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

Abstract

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

Keywords

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