الفهرس 
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Abstract
Background: Both chronic stress and zinc deficiency have been linked to ovarian dysfunction, and researches suggested a fascinating interplay between them. Zinc is an essential trace element that plays a crucial role in the female reproductive system.
Aim: This study was designed to investigate the potential effect of zinc (Zn) on ovarian dysfunction in chronic restraint stress (CRS) model in female Wistar rats and try to determine its underlying possible mechanisms in this regard.
Methods: 48-female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups as Control group, CRS subjected group, CRS+Zn administered group, and Zn administered group.
Results: Zn significantly improved CRS-induced behavioural changes as evidenced by open field test and forced swimming test. Also it significantly improved CRS-induced increase in serum cortisol, decrease in body weight and ovarian dysfunction. The improvement of ovarian dysfunction was evidenced by signficant increase in the ovarian index, serum estradiol (E2) levels, serum anrimullerian hormone (AMH) levels and signficant decrease in follicular atreia, decrease in serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and serum leutinizing hormone (LH) levels. At the same time Zn signficantly increased ovarian brain derived neutotrophic factor gene expression (BDNF), ovarian phosphoinsitol-3 kinase (PI3K), anti apoptotic Bcl-2 marker and signficantly decreased apoptotic markers Bax and caspase 3.
Conclusion: the present work supports the presence of a biological link between chronic stress and ovarian dysfunction and highlights the promising role of oral zinc supplements in limiting CRS-induced behavioral changes and ovarian dysfunction mostly through activating BDNF-PI3K antiapoptotic pathway.