Zhou Wenxia

Age-related changes in the oestrous cycle and reproductive hormones in senescence-accelerated mouse

To investigate age-related changes in the oestrous cycle and reproductive hormone levels in senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM), we examined these parameters in 3-, 5-, 7-, 9- and 11-month-old female SAM-prone/8 (SAMP8) and SAM-resistant/1 (SAMR1) strains. Levels of ²-endorphin (²-EP) and substance P (SP) in the hypothalamus were also measured. The oestrous cycle and dioestrus of 9-month-old SAMP8 mice were significantly prolonged compared with age-matched SAMR1 mice. Furthermore, the concentration of serum oestradiol was lower and the level of pituitary luteinising hormone was higher in SAMP8 mice compared with SAMR1 mice. This characterises the hypothalamus.pituitary.ovary (HPO) axis of the SAMP8 strain as hypergonadotropic.hypogonad. The levels of ²-EP and SP in the SAMP8 hypothalamus were lower than in the SAMR1 hypothalamus. These results indicate that the function of the HPO axis in SAMP8 mice declines early and this may be attributed, in part, to the decline in ²-EP and SP concentrations in the hypothalamus.

LW-AFC Improved or Restored the Disturbance of Reproductive Endocrine and Immune Function in Stress-Loaded Mice

There are no effective and reliable anti-stress drugs. Traditional Chinese Medicine Liu Wei Di Huang Decoction (LW) can interfere with the various types of stress-induced endocrine and immune imbalance. However, traditional LW lacks reliable quality control methods, and the reliability of its clinical efficacy is difficult to estimate. In our previous study we evaluated the immune and endocrine activity of different parts from LW separation, and then formed LW-AFC which has satisfactory quality control, security and activity. In this paper, we observe the impact of LW-AFC on the reproductive endocrine and immune system of suspension-stressed female mouse. The results show that the stress increased the serum cortisone, reduced estrus cycle, prolonged diestrus, decreased the pituitary LH, but increased serum E2 on diestrus cycle, and IgG in spleen cell culture supernatant was significantly reduced after suspension stress. LW-AFC could significantly decrease the cortisone level, increase pituitary LH, lower serum E2 on diestrus cycle, and could significantly enhance the ability of spleen cells secreting IgG. These results suggest that stress can lead to reproductive endocrine disorders and decreased immune function, and oral administration of LW-AFC may significantly regulate the stress-induced reproductive endocrine disorders and decreased immune function, which might be developed as a potential new anti-stress drugs.