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Systemic treatment in the rat with epidermal growth factor causes polycystic growth of the ovaries
Author(s) -
CHRISTIANSEN JENS JOHANNES,
VINTERJENSEN LARS,
NIELSEN KARSTEN
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
apmis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0903-4641
DOI - 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1996.tb00700.x
Subject(s) - polycystic ovary , follicular phase , epidermal growth factor , medicine , endocrinology , ovary , follicular cyst , cyst , stimulation , biology , receptor , pathology , insulin , insulin resistance
Background: It has previously been suggested that epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a role in the function of the ovary. We administered systemic EGF to assess the influence of EGF receptor stimulation on the morphology of the ovaries. Methods: Forty‐eight female Wistar rats were allocated to five groups receiving EGF treatment (150 μg/kg/day) for 0 (controls), 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. All rats were exactly 8 weeks at the start of the experiment and 12 weeks at sacrifice. The EGF was administered in the weeks prior to sacrifice. At sacrifice, the perfusion‐fixed ovaries were removed and weighed, and the volumes of tissue components were quantified using stereology. Results: EGF administration increased the total weight of the ovaries from 129±18 mg in the controls to 158±29 mg (p<0.05) after one week. In subsequent weeks the total weight increased to 230±73 mg (p<0.001). The weight gain after one week of treatment was exclusively due to a fourfold increase in follicular cyst volume (p<0.01). In subsequent weeks the cyst volume was increased up to eightfold. After 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment the quantity of luteinizing cells was likewise increased by 70% (p<0.01). Conclusion: EGF administration causes the follicular cells to produce cysts and increases the quantity of luteinizing cells.