RT - Journal Article T1 - Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Vitex agnus-castus fruit on fertility and estrous cycle in letrozole- induced polycystic ovary (PCOS) in rat JF - RJMS YR - 2017 JO - RJMS VO - 24 IS - 156 UR - http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-4257-en.html SP - 42 EP - 48 K1 - Polycystic ovary syndrome K1 - Vitexagnus-castus K1 - estrus cycle K1 - fertility AB - Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most important endocrine disorders and a common cause of anovulation and infertility in women in the reproductive age. Vite xagnus castus is used as an alternative medicine for treatment of endocrine disorders in women. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Vitex agnus castus on fertility and estrous cycle in rats with induced PCOS. Methods: Following 14 days monitoring of estrous cycles of rats, 28 animals with regular cycles were selected and randomly divided into four groups of control, treatment-control or sham (received 365 mg/kg Vitex extract for 30 days), PCO (received letrozole 1mg/kg for 28 days to induce PCOS) and PCT (treated with Vitex extract 365mg/kg for 30 days after induction of PCOS). Two weeks before and two weeks after treatment estrous cycle of all animals were checked and they were allowed to mate. Litter size and weight of ovaries were measured in the last day. Results: The results showed that estrous cycle of PCO group was irregular and most often stopped in diestrus phase. Ovarian weights significantly increased in PCO group compared to control and sham groups, and none of the animals were pregnant in this group. In the group treated with Vitex extract, litter size did not change significantly, while ovarian weight decreased significantly compared to PCO group. Vitex extract was able to improve the estrous cycle in this group. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a positive effect of vitex extract on estrous cycle, ovarian weight and fertility in rats with induced PCOS. LA eng UL http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-4257-en.html M3 ER -