Vincristine-induced alterations in ovarian function and oocyte quality: Modulation by dichloroacetate
Posted by Ernesto on Thursday, 27 August 2026
Autores:
Agustina Toledo 1 , Paulina Simoes 2 , Clara Fernández-Tabó 2 , Karina Hernández-Mir 2 , Rebeca Chávez-Genaro 3 , Gabriel Anesetti 4
Revista (o libro):
Reprod Biol.
Año:
2026
Mes-dia:
0730
issue, vol, paginas, etc:
26(4):101267
doi:
10.1016/j.repbio.2026.101267
PMID:
42531889
Abstract:
Vincristine (VCR) is used in chemotherapy regimens and is generally considered to present low gonadotoxicity; however, its effects on ovarian function and oocyte quality are still to be wholly understood. Dichloroacetate (DCA), a metabolic modulator that promotes pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activation, may influence the ovarian response to chemotherapeutic agents. Adult female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: control, VCR, DCA, and VCR + DCA. During weeks 1-3, subjects received DCA via drinking water, and VCR was injected intraperitoneally during weeks 2-3. Short-term effects (at the end of week 3) were evaluated using ovarian histological and immunohistochemical analyses, including FOXO3a, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), cleaved caspase-3, Ki-67, and oxidative stress markers. Effects on oocyte number, diameter, and meiotic spindle morphology were evaluated in week 7 (Long-term effects). VCR was found to disrupt estrous cyclicity, reduce the number of growing follicles, and increase follicular atresia. These changes were associated with decreased AMH signaling and heightened cytoplasmic localization of FOXO3a, suggesting enhanced primordial follicle activation. VCR also increased the ovarian catalase levels. Long-term effects included reduced ovulation rate and alterations in oocyte diameter and meiotic spindle length. Combined treatment with DCA exacerbated the loss of growing follicles and reduced ovulatory rate, although some oocyte parameters, such as spindle length, were comparable to those in controls. Therefore, we propose that VCR induces significant alterations in ovarian function and oocyte quality that may persist beyond treatment. In contrast, DCA exhibits a dual effect, potentially aggravating follicular depletion while improving specific aspects of oocyte morphology.
Afiliaciones:
1 Unidad Académica de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Electronic address: agustinatoledo@fmed.edu.uy.
2 Unidad Académica de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
3 Unidad Académica de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Electronic address: rchavez@fmed.edu.uy.
4 Unidad Académica de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Electronic address: ganesett@fmed.edu.uy.
Enlace pubmed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42531889/
Enlace full text:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1642-431X(26)00089-6
Cita:
Toledo A, Simoes P, Fernández-Tabó C, Hernández-Mir K, Chávez-Genaro R, Anesetti G. Vincristine-induced alterations in ovarian function and oocyte quality: Modulation by dichloroacetate. Reprod Biol. 2026 Jul 30;26(4):101267. doi: 10.1016/j.repbio.2026.101267. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42531889.