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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Chronic niacin administration ameliorates ovulation, histological changes in the ovary and adiponectin concentrations in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome

Negin Asadi A , Mahin Izadi B , Ali Aflatounian C , Mansour Esmaeili-Dehaj A , Mohammad Ebrahim Rezvani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6146-806X A D and Zeinab Hafizi A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

B Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

C Fertility and Research Centre, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Emails: erezvani@yahoo.com; me.rezvani@ssu.ac.ir

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 33(7) 447-454 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD20306
Submitted: 22 November 2020  Accepted: 13 February 2021   Published: 23 March 2021

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common ovarian diseases among women of reproductive age. The reproductive and metabolic traits of PCOS are underpinned by adipocyte dysfunction, especially diminished adiponectin secretion. Based on evidence that niacin stimulates adiponectin secretion, this study evaluated the effects of niacin on adiponectin concentrations and reproductive traits in a rat model of PCOS. PCOS was induced by single injection of 4 mg kg−1 oestradiol valerate (i.m.), and PCOS groups were administered orally with saline or niacin (10 or 25 mg kg−1) daily for 30 days after PCOS induction. The control group received 0.2 mL sesame oil (i.m.) only. At the end of the experimental period, serum samples and ovaries were collected for adiponectin, histological and molecular analyses. Niacin reduced the bodyweight gain and increased ovary weights in PCOS rats. Niacin also increased the number of normal antral follicles and corpora lutea while reducing the number of cystic follicles and the thickness of theca interna. Moreover, niacin significantly increased serum adiponectin concentration and the gene expression of adiponectin and its type 1 receptor. In conclusion, this study indicates that niacin reduces cystic follicles and improves ovulation in PCOS rats. Adiponectin signalling may have contributed, in part, to the beneficial effects.

Graphical Abstract Image

Keywords: adiponectin, niacin, polycystic ovary syndrome.


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