The inhibitory influence of toluene on mare ovarian granulosa cells can be prevented by fennel.

This study evaluates the adverse effects of an environmental contaminant, toluene, on mare ovarian granulosa cells and how the plant fennel can act as a natural protective substance against those effects. The research reveals that while toluene inhibits viability, cell proliferation, apoptosis and various hormone releases, the presence of fennel can significantly counteract those effects.

Research Methodology

The research centred around the examination of the effects of toluene and fennel extract on different cellular activities. Toluene was administered at a concentration of 20 μg/mL and fennel extract was administered at varying concentrations of 0, 1, 10, 100 μg/mL. The experiment then evaluated:

• Viability of cells, evaluated through Trypan blue exclusion tests
• Cell proliferation, determined through the percentage of PCNA-positive cells
• Cell apoptosis or cell death
• Release of hormones including progesterone, oxytocin and prostaglandin F.

All tests were immunocytochemistry and enzyme immunoassays.

Findings

The study found that:

• Toluene, when administered alone, caused reduced cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and inhibited the release of progesterone, prostaglandin F and IGF-I. Oxytocin release however was not affected by toluene.
• Fennel, when given alone, similarly inhibited cell viability, and progesterone and prostaglandin F release. But unlike toluene, it stimulated cell proliferation and oxytocin release, and had no observed effects on apoptosis.
• When fennel was given in combination with toluene, it manage to mitigate many of toluene’s harmful effects. It reversed the effects of toluene on cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, prostaglandin F, and IGF-I. However, it did not alter the effect of toluene on progesterone release.
• Fennel even managed to convert the non-effect of toluene alone on oxytocin release to an inhibitory effect when combined

Conclusions

Based on the observations, the research concludes that toluene directly impacts various basic ovarian functions adversely. However, fennel has shown promising influence on these functions by acting as a natural protector against toluene’s harmful effects on mare ovarian granulosa cells. It is important to note that the protective effects of fennel were not universal, as some hormone releases remained unaffected or were even further inhibited.