ovary stereological features and serum biochemical factors following induction of polycystic ovary syndrome with testosterone enanthate in mice: an experimental study

Background: polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) is an endocrine disorder featured by insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism. testosterone enanthate can induce pcos in mice models. objective: we investigated the ovary stereological features along with the oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in mice following pcos induction using testosterone enanthate. materials and methods: twelve female nmri mice (3 wk old) were divided into 2 groups (n=6/each): control and pcos. pcos was induced through daily injections of testosterone enanthate (1 mg/100g subcutaneous s.c for 5 wk). finally, ovaries were studied stereologically. the serum levels of the follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured using elisa kit. serum levels of malondialdehyde and the antioxidant capacity were measured relatively using thiobarbituric acid and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. results: the mean total volume of ovary and the mean volume of cortex (p<0.001), volume of oocyte in the preantral (p=0.011) and antral follicle (p=0.015), thickness of zona pellucida (p=0.016), the number of antral follicles (p=0.012), the serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (p<0.001) and the antioxidant capacity (p=0.020) reduced significantly in the pcos group compared to the control. the number of primary (p=0.017) and preantral (p=0.006) follicles and the serum levels of testosterone (p<0.001), luteinizing hormone (p=0.002), malondialdehyde, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (p<0.001) showed a significant increase in the pcos group compared to the control. conclusion: testosterone enanthate induced pcos causes stereological features in the ovary, increases the oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in mice.