Korean J Pathol.  2010 Aug;44(4):376-383.

Pathologic Characteristics of Ovarian Hemorrhagic Polycyst in Estrogen Receptor-alpha (ERalpha) Knockout Mice and Roles of ERalpha in Hemorrhagic Polycyst

• Son HJ
• Kim JH
• Lee HK
• Park MJ
• Kang DW
• Ko CM

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy causing anovulation in women of childbearing age. It has been well established that estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (ERalphaKO) mice display several pathologic ovarian phenotypes of PCOS. The aims of this study were to determine ovarian pathology in new ERalphaKO mice using a CreloxP approach and intra-ovarian ERalpha function as regulating key aspects of PCOS.
METHODS
ERalphaKO mice, which were deficient in exon 3 of the ERalpha gene, were used. Immunohistochemical studies were done on ovaries of control and ERalphaKO mice using antibodies specific to ERalpha, ERbeta, inhibin-alpha, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), as well as histochemical staining using Sudan black-B.
RESULTS
All ovaries of ERalphaKO mice were larger than control mouse ovaries and displayed a disrupted theca-interstitial tissue organization, multiple atretic follicles and multiple hemorrhagic cysts. None of the ERalphaKO mouse ovaries showed a corpus luteum. In addition, heavy deposition of Sudan black-B positive foamy cells was seen. The theca externa of preantral immature follicles and hemorrhagic cysts showed strong expression of alpha-SMA.
CONCLUSIONS
ERalphaKO mice show hemorrhagic polycystic ovaries and hyperplasia of the theca externa. This study demonstrates that the ERalpha is the functional key to the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Keyword

Polycystic ovary syndrome; Estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (ERalphaKO); Hemorrhagic polycysts; Immunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Actins
Animals
Anovulation
Antibodies
Corpus Luteum
Estrogen Receptor alpha
Estrogen Receptor beta
Estrogens
Exons
Female
Humans
Hyperplasia
Immunohistochemistry
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Muscles
Ovarian Follicle
Ovary
Phenotype
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Sudan
Theca Cells
Actins
Antibodies
Estrogen Receptor alpha
Estrogen Receptor beta
Estrogens