Effects of Origanum vulgare on morphometric and histopathologic of ovary following long-term administration of copper

In chronic copper (Cu) poisoning, Cu is gradually deposited in the liver. When the copper storage capacity is exceeded in liver, it may result in hepatocellular necrosis and consequently release of Cu into the blood stream and causes sever hemolysis, jaundice and renal insufficiency. Kerman province has a rich copper soil due to copper industries. In recent years, wide studies are performed on the effects of plants in various diseases. One of these plants is Origanum vulgare with different therapeutic effects. The present study was set to investigate the effects of Origanum vulgare on long term Cu consumption in ovary. Twenty-four mature female rats were randomly divided to 4 groups including copper group (copper sulfate 200 mg/kg), treatment (copper sulfate 200 mg/kg㪸ꁪ箦 extraction, 400 ppm), control (the same volume of distilled water) and Origanum (the same volume of extract) groups. All of rats were sacrificed 49 days after the beginning of treatments. Both of ovary were removed for histopathological and morphometrical evaluations. Morphometrically, the mean of primary follicle, growing follicle, antral follicle and corpus loteum in the copper group showed significant decrease than the control groups. The mean of atretic follicle in the copper group showed significant increase rather than other groups. Results show that Origanum extract can reduce copper injuries due to antioxidative effects.