Polycystic ovary syndrome alters the endocrine profile and increases histomorphological alterations in the uterus of aged rats in the long-term

BRACHO GS; IÑIGUEZ I; LOPEZ AF; ACOSTA MV; KASS L; LUQUE EH; BOSQUIAZZO VL

Mar del Plata

Congreso; REUNIÓN CONJUNTA SAIC SAB AAFE AACYTAL 2023; 2023

This study aimed to investigatethe long-term impacts of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on rat uterinehealth. To achieve this, we evaluated: a) Levels of serum steroid hormones, b)determination of uterine lesions incidence and multiplicity, c) evaluation ofuterine collagen remodeling, and d) infiltration of eosinophils. PCOS was inducedin female Wistar rats through sc injection of dehydroepiandrosterone (6mg/100gbw) from 21 to 40 days of age. The CONTROL group received injections of sesameoil. Animals were euthanized at 18 months (CONTROL18 and PCOS18) and at 24months (CONTROL24 and PCOS24). Blood samples were collected for thequantification of sex steroids, and uterine were dissected and processed forhistomorphological analysis. At 18 months, levels of 17β-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone were comparable between thegroups, revealing distinct alterations in luminal epithelium and glands. PCOS18rats exhibited an increased in multiplicity of glands with squamous metaplasiaand gland conglomerates. Additionally, elevated of collagen remodeling wasobserved in subepithelial stroma along with a reduction in the myometrium.Eosinophil infiltration remained unchanged. At 24 months, PCOS24 rats displayedlower serum progesterone compared to CONTROL24 rats (CONTROL24: 22.4 ± 6.2 vs.PCOS24: 5.9 ± 1.9 ng/mL, p<0.05). PCOS24 rats exhibited the same epithelialalterations identified at 18 months, along with an augmented incidence ofintraepithelial lumens and glands displaying cytoplasmic vacuoles. In thisgroup, collagen remodeling increased in subepithelial stroma while decreasing inthe myometrium. Additionally, higher eosinophils counts were noted in bothcompartments. Our findings underscore that PCOS expedites the onset of uterinealterations observed in 24-monthold rats. The alterations found were linked toheightened estrogen stimulation that was inadequately balanced by progesterone,which could promote the emergence of neoplasia.