TY - JOUR A1 - , T1 - The possible protective effect of Bougainvillea spectabilis leaves extract on estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats (biochemical and histological study) JO - Eur. J. Anat. SN - 1136-4890 Y1 - 2018 VL - 22 SP - 461 EP - 469 UR - http://www.eurjanat.com/web/paper.php?id=180205ne KW - PCOS â?? Estradiol valerate â?? Bougainvillea spectabilis leaves â?? Anti COX 2 N2 - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive and metabolic disorder in which the level of oxidative elements in blood rises. Bougainvillea spectabilis is a plant with a potent antioxidant effect, since it contains flavonoids. The aim of this work is to explore the possible protective potency of Bougainvillea spectabilis leaves (BSL) extract on ovarian folliculogenesis using a rat model of estradiol valerate (EV) - induced PCOS. Thirty six mature female rats were divided into four groups: 1. Control group (six rats). 2. EV group (ten rats), singly injected with 2mg/kg EV subcutaneously. 3. BSL group (ten rats), given 100mg/kg BSL extract orally for 30 days. 4. EV + BSL group (ten rats), singly injected with EV subcutaneously and given 100mg/kg BSL extract orally for 30 days. Biochemical measurements of serum levels of estrogen, testosterone, LH, FSH, glucose, totals lipids, and total antioxidants were done using ELISA method. Histological (using hematoxylin & eosin and Masson's trichrome stains) and immunohistochemical (using anti cyclooxygenase 2 {COX 2}) studies were performed. This was followed by morphometric measurements and statistical analysis. PCOS caused massive primordial follicle loss and development of cystic follicles with increase in fibrosis, COX 2 immunoexpression. There was a significant reduction in LH, estrogen and glucose serum levels and increase in FSH and the antioxidant serum levels between the EV + BSL-extract-treated group compared to EV-treated group. Histomorphometric studies also showed the significant changes in the number of follicles and decreased cyst formation in the combined therapy group. There was a significant role of BSL extract in restoration of ovarian folliculogenesis and reduction of biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical changes in EV treated group. ER -