Investigation of the effects of chronic asprosin administration on the transition to puberty and reproductive system in prepubertal female rats

ABSTRACT Puberty begins with the activation of a complex neuroendocrine network that has been dormant since the neonatal period, followed by the attainment of sexual maturity and reproductive ability. Recent researches suggest that body adipose tissue plays a critical role in this activation process. It has long been known that adipose tissue is more than an energy reserve, it is an active endocrine organ and secretes hormones called adipokines. Considering the association of adipose tis􀀒ue with. the pubertal process, it is thought that adipokines may also have a potential effect on reproductive physiology. The effect of asprosin, a newly discovered adipokine, on female reproductive physiology is unknown. The aim of this thesis is to reveal the physiological role of asprosin hormone on pubertal maturation, reproductive system components, sexual motivation and behavior in female rats. Also, to show the effect of asprosin hormone acting through olfactory receptor on olfactory performance. Within the scope of the thesis study, 24 female Sprague Dawley rats (n=12 control group and n= 12 asprosin group) were used. In the experiments, asprosin (500ng/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to the animals in the asprosin group for 8 weeks starting from the 21 st postnatal day, and saline, the solvent of asprosin, was administered to the animals in the control group. During the experimental period, pubertal entry determination and estrous cycle monitoring were performed. Subsequently, the hidden cookie test, sexual incentive motivation test and sexual behavior test were performed. At the end of the experiment, histological examinations were performed on ovarian tissue and hormone levels were determined from serum samples by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method. SPSS 22 package program was used for