Effects of betaine on histological and inflammatory changes of rat ovary caused by induction experimental polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most important endocrine disorders affecting about 5-10% of women in reproductive age. Betaine is a bioactive peptide that has an anti-inflammatory activity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of betaine on insulin resistance indices and inflammatory cytokines markers and histology alteration in rat ovary with experimental PCOS. This experimental study was performed on 48 female Wistar rats (170-200 g). PCOS was induced by administration of testosterone enanthate (1 mg/100g/day during 35 days). PCOS rats were treated with betaine (1% in drinking water) for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, the insulin resistance markers (serum insulin and glucose concentrations the homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and inflammatory cytokines were measured. The ovaries were also processed for histological study. PCOS induction resulted in insulin resistance, impaired E2, P4 production and elevation of tissue TNF-α, IL-1β levels. Moreover, a significant increase of ovarian cysts and atretic follicles and also a significant reduction in the early corpus luteum were observed in the ovarian tissue of the PCOS groups. Betaine treatment could reduce the inflammatory cytokines and improve steroid productions in PCOS rats. Betaine also restored normal Folliculogenesis by reducing atretic and cystic follicles. Our findings showed the beneficial effects of betaine in PCOS rats by improvement of folliculogenesis, suppression of inflammation in ovary.