Hormonal imbalance and its effect on the pancreas in female rats with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder caused by hyperandrogenism, estrogen imbalance, and insulin resistance. It is a chronic condition that affects hormonal balance, but genetic and environmental factors are believed to play an important role in its development. There is no evidence that PCOS directly affects the pancreas and its enzymes. The aim was to understand the effect of PCOS on the pancreas from a physiological and histological perspective. Twenty-four female rats were divided into three groups (eight rats in each group). The first group was the control group, consisting of healthy rats that did not receive any medication. The second group was given 0.2 mg/kg of letrozole orally to induce PCOS. The third group was injected with 0.7 mg/kg of estradiol to also induce PCOS. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were used to assess levels of hormones such as testosterone, estradiol, and insulin, as well as enzymes such as amylase. Ovarian and pancreatic organs were also taken for histological sectioning. The results showed a significant increase in testosterone concentrations in the letrozole-treated group and a significant decrease in estradiol concentrations, in contrast to the estradiol- treated group, where testosterone concentrations decreased and estradiol concentrations increased. Regarding enzymes, a decrease in amylase concentrations was observed in the letrozole-treated group, in contrast to the estradiol-treated group, where amylase concentrations increased. Increased insulin concentrations were also observed in both groups. As for histological sections, ovarian sections from female mice in which polycystic ovary syndrome was induced using letrozole and estradiol showed numerous cystic follicles on the ovarian surface with a thin granular layer, dissolution of the corpus luteum, and the disappearance of primordial, primary, secondary, and Graafian follicles. As for histological sections of the pancreas from female mice induced with letrozole, changes such as alpha cell proliferation and capillary dilation were observed. Pancreatic cells and islets of Langerhans were normal, and the effect of PCOS in this group was mild. Compared to the other group in which PCOS was induced with estradiol, we observed more significant changes and effects, such as islet cell hyperplasia,

     

endothelial cell hyperplasia, capillary congestion, acinar cell necrosis, and beta cell degeneration. The study summarizes the effect of PCOS on the pancreas, which leads to pathological changes there, leading to decreased activity.