Effect of Prenatal Hyperandrogenization on Expression of Adiponectin and its Receptors in Ovary and Granulosa Cells from the Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary

The expression of adiponectin hormone and its receptors in the ovary suggests a regulatory role for this hormone in the female reproductive system. To identify the pathogenic mechanism of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and explain the effects of prenatal hyperandrogenization, the expression of the adiponectin gene (AdipoQ), and its receptors (R1 and R2) were assessed in the ovaries and granulosa cells (GCs) of PCOS rats.

Five pregnant Wistar rats in the experimental group received 5mg of free testosterone dissolved in 0.5ml of sesame oil and benzyl benzoate on the 20th day of pregnancy, and five mice in the control group received 0.5ml of solvent. AdipoQ, R1, and R2 expression were examined in female offspring ovaries at birth, 10 and 100 days (puberty), and in GCs of adult offspring. Relative gene expression was measured by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The expression of AdipoQ and its receptors in the ovaries of experimental mice at birth did not show a statistically significant difference from the control group. AdipoQ expression in the ovaries of the experimental group showed a decrease ten days after birth (P=0.001), after puberty (P=0.008), and in GCs (P=0.001) compared to the expression level at birth. There was a decreased expression of R1 and R2 at ten days of age compared to birth (P=0.046 and 0.001, respectively). AdipoQ and R2 expression were reduced in 10-day-old ovaries and GCs of adult offspring compared to the control group (P<0.05).

Prenatal hyperandrogenization could dysregulate the reproductive system by affecting AdipoQ, R1, and R2 ovarian expression after birth and puberty and play a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.