Objective To investigate the long-term programming effects on pubertal reproductive function by immunological challenge in early life. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) at a dosage of 50 μg/kg and saline intraperitoneally on postnatal day 3 and 5. Body weight was measured weekly. Puberty onset ( vaginal opening) and oestrous cyclicity were monitored from postnatal day 30. At the age of 6 weeks, bilateral ovariectomy was performed. The histological and morphological change of the ovaries (the thickness of the theca interna and the number of different kinds of follicles) were observed and the immunoreactivity of the ovarian sympathetic nerve markers (low affinity receptor of nerve growth factor, p75NGFR) was evaluated by immune staining. Results Immunological challenge (exposed to LPS) in early life delayed vaginal opening significantly [LPS-treated (40.6 ±0.7) days versus controls ( 38. 6 ± 0. 5 ) days, P ＜ 0. 05], decreased the percentage of normal oestrous cyclicity ( LPS-treated 26. 1% versus controls 66. 8% , P＜ 0. 05 ) , decreased the total number of different types of follicles (primordial follicles: LPS-treated 610 ±47 versus controls 1181 ±57, P ＜ 0. 05; primary follicles: LPS-treated 624 ±41 versus controls 960 ± 30, P ＜ 0. 05 ; preantral follicles: LPS-treated 183 ± 16 versus controls 260 ± 14, P ＜ 0. 05; antral follicles: LPS-treated 32 ± 4 versus controls 79 ± 7, P ＜ 0. 05) and increased the thickness of the theca interna [LPS-treated ( 15. 8 ±0. 4) μm versus controls (11.4 ±0. 3) μm, P ＜ 0. 05]. The immunostaining of p75NGFR was obviously enhanced in the LPS-treated ovaries when compared with that of controls ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) . Conclusions Immunological stress during early critical developmental windows could have long dysfunctional effects on the pubertal reproductive function. It delayed puberty onset, reduced the percentage of the normal oestrous cycles, decreased follicles reserve and increased the thickness of the theca interna which might involve the up-regulation of the local ovarian sympathetic nerve activity.

Objective To explore the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).MethodsA case-control study employing 60 non pregnant patients with PCOS and 60 non-pregnant patients without PCOS as control was conducted to compare the prevalence of NAFLD.Resuits The aminotransferase(ALT),fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)levels were(29±15)U/L,(19±12)mU/L and 0.47±0.29 in PCOS group,which were significantly higher(P＜0.05)than corresponding parameters in control group[(15±13)U/L,(11±8)mU/L and 0.31±0.21)].The occurrence of insulin resistance and NAFLD was 63％(38/60)and 42％(25/60),higher than those in control group[35％(21/60)and 20％(12/60),P＜0.05].The increment of ALT was 40％(24/60)in PCOS group,higher than that of 3％(2/60)in control group(P＜0.01).Compared with patients witIlout NAFLD,patients with NAFLD had significantly increased body mass index(P＜0.01),waist-hip ratio,AIJT,C-reaction protein,fasting insulin,insulin and HOMA-IR levels 2 hours after oral glucose tolerance test(P＜0.05).Conchsion The increased prevalence of NAFLD in PCOS patients suggests an association between these two conditions and the necessity of hepatic screening among PCOS patients for potential NAFLD.