Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin coadministration on the activitiesof ovarian Delta(5)-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and ovarian and uterine histology in lithium chloride-treated albino rats

Lithium chloride, a compound with clinical use in bipolar disorder, produce s adverse effects on ovarian function in amphibian and rodent models. This study examined the effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin coadministration on ovarian steroidogenic and gametogenic activities in lithium chloride-tr eated rats. Relative ovarian and uterine weights, ovarian Delta (5)-3 beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17 beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase act ivities, folliculogenesis, uterine diameter, endometrial and myometrial thi ckness, and uterine luminal epithelial height were decreased significantly after lithium chloride treatment for 28 days at 1.6 mg/kg/day, the human th erapeutic dose. These parameters were unchanged from the control level when subcutaneous (s.c.) human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) at 25 mug/kg/day w as coadministered with the lithium chloride. The duration of the oestrous c ycle was increased in Lithium chloride-treated rat with longer metestrous a nd diestrous phases. Administration of hCG with lithium chloride prevented these estrous cycle alterations. We conclude that hCG can protect ovarian s teroidogenic and gametogenic function after lithium chloride treatment. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.