Effects of intraperitoneal spermidine injection on polyamine content and metabolism-related gene expression in mouse ovary

Objective To observe the effects of intraperitoneal injection of spermidine on polyamine metabolism in mouse ovary.

Method Mice were injected with different doses of spermidine0(control), 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 mg·g^-1. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to determine the ovarian expression levels of key genes in polyamine metabolism. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect the polyamine levels in mouse ovarian tissues.

Result After administration of 0.15 mg·g^-1 spermidine, the expression of ODC, OAZ1, SPMS, SSAT, PAOX and SMOX genes in ovarian tissues were significantly higher compared to other three groups. SPDS gene expressions of all three spermidine administration groups were significantly lower compared to control. After administration of 0.10 mg·g^-1 spermidine, the putrescine and spermidine contents in mouse ovary were significantly higher compared to control, while spermidine administration had no significant effect on spermine content in ovary.

Conclusion Exogenous spermidine injected intraperitoneally can change polyamine content and polyamine metabolism-related gene expression in mouse ovary. Such effects are dose-dependent. Exogenous spermidine can potentially participate in the regulation of ovarian function through adjusting polyamine metabolism.