Structural, biochemical, and molecular effects of indomethacin on the ovary in rats with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

Objective: The aim was to investigate the effects of different doses of indomethacin on OHSS in detail using structural, biochemical and molecular methods. The aim was to clarify the effects of histamine and mast cells on OHSS, which are among the contradictory results in the literature. In addition, it was aimed to contribute to the limited data available in the literature on the pathophysiology of OHSS and to better understand the pathophysiology. Materials and Methods: In the study, 40 immature (22 days old) female Wistar albino rats weighing between 40-80 grams were used as animal material. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, 8 in each group. No procedure was applied to the zero control group, while the sham group was injected with 0.1 mL of 0.9% sterile saline subcutaneously (s.c.) for 6 days. The OHSS groups were injected with 10 IU PMSG subcutaneously (s.c.) for 4 days. Then, on the 5th day of the experiment, 30 IU hCG was injected subcutaneously (s.c.). In the treatment groups, 1 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg indomethacin were injected subcutaneously (s.c.) for 6 days. The rats were sacrificed under general anesthesia on the 7th day of the experiment. Then, protein determination procedures with ELISA, histochemical staining and western blot procedures were performed from serum, peritoneal fluid and tissue samples. Results: As a result of the experiments performed; it was determined that the weight changes and ovary weights of the rats in the OHSS experimental group increased. It was determined that these data decreased inversely proportional to the dose thanks to indomethacin. In addition, the fluid leakage to the tertiary spaces observed in OHSS was observed in the OHSS groups. It was determined that this situation decreased in the indomethacin-administered groups. In addition, in histopathological examinations; an increased number of cystic follicles, corpus luteum and hemorrhagic area foci were detected in the OHSS group. These findings decreased inversely proportional to the dose in the drug-administered groups. It was determined that mast cells underwent changes in both number, density and location in OHSS. Conclusion: Indomethacin was found to reduce the symptoms of OHSS in a dose-dependent manner and provide improvement in its pathophysiology.