Effect of Wenyang Huazhuo Formula （温阳化浊方） on Reproductive Aging，Ovarian Mechanical Micro-environment，and Offspring Reproductive Potential in Aged Model Mice
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2025.06.011
- VernacularTitle:温阳化浊方对高龄模型小鼠生殖衰老、卵巢机械微环境及子代生殖潜能的影响
- Author:
Jiaqi XU
1
;
Xiaoli ZHAO
1
;
Nan JIANG
1
;
Kaixi LI
1
;
Yafei DING
1
;
Zimu WEN
1
;
Yingying JIA
1
;
Mengjun JIANG
2
;
Tian XIA
1
Author Information
1. First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Tianjin，300193
2. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
reproductive aging;
ovarian mechanical microenvironment;
Wenyang Huazhuo Formula （温阳化浊方）;
ovarian reserve;
reproductive hormones;
reproductive potential
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;66(6):612-620
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Wenyang Huazhuo Formula （温阳化浊方， WHF） in improving reproductive aging from the perspective of the ovarian mechanical microenvironment. MethodsThe experiment included five groups， 3-month group （20 female mice at 3 months of age）， 6-month group （20 female mice at 6 months of age）， 6-month + WHF group （20 female mice at 5 months of age treated with WHF）， 9-month group （20 female mice at 9 months of age）， and 9-month + WHF group （20 female mice at 8 months of age treated with WHF）. The 6-month + WHF group and 9-month + WHF group were orally administered WHF 41.2 g/（kg·d） once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. The other three groups received no intervention. Reproductive hormone levels were measured by ELISA. HE staining was used to count the numbers of various stages of follicles. Ovarian hyaluronic acid （HA） content and collagen fiber content were measured to evaluate the ovarian mechanical microenvironment. Superovulation was performed to observe the number of eggs obtained， as well as the number of offspring and birth weight to assess fertility. The in vitro fertilization and blastocyst culture of oocytes from female offspring in each group were observed to evaluate the effect of WHF on offspring reproductive potential. ResultsCompared with the 3-month group， the 6-month group and 9-month group showed significantly decreased serum levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， and luteinizing hormone （LH）， decreased ovarian collagen content， and reduced numbers of primordial and secondary follicles. In contrast， the numbers of primary follicles， antral follicles， and atretic follicles increased. The levels of anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， ovarian HA content， and the fertilization rate， cleavage rate， and blastocyst formation rate of oocytes from offspring were significantly lower （P＜0.05）. Compared with the 6-month group， the 6-month + WHF group showed significantly reduced serum levels of GnRH， FSH， and LH， with a significant decrease in primary follicles， antral follicles， and atretic follicles as well as increase of AMH levels， ovarian HA content， number of primordial and secondary follicle， egg count， and offspring birth weight （P＜0.05）. Compared with the 9-month group， the 9-month + WHF group exhibited reduced GnRH， FSH， and collagen fiber content， as well as reduced number of primary follicles， antral follicles， and atretic follicles. However， AMH levels， ovarian HA content， number of primordial and secondary follicle， egg count， offspring numbers， birth weight， fertilization rate， cleavage rate， and blastocyst formation rate of oocytes from offspring all significantly increased （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWHF can significantly improve the ovarian reserve， fertility， and reproductive potential in offspring during reproductive mid-life and late-life stages. Its effect may be related to the remodeling of the mechanical microenvironment of aging ovaries. Moreover， the effect on the mechanical microenvironment remodeling of late-stage ovaries and the improvement of the offspring reproductive potential is more significant.
