Effects of Gonadotropins on Blood, Bone Marrow, and Spleen in Cyclophosphamide-Exposed Rats

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent. Gonadotropins are molecules with various actions. We investigated the effects of gonadotropins on the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleen in rats given CTX. Three groups were formed: Control (C) group with no process; Sham (S) group: Physiological saline was applied; CTX group: A single dose of 200 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg CTX was administered for the next 14 days. All rats were superovulated with 150-300 IU/kg pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. 150-300 IU/kg Human chorionic gonadotropin was given, and complete blood counts, bone marrow smears, and spleen sections were examined; the expression of WNT-1, WNT-4, and β-catenin was analyzed. Although the hemoglobin and platelet value in the CTX group was lowest, it was still within the normal reference ranges. The C and S groups had significantly higher white blood cell  values (p=0.017). In terms of number of megakaryocytes, Myeloid/ Erythroid  ratio, lymphoid cell ratios, no significant differences were found in bone marrow aspiration smears. The CTX group had significantly higher β-catenin expression in the red pulp than the other groups (p=0.0001). The CTX group had the highest WNT-4 expression and very intense expression of WNT-1 in the white pulp. In conclusion, gonadotropins, promising in "treatment", have favorable effects on toxicity of CTX.