Stress-Induced Morphological Changes of Ovarian Histology in Female Wistar Rats
Nwogueze Bartholomew Chukwuebuka1*, Ojieh Anthony Emeka2, Ovuakporaye Simon Irikefe2, Wilson Josiah Iju3, Ogbutor Udoji Godsday4 Olowe Gideon Temitope2, Eke Chidinma Nwanneamaka2, Aloamaka Chukwuemeka Peter51Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State Nigeria.
2Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University Abraka, Delta State Nigeria.
3Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka. Delta State Nigeria.
4Department of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State Nigeria.
5Department of Human Physiology, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State Nigeria.
Corresponding Author E-mail: bukasono123@gmail.com
Abstract: Stress as it relatesto infertility has become a global issue attracting public health concern. The present study examined the morphological changes in ovarian histology in response to oxidative stress-induced in female rats following exposure to different stressors. 92 rats of 12-14weeks old weighing between 120-160g were used for the study. Three (3) different stress models were utilized for stress induction at the rate of 1, 3, and 5hours per day for 1, 2, and 3weeks respectively. At the end of stress induction durations, bodyweights were obtained and the rats were euthanized via cervical dislocation while the ovary weights were carefully isolated and their weights recorded. The harvested ovary was sectioned, mounted on slides, stained, and observed under the microscope for histopathological investigations. Findings from this study established that exposure to restraint mirror or intruder stressor significantly (p<0.05) altered the body and/or ovary weights of the rats irrespective of the rate of exposure when compared to the control group. Cellular degeneration, infiltration, and atretic follicular changes were observed in the ovarian histology of rats in response to stress-inducedchanges caused by exposure to restraint or intruder stressors, whereas, equivalent exposure of the rats to mirror stressor did not result in any observed degenerative changes in the histology of the ovary studied. Our study revealed that exposure to restraint or intruder stressor points towards the existence of stress contributes towardsorgan/body weight changes and cellular damage inthe ovarian tissuespossiblycausing pathogenesis in reproductive capacity of females.
Keywords: Ovarianhistology: Reactive Oxygen Specie; Stress; Stressors; Weights; Wistar Rat Back to TOC