Alterations in Reproductive Parameters and Antioxidant Status following Sodium Valproate Administration in Female Wistar Rats

This study evaluated the effects of sodium valproate (SV) on reproductive function in female Wistar rats. Twenty rats were divided into four groups (control, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg SV) and treated orally for 21 days. Estrous cycles were monitored before and during treatment. Evaluated parameters included body weight, oxidative stress indices (MDA, SOD, GPx, and TAC), reproductive hormone levels (AMH, inhibin B, FSH, LH, estradiol, and progesterone), and histological changes in the ovaries and uterus. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and ANOVA at p < 0.05. SV treatment significantly increased MDA levels while reducing SOD, TAC, GPx, AMH, inhibin B, LH, FSH, estradiol, and progesterone compared with controls. Analysis of estrous cyclicity revealed significant disruptions following SV exposure, with the frequencies of the proestrous (100 and 400 mg/kg) and diestrous phases (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced relative to their pretreatment values, while the frequencies of the estrous and metestrous phases were significantly reduced only in the 400 mg/kg group. SV-treated rats exhibited significant increases in body weight and significant reductions in both absolute and relative ovarian and uterine weights. Histological examination revealed morphological differences in ovaries and uterus of treated rats compared with controls. In silico docking analysis indicated that SV exhibited lower binding affinities than the corresponding reference ligands across most molecular targets evaluated. SV administration was associated with disruption in reproductive hormone balance, estrous cyclicity, and changes in reproductive organ morphology and weight, suggesting potential adverse effects on female reproductive function.