title: Neurotransmitter alteration in a testosterone propionate-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), one of the leading causes of infertility seen in women, is characterized by anovulation and hyperandrogenism, resulting in ovarian dysfunction. In addition, associations of several metabolic complications like insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia and psychological co-morbidities are well known in PCOS. One of the major factors influencing mood and the emotional state of mind is neurotransmitters. Also, these neurotransmitters are very crucial for GnRH release. Hence, the current study investigates the status of neurotransmitters in PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A PCOS rat model was developed using testosterone. Twenty-one-day-old rats were subcutaneously injected with 10 mg/kg body weight of testosterone propionate (TP) for 35 days. The animals were validated for PCOS characteristics by monitoring estrus cyclicity, serum testosterone and estradiol levels and by histological examination of ovarian sections. Neurotransmitter estimation was carried out using fluorometric and spectrophotometric methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TP-treated animals demonstrated increased serum testosterone levels with unaltered estradiol content, disturbed estrus cyclicity and many peripheral cysts in the ovary compared to control rats mimicking human PCOS. Norepinephrine (NE), dopamine, serotonin, γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and epinephrine levels were significantly low in TP-induced PCOS rats compared to control ones, whereas the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the PCOS brain was markedly elevated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurotransmitter alteration could be one of the reasons for disturbed gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release, consequently directing the ovarian dysfunction in PCOS. Also, decrease in neurotransmitters, mainly NE, serotonin and dopamine (DA) attributes to mood disorders like depression and anxiety in PCOS.
authors: Nirja K
authors: NK
authors: Chaudhari
authors: Laxmipriya P
authors: LP
authors: Nampoothiri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D043343:Testosterone Propionate / Q000633:toxicity*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; C004480:4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D043343:Testosterone Propionate; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine