Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Original Article

Pathologic Characteristics of Ovarian Hemorrhagic Polycyst in Estrogen Receptor-alpha (ERalpha) Knockout Mice and Roles of ERalpha in Hemorrhagic Polycyst.: Hyun Jin Son, Joo Heon Kim, Hye Kyung Lee, Mee Ja Park, Dong Wook Kang, Che Myong Ko; Korean J Pathol. 2010;44(4):376-383.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2010.44.4.376

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy causing anovulation in women of childbearing age. It has been well established that estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (ERalphaKO) mice display several pathologic ovarian phenotypes of PCOS. The aims of this study were to determine ovarian pathology in new ERalphaKO mice using a CreloxP approach and intra-ovarian ERalpha function as regulating key aspects of PCOS.
METHODS
ERalphaKO mice, which were deficient in exon 3 of the ERalpha gene, were used. Immunohistochemical studies were done on ovaries of control and ERalphaKO mice using antibodies specific to ERalpha, ERbeta, inhibin-alpha, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), as well as histochemical staining using Sudan black-B.
RESULTS
All ovaries of ERalphaKO mice were larger than control mouse ovaries and displayed a disrupted theca-interstitial tissue organization, multiple atretic follicles and multiple hemorrhagic cysts. None of the ERalphaKO mouse ovaries showed a corpus luteum. In addition, heavy deposition of Sudan black-B positive foamy cells was seen. The theca externa of preantral immature follicles and hemorrhagic cysts showed strong expression of alpha-SMA.
CONCLUSIONS
ERalphaKO mice show hemorrhagic polycystic ovaries and hyperplasia of the theca externa. This study demonstrates that the ERalpha is the functional key to the pathogenesis of PCOS.

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