medicated serum was obtained by treating mice with intragastric administration, and were divided into 4 medium groups: Group A (control), group B (control follicular fluid), group C (EM-follicular fluid) and group D (EM-follicular fluid + Neiyi Recipe-medicated serum). The mouse germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were cultured in the above 4 types of media for in vitro maturation. And the maturity rates of oocytes in different groups were calculated and the concentrations of reactive oxygen species in the cells were analyzed by fluorescence staining and laser scanning confocal microscope. Results The maturity rate of oocytes in group C (42.5%) was significantly lower than those in group A (81.7%), group B (56.3%) and group D (51.0%) (P<0.05). The average fluorescence intensity of group C (0.056 8±0.025 1) was significantly higher than those of group A (0.005 1±0.014 8, P<0.01) and group B (0.037 1±0.010 2, P<0.05), but with no significant difference found when compared with that of group D (0.050 4±0.007 0). Conclusion EM-follicular fluid can block the maturation of mouse oocytes, which may be due to the enhanced oxidative stress in oocytes caused by EM-follicular fluid. Neiyi Recipe-medicated serum can improve the blocking effect of EM-follicular fluid on mouse oocyte development.