Ameliorating effect of edible bird’s nest against lead acetate toxicity on the rat hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and expressions of epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in ovaries

Abstract

Lead acetate (LA) alters ovarian histology, size and function, as well as decreases oestrogen production. LA is also toxic to rat ovary and pituitary gland. Edible bird's nest (EBN) can reportedly alleviate these damages. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of EBN supplement on the ovaries and pituitary glands of rats exposed to LA toxicity. Five treatment groups were established as follows: group 1 (C), which was given distilled water; group 2 (T0), which was administered with LA (10 mg/kg body weight (BW); and groups 3 (T1), 4 (T2) and 5 (T3), which were given LA (10 mg/kg BW) plus graded concentrations of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg BW of EBN, respectively. Rats were euthanised at day 35 to collect ovary and pituitary gland for histomorphological study and the expression analysis of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Plasma was used to determine concentrations of E₂, progesterone (P₄), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (P). E₂, P₄, GH and P levels were lower (p < 0.05) in T0, whereas T3 had the highest E₂ concentration. All EBN-treated groups had increased number of survival follicles, as well as significant proliferation of gonadotrophic cells in the pituitary gland and decreased degenerative changes. All immunohistochemistry results showed significantly higher EGF and VEGF expression levels (p < 0.05) in T3. Overall, results showed the detrimental effects of LA on the ovary and pituitary gland and revealed the ameliorating effect of oral EBN supplementation against LA toxicity.

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