Study of the Effects of Lactoferrin in Reduction of Cyclophosphamide-induced Embryotoxicity: In Vitro Fertilization Study in Mouse

Cyclophosphamide (CP) as a widely used chemotherapeutic agent causes several side effects including reproductive toxicities. The Objective of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of lactoferrin (LFN) with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties against CP-evoked reproductive toxicity in mouse.
In this experimental study, 32 adult female NMRI mice were divided into 4 groups of 8. Cyclophosphamide was administered to two groups of mice at a dose of 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally on days 1 and 14. One of these groups received LFN at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg orally four hours after CP treatment. Vehicle-treated control group and LFN-only treated group were also included. In vitro fertilization was evaluated in all animals after 28 days.
Findings: Cyclophosphamide administration resulted in significant reduction in fertilization and blastulation rates. Co-administration of LFN with CP restored above-mentioned parameters toward normal values.
Discussion & These findings indicate that LFN can have potential protective effects in CP-induced reprotoxicities.