Ameliorative Effect of Lycopene on Follicular Reserve Depletion, Oxidative Damage, Apoptosis Rate, and Hormonal Profile during Repeated Superovulations in Mice

Superovulation is a crucial step in assisted reproductive technology that involves the administration of gonadotrophins. Repeated superovulations result in severe ovarian damage. The present study investigated the effect of in vivo administration of lycopene on ovarian damage induced by four successive cycles of superovulation. Superovulated mice were simultaneously administered intraperitoneally with saline (R4) or 5 mg/kg lycopene (R4-Lyc). The evaluated parameters were the count of different types of follicles, expression of ovarian antioxidant- and apoptosis-related genes, and serum concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, and inhibin-B. Increased numbers of healthy follicles and a decreased count of atretic follicles were observed in mice of the R4-Lyc group compared to those of the R4 group. Moreover, significantly higher mRNA levels of <i>Sod3</i>, <i>Cat</i>, and <i>Nrf2</i> and lower mRNA levels of <i>Keap1</i>, <i>Tnf</i>, <i>Nfkb</i>, and <i>Casp3</i>, together with decreased H₂O₂ concentrations and increased total antioxidant capacity, were detected in the ovaries of lycopene-treated mice. Regarding serum reproductive hormones, elevated concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, and inhibin-B were evident in lycopene-administered mice. The present study reports a significant role of lycopene in alleviating the ovarian damage induced by multiple hormonal superstimulations, which could help to improve the outcomes of in vitro embryo production.