The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Jun 1983
Endocrinological and histological aspects of the process of polycystic ovary formation in the rat treated with testosterone propionate.
To elucidate the process underlying polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome, we tried to produce experimental PCO by sterilizing rats with androgen and investigated the formation of PCO endocrinologically and histologically. Wistar-Imamichi strain female rats were given an injection of testosterone propionate 1.25 mg on 5 days of age. On 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 130, 160, 200 days after the injection the ovaries were obtained. ⋯ Serum estradiol decreased more markedly than estrone did. The 40 day-ovaries showed polycystic features, lack of corpus luteum, hyperthecosis, luteinization of stroma, while no thickening of tunica albuginea. In conclusion, the rats treated with testosterone propionate had many endocrinological and histological aspects similar to those of human PCO syndrome.