Objective: The beneficial effect of Vitex agnus-castus on the female endocrine system has been reported. This study examines the impact of Vitex extract (VE) on the serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), sex hormones, and P450_arom, AMH, and CTRP6 gene expression in the ovaries of a rat model of PCOS.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-two rats with regular estrous cycles were enrolled as controls, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and two treatment groups. PCOS was induced by estradiol valerate. The treatment groups (T1 &T2) received VE (150 or 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively) for 30 days following PCOS induction. Serum and left ovary were used to assess hormone levels and P450_arom, AMH, and CTRP6 gene expression.
Results: In the T2 group, a significant decrease in estradiol (E2, testosterone, and AMH levels (p=0.028) was observed with no significant change in DHEA (p=0.967) in comparison with the PCOS group. AMH in the serum was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in all the other groups (p=0.021). The level of progesterone was not considerably changed between treatments and the PCOS group (p=0.11).  The expression of P450_arom in the T2 group was significantly higher than the PCOS group (p=0.003) and had no significant difference from the control (p=0.200). The expression of AMH (p=0.003) and CTRP6 was significantly (p=0.0001) higher in the ovaries of the PCOS group compared to other groups, and consumption of the extract improved the evaluated parameters significantly.
Conclusion: The endocrine profile and gene expression were improved in the rat ovary following administration of VE, and therefore, the therapeutic effect of VE may be expected in PCOS.