Poly(ADP–ribose) polymerase inhibitor, 3–aminobenzamide, protects against experimental immune ovarian failure in mice

SUMMARYThe activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP–ribose) polymerase (PARP) may play an important role in numerous pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was to clarify the role of PARP in the pathogenesis of immune ovarian failure in mice and to examine the possible protective action of PARP inhibitor, 3–aminobenzamide (3–ABA). An experimental ovarian injury induced in mice by immunization with allogenic ovarian extract impaired the meiotic maturation of oocytes and increased apoptosis and necrosis of follicular cells and cells isolated from the spleen, lymph nodes and thymus. The immunization affected blood leukogram indicating the presence of an inflammatory response. Treatment with 3–ABA (1 h before antigen administrations, 0.02 mg/g intraperitoneally, twice a week during the three–week experiment) was effective to prevent meiotic maturation impairment, cell death and inflammation. The decrease in the necrosis of follicular and immune cells after 3–ABA treatment was more pronounced than that in apoptosis. It is concluded that PARP may contribute to immune–mediated ovary injury and PARP inhibitor, 3–ABA, protects against experimental immune ovarian failure, partially via a decrease in necrotic cell death. Reproductive Biology 2010103: 215–226.