The Effects of Administrated Sildenafil Citrate on Uterine Luminal Epithelium Height Associated with Ovarian Angiogenesis: An Experimental Animal Study

BACKGROUND: Ovarian angiogenesis (OA) remains in lifetime and normal ovarian function depends to this continual remodeling of a complex vascular system. Endometrial thickness (ET) is one of the strongest predictors of successful implantation and pregnancy. Appropriate OA effects on ET by facilitating of ovarian hormone delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult female mice and twenty adult male mice were purchased. The female mice were divided into three groups: (1) control group without any intervention (n = 10), (2) gonadotropin group: receiving human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (n = 10), and (3) gonadotropin and sildenafil citrate (SC) group: receiving HMG and SC administration (n = 10). After mating, animals were deeply anesthetized, and the ovary and uterus was rapidly removed for histology and immunohistochemistry process. RESULTS: Four days after ovarian induction, all three layers of the uterus with specified thickness can be clearly seen. The heights of endometrial epithelial cells in gonadotropin group were not significantly different than those in control group. In gonadotropin and SC group, heights of the cells were significantly (P < 0.05) shorter than control and gonadotropin groups. ETs in all groups were not significantly deferent from each other (P > 0.05 each). Our results of immunohistochemistry survey for ovarian CD31 demonstrated that administrated SC increased OA but not significantly (P > 0.05 each). CONCLUSION: It may finally conclude that administration of SC does not cause notable alterations in OA and ET; although for realistic decision about the SC effects on aforementioned parameters, more molecular investigations and longer drug consumption period are necessary.