Objective

2

To explore the effect of acupuncture on ovarian function in rats with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) based on kisspeptin/G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54) pathway.

Methods

2

Thirty female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (10 rats) and a modeling group (20 rats). In the modeling group

POI model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an acupuncture group

10 rats in each group. In the acupuncture group

"Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao"(ST28) acupuncture was delivered once a day

6 days a week with 1-day interval

for consecutive 3 weeks. The changes of estrous cycle and ovarian tissue morphology were observed by HE staining; the ovarian wet weight was measured and the ovarian index was calculated; the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) in the serum

as well as the levels of FSH and LH in the pituitary gland were detected by ELISA; the positive expression of kisspeptin in the hypothalamus and ovary was detected by immunohistochemistry; the mRNA and protein expression of kisspeptin

GPR54 and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the hypothalamus

as well as that of kisspeptin and GPR54 in the ovary were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot.

Results

2

Compared with the blank group

in the model group

the rate of disordered estrous cycle was increased (

P

<

0.01)

the ovarian wet weight and ovarian index were decreased (

P

<

0.01); the serum E2 level was reduced (

P

<

0.01)

the serum FSH and LH levels were increased (

P

<

0.01)

the pituitary FSH and LH levels were increased (

P

<

0.01); the ovarian tissue structure was damaged

the number of normal follicles of various grades was reduced

while the number of atretic follicles was increased; the positive expression of kisspeptin in the hypothalamus and ovary was increased (

P

<

0.01); the mRNA and protein expression of kisspeptin

GPR54

GnRH in the hypothalamus and that of kisspeptin

GPR54 in the ovary were increased

(

P

<

0.01). Compared with the model group

in the acupuncture group

the rate of disordered estrous cycle was decreased (

P

<

0.01)

the ovarian wet weight and ovarian index were increased (

P

<

0.01); the serum E2 level was increased (

P

<

0.01)

the serum FSH and LH levels were decreased (

P

<

0.01)

the pituitary FSH and LH levels were decreased (

P

<

0.01); the ovarian tissue structure was improved and the number of atretic follicles was reduced; the positive expression of kisspeptin in the hypothalamus and ovary was decreased(

P

<

0.01); the mRNA and protein expression of kisspeptin

GPR54

GnRH in the hypothalamus and that of kisspeptin

GPR54 in the ovary were decreased (

P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Acupuncture can regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis by modulating the key factors of the kisspeptin/GPR54 pathway

thereby improving ovarian function in POI rats.