Journal of Southern Medical University

Journal of Southern Medical University ›› 2024, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (2): 298-307.doi: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2024.02.12

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Adiponectin improves endometrial receptivity in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome by upregulating the PPARα/HOXA10 pathway

WANG Juan, YANG Wenqin, LIU Jin, SHI Jinfeng, XIAO Ping, LI Meixiang   

  1. Microscopic Morphology Experimental Center//The Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Reproductive Medicine// Department of Histology and Embryology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410002, China
  • Published:2024-03-14

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Abstract: Objective To explore the role of the PPARα/HOXA10 signaling pathway in mediating the effect of adiponectin (APN) for improving endometrial receptivity in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Forty female SD rat models with letrozole-induced PCOS were randomized, with 10 normal rats as the control, into 4 equal groups for treatment with APN alone, APN combined with GW6471 (a specific PPARα inhibitor) or the vehicle for 20 days, or no further treatment (PCOS model group). GW6471 treatment (daily dose of 1 mg/kg) and vehicle treatment were initiated on the 11th day following the start of APN treatment, all administered via intraperitoneal injection. The rats were observed for changes in estrous cycle, body weight, ovarian index and morphology, uterine index and morphology, serum hormone levels and lipid metabolism parameters. Endometrial expressions of PPARα and HOXA10 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The development of endometrial pinopodes was observed under electron microscope, and pregnancies of the rats were recorded. Results The rat models of PCOS exhibited obvious estrous cycle disorders with significantly prolonged estrous interval, increased body weight and ovarian index, decreased uterine index, disordered serum hormones and lipid metabolism (P<0.05), and polycystic ovarian changes, and these changes were significantly improved by APN treatment. Endometrial expressions of PPARα and HOXA10 were significantly lowered in PCOS rats and effectively up-regulated after APN treatment, but GW6471 treatment obviously blocked the effect of APN (P<0.05). APN showed strong protective effect against PCOS-induced impairment of endometrial pinopode development, and this effect was obviously attenuated by GW6471. APN also significantly increased the pregnancy rate and embryo number in PCOS rats, while GW6471 obviously reduced the embryo number and caused developmental retardation of the embryos. Conclusion APN can improve endometrial receptivity in PCOS rats by upregulating the PARα/HOXA10 pathway.

Key words: polycystic ovary syndrome; adiponectin; PPARα; HOXA10; endometrial receptivity