Adipose-derived stem cells improved mouse ovary function after chemotherapy-induced ovary failure

INTRODUCTION: Young patients receiving chemotherapy occasionally face infertility and premature ovarian failure (POF). Numerous investigations reported that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) transplantation could ameliorate the structure and function of injured tissues. The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic efficacy of ADSC transplantation for chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage. METHODS: Female mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CTX). After 15 consecutive days of injection, ADSCs were transplanted either directly into bilateral ovaries or via intravenous injection, and the ovaries were excised after either 1 week or 1 month of treatment. The follicles were counted and categorized, and ovarian histologic sections were stained for TUNEL. Ovarian function was evaluated by monitoring ovulation. ADSC tracking, microarray analyses, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to assess the inner mechanism of injury and repair. RESULTS: The ovarian function of mice exposed to CTX injection improved after ADSC transplantation. The population of follicles at different stages and ovulation significantly increased after the treatment. Immunofluorescence revealed reduced TUNEL staining. The tracking of ADSCs revealed that these cells did not directly differentiate into the follicle component. Microarray analyses indicated that changes in different groups of genes might affect follicle formation or ovulation. CONCLUSIONS: ADSC transplantation improved ovarian function. Our results suggest a potential mechanism for ADSC therapy.