Histochemical study of estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in the rat

For the present study, and follow-up of histochemical changes in estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 48 virgin 90-day-old female rats were used. The rats were divided into the treatment and control groups. For each rat of the treatment group, 4 mg estradiol valerate was injected through intramuscular route for the induction of PCOS. The control group was taken the same amount of sterile sesame oil. After 63 days of hormone administration, all rats were sacrificed and their ovaries were collected immediately and processed for histochemical studies. These studies were consisted of localization of carbohydrate using PAS method, saturated and unsaturated lipids using Oil-Red-O and Sudan Black B, lipase and alkaline phosphatase. The PAS reaction was seen in some structures of the atretic and cystic follicles such as on zona pellucida (ZP), basement membrane of granulosa cells, connective tissue fibers of ovarian stroma, follicular fluid and granulose cells. This reaction was enhanced in basement membrane of granulose cells of cystic follicles. The lipid droplets were seen in follicular structures of both the atretic and cystic follicles. The presence of macrophages was confirmed in cystic ovaries by this study. The lipase reactions were seen in granulose and theca cells of atretic and cystic follicles. The lipase reaction in the theca layer of cystic follicles was stronger than in the granulose cell layer of such follicles. The alkaline phosphatase reaction was seen in the theca and granulose cells of atretic and cystic follicles and by the progression of these processes and cystic follicle formation, the reaction was increased accordingly. We concluded that, during follicular atresia and cystic follicle formation, histochemical alterations are occurred in follicular structures.