Combined effects of infusion of green tea and depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate on the number of granulosa cells and the number and size of ovarian primary follicles: an in vivo study in female rats

摘要

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effects of green tea infusion on the toxicity of ovaries of female rats treated with the contraceptive depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). Material and Methods: A total of twenty-four female rats were randomly divided into four groups, incuding the control group (no treatment), the DMPA-treated group and the group treated with DMPA and infusion of green tea at various doses (165 and 330 mg/gram of body weight per day). The number of granulosa cells, the number of ovarian follicles and the size of ovarian follicles were subjected to histopathological analysis. Results: The number of granulosa cells did not differ significantly among the study groups. The number of ovarian follicles was significantly higher in the DMPA-treated group than that of the control group. Of doses of 165 and 330 mg/g of body weight of green tea administration, only the low dose decreased the number of ovarian follicles significantly relative to the DMPA-treated group, although it has not yet reached the levels comparable to those of the control group. The size of ovarian follicles did not differ significantly among the study groups. Conclusion: DMPA led to an increased number of ovarian follicles, which was restored by infusion of low doses of green tea. Thus, green tea constitutes an herb that can be combined with administration of DMPA and useful in inhibiting the adverse effects of contraceptives.