open access

Vol 50, No 3 (2012)
Original paper
Submitted: 2012-10-08
Accepted: 2012-10-08
Published online: 2012-10-08
Get Citation

Structural, functional, and lectin histochemical characteristics of rat ovaries and endometrium in experimental hyper- and hypothyroidism

Alexander Lutsyk, Elisabeth Sogomonian
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2012.0045
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2012;50(3):331-339.

open access

Vol 50, No 3 (2012)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2012-10-08
Accepted: 2012-10-08
Published online: 2012-10-08

Abstract

Twenty lectins with different carbohydrate affinities, including five new lectins purified from fungi,
were used for histochemical examination of carbohydrate determinants in rat ovaries and endometrium under
experimental hyper- and hypothyroidism. In the ovaries of control rats, lectin binding was detected predominantly
in the zona pellucida and corona radiata of growing follicles, luteocytes, and leucocytes. Within the endometrium,
lectins reacted strongly with the luminal surface, epitheliocytes and secretions of the uterine glands,
pre-decidual cells, leucocytes, and collagen fibers. As revealed on general morphology and estrous cycle studies,
hyperthyroidism induced ovarian luteinization, and increased the content of pre-decidual cells and of collagen
fibers in the endometrium, with no reliable effect on the estrous cycle. Hypothyroidism was accompanied by
retardation of the estrous cycle, enhanced folliculogenesis and leucocyte infiltration of ovarian and endometrial
stroma. Both hyper- and hypothyroidism significantly affected the tissue carbohydrates of the ovaries and endometrium:
specific and differential redistribution of DMan, LFuc, NeuNAc, DGlcNAc, DGalNAc, and DGal
determinants was detected under both pathological conditions. Hyperthyroidism induced more severe alterations
of glycoconjugates than hypothyroidism; the endometrium was more susceptible to thyroxin-modulated
impairments than the ovaries. These results give new insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms of the effects of
thyroid disorders on the female reproductive organs and demonstrate the suitability of lectin histochemistry
methods for monitoring the efficacy of hormonal imbalance correction therapy, as well as the applicability of
new lectin preparations for the selective labeling of ovarian and endometrial constituents.

Abstract

Twenty lectins with different carbohydrate affinities, including five new lectins purified from fungi,
were used for histochemical examination of carbohydrate determinants in rat ovaries and endometrium under
experimental hyper- and hypothyroidism. In the ovaries of control rats, lectin binding was detected predominantly
in the zona pellucida and corona radiata of growing follicles, luteocytes, and leucocytes. Within the endometrium,
lectins reacted strongly with the luminal surface, epitheliocytes and secretions of the uterine glands,
pre-decidual cells, leucocytes, and collagen fibers. As revealed on general morphology and estrous cycle studies,
hyperthyroidism induced ovarian luteinization, and increased the content of pre-decidual cells and of collagen
fibers in the endometrium, with no reliable effect on the estrous cycle. Hypothyroidism was accompanied by
retardation of the estrous cycle, enhanced folliculogenesis and leucocyte infiltration of ovarian and endometrial
stroma. Both hyper- and hypothyroidism significantly affected the tissue carbohydrates of the ovaries and endometrium:
specific and differential redistribution of DMan, LFuc, NeuNAc, DGlcNAc, DGalNAc, and DGal
determinants was detected under both pathological conditions. Hyperthyroidism induced more severe alterations
of glycoconjugates than hypothyroidism; the endometrium was more susceptible to thyroxin-modulated
impairments than the ovaries. These results give new insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms of the effects of
thyroid disorders on the female reproductive organs and demonstrate the suitability of lectin histochemistry
methods for monitoring the efficacy of hormonal imbalance correction therapy, as well as the applicability of
new lectin preparations for the selective labeling of ovarian and endometrial constituents.
Get Citation

Keywords

lectin histochemistry, rat ovaries, rat endometrium, experimental hyperthyroidism, experimental hypothyroidism

About this article
Title

Structural, functional, and lectin histochemical characteristics of rat ovaries and endometrium in experimental hyper- and hypothyroidism

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 50, No 3 (2012)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

331-339

Published online

2012-10-08

Page views

2350

Article views/downloads

3115

DOI

10.5603/FHC.2012.0045

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2012;50(3):331-339.

Keywords

lectin histochemistry
rat ovaries
rat endometrium
experimental hyperthyroidism
experimental hypothyroidism

Authors

Alexander Lutsyk
Elisabeth Sogomonian

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp z o.o., ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk

tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail:  viamedica@viamedica.pl