How does chronic unpredictable mild stress affect the number of mature oocytes? An experimental study.

Background: The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model involves applying mild stressors over a prolonged period, that can induce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress disrupts normal cellular functions, leading to reduced survival of antral follicles through increased glucocorticoids.

Objective: This study aims to identify the effect of stress on the regulation of glucocorticoid hormones and its impact on impaired antral follicles. Specifically, it focuses on the number of antral follicles using the CUMS model in female rats.

Materials and methods: 16 female Wistar rats (5-6 months, 300-350 gr) were divided into 2 groups (n = 8/each), the control and the CUMS model. 24 hr after the last treatment, they were eter euthanized, a blood sample was taken from the intracardial to measure corticosteroid levels using the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) method, ovarian preparations were made, and then the histological sections were observed.

Results: After 22 days of CUMS, a significant difference was observed in corticosterone levels (p = 0.03), but no significant difference was observed in the number of antral follicles between the 2 groups (p = 0.57). However, histological analysis indicated substantial differences. The control group's ovaries exhibited a higher proportion of healthy antral follicles.

Conclusion: CUMS increases glucocorticoids, which in turn causes a decrease in the number of antral follicles. This happens through 2 mechanisms: suppression of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and direct effects on the ovaries that elevate granulosa cell apoptosis and follicular atresia, ultimately leading to a reduction in antral follicles.