Long-term adverse effects of cyclophosphamide on follicular growth and angiogenesis in mouse ovaries

The adverse effects of the anti-cancer agent cyclophosphamide (CTX) on follicular growth and ovarian angiogenesis were investigated in mice. CTX treatment irreversibly induced a loss of follicles through apoptosis and decreased microvascularization of the corpora lutea and follicles in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrated that CTX adversely affected the ovaries indicating the need to support an awareness of fertility preservation before chemotherapy is initiated. (C) 2014 Society for Biology of Reproduction & the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.