Ovarian structure and hormonal status of the UChA and UChB adult rats in response to ethanol.
OBJECTIVE
In females, chronic alcoholism has a current and dangerous incidence to fertility. This work had the goal of elucidating the alterations on the ovary of UChA and UChB adult rats (ethanol 10% (v/v) voluntary drinkers).


METHODS
After the treatment period, 42 female rats divided into three experimental groups (UChA, UChB and Wistar) suffered decapitation and their ovaries were removed and processed to further analysis on light and electron microscopy. The ovary was entirely sliced and stained by hematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson's tricromic. Thereby, the enzymatic reaction to acid and alkaline phosphatase, estral cyclicity, reproductive hormonal status and frequency in oestrous-related ovarian structures were assigned.


RESULTS
The UChB rats showed an increase in body mass gain index and the ovaries relative weight was significantly lower comparing to the other groups. UCh rats presented the longest estral cycle durations and also persistent oestrous phasis, with uninterrupted cycles. Advanced follicular atresia was common in UCh animals, and degenerating intracellular fragments could be observed through acid phosphatase and electron microscopy techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
There were some estral cyclicity irregularities caused by chronic ethanol intake in the UCh groups which were consequently reflected as morphologic injury in the ovary structure.
Chuffa
Luiz Gustavo A
LG
Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas-SP, Brazil.
Padovani
Carlos R
CR
Martinez
Francisco E
FE
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D005496:Follicular Atresia / Q000187:drug effects; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains