Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women, with a prevalence of 8–12% during the reproductive years. In the present study, using prenatal exposure to a single dose of testosterone during the critical period of fetal development,we aimed to introduce an enhanced ratmodel thatwould exhibit both endocrine and ovarian disturbances similar to PCOS, while maintaining normal reproductive system morphology in adulthood. Ten pregnant rats were injected s.c. with 5 mg free testosterone on gestational day 20, while control rats received only solvent. The development and function of the reproductive system in female offspring were examined in adulthood. Prenatally androgenized offspring had irregular oestrous cycles compared with control animals, and their anogenital and anovaginal distances were increased compared with control rats (P<0.001).No significant differences were observed in the lengths of the vagina and clitoris or thenumber ofnipples between the two groups. Levels of testosteroneandluteinizinghormoneandthe luteinizinghormone/follicle-stimulatinghormone ratio were increased in prenatally androgenized offspring compared with control animals (P<0.05). Thenumbers of preantral and antral follicles inthe ovaries of prenatally androgenized offspring were also increased compared with control rats (P = 0.07 and P < 0.01, respectively). The number of corpora lutea was decreased in prenatally androgenized offspring comparedwith control rats. Cystic follicles were observed in the ovaries of prenatally androgenized offspring. Prenatal exposure to a single dose of testosterone during the critical period of fetal developmentcould facilitate the development a functional rat model of PCOS in adulthood, with minimal morphological disorders in the reproductive system.
کلید واژگان :prenatal androgen, polycystic ovary syndrome, adulthood
ارزش ریالی : 600000 ریال
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