الفهرس 
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Abstract
This work was devoted for the investigation of the possible protective effect of L-carnitine in two doses and folic acid on MTX-induced ovarian toxicity in rats.
Fifty female rats were divided randomly into five groups (ten rats each). First group served as negative control with saline. Second group received only MTX (1 mg/kg, IP) as positive control group. Remaining groups were injected with MTX (1 mg/kg/day, IP) preceded by oral administration of either L-carnitine (50 mg and 100 mg/kg) or folic acid (250 ug/kg) for four weeks.
At the end of the 4th week, all rats were weighed before sacrification by decapitation and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of (TOC, TAC and AMH). Both ovaries were excised and washed with ice-cold saline then weighed. The left ovaries were preserved in formalin 10 % till preparation for histopathological examination. The right ovaries were perfused with a phosphate buffered saline, homogenized and centrifuged for measurement of MDA, NO and caspase 3 levels.
Administration of MTX (1 mg/kg, I.P) for four weeks produced a significant reduction of body weight, ovarian weight, ovarian index, serum TAC and AMH levels, and a significant increase in serum TOC, OSI levels. Ovarian tissue levels of MDA, NO and caspase 3 were significantly increased. Additionally, MTX administration provoked some histopathological changes in the ovaries such as detachment of germinal epithelium with degenerative changes in graffian and antral follicles and reduced number of TAFC.
Daily oral treatment of L-carnitine (50, 100 mg/kg for four weeks) plus MTX (1 mg/kg I.P once weekly for four weeks) produced insignificant change in final body weight of rats, significantly increased ovarian weight, significantly decreased TOC serum level, OSI, ovarian tissue MDA and NO levels and significantly increased serum AMH level. On histopathological examination, both doses alleviated the MTX produced injuries in ovaries and significantly increased TAFC in comparison to MTX treated rats. High dose significantly increased ovarian index, TAC serum level and significantly decreased ovarian tissue caspase 3 level while low dose produced insignificant change in these three parameters compared to MTX treated rats.
Daily oral treatment of folic acid (250 ug/kg for four weeks) plus MTX (1 mg/kg, I.P once weekly for four weeks produced insignificant change in final body weight but significantly increased ovarian weight and ovarian index. It significantly decreased TOC serum level and OSI and significantly increased TAC serum level. Also, it significantly decreased ovarian tissue MDA, NO levels with insignificant change in caspase 3 level. In addition, it significantly increased serum AMH levels. On histopathological examination, it alleviated the MTX produced injuries in ovaries and significantly increased TAFC in comparison to MTX treated rats.