Role of LIF/LIFR/STAT3 pathway in endometrial receptivity in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To investigate the role of LIF/LIFR/STAT3 pathway in endometrial receptivity in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 【Methods】 Forty 21-day-old SD female rats were divided into normal (control) group, model group, sham-operation group, and LIF group with 10 rats in each. The rat model of PCOS was constructed by subcutaneous injection of prasterone sodium sulfate at the back of the neck. The serum levels of testosterone (T), glucose and insulin in each group were detected. The morphological changes of the uterus in each group were observed by HE staining, and the morphological changes of endometrium were measured. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR) were used to determine the protein expression and mRNA expression of LIF and STAT3 in rat endometrium. 【Results】 Compared with control group, the levels of integrin avb3, serum T, insulin and glucose in PCOS rats were significantly increased (P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.001). Supplementation of exogenous LIF could significantly reduce the levels of integrin avb3, serum T, glucose and insulin in PCOS rats (P=0.000, P=0.002, P=0.003, P=0.007). HE results showed that exogenous LIF could reduce uterine cavity and glandular morphology in PCOS rats and increase the equivalent diameter (P=0.000, P=0.000) and area (P=0.000, P=0.000) of uterine glands and glandular cavity, the ratio of glandular interstitial area (P=0.000), and the average endometrial thickness (P=0.006), with statistically significant differences. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and qRT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of LIF and p-STAT3 protein and mRNA in model group were significantly decreased compared with control group. Compared with model group, the protein and mRNA expressions of LIF and p-STAT3 in LIF group were significantly increased (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Exogenous LIF supplementation can improve endometrial receptivity in PCOS rats, and its mechanism is related to the LIF/LIFR/STAT3 pathway.