Abstract
BackgroundInjecting estradiol valerate (EV) to pre-pubertal or adult female rat results in effects similar to those observed in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). One of the mechanisms involved in PCOS development is the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. In EV-induced PCOS rats, the unilateral sectioning of the superior ovarian nerve (SON) restores ovulation of the innervated ovary. This suggests that, in addition to the sympathetic innervation, other neural mechanisms are involved in the development/maintenance of PCOS. The aims of present study were analyze if the vagus nerve is one of the neural pathways participating in PCOS development.MethodsTen-day old rats were injected with EV dissolved in corn oil. At 24-days of age sham-surgery, unilateral, or bilateral sectioning of the vagus nerve (vagotomy) was performed on these rats. The animals were sacrificed at 90–92 days of age, when they presented vaginal estrous preceded by a pro-estrus smear.ResultsIn EV-induced PCOS rats, unilateral or bilateral vagotomy restored ovulation in both ovaries. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in PCOS rats with unilateral or bilateral vagotomy were lower than in control rats.ConclusionsThis result suggests that in EV-induced PCOS rats the vagus nerve is a neural pathway participating in maintaining PCOS. The vagus nerve innervates the ovaries directly and indirectly through its synapsis in the celiac-superior-mesenteric ganglion, where the somas of neurons originating in the SON are located. Then, it is possible that vagotomy effects in EV-induced PCOS rats may be explained as a lack of communication between the central nervous system and the ovaries.
Highlights
Injecting estradiol valerate (EV) to pre-pubertal or adult female rat results in effects similar to those observed in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Hormonal signals regulating ovarian functions arise from the pituitary, adrenal, ovaries, thymus and thyroid; while neural signals arrive to the ovaries through the superior ovarian nerve (SON), the plexus ovarian nerve (OPN) and the vagus nerve
The aim of the present study was to analyze if the vagus nerve is one of the neural pathways participating in PCOS development
Summary
Injecting estradiol valerate (EV) to pre-pubertal or adult female rat results in effects similar to those observed in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In EV-induced PCOS rats, the unilateral sectioning of the superior ovarian nerve (SON) restores ovulation of the innervated ovary. This suggests that, in addition to the sympathetic innervation, other neural mechanisms are involved in the development/maintenance of PCOS. Hormonal signals regulating ovarian functions arise from the pituitary, adrenal, ovaries, thymus and thyroid; while neural signals arrive to the ovaries through the superior ovarian nerve (SON), the plexus ovarian nerve (OPN) and the vagus nerve. Experimental models proposed to study the POCS include injecting estradiol valerate (EV), neonatal androgenization, the exposure of animals to constant light, and chronic stress induced by cold [11,12,13]
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