Effects of melatonin on specific gene expression in the ovaries of superovulated rats

Year 2025, Volume: 72 Issue: 4, 497 - 507, 01.10.2025

Sevda Dalkıran , Akın Yakan , Hüseyin Özkan

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1642763

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of different doses of melatonin administered with superovulation on ovarian health at biochemical and molecular levels. Four groups were created: Control (Con), Superovulation (So), Superovulation+5 mg/kg melatonin (SoM5), and Superovulation+20 mg/kg melatonin (SoM20). It was determined that there was a decrease in ovary tissue MDA levels in groups compared to the control (P<0.01). It was determined that PGR expression increased approximately 7-fold in SoM20 compared to the control (P<0.001). It was found that the expression level of the COX-2 was increased in the experimental groups (So, SoM5, and SoM20) compared to the control (P<0.05). It was determined that the expressions of the EREG in the SoM20 increased approximately 5-fold compared to the control (P<0.001). Positive correlation was determined between serum MDA levels and Bcl-2 and NRF2 genes (P<0.01). A positive correlation was found between COX-2 and PGR and EREG genes (P<0.001), between IL-1β and Bcl-2 and OSGIN1 genes (P<0.05), between Bcl-2 gene and NRF2 and BMP15 genes (P<0.05), between PGR gene and EREG genes (P<0.001), and between NRF2 gene and BMP15 and OSGIN1 genes (P<0.05). Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified COX-2, PGR, and EREG as central nodes within a 28 node, 213 edge network, and MCODE revealed a dense PTGER/PTGES module (score 4.00). Gene enrichment analysis demonstrated significant overrepresentation of reproductive and ovulation related pathways (FDR<0.05). In conclusion, 20 mg/kg melatonin administered during superovulation may support ovarian health and folliculogenesis by increasing the expression of the PGR and EREG genes in the ovary.

Keywords

Gene expression , MDA , Melatonin , Oxidative stress , Superovulation

Project Number

22.D.018

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