Reproductive Performance of Mouse Oocyte after In Vivo Exposure of The Ovary to Continuous Wave Ultrasound

Background: There is a lack of studies regarding the effects of ultrasound (US) and replicationof its exposure on pre-implantation events in mammals. Thus, this study assesses the reproductiveperformance of mouse oocytes that have been obtained from ovaries irradiated with US wavesversus non-irradiated ovaries. Also comparision of their parthenogenesis, ovulation, fertilization,and pre-implantation development rates.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we divided extracted ovaries into threeexperimental groups that received the same dosage, but different replicates of radiation for eachgroup. Results were compared with the control and sham groups. Continuous wave (CW) US,at a spatial average intensity of 355 mW/cm2 and a frequency of 3.28 MHz, was administeredfor 5 minutes to the ovaries at an interval between pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injections. Statistical analysis was performed using theANOVA test and the level of significance was determined to be 0.05.Results: Data collection was based on microscopic visualization. According to the obtained results,metaphase II (MII) oocyte numbers and the percentage of blastocysts significantly reduced in the USexposedgroups versus the unexposed groups. Fertilization rate was comparable between groups whileparthenogenesis was significantly higher in the US-exposed groups compared to the unexposed groups.Conclusion: Structural damage to cells, intracellular organelles and proteins, as well as changesin signaling pathways induced by US may be reasons for some of the observed adverse effects ingroups that have received more US exposure.