Effects of hexestrol on mouse ovarian morphology and ovulation.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze histological aspects of ovaries as well as the ovulation of adult mice treated with the anabolic agent hexestrol.


METHODS
Thirty adult mice were divided into three groups of 10 animals each: (GI) the animals received a dose of 3 mg/kg of hexestrol; (GII) the animals were given a dose of 6 mg/kg of hexestrol; (GIII) the animals were injected with distilled water (vehicle). Another 10-animal group (GIV) was included, and these mice were injected with propionate testosterone (1.25 mg) after 5 days from the day of birth. Hexestrol was administered intraperitoneally once a day and the treatment lasted 30 days. The mice were then sacrificed; their ovaries and oviducts were removed, submitted to histological routine and analyzed under light microscopy.


RESULTS
In mice treated with hexestrol (6 mg/kg) (Group II), ovaries were smaller than those from the controls but highly vascularized; similar results were obtained in GIV. A great number of follicles in several stages of development were found -- however, with no corpora lutea -- in six animals in GII. No corpora lutea were found in GIV. The number of luteal bodies and oocytes in GII was lower than that in GI or GIII. No oocytes were detected in GIV. Finally, the nuclear volume of interstitial cells in GII and GIV was the largest.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that the anabolic agent hexestrol in a high dose may decrease ovulation in mice.
Faculdade de MediCina da Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Department of Gynecology, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Joaquim Moraes
JM
de Oliveira
Manuel J
MJ
Simões
Oswaldo Alves
OA
Mora
Ricardo Santos
RS
Simões
Ricardo M
RM
Oliveira-Filho
Patrícia B
PB
Oliveira
Edmund C
EC
Baracat
José Maria
JM
Soares
D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006589:Hexestrol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D006589:Hexestrol