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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Neonatal testosterone exposure induces early development of follicular cysts followed by sympathetic ovarian hyperinnervation

Gabriel Anesetti A and Rebeca Chávez-Genaro A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Histology and Embryology Department, School of Medicine, General Flores 2125, CP 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay.

B Corresponding author. Email: rchavez@fmed.edu.uy

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 28(11) 1753-1761 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD14460
Submitted: 21 November 2014  Accepted: 5 April 2015   Published: 20 May 2015

Abstract

This study analysed the temporal association between ovarian cyst development induced by neonatal androgenisation and sympathetic innervation. Neonatal rats (postnatal Days 1 to 5) were treated with testosterone or dihydrotestosterone and the effects were evaluated at postnatal Days 20, 40, 90 or 180. Ovulation rate, number of cystic follicles and density of sympathetic fibres were analysed. The effects of surgical denervation or gonadotrophin stimulation were also assessed. Rats exposed to testosterone showed no oestrous cycle activity and did not ovulate, maintaining a polycystic ovarian morphology at all ages studied. Also, a significant increase in ovarian density of noradrenergic fibres was detected at postnatal Days 90 and 180. Sympathectomy was unable to re-establish ovarian activity; however, human chorionic gonadotrophin stimulation was enough to induce ovulation. The impact of dihydrotestosterone on ovarian function was less noticeable, showing the coexistence of corpora lutea and cystic structures without changes in sympathetic innervation. Our findings suggest that a remodelling of ovarian sympathetic innervation occurs as a response to modifications in the pattern of follicular growth induced by testosterone. A role of sympathetic innervation in the maintenance of the polycystic condition is suggested.

Additional keywords: androgen, cysts, ovary, rat, sympathetic innervation.


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