# Hydrogen-rich Water Exerting a Protective Effect on Ovarian Reserve Function in a Mouse Model of Immune Premature Ovarian Failure Induced by Zona Pellucida 3.
> ゾナペルシダ3誘発免疫性早発卵巣不全マウスモデルにおける水素水の卵巣予備能保護効果


## Abstract

Premature ovarian failure (POF) impairs female fertility, and ovarian reserve function is a key determinant of reproductive capacity. Using a BALB/c mouse model of immune POF induced by zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3) immunization, this study evaluated whether hydrogen-rich water could preserve ovarian reserve over a 5-week period. Fifty mice were allocated to four groups: control, hydrogen-rich water alone, ZP3-immunized with normal water, and ZP3-immunized with hydrogen-rich water. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, granulosa cell (GC) apoptotic index (AI), and Bcl-2/Bax expression were assessed. ZP3-immunized mice receiving normal water showed markedly reduced AMH (5.41±0.91 ng/ml) and elevated GC apoptosis (21.30±1.74%). Hydrogen-rich water administration restored AMH to 15.03±2.75 ng/ml, reduced the GC apoptotic index to 11.24±0.58%, increased Bcl-2 expression, and lowered the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These findings indicate that hydrogen-rich water can partially preserve ovarian reserve by suppressing granulosa cell apoptosis in this immune POF model.

### Mechanism

Hydrogen-rich water appears to upregulate Bcl-2 expression and reduce the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in ovarian tissue, thereby suppressing granulosa cell apoptosis and preserving ovarian reserve function in an immune POF model.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: He X, Wang SP, Yin CH, Wang T, Jia CW, Ma Y
- **Journal**: Chin Med J (Engl)
- **Year**: 2016 (2016-10-05)
- **PMID**: [27647193](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27647193/)
- **DOI**: [10.4103/0366-6999.190668](https://doi.org/10.4103/0366-6999.190668)
- **PMC**: [PMC5040020](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5040020/)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 27647193. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/27647193
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [27647193](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27647193/)