Frontiers in Endocrinology (Dec 2018)

An Improved Dehydroepiandrosterone-Induced Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Post-pubertal Improve PCOS's Features

  • Eun-Jeong Kim,
  • Eun-Jeong Kim,
  • Minhee Jang,
  • Jong Hee Choi,
  • Jong Hee Choi,
  • Kyoung Sun Park,
  • Ik-Hyun Cho,
  • Ik-Hyun Cho,
  • Ik-Hyun Cho

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00735
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Complete animal models investigating the pathogenesis and treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are not completely established. Although dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced pre-pubertal rat model for PCOS has been widely used, the model exhibits weaknesses such as decreased ovary weight. Here, we report an innovative DHEA-induced PCOS model that addresses limitations of the pre-pubertal model. The 21-day-old (pre-pubertal) and 42-day-old (post-pubertal) female rats were subcutaneously injected with DHEA (60 mg/kg body weight) daily for up to 20–30 days. The post-pubertal model showed a steady increase in ovary weight and the number of ovarian cysts as well as uterine weight and thickness, which may be key features of PCOS, compared with the pre-pubertal model. Therefore, a post-pubertal PCOS model induced by DHEA may be an improved model to investigate the etiology of PCOS and development of therapeutic interventions.

Keywords