Effects of adiponectin on ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in the vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi

The bat Scotophilus heathi undergo anovulation, known as delayed ovulation, coinciding with the period of seasonal adiposity due to fat accumulation. Because adiponectin is a well known fat cell product, it might be responsible for adiposity related anovulation in S. heathi. The aim of this study was thus to evaluate the effects of adiponectin treatment on ovarian activity in S. heathi. The bat during the period of delayed ovulation was treated with adiponectin (25 μg/day) for 12 days. Changes taken place in the ovarian activity of the treated bat was compared with the control bat and results obtained are presented here. Adiponectin treatment significantly decreased body mass by depleting adipose tissue. It acts directly upon the ovary and promotes antral follicular development by stimulating cell proliferation and modulating ovarian steroidogenesis. The bat treated with adiponectin showed significant decrease in circulating androstenedione (A4) and estradiol (E2) levels, but increase in circulating progesterone (P4) level. The inhibitory effect of adiponectin on androgen synthesis may be due to decreased thecal-interstitial cells differentiation in stroma by suppressing adiponectin receptor type 1 (AdipoR1), luteinizing hormone (LH) and insulin receptors in the ovary of S. heathi. The study provides evidences suggesting that the adiponectin treatment suppresses adiposity and restores normal ovarian activity.

► Adiponectin promotes antral follicular development by stimulating cell proliferation.
► Adiponectin treatment in vivo suppresses circulating androstenedione level.
► Inhibitory effect of adiponectin on androgen synthesis may be due to decreased thecal-interstitial cells differentiation.
► Adiponectin treatment suppresses adiposity and restores normal ovarian activity.