Chronic Restraint Stress Induced Ovarian Dysfunction in Wistar Rats

Abstract Background Chronic stress has become a common problem that cannot be ignored and has become an important risk factor for the onset of many diseases. Responses to chronic stress are systemic reactions involving multiple organs and can induce symptoms such as depression, impaired reproductive ability, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunctions, bone loss, and reduced life expectancy. Aim The present study was designed to investigate the effect of chronic restraint stress on the ovarian function on female wistar rats, further to demonstrate its relation to hormonal disturbance on reproductive hormones. Methods 24 female wistar rats were divided into 2 groups as Control group and Chronic restraint stress (CRS) subjected group (done by restraining rats for 3 hours daily for 4 weeks). Body weight, forced swimming test and ovarian hormones levels follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), leutinizing hormone (LH), Anti mulleurian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2) were investigated. Results Chronic restraint stress decreased body weight significantly starting from week 3, and increased immobility time and decreased struggling time as observed in forced swimming test compared to control group. Additionally, significantly increased FSH and LH levels and decreased AMH and Estradiol levels in CRS group. Conclusion chronic restraint stress can induce ovarian changes similar to ovarian failure. which could be indicated by changes in hormonal levels as, elevated FSH and LH and decrease AMH and E2 levels in females.