Abstract
The present study tested the hypothesis that if polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) results from activating the noradrenergic outflow to the ovary, unilaterally sectioning the superior ovarian nerve (SON) will result in ovulation by the denervated ovary, and the restoration of progesterone (P4), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) normal serum level. A single 2 mg dose of estradiol valerate (EV) to adult rats results in the development of a syndrome similar to the human PCOS. Ten-day old rats were injected with EV or vehicle solution (Vh) and were submitted to sham surgery, unilateral or bilateral sectioning of the SON at 24-days of age. The animals were sacrificed at 90 to 92 days of age, when they presented vaginal estrus preceded by a pro-estrus smear. In EV-treated animals, unilateral sectioning of the SON restored ovulation by the innervated ovary and unilateral or bilateral sectioning of the SON normalized testosterone and estradiol levels. These results suggest that aside from an increase in ovarian noradrenergic tone in the ovaries, in the pathogenesis of the PCOS participate other neural influences arriving to the ovaries via the SON, regulating spontaneous ovulation. Changes in P4, T and E2 serum levels induced by EV treatment seem to be controlled by neural signals arising from the abdominal wall and other signals arriving to the ovaries through the SON, and presents asymmetry.
Highlights
The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 3% to 5% of the female population [1] and is the most common cause of infertility in women of reproductive age [2,3,4]
Data from testosterone propionate (TP)-androgenized rats showed that serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) concentrations were similar to those in the control group [10]
We showed that anovulatory syndrome induced by TP does not occur if the animals had peripheral noradrenergic denervation induced by guanethidine treatment [11]
Summary
The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 3% to 5% of the female population [1] and is the most common cause of infertility in women of reproductive age [2,3,4]. PCOS is a complex disease characterized by ovulatory failure, the presence of ovarian cysts, menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism and variable levels of circulating gonadotropins [3,5]. In women with PCOS, lowering estradiol levels treatments with clomiphen citrate [4,6], bilateral extirpation of a piece of the ovaries [5,7], or by Treating new-born rats with testosterone propionate (TP) or progesterone (P4) resulted in endocrine and histological disorders, similar to those found in women with PCOS syndrome [9]. We showed that anovulatory syndrome induced by TP does not occur if the animals had peripheral noradrenergic denervation induced by guanethidine treatment [11]
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