Effects of estradiol benzoate on the ultrastructure of the pinealocyte in the ovariectomized rat.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ovariectomy and ovariectomy followed by estradiol benzoate administration on the ultrastructure of pinealocytes in female rat.


METHODS
For this purpose 15 female Wistar rats were used. Animals were divided into three groups. Group I and II were designated as sham-ovariectomized (control) and ovariectomized, respectively. Group III was ovariectomized and daily injected with estradiol benzoate for one month. At the end of the experiment, all animals were anesthetized with ketamine for fixation by vascular perfusion. Pineal glands of groups I, II and III were removed. All specimens were examined by electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Ovariectomy caused an increase of lipid droplets, mitochondria and ribosomes. Rough endoplasmic reticulum was extensive in the cytoplasm. Estradiol administration to ovariectomized rats resulted in formation of less extensive lipid droplets, mitochondria and ribosomes compared to pinealocyte ultrastructure of both control and ovariectomized rats. Extensiveness of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the pinealocytes of estradiol-administrated rats was similar to that in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm relationship between the pineal gland and gonads in the rat and it has been suggested that estradiol benzoate reverses the ultrastructural changes, which indicate increased cell activation, occurring in the pinealocytes after ovariectomy.
Kus
Ilter
I
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, 23119 Elazig, Turkey.
Oner
Hakan
H
Ozogul
Candan
C
Ayar
Ahmet
A
Ozen
Oguz Aslan
OA
Sarsilmaz
Mustafa
M
Kelestimur
Haluk
H
D000818:Animals; D018870:Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
C074283:estradiol 3-benzoate; D004958:Estradiol