CORRECTIVE EFFECT OF GERMANIUM CITRATE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION OF FEMALE OLD MICE

Abstract

Fertility decreases with a woman’s age, which is primarily associated with a deterioration in the quality and a decrease in the number of oocytes. Oxidative stress is the most likely factor influencing the decline in oocyte competence. The study of the effect of drugs with antioxidant properties can be a successful strategy for preventive intervention to improve the reproductive potential of women, which is of great medical and social importance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Ge citrate, obtained by electropulse nanotechnology, on the viability of ovarian granulosa cells, the state of the pro- and antioxidant systems, and the metabolic activity of neutrophils in female old mice. The studies were carried out on mature females of the Albino line (young - at the age of 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-22 g; old - at the age of 8-9 months, weighing 30-34 g). The results showed that in female aged mice, there was a decrease in viability and an increase in necrotic and apoptotic death of ovarian granulosa cells (GC). An increase in the content of the reactive products of 2-thiobarbituric acid in the liver tissue was revealed. With regard to antioxidant protection, a decrease in the level of ceruloplasmin in the blood serum was observed, however, the level of reduced glutathione in the liver homogenate was slightly increased. There was also an increase in the metabolic activity of neutrophils. The use of Ge citrate had a cytoprotective effect on the viability of GC, reducing their necrotic and apoptotic death. In addition, the effect of Ge citrate was accompanied by a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, regulation of antioxidant protection, and a decrease in the functional activity of inflammatory effector cells, which was confirmed by a decrease in the activation of acid-independent and acid-independent metabolism of neutrophils in the peripheral blood of old mice. In addition, the effect of Ge citrate was accompanied by a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, the regulation of antioxidant protection, and a decrease in the functional activity of inflammatory effector cells, which was confirmed by a decrease in the activation of oxygen-independent and oxygen-dependent metabolism of peripheral blood neutrophils in old mice. Thus, the results obtained in old female mice showed a positive effect of Ge citrate in preventing the development of oxidative stress, which is considered the main mechanism underlying ovarian aging.