title: Dynamics of the primate ovarian surface epithelium during the ovulatory menstrual cycle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) risk correlates strongly with the number of ovulations that a woman experiences. The primary source of EOC in women is the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Mechanistic studies on the etiology of OSE transformation to EOC cannot be realistically performed in women. Selecting a suitable animal model to investigate the normal OSE in the context of ovulation should be guided by the model's reproductive similarities to women in natural features that are thought to contribute to EOC risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected the non-human primate, rhesus macaque, as a surrogate to study the normal OSE during the natural menstrual cycle. We investigated OSE morphology and marker expression, plus cell proliferation and death in relation to menstrual cycle stage and ovulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  OSE cells displayed a morphological range from squamous to columnar. Cycle-independent parameters and cycle-dependent changes were observed for OSE histology, steroid receptor expression, cell death, DNA repair and cell adhesion. Contrary to findings in non-primates, primate OSE cells were not manifestly cleared from the site of ovulation, nor were proliferation rates affected by ovulation or stage of the menstrual cycle. DNA repair proteins were more highly expressed in OSE than in other ovarian cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identifies significant differences between primate and non-primate OSE. In contrast to established views, ovulation-induced death and proliferation are not indicated as prominent contributors to EOC risk, but disruption of OSE cadherin-mediated adhesion may be, as could the loss of ovary-mediated chronic suppression of proliferation and elevation of DNA repair potential.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA. wrightj@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Jay W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jurevic
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stouffer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000502:physiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000209:etiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone