Long-term adverse effects of cyclophosphamide on follicular growth and angiogenesis in mouse ovaries

The adverse effects of the anti-cancer agent cyclophosphamide (CTX) on follicular growth and ovarian angiogenesis were investigated in mice. CTX treatment irreversibly induced a loss of follicles through apoptosis and decreased microvascularization of the corpora lutea and follicles in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrated that CTX adversely affected the ovaries indicating the need to support an awareness of fertility preservation before chemotherapy is initiated.