Study of the Effects of Hyperglycemia and Insulin Therapy on Uterus Histology and Estrous cycle in Wistar Rat

Diabetes as a metabolic disorder affects different tissues and organs، among them the female reproductive tract such as uterus may be a vulnerable organ. This study was undertaken to study the effects of hyperglycemia and insulin therapy on uterus structure، estrous cycle and serum levels of pituitary and ovarian hormones in Wistar rats. Twenty-four female Wistar rats (180-200g) were randomly divided in: control، sham (Citrate buffer i. p)، hyperglycemic (Streptozotocin; 60 mg/kg، i. p) and hyperglycemic+insulin (insulin 20 IU/Kg/day; s. c). At the end of experiment (36 Days) and in diestrus stage، all rats were weighted and blood samples were collected. Thereafter، their right uterus horn was taken out، weighted and then the middle third part of uterine horn was sampled and fixed (Bouein). After histological preparation، the histological and histomorphometrical examination of uterus was performed. Although in comparison with control and hyperglycemic+insulin groups، in hyperglycemic rats body weight، uterus weight and volume، endometrium and myometrium volume were dramatically decreased (p<0. 001) and the serum level of progesterone significantly increased (p<0. 001)، vascular dilation and infiltrating cells resembling plasma cell was also observed. No significant difference was seen between control and insulin treated group for the above parameters. Insulin deficiency، oxidative stress and alteration in the HPG axis which occurs in hyperglycemic condition، may affect the uterus structure. The observed structural changes might well play a significant role in the reproductive difficulties observed during hyperglycemia