Scabiosa artropurperea var.maritima aqueous extracts improve in vivo fertility parameters and in vitro granulosa cell steroidogenesis in Ewe

Scabiosa artropurperea, a member of the Dipsacaceae family and Scabiosa genus, is renowned for its medicinal properties. In the present study, we investigated the impact of Scabiosa artropurperea aqueous extract (AES) on the in vivo reproductive functions in Queue Fine de l’Ouest ewes, and on in vitro ovine granulosa cells. Ewes were synchronized for 14 days with intra-vagina progesterone (P4) devices (FGA, 20 mg) and divided into four groups receiving daily oral doses of 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg of AES/kg Live Body Weight (LBW), respectively. After sponge removal, all ewes received an intramuscular injection of 400 IU of eCG. Estrous behavior parameters as latency and duration, and prolificacy rates, and plasma hormone levels (estradiol and progesterone) were assessed. Estrus latency was reduced and the duration of estrus was increased in ewes that received 1 mg and 2 mg/kg LBW compared to the control. Prolificacy rates were also significantly improved in 1 mg or 2 mg/kg groups compared to the control. Plasma levels of E2 were also higher on 2 mg/kg LBW treated group. Moreover, ovine granulosa cells were cultured and treated with various concentrations of AES (ranging from 0 to 5 mg/ml). While AES did not affect cell viability and proliferation whatever the conditions, it significantly increased basal steroidogenesis (P4 and E2 concentrations) at the concentration of 0.5 and 0.05 mg/ml and in response to IGF-1 but not FSH at the 0.05 mg/ml concentration. These latter data were associated to an increase in the expression of CYP19A1 and STAR genes but not those of CYP11A1 and HSD3B and to an increase in cellular lactate concentration. Taken together, AES extracts enhanced in vivo reproductive performance in ewe and this was associated to an increase in in vitro granulosa cell steroidogenesis.