The Effects of Dietary Wheat and Corn Glutens on the Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Structure of the Ovarian Tissue and Serum and Ovarian Tissue LH and FSH Levels and Lipid Profiles in Rats

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the effects of corn and wheat glutens on the histopathological and immunohistochemical structure of the ovarian tissue, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and lipid profile in rats. Twenty-day-old 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three groups, and were raised until 185 days of age. Three study groups, named as Wheat, Corn and Soybean Groups, were established and fed on wheat gluten, corn gluten and soybean meal, respectively, as a protein source. At the end of the trial, ovarian tissue specimens and serum samples were taken from the animals, and analyzed. Compared to Soybean Group, in Wheat Group, of the ovarian histopathological parameters investigated, values pertaining to the primordial, primary, secondary, and Graafian follicles and corpora lutea (CL) were numerically smaller, and for the immunohistochemical parameters investigated, in the transglutaminase 2 (TGM2), gliadin, IgA, IgM, CD4 and CD8 were immunopositivity higher (P>0.05). It was determined that, in Wheat Group, ovarian tissue LH levels had significantly decreased, whilst serum FSH levels had significantly increased (P<0.05). Wheat Group also displayed reduced ovarian tissue cholesterol levels and increased serum monoacylglycerol levels (P<0.05). In result, it was ascertained that wheat and corn glutens had limited effects on the histopathological and immunohistochemical structure of the ovarian tissue, but showed distinct effects on ovarian tissue LH and serum FSH levels.