Exposure to xylene leads to dysfunction of mammalian female reproduction. Quercetin present in vegetables contribute significantly to their role as health-promoting foods. The effects of xylene and quercetin on ovarian cell function, their interrelationships, and mechanisms of action are insufficiently studied. In this in vitro study, we examined the effects of xylene, quercetin, and xylene/quercetin combination on basic bovine ovarian cell functions, such as proliferation, apoptosis, and hormone release. Furthermore, we examined the protective effect of quercetin against the potential negative effects of xylene. Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed via immunocytochemistry using PCNA and BAX markers. The release of progesterone, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF–I) was analysed by EIA/RIA. Xylene stimulated proliferation and IGF-I release, but inhibited progesterone and testosterone release. Quercetin inhibited proliferation, apoptosis, and release of IGF–I, progesterone, and testosterone. When administered with xylene, quercetin prevented the action of xylene on proliferation and IGF-I release, induced the stimulatory action of xylene on apoptosis, and promoted the effect of xylene on release of progesterone but not testosterone. These results demonstrated the actions of both xylene and quercetin on basic ovarian cell functions. Furthermore, they show, that quercetin can either prevented or promote xylene effects on the ovarian cells, which indicates potential usefulness of quercetin for prevention of xylene action on female reproduction.
