A Histomorphological Comparative Effects of Metformin, Pioglitazone, Repaglinide and Acarbose on Polycystic Ovary in Mice

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) is one of the most common causes of infertility due to anovulatory in women. The use of insulin-sensitizing agents was one of the treatments for this syndrome. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Metformin, Pioglitazone, Ripaglinide and Acarbose on histomorphological changes of polycystic ovaries.

In this study, Polycystic ovaries were induced by injection of testosterone enanthate (TE) in immature female mice, for four weeks, then they had been divided into five groups; the control, Metformin, Pioglitazone, Repaglinide and Acarbose groups. Body weight, the ratio of ovary-to-animal weight, ovarian diameter, histomorphological changes of ovaries and characteristics of ovarian tissues were studied. Tukey test was used to calculate these parameters (P≤0.05).

TE significantly increased the percentage of cystic Follicular and decreased follicular growth compared to treatment groups. The body weight, the ratio of ovary-to-animal weight and ovarian diameter, in all groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p<0.05). In Metformin and Pioglitazone treated group, the number of degenerated oocytes, pyknotic-granlosa cells and vascularization were decreased and luteinization can be seen only in these groups. There is a significant reduction in mean growth of primordial, primary, pre-antral, cystic and atretic follicles in the treatment group. However, the mean number of pre-antral follicle showed a remarkable increase. The average number of antral follicles increased in metformin and pioglitazone groups (p<0.05). The results showed that Metformin and Pioglitazone groups cause a meaningful decrease in the ratio of ovary-to-animal weight (p<0.05).

According to these results, Metformin and Pioglitazone have the same effects and can compensate for the damages due to PCOs. These drugs can develop follicular growth. Repaglinide can compensate for the damages in some cases, and, Acarbose has a negative effect on follicular growth.