Effects and mechanisms of mUCMSCs on ovarian structure and function in naturally ageing C57 mice

BACKGROUND: The ovaries are the core reproductive organs in women and are critical for maintaining normal reproductive function and endocrine system stability. An ageing C57 mouse model was used to evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of mouse umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (mUCMSCs) and to explore the mechanism by which mUCMSCs promote the antioxidant repair of mouse granulosa cells (mGCs). RESULTS: Eighteen-month-old C57 mice were randomly divided into a model group and a treatment group. At the same time, 2-month-old C57 mice were established as a young group (15 mice per group). The mice in the treatment group were injected via the tail vein with GFP-labelled mUCMSCs. The ovarian volume in ageing C57 mice was decreased, and there were no follicles at any stage. After mUCMSC transplantation, the mouse ovaries increased in size, follicles at various stages were observed in the cortex, and the antral follicle counts increased. The serum E2, AMH, and INH-B levels of mice in the treatment group were significantly higher than those of mice in the model control group (P < 0.05). mUCMSCs downregulated the expression of the autophagy-related gene LC3b and the apoptosis-related genes Bax and Caspase-3, upregulated the expression of SOD2 and the peroxidase gene PRDX IV, and reduced apoptosis rates and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in granulosa cells. CONCLUSIONS: mUCMSCs play roles in promoting the repair of ageing ovaries by regulating immunity, anti-inflammatory responses and the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13048-021-00854-5.