The effect of valproic acid on rat ovarium and the protective role of vitamin E and folic acid: An ultrastructural study

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of valproic acid and protective effects of vitamin E and folic acid on rat ovary ultrastructural changes. Twenty-four Wistar rats were used. Animals were divided into four groups. The first group of rats was used as control. The second group was injected valproic acid. The third group was injected valproic acid + folic acid and the fourth group was given valproic acid + vitamin E. At the end of the study, ovarium tissues were taken under anesthesia. Tissues were prepared and examined by transmission electron microscopy. Microscopically, the groups are cited as follows: Control group (in which the ovarium tissue was normal), valproic acid group (which showed increase in lipid content plus mitochondrial crystalysis seen in folliculer and theca interna cells of rat ovarium), valproic acid + folic acid group (in which the theca interna and granulosa cells of rat ovarium had normal appearance) and valproic acid + vitamin E group (where all the organelles of theca interna and granulosa cells of rat ovarium were observed to be normal). Vitamin E and folic acid have protective effects against valproic acid-induced tissue damage in rat ovaries.

Keywords: Valproic acid, vitamin E, folic acid, ovarium, rat

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(34), pp. 5616-5622, 23 August, 2010