Ovariectomy Improves Metabolic and Oxidative Stress Marker Disruption in Androgenized Rats: Possible Approach to Postmenopausal Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Bone strength is reduced in a neonatal androgenized rat model

“…This number of rats was calculated to provide approximately eight animals per group based on an earlier study ( Mujica et al, 2021 ). Androgenization consisted of the administration of a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 1.25 mg testosterone propionate (Androgenol™) (androgenized group) or vehicle control −1.25 mg corn oil s.c. (control group) in pups at Days 2–5 of life ( Anzai et al, 2017 ; Marcondes et al, 2015 ; Serrano Mujica et al, 2021 ; Ota et al, 1983 ). This neonatal protocol replicates several reproductive and metabolic features of PCOS ( Anzai et al, 2017 ; Marcondes et al, 2015 ; Serrano Mujica et al, 2021 ; Ota et al, 1983 ; Pinilla et al, 2002 ).…”

“…Androgenization consisted of the administration of a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 1.25 mg testosterone propionate (Androgenol™) (androgenized group) or vehicle control −1.25 mg corn oil s.c. (control group) in pups at Days 2–5 of life ( Anzai et al, 2017 ; Marcondes et al, 2015 ; Serrano Mujica et al, 2021 ; Ota et al, 1983 ). This neonatal protocol replicates several reproductive and metabolic features of PCOS ( Anzai et al, 2017 ; Marcondes et al, 2015 ; Serrano Mujica et al, 2021 ; Ota et al, 1983 ; Pinilla et al, 2002 ). The allocation for a group of pups was aleatory, and the dams were kept with their pups until weaning (21 days); groups of androgenized and control pups remained in separated cages to avoid contamination with hormones excreted in the urine or feces.…”

“…SHAM rats were submitted to the same anesthesia and surgery protocol (including localization of the ovary and externalization) but did not undergo ovariectomy. Animals were observed each 10 min after surgery to monitor the development of complications in the first hour and the 30 and 30 min until the fourth hour ( Serrano Mujica et al, 2021 ). Successful oophorectomy was confirmed in all cases by the presence of undetectable levels of circulating estradiol using commercial electrochemiluminescent assays (Architect Estradiol, Abbot Laboratories, Wiesbaden, Germany – protocol available at https://www.ilexmedical.com/files/PDF/Estradiol_ARC.pdf ) not observed in SHAM rats ( Serrano Mujica et al, 2021 ; Monteiro et al, 2016 ).…”

“…In our study, we employed the previously described rat model of PCOS obtained from the injection of 1.25 mg of testosterone propionate on the second day of life. When these rats reach adulthood, they exhibit chronic anovulation, polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance ( Anzai et al, 2017 ; Marcondes et al, 2015 ; Serrano Mujica et al, 2021 ; Ota et al, 1983 ; Pinilla et al, 2002 ). Interestingly, these androgenized rats show at adult age, higher levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and serum testosterone (T) than control rats ( Anzai et al, 2017 ; Marcondes et al, 2015 ; Ota et al, 1983 ).…”

“…There is also evidence of metabolic abnormalities, characterized by higher total, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, TyG index, and the accumulation of lipids in the liver, related to insulin resistance ( Anzai et al, 2017 ). A disruption of the REDOX state, represented by total oxidative status (TOS), and the ratio between total oxidative status and total antioxidant capacity (TOS/TAC) was also identified ( Serrano Mujica et al, 2021 ).…”