Reproductive age-associated fibrosis in the stroma of the mammalian ovary

• DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0129
• Publication Date: 2016-08-05T02:53:40Z
• Authors: Shawn M Briley; Susmita Jasti; Jennifer M McCracken; Jessica E Hornick; Barbara Fegley; Michele T Pritchard; Francesca E Duncan
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Aging; Reproduction; Ovary; Fibrosis; Extracellular Matrix; 3. Good health; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; Female; Inflammation Mediators; Stromal Cells; Coloring Agents; Azo Compounds; Cells, Cultured

Under normal physiological conditions, tissue remodeling in response to injury leads regeneration without permanent damage. However, if homeostasis between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components is altered, fibrosis - or the excess accumulation ECM can disrupt architecture function. Several organs, including heart, lung kidney, exhibit age-associated fibrosis. Here we investigated whether underlies aging ovary an organ that ages chronologically before other organs. We used Picrosirius Red (PSR), a connective stain specific for collagen I III fibers, evaluate ovarian Using bright-field, epifluorescence, confocal polarized light microscopy, validated staining highly ordered PSR-stained fibers ovary. next examined PSR two mouse strains (CD1 CB6F1) across continuum found was minimal ovaries from reproductively young adult animals, increased distinct foci animals mid-to-advanced reproductive age, prominent throughout stroma oldest animals. Consistent with fibrosis, there increase hydroxyproline content. also observed unique population multinucleated macrophage giant cells, which are associated chronic inflammation, within exclusively old mice. In fact, several genes central inflammation had significantly higher levels expression mice relative These results establish as early hallmark stroma, this altered microenvironment may contribute decline gamete quality.