Pathogenic reactions of the ovarian surface epithelium to ovulation, dimethylbenzanthracene, and estrogen are negated by vitamin E.
OBJECTIVE
Acute effects of ovulation, the tumor suppressor disruptor dimethylbenzanthracene, the mitogen estradiol-17beta, and the antioxidant vitamin E on the ovarian epithelium were assessed in seasonally anestrous ewes.


METHODS
Dimethylbenzanthracene and vitamin E were administered before and estradiol after gonadotropin-induced ovulation. Ovaries were removed for histopathology one and three weeks following ovulation. Surface epithelial cells isolated at one week were immunostained for 8-oxoguanine and assayed for urokinase plasminogen activator secretion--markers of genotoxic and invasive potentials.


RESULTS
Ovarian surface invaginations and cortical inclusion cysts containing stratified epithelium were observed at three weeks in ovulated animals treated with dimethylbenzanthracene and estradiol. Progenitor cells were 8-oxoguanine positive and hypersecreted urokinase plasminogen activator. Untoward responses were circumvented by vitamin E.


CONCLUSIONS
Antioxidant therapy appears to be of value in precluding periovulatory disturbances to the ovarian surface epithelium that has been associated with carcinogenesis.
Murdoch
William J
WJ
Reproductive Biology Program, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA. wmurdoch@uwyo.edu
Van Kirk
Edward A
EA
Shen
Youqing
Y
D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014810:Vitamin E; D004958:Estradiol; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene