Effects of benzene, quercetin, and their combination on porcine ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, and hormone release

Abstract. We hypothesized that the environmental contaminant benzene and the plant antioxidant quercetin may affect ovarian cell functions and that quercetin could offer protection against the adverse effects of benzene. This study aimed to examine the action of benzene, quercetin, and their combination on porcine ovarian granulosa cell functions. We elucidated the effects of benzene (20  µ g mL −1 ), quercetin (at the doses 0, 1, 10, 100  µ g mL −1 ), and their combination on ovarian granulosa cell functions (proliferation, apoptosis, and hormone release) in vitro using immunocytochemistry and enzyme immunoassay respectively. Benzene alone stimulated proliferation, apoptosis, and oxytocin release and inhibited progesterone and prostaglandin F release. Quercetin alone inhibited proliferation, apoptosis, and stimulated oxytocin release but did not affect progesterone and prostaglandin F release. When used in combination with benzene, quercetin promoted the inhibitory effect of benzene on progesterone release. Overall, these data suggest that benzene and quercetin have direct stimulatory and inhibitory effects, respectively, on basic ovarian functions. Moreover, no protective action of quercetin against the effects of benzene was found. Rather, it was found to enhance the effect of benzene on progesterone release. Therefore, quercetin cannot be considered for preventing or mitigating the effects of benzene on reproductive processes.