Abstract
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of
Lippia sidoides
essential oil (LSEO) and the influence of different concentrations of LSEO on activation and survival of primordial follicles, ovarian stromal cell density, collagen area in the extracellular matrix (ECM), as well as on thiol levels, messenger RNA (mRNA) of CAT, SOD1, GPX1 and PRDX6 and activity of antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD1 and GPX1. To this end, the chemical composition of the oil was analysed using the gas chromatography (GC) method. The bovine ovaries were collected from a local slaughterhouse. In the laboratory, fragments of the ovarian cortex were then cultured in control medium alone or in the presence of 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 µg/mL LSEO. After six days of culture, the tissues were fixed and sent for histological analysis. Other fragments were used in molecular tests to determine the redox profile and to quantify mRNA levels. The results showed that a concentration of 400 μg/mL LSEO promoted follicular activation and growth, as well as increased stromal cell density and the mRNA levels of SOD1, CAT, and GPX1. Additionally, the LSEO at all tested concentrations reduced CAT activity in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.