Some reproductive hormones in relation to ovarian activity in rats

The present study is an endeavor to explore the relationship between induced hormonal alterations and ovarian activity in female rats. Fifty mature cycling female Albino rats were left for one week for acclimatization and offered balanced diet and water ad libitum. Animals were daily examined by vaginal smears to determine regularity of the estrous cycle. Rats were equally divided into 5 groups; control, hyperglycemic, hypoglycemic, hypercorticosteroid and hypocorticosteroid. At the end of 3 cycles, individual sera were obtained to determine glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), estradiol and progesterone levels. Moreover, tissue specimens of the ovaries and the Fallopian tube were taken for histopathological examination. Results showed that all hormonal treatments induced alterations in the cellular characteristics of the cycle. Gonadosomaic index (GSI) did not show any remarkable variation. Alloxan or insulin treatments affected significantly serum glucose level in rats as. On the other side, hypercorticism led to marked elevation of glucose while hypocorticism showed no significant effect. Serum MDA showed significant elevation only in hyperglycemic and hypocorticoid groups. Hypoglycemia led to a significant decrease in serum estradiol while other treatments had no effect. Upon progesterone, hypoglycemia resulted in an increased level of the hormone while other treatments led to reduced levels of the hormone. It was evident that abnormalities of the adrenal corticosteroids and / or pancreatic insulin levels are concomitant with irregular estrous cycle as well as ovarian and Fallopian tube alterations which led to deviated gonadal folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis.