Maternal Exposure to D-galactose Reduces Ovarian Reserve in Female Rat Offspring Later in Life

BACKGROUND: Embryonic life is critical for the formation of ovaries in mammals, and the intrauterine environment may affect ovarian reserve. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the impact of prenatal D-galactose exposure on ovarian reserve in female rat offspring in their later lives. METHODS: Ten pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. In one group, rats were fed with 35% D-galactose-enriched food from the third day to the end of pregnancy, and in the other group, rats were fed with a standard diet throughout pregnancy. Female offspring (prenatally galactose-exposed rats and non-exposed control rats) were examined in terms of hormonal levels [anti-Mullerian hormones (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2)] and ovarian histology at 45 - 50, 105 - 110, and 180 - 185 days of their age. RESULTS: The number of primordial follicles significantly decreased time-dependently in prenatally galactose-exposed rats compared to controls (P-value = 0.002). In addition, decreases in AMH (3.25 vs. 7.5 ng/mL; P = 0.000) and E2 (7.9 vs. 19.5 pg/mL; P = 0.000) and increases in FSH (6.5 vs. 0.8 mIU/mL; P < 0.007) were observed in galactose-exposed rats compared to controls at 45 - 50 days of age. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to D-galactose negatively affects ovarian reserve in female rats in their later lives. However, further investigation is needed to confirm our findings and explore underlying mechanisms.