Histological study on the effect of vitamin C on ischemia– reperfusion injury in the adult rat ovary

Background Ovarian torsion may cause serious complications suc h as infertility in young women. Conservative management includes detorsion and reperfusion of the twisted segment. However, it may have local and systemic consequences due to production of large amounts of reactive o xygen species during reperfusion of ovaries. Aim of work The present work aimed to study the possible histological and immunohistochemical changes due to ischemia–reperfusion injury in rat ovaries and the possible protective effect of vitamin C as an antioxidant. Materials and methods A total of 32 albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I was the control sham-operated group (either sham operated only, or with vitamin C administration). In group I I rats, ovarian ischemia was induced by torsion of the right adnexa. In rats of group I II, 4 h of ischemia followed by reperfusion was performed. In rats of group IV, 4 h of ischemia was followed by 50 mg/kg vit amin C administration, which was injected intravenously, and then reperfusion was performed. Except for the ischemia group, all other groups were subdivided into two subgroups from which the right ovaries were surgically removed either after 5 h or after 2 weeks of st arting the experiment. From the ischemia group ovarian samples were taken after 5 h only. Specimens were processed for paraffin sections and stained with H E and with an immunohistoc hemical stain for apoptotic marker p53. Image analysis and st atistical analysis of the obt ained results were carried out. Results Severe vascular congestion, edema, hemorrhage, and increased P53 immunoreaction were detected in the ovaries after ischemia, which became less marked after reperfusion and considerably improved with vitamin C administration, especially after 2 weeks. Conclusion Vitamin C treatment can help in protecting the ovaries from ischemia–reperfusion injury after detorsion.