Investigation of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 protein expression in the ovaries of a rat model with diminished ovarian reserve induced by 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide

ABSTRACT The objective of this research is to develop an experimental model of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) in rats utilizing 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) and to examine the potential of the biomarker 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG-1), a constituent of the DNA repair system, in this context. Adult female Wistar rats were categorized into three groups: control, sham and VCD (15 days, 160 mg/kg, i.p.). Serum samples collected on day 60 post-injection underwent analysis for E2, AMH, FSH and OGG-1 levels using ELISA methodology; tissue-level modifications were assessed through histomorphometric enumeration and immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques. Within the VCD group, a substantial reduction was observed in the counts of primordial, primary and secondary follicles, whereas a marked increase was noted in atretic follicles ( P < 0.001). At the molecular level, VCD exposure markedly elevated the expression and levels of OGG-1 protein in both ovarian tissue and serum ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that follicular damage caused by VCD activates DNA repair mechanisms at the tissue level via OGG-1.