Systemic treatment in the rat with epidermal growth factor causes polycystic growth of the ovaries.
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 microgram/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).


CONCLUSIONS
EGF administration causes the follicular cells to produce cysts and increases the quantity of luteinizing cells.
Christiansen
J J
JJ
Department of Pathology, Aalborg Hospital, Denmark.
Vinter-Jensen
L
L
Nielsen
K
K
D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor