Abstract

This research studies the effect of water-alcohol Papaver rhoeas L. (P. rhoeas) extract on mouse ovaries and in vitro development (IVD) of oocytes. Different dosages of P. rhoeas extract (25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) during a period of 12 days. Following superovulation, the numbers of ovulated oocytes, the rates of in vitro fertilization, IVD and the cellularity of blastocysts were recorded. Additionally, effect of the best dosage on ovarian follicle population and the ability of immature oocytes to mature in vitro were evaluated. Administration of 200 mg/kg significantly increased the percentage of 48 cells, morula and blastocyst embryos compared to the control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, total cellularity of blastocysts was significantly higher with the administration of 200 mg/kg of extract in comparison to control group (p<0.05). Therefore, the most effective dosage was considered to be 200 mg/kg. With the administration of 200 mg/kg no marked changes were observed in the IVM rate of retrieved oocytes from treated group in comparison to control group. Furthermore, the percentage of ovarian follicles was not significantly different when compared to control group. Also, during visual evaluations no abnormal apoptosis was detected in follicles of ovaries treated with 200 mg/kg when compared to control group. Higher IVD and blastocyst cellularity in the group treated with defined dosage of P. rhoeas indicates that the extract affects ovaries in a dose dependent manner. The extract possibly increases the quality of ovulated oocytes and IVD competence of oocytes.