Effects of testosterone on cancellous bone, marrow adipocytes, and ovarian phenotype in a young female rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of testosterone on cancellous bone and marrow adipocytes in a young female rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Comparative and controlled study.


METHODS
University animal research laboratory.


METHODS
Fifty-one Sprague-Dawley rats.


METHODS
The rats were divided into four groups based on the day of testosterone propionate (0.1 mg/weight (g)) injection: no testosterone treatment (control group, C); injected on the ninth day after birth (9D); injected 4 weeks after birth (4W); and injected 8 weeks after birth (8W). About 16 weeks after birth, all animals were killed.


METHODS
Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone and fat histomorphometry for the proximal tibia and serum hormonal parameters were measured.


RESULTS
The ovaries of group 9D showed many cystic follicles without corpora lutea. The BMD of group 9D (0.309 +/- 0.023 g/cm2) was significantly higher than the other groups groups (CONT, 0.262 +/- 0.017; 4W, 0.256 +/- 0.017; 8W, 0.256 +/- 0.022 g/cm2; P < .0001). Based on bone histomorphometry, group 9D had a higher bone volume (BV/TV), lower bone formation (OV/BV, OS/BS, sLS/BS, MAR, BFR/BS), lower bone resorption (ES/BS, Oc.S/BS), and lower rate of longitudinal growth compared to the other groups. Based on fat histomorphometry, group 9D had a lower bone fat volume and number of fat cells in the bone marrow compared to the other groups. On the other hand, groups 4W and 8W showed similar values of bone and fat histomorphometric parameters to group C.


CONCLUSIONS
Female rats receiving testosterone within nine days of birth develop polycystic ovaries, high bone volume, low bone turnover, and lower fat content in the bone marrow.
Tamura
Nozomi
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, Japan.
Kurabayashi
Takumi
T
Nagata
Hiroshi
H
Matsushita
Hiroshi
H
Yahata
Tetsuro
T
Tanaka
Kenichi
K
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D013977:Tibia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D013739:Testosterone